PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s drive towards a circular economy must begin with communities embracing sustainable habits and greener lifestyles, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Speaking at the recent inaugural Green & Geopark Excellence Awards 2025 (Gaga 2025), he said fostering such behaviour was crucial in building cleaner, low-carbon neighbourhoods as the country strengthens its environmental commitments.
The awards ceremony was held at the Langkawi International Convention Centre on Saturday (Nov 22) to celebrate the achievements of 30 winners for their contributions to green initiatives and geopark excellence.
The Sarawak Forest Department emerged as one of the biggest winners, taking home four awards, with 40 of its staff present at the event.
Earlier the same day, a Zero Waste Management Conference was held on the island in conjunction with the awards.
Nga highlighted the government’s efforts to build sustainable and liveable communities, including the national target of planting 115 million trees across 1,000 recreational parks by 2035.
“To support Malaysia’s goal of achieving 70% renewable energy capacity by 2050, the ministry plans to roll out 18 waste-to-energy plants under the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste (2025–2035).
“The plan will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy,” he said, adding that the National Circular Economy Council would introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies to reduce pollution and resource costs.
Nga also said that Malaysia recently received the Zero Waste Special Citation Award at the Global Zero Waste Forum in Turkiye, where he was elected the UN-Habitat Assembly president.
A month after the global recognition, he said, he was happy to see strong participation in Gaga 2025 and congratulated the winners for their commitment to sustainability.
The Zero Waste Management Conference, themed “Redefine Tomorrow, Today!”, drew about 100 participants from Asean countries who explored strategies for achieving zero-waste island status.
Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) Tourism and Geopark manager Dr Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari, who opened the conference, said Langkawi remained committed to embedding sustainability in its development since being declared a Unesco Global Geopark in 2007.
“Zero-waste island status in Langkawi is not a far-off aspiration, it is an achievable reality,” he said, pointing to two certified zero-waste hotels on the island.
“With NGOs and experts championing the zero-waste lifestyle, and all 32 schools on the island equipped with Geopark Corners, our community is ready for this transition.
“With collective commitment, I am confident Langkawi will achieve zero-waste island status well before 2030,” he added.
Award winners received unique “waste to art” creations made by schoolchildren under a Gaga 2025 corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at fostering appreciation for Langkawi’s geopark among local youth.
Frangipani Resort owner Anthony Wong, who won the Green Entrepreneur Leadership Award and served as a panel judge, said upcycling played a crucial role in nurturing a sustainable mindset.
The event’s standout attraction was a sustainable fashion show featuring outfits created from recycled materials.
Fashion icon Datuk Nancy Yeoh drew loud applause from the 300 gala guests with a striking dress made entirely of paper strips.
Gaga convenor KY Pung reminded attendees of the shared responsibility to address climate change.
“By practising the 7Rs of circularity – rethink, repurpose, reduce, reuse, recycle, repair and recover – from an early age, we are laying the foundation for lasting change,” he said.
