Latest news with #Johari
Barnama
11 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Johari Calls For Agency Streamlining, Mandatory Registration Of Plastic Recyclers Under MITI
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani today urged a streamlined approach among agencies managing plastic waste and proposed mandatory registration of all plastic recycling companies under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to boost oversight and enforcement. Johari, who is also the Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, said the current system involves fragmented jurisdiction across several agencies, including the Department of Environment, Solid Waste Management Department, MITI and the Customs Department. 'To be effective, these four agencies must come together. I've submitted this proposal to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability,' he said during a parliamentary session today. He was responding to Datuk Seri Ibrahim Man (PN–Kubang Kerian), who asked about improving enforcement at plastic recycling plants, some of which are linked to the illegal import of waste. Johari emphasised the importance of thoroughly inspecting all plastic waste containers entering the country and called for stricter monitoring at processing facilities to trace waste back to licensed operators. 'If a container arrives with false declarations, Customs may not catch it immediately. But by monitoring every company processing this waste, we can track which factories receive it and verify their licensing status,' he said. He also raised concerns that only 10 to 20 per cent of imported plastic waste is processed, with the bulk ending up in Malaysian landfills. 'We bear the high cost of landfill management while the exporting countries pay nothing,' he said. To address these challenges, Johari proposed making it mandatory for these companies to register under MITI, ensuring greater transparency through annual license renewals that require audited financial statements detailing sales, exports and market destinations.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt eyes streamlined agencies to bolster plastic waste import controls
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling an overhaul of the country's plastic waste import system, including streamlining the roles of four key agencies to enhance coordination, accountability and enforcement. This will involve the Department of Environment (DoE), Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corp (SWCorp), Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, and Customs Department. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who helms the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, said the proposed initiative aimed to strengthen enforcement mechanisms in addressing the transboundary movement of plastic waste. "We take the issue of unauthorised and uncontrolled transboundary movement of plastic waste very seriously. "It is often seen as a form of waste colonisation," he told the Dewan Rakyat today. Johari said overlapping jurisdictions among the agencies had hindered enforcement efforts. "We have four different bodies with different mandates. "If we want effective enforcement, all four must sit at the same table; that is my suggestion to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry," he said, responding to questions from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Perikatan Nasional–Kubang Kerian) on the government's position regarding plastic waste imports enforcement. Johari said enforcement should go beyond port inspections and include strict monitoring of recycling facilities. "If we track activities at the processing plants, we can determine whether the waste is being handled by licensed operators or otherwise," he said. Johari said only 10-20 per cent of imported plastic waste is properly processed, while the remaining 80 per cent ends up in landfills. To address this, he said the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry would require all plastic recycling companies to register with the ministry and renew their licences annually. He said beginning July 1, new standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been enforced under the Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order (Amendment) 2002. All plastic waste imports must be approved by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and obtain a Certificate of Approval issued by Sirim. "With the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry's involvement, we want all companies to register with the ministry. "We will scrutinise their financial reports, sales data, export destinations and waste handling practices," he said. Johari said that Malaysia, as a signatory to the Basel Convention, is bound by its provisions on the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, including the 2021 amendment which mandates Prior Informed Consent before any cross-border shipment of plastic waste.
