PUTRAJAYA: Despite the introduction of the waste separation at source programme last year, a mere 17 per cent of Malaysians have taken up recycling.
The authorities have so far inspected 367,651 premises and issued 85,239 reminders to the owners, advising them to practice waste separation.
Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the government has carried out many awareness campaigns, activities and programmes on recycling but people still haven't adopted the 'recycling culture.'
“The average increase in solid waste generated rises sharply at 6.7 per cent in a year, which is more than the three percent recorded globally.
“We cannot be proud of this two-fold increase,” he said in a special address on enforcement for waste separation at source, today.
Rahman’s speech was read out by the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Mohammad Mentek.
In his speech, Rahman also urged enforcement officers to carry out their duties with integrity and sincerity while staying firm against corrupt practices.
The government introduced the waste separation programme last year, which requires all households and business owners in the Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as well as Pahang, Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Perlis and Kedah to separate their waste at source.
Effective June 1, errant offenders would be compounded between RM50 and RM500 for both landed and non-landed premises for failing to separate their waste.
For landed premises owners, the fine for the first offence is RM50, RM100 for the second and RM500 for the third offence while for non-landed property; the Joint Management Body will be fined RM100, 200 and RM500 for the offences.
The programme is implemented under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672).