GEORGE TOWN, May 13 — Penang has significant potential to turn waste into new economic wealth by attracting high-technology foreign investments as a new driver of the state economy.
Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican (BN-Bertam) said the state government should therefore formulate a comprehensive green waste and high-technology e-waste master plan.
“The e-waste recycling industry has strong potential as it involves the processing of valuable metals such as nickel, lithium and cobalt.
“In fact, seven of Malaysia’s 17 licensed companies are already operating in Penang, and this is an advantage that should be fully leveraged,” he said while debating the motion of thanks for the policy speech by Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib at the state legislative assembly sitting here.
Reezal Merican, who is also chairman of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, also stressed the importance of waste-to-energy (WTE) projects, which could help resolve solid waste issues while generating energy.
However, he said implementation would require careful planning and the full backing of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the state’s top leadership.
Reezal Merican said the matter was not merely an environmental issue, but a major economic opportunity that should not be missed, adding that the state government needed to act swiftly before Penang fell behind in the green and circular economies.
Meanwhile, he also proposed that the state government provide a one-off RM500 incentive to each padi farmer to help them cope with the recent sharp rise in agricultural input costs.
He said the proposal was aimed at easing the burden on farmers affected by rising prices of fertiliser, pesticides and other agricultural inputs.
“The state government could consider a one-off RM500 incentive for padi farmers to help them at this time. This is among the forms of direct support that can be implemented immediately,” he said.
He added that the agricultural sector, particularly padi cultivation, must continue to receive attention from the state government given its importance to the country’s food security. — Bernama
Date: 13 May, 2026 6:04 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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