Malaysia Among Top 5 Plastic Polluters – Can the Government’s New Plan Fix the Crisis?

Source: The Rakyat Post

Malaysia has officially been named one of the top five countries in the world with the highest plastic pollution, according to Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. In response, the government is now preparing national-level policies and legislation to tackle the growing plastic waste crisis.

With plastic pollution worsening flash floods, clogging drainage systems, and contaminating residential areas, the question remains—will these new policies be enough to solve the problem?

Plastic Waste Worsening Flash Floods Across Malaysia

Between late 2024 and early 2025, several Malaysian states faced severe flash floods, displacing thousands of residents. Among the worst-affected areas were Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Ipoh (Perak), and Alor Gajah (Melaka). In Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, residents described the recent floods as the worst in the last 10 years, with people stranded for over four hours as they waited for floodwaters to recede.

 Plastic pollution has been identified as a major contributor to these flash floods.

At Arena Kepayang Putra, Fair Park, Ipoh, floodwaters carried oil slicks and piles of plastic waste into residential areas, causing skin irritation and itching among local residents, particularly children. This highlights the critical impact of improper plastic waste disposal, which clogs drainage systems and worsens flood conditions.

Malaysia Plans National Law to Fight Plastic Pollution

To combat the crisis, the Malaysian government is drafting a national framework under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13). Currently, enforcement of plastic pollution regulations relies on local governments (PBT), but Nik Nazmi argues that this is insufficient. “Under RMK13, we are exploring the possibility of implementing national-level legislation to combat plastic pollution. Relying on local authorities alone is not enough. We need comprehensive national legislation,” he stated. This move marks a major shift in Malaysia’s approach to tackling plastic pollution, aiming for stronger enforcement and long-term solutions.

Plastic Waste Crisis to Be Discussed at ASEAN 2025

Malaysia is set to chair ASEAN in 2025, and plastic pollution will be one of the main topics on the agenda. Nik Nazmi highlighted that since China banned plastic waste imports in 2018, Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have struggled with excessive plastic waste dumping from foreign sources.

“This is not just Malaysia’s problem—it’s a regional crisis,” he emphasized.

With Malaysia taking the lead, ASEAN 2025 could play a key role in establishing a collective strategy to manage plastic waste more effectively.

Coldplay’s RM3.2 Million Effort to Clean Up Sungai Klang

Efforts to combat plastic pollution have also attracted international support. In 2021, British rock band Coldplay donated RM3.2 million to clean up Sungai Klang using a specialized waste-trapping machine called ‘Interceptor 005’. This initiative, in collaboration with Dutch non-profit The Ocean Cleanup, was aimed at preventing more plastic waste from reaching the ocean. Sungai Klang has long been one of the 50 most polluted rivers in the world, and previous efforts—like ‘Interceptor 002’ in 2019—show that large-scale cleanup projects are possible. But will Malaysia’s new policies be able to deliver long-term solutions rather than just temporary fixes?

Will Malaysia’s New Policy Be Enough?

With Malaysia ranking among the top five worst plastic polluters, the government’s move to introduce national legislation is a crucial step forward.

However, its success depends on three key factors:

Strong enforcement – Policies must be backed by strict regulations and penalties.

Public cooperation – Malaysians must actively participate in plastic waste reduction.

Regional collaboration – ASEAN 2025 must push for collective action against plastic waste dumping.

With Malaysia preparing to lead the discussion at ASEAN 2025, the question remains—will these efforts be enough to undo decades of plastic pollution damage?