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia moves to secure low-risk status under EU deforestation rules
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is rolling out coordinated strategies to secure its status as a low-risk country under the EU's deforestation rules, with efforts spanning forest monitoring, regulatory compliance, and sustainable land management. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said one of the key strategies is coordinating the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) across multiple ministries and agencies. These include forest data management, enforcement and sustainable forest governance, he said. The European Union will by June 30 unveil the much anticipated "country benchmarking system" under the EUDR. It will divide countries into one of three tiers: "low", "standard" or "high" risk, with escalating due diligence and compliance obligations aimed at minimising EU's contributions to global deforestation and forest degradation. It requires seven commodities and their derivatives — cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soyabean and wood — entering the EU market to be deforestation-free, legally produced and covered by a due diligence statement. Johari (BN–Titiwangsa) said that his ministry is also working to ensure that Malaysia's agri-commodity products exported to the EU meet EUDR requirements through the adoption of sustainable certification schemes such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil Certification Scheme, the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, and the Malaysian Sustainable Natural Rubber Guidelines. "Relevant issues that may affect the accuracy of Malaysia's latest forest data submitted for the Global Forest Resources Assessment report to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which is used in the EUDR risk classification process, are also discussed," he said in a written parliamentary reply. Johari also said recommendations would be submitted to the government regarding compliance measures that need to be implemented by the relevant ministries and agencies. "These strategies reflect our proactive efforts to ensure Malaysia is classified as a low-risk country and demonstrate the Ministry's commitment to keeping the country's agri-commodity products competitive in the EU market," he said. He was responding to Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS–Puncak Borneo), who had asked about the country's response to the EUDR framework and the ministry's strategies to ensure Malaysia achieves low-risk status. Last month, the government formed a Special Committee to spearhead the country's response to the EUDR, aiming to ensure continued access to the EU market and strengthen sustainability compliance across key export sectors. Chaired by Johari, the committee involves three key ministries, including the Plantation and Commodities Ministry, the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, as well as the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry. Their respective secretaries general will co-chair the working committee. The committee will also act as the central channel for Malaysia's engagement with the European Commission, including the submission of official datasets, policy updates and participation in technical exchanges.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysian and Indonesian parliamentary leaders discuss ASEAN cooperation
KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul welcomed the Chair of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR RI), Ahmad Muzani, at Parliament House today. The meeting reinforced the longstanding diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Indonesia within ASEAN. According to a statement from the Malaysian Parliament, the discussions centered on enhancing parliamentary diplomacy to foster stronger people-to-people connections and regional prosperity. 'This meeting also laid the groundwork for closer cooperation between the two Parliaments ahead of Malaysia's leadership of the 46th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) from September 17 to 22, 2025,' the statement said. Johari highlighted the importance of joint efforts in nurturing ASEAN youth leadership through exchange programmes and cross-border initiatives. 'Developing young leaders capable of addressing global challenges is crucial for the region's future,' he said. Ahmad Muzani provided updates on Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, in Kalimantan, which Johari acknowledged as a significant economic catalyst. 'This project presents opportunities for bilateral collaborations that will benefit both nations,' Johari added. – Bernama
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
King grants royal assent to 20 Acts, including Media Council and Parliamentary Services law
KUALA LUMPUR: The Bernama (Amendment) Act 2025, Parliamentary Services Act 2025, and Malaysian Media Council Act 2025 are among 20 Acts that have received royal assent from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said other Acts include the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2025, Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025, Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Act 2025, Labuan Companies (Amendment) Act 2025, and Labuan Trusts (Amendment) Act 2025. Also granted royal assent were the Labuan Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships (Amendment) Act 2025, Legal Profession (Amendment) Act 2025, Online Safety Act 2025, and Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (Amendment) Act 2025. "The Agong has also assented to the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (Amendment) Act 2025, Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation Fund (Amendment) Act 2025, Supplementary Supply (2024) Act 2025, and Constitution (Amendment 2) Act 2025. "Also approved were the Fire Services (Amendment) Act 2025, Government Services Efficiency Commitment Act 2025, and Employees Provident Fund (Amendment) Act 2025," he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday (July 21). Separately, in his proclamation at the start of the Second Meeting the same day, Johari announced that the sitting will run for 24 days, with a key focus on the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). As such, he said this parliamentary sitting is expected to extend into the night to allow Members of Parliament ample time to debate and discuss the core elements of the 13MP. "Key matters to be debated and considered during this session include Bills, motions related to the 13MP, the Auditor-General's Report 2/2025, and the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam)," he said. He also thanked all MPs who supported the enactment of the Parliamentary Services Act following its royal assent. He said the Act has restored the autonomy of the Malaysian Parliament, strengthened the country's democracy and reinforced the principle of separation of powers. Johari also reminded all MPs that they are required to undergo health screenings by Nov 7, as implemented in the previous sitting. He said the screenings are crucial in helping them detect early health issues and take prompt preventive measures. The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament begins Monday and runs until Aug 28, with the tabling of the 13MP by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled for July 31. - Bernama
