SHAH ALAM, June 30 — KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) is prepared to enhance solid waste collection operations at all venues for the 2026 Malaysia Games (SUKMA) in