KOTA KINABALU: Sabah local authorities will be given more powers in handling waste management issues with a new law on the cards, says Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.

       The state Local Government and Housing Minister said the Solid Waste Management and Public Sanitation Enactment was being formulated to be tabled soon in the state assembly.

       Masidi said local authorities would have greater enforcement powers as well as collection and disposal of solid waste.

       "The enactment will provide a solution to Sabah's waste management issues," he said when launching BluHope's "Water is Life! – Rethinking Plastics Education and Awareness Programme” on Thursday (Feb 17).

       Masidi, whose speech was read by his assistant minister Mohd Hamsan Supian, said the new enactment would complement efforts by NGOs in waste management, especially from the impact of plastics.

       "With additional strong support from international governments, we will lead the way with Sabah Plastic Neutral for a healthier and more sustainable future at the beginning of the Unesco Ocean Decade (2021-2030)," he said.

       French ambassador to Malaysia Roland Galharaque was also present at the event.

       Masidi also said it was important to protect Sabah sea waters which were part of the bio-diverse Coral Triangle that is rich with

       30% of the world's coral reefs.

       He lamented that tides brought in plastic debris and waste that littered the beaches and the coastlines.

       "The situation (plastic waste on beaches) cannot continue," he said in supporting BluHope's initiatives by putting in place various programmes including educating school children, as well as creating awareness, plastic collection and separation at source, different recycling technologies and science-based beach clean-ups, among others.

       Sabah Education Department director Datuk Dr Mistrine Radin said the department was in full support of BluHope's programmes aimed to develop behavioural change among the young on plastic usage.

       She said over 1,000 schools in the state are expected to participate.

       BluHope - led by conservationists Simon Christopher and Monica Chin - who over the past year have been developing programmes that model Sabah towards becoming Plastic Neutral.