22-07-2025
Malls must have recycling facility to get business licence starting Jan 2026, says Nga
KUALA LUMPUR: Shopping malls nationwide will have to provide recycling facilities on their premises to obtain business licences beginning next year, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister made the announcement, saying it was part of the ongoing initiative to ensure a cleaner Malaysia following success in restricting the use of single use plastic bags last year.
"But there is room for improvement and as such the National Circular Economy Council (NCEC) has decided that beginning Jan 1 next year, all shopping malls be equipped with recycling facilities.
"They must provide such facilities which will become a condition for their business licence.
"Shopping malls that do not have such facilities will not be given business licences from the local councils," he said when wrapping up debates on the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22).
The NCEC was set up by the ministry to manage solid waste and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable model for the country.
This includes adopting a waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and resource recovery approach to manage solid waste.
Earlier, Nga informed the august House that the restriction of single use plastic bags campaign last year managed to prevent millions of such plastic bags from being discarded after their use.
"Over 8,000 retailers supported the effort to restrict the use of single use plastic bags," he said.
Meanwhile, Nga also announced that the Cabinet has agreed to designate the Hari Cuci Malaysia in conjunction with the World Clean Up Day on Sept 18 as a national programme.
He said that this year's celebration will be held in Port Dickson and is expected to see 100,000 people participating in the community clean-up programme.
He said the inaugural Hari Cuci Malaysia programme was held last year and it created three new records in the country.
Nga said that 58,000 people participated in the event last year where 4,645 tons of waste was cleaned up in the longest gotong-royong effort between 8am and 8pm.
