Is Selangor serious about public cleanliness?

While SWCorp has actively enforced the Separation at Source (SAS) initiative across seven states, Selangor remains conspicuously behind. Despite its status as Malaysia’s economic powerhouse, the state appears to be treading water. 

On record, it only recently introduced weekly recyclable collection—notably in the Selayang municipality—but without enforcement, this remains a half-measure. It is difficult to see how such a program can succeed if households are not legally compelled to separate plastics and paper from general refuse.

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) has been in force for nearly 19 years, making waste separation a mandatory national practice. Yet, the Selangor state government has consistently failed to implement it. 

This delay is unacceptable for an "advanced" state, especially as it currently faces a reputation for being one of the dirtiest in the country—a troubling reality as it serves as the primary gateway for foreign tourists during Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

This inertia raises a critical question: why is the state government prioritizing expensive incinerators and "waste-to-energy" plants over basic, sustainable waste separation? Incineration is a reactive solution; true progress requires a shift in public behavior. As SWCorp Managing Director Khalid Mohamed recently noted, even after eight years of SAS enforcement in other states, strengthening regulations remains a constant battle—particularly in high-rise buildings.

Selangor’s recent efforts to collect recyclables are laudable, but without the teeth of the law, they risk becoming another "nice to start, impossible to sustain" project. Will every household actually have recyclables ready for the KDEB Waste Management trucks? Without enforcement, participation will likely remain anecdotal rather than systemic.

To achieve meaningful results, Selangor must finally ratify Act 672. Whether the state continues to drag its feet depends on the pressure applied by the public and the media. It is time for the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Nga Kor Ming, to take a firm stand with the State Exco for Local Government, Ng Suee Lim, and demand a definitive timeline for ratification.

Furthermore, Selangor must adopt the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 immediately. It is a stinging irony that after nearly 20 years under the administration of Pakatan Harapan—a coalition that champions itself as a pioneer of reform—the state’s cleanliness remains in such a dismal state. 

Without immediate legislative action, Selangorians may well be waiting another 20 years for a change that should have happened two decades ago.

I appeal to the Sultan of Selangor who recently expressed his great disappointment over cleanliness in the state. All the pictures in this blog post are recent, and taken in the Selayang Municipality. 

I further appeal to the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, given my diminishing confidence in the Selangor state government’s ability to carry out its duties with the necessary care and responsibility.

(All the pictures in this blog post taken recently in early January are within the Selayang municipality).