The Government will invite tenders from companies with expertise in incinerator technology to build such facilities in major cities as early as 2015.
Companies, including those from abroad, will be required to submit tenders before the end of this year in tandem with the Government’s gradual departure from the current landfill method of solid waste disposal.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung, speaking to reporters after launching SWM Environment’s fleet of vehicles yesterday, said it was time Malaysians accepted incinerator technology which was safe and the best method for garbage disposal.
“Our neighbours across the Causeway have four to five incinerators and their people have no problem with it,” he said.
Chor said many of the country’s 167 landfills were already nearing full capacity, and the Government has to open another 11 soon.
He added that protests by the public, such as during the proposed Broga incinerator episode, could be avoided if the benefits of having such facilities were explained to the people.
On another matter, Chor said the three solid waste management concessionaires in peninsular Malaysia would be required to collect waste and recyclables from households three times a week effective September 1.
The fleet of vehicles launched yesterday included compacters, roadsweepers and ultra whack vacuum cleaner vehicles for better waste collection in Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor
The “Ultra Whack Vacuum Cleaner” is a high-powered vacuum that can be used to clean clogged drains and heavy debris normally found in covered and monsoon drains, culverts, silt traps and water channels.
The system comes with a 2.45m long intake hose mounted on a garbage truck supported by a sophisticated hydraulic system.