MALAYSIA HOPES TO ACHIEVE 30 PER CENT RECYCLING RATE

SIBU (Malaysia), Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes to achieve 30 per cent
recycling rate by 2020 from the current five per cent, Deputy Housing and Local
Government Minister Robert Lau Hoi Chew said.

"We need to inculcate awareness among the people on the importance of
recycling wastes to safeguard the environment and to contribute towards tackling
global warming," he said at a swearing-in ceremony of 15 councillors of Sibu
Municipal Council (SMC) here Monday.

Sibu is a town, and the capital of Sibu District (229.8 square kilometers)
in Sibu Division, Sarawak, east Malaysia

Lanang member of parliament Tiong Thai King who was re-appointed for
his second term, led the ceremony.

Lau said that in comparison, the recycling rate among Scandinavian countries
had reached 70 per cent.

Meanwhile, he called on the 26 local authorities in the state to also give
priority to urban poverty eradication, town beautification and the setting up of
more voluntary fire fighting units, particularly in rural areas.


He said it was the aim of his ministry to make Malaysia a garden nation
through good landscapings and more designated green areas.

"We must have more beautification programmes be they in towns, districts,
villages or longhouses.

"All are integral components contributing to the ambition. On my part, I
will try to get more federal fundings," he said.

-- BERNAMA