Kelantan: Kelantan is set to adopt the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) in response to rising waste management costs, following a briefing with the National Solid Waste Management Department (JPSPN). State Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment Committee chairman Hilmi Abdullah indicated that Kelantan aims to include a provision that would allow the state to appoint its own waste management contractors, following a model already implemented in Selangor and Penang.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, several states, including Selangor, Terengganu, Perak, and Penang, are also in talks to adopt this act. Hilmi emphasized the importance of Kelantan not falling behind in adopting these measures, as discussed at the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration and the launch of Semar Emas Enterprise's new compactor lorry.

Previously, Kelantan had rejected the act due to conditions requiring the transfer of state authority over waste management to the federal government. However, the state is now seeking a renegotiation of terms due to growing financial pressures in the waste management sector.

Hilmi mentioned that a special briefing will be held in Putrajaya for district council presidents and the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) to discuss the matter further. He also reported positive results from the state's RM2,000 fine for improper waste disposal. Local councils, supported by closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring, have successfully reduced violations, with no new fines issued recently, as noted by Hilmi.