The centralisation of solid waste management into private hands bodes ill for the country. The structure is fully reminiscent of the chaos that followed water privatisation, and chosen companies will enjoy long-term concessions and generous grants without suffering competition. The federal government has not learned from its past mistakes.
ON A MALAYSIAN online directory listing, Alam Flora Sdn Bhd’s description of itself reads: “We’ve been entrusted by the Government to manage the privatisation of the national solid waste management system for Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and Pahang.” This must be an outdated website, as the Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung’s recent written Parliamentary reply stated that the federal government’s plan to privatise solid waste management would not include the states of Penang, Selangor and Perak.
