KUCHING: The Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) is set to take over the management of scheduled waste in Sarawak entirely by Jan 1, 2025.
NREB deputy chairman Datuk Len Talif Salleh said this transition is part of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), transferring authority from the Department of Environment to the NREB.
He assured that NREB is committed to enhancing resources, including manpower, infrastructure, and the working environment, in preparation for upcoming environmental challenges.
In response to the MA63 transfer, he asserted that a steering committee and technical committee were established in 2023 to strategically plan and monitor the progress of implementation.
“The state has the right to conduct any environmental activities. Now, with the MA63 discussion in place, we are going into the details progressively.
“We are examining both the legal as well as administrative and financial aspects of these activities. They don’t provide us with the financial support to run some of the programmes, and at times, we have to be backed by legal aspects to have the mandate for all activities.
“This has been ongoing for the last two years. Regarding scheduled waste, we aim to take over on Jan 1 next year. Everything has been put in place.
“We (NREB) are confident that it can be taken over by next year. Some of that are already being carried out.”
He said this when officiating the NREB 30th anniversary celebration at Menara Pelita here on Thursday (Feb 1).
Len, is the Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, said NREB is entrusted with new functions, particularly in matters related to carbon capture and storage, control of greenhouse gas emissions, and other green initiatives.
Among the anticipated additional functions are the control of conveyance, verification, and examination of scheduled gas brought abroad for storage.
This includes the regulation and inventory of greenhouse gas emissions, the assessment of carbon levies, and the implementation of strategies for the reduction or abatement of greenhouse gases.
To ensure a better future for the next generation, he stressed that it is imperative that the NREB continues to collaborate with relevant government agencies in the state to enforce environmental laws and regulations.
“As we transition into a green economy, a digital economy, and embrace hydrogen, renewable, and clean energy, NREB and all relevant agencies in the state must undergo a transformation to address this environmental issue.
“The challenges we have faced over the last 30 years will multiply several times in the next 20 to 50 years. The issues of carbon capture, technology, and others – just imagine the volume of waste we generate every day.
“All of these issues are crucial for NREB and other responsible agencies to address,” Len stressed.
