Urgent action on waste management in Sukau following UNESCO recognition

11 January 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin has called for immediate and more systematic action to address waste management issues in Sukau, a key eco-tourism destination recently recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

He said the issue was raised during a briefing session with tourism industry operators in Sukau, where he listened to their views, proposals and concerns regarding the development of sustainable tourism in the area.

Sukau, Kinabatangan was officially recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve following a two-year nomination process from 2022 to 2024. Jafry said the recognition placed a significant responsibility on all stakeholders to preserve environmental cleanliness, sustainability and ecological balance.

He said Sukau has the potential to become one of the leading tourism destinations for both domestic and international visitors, particularly in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year campaign, while further strengthening Sabah’s position as a world-class eco-tourism destination.

However, Jafry stressed that poor waste management, particularly the accumulation of solid waste, could undermine the destination’s image and have adverse effects on wildlife habitats, river quality and the overall visitor experience.

“As an internationally recognised eco-tourism destination, Sukau cannot afford to compromise on cleanliness and waste management,” he said, adding that failure to act could affect Sukau’s reputation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and erode tourists’ confidence.

Among the proposals discussed was the construction of a waste collection centre as an initial step towards establishing a more systematic, efficient and environmentally friendly waste management system. He said the ministry would study the proposal in detail with local authorities, relevant agencies and the local community.

Jafry also said the ministry remains committed to engaging directly with tourism industry players and local residents to ensure that solutions are practical, realistic and sustainable.

He added that the aim is for Sukau to continue developing as a high-quality, well-managed nature tourism destination that delivers tangible benefits to the local community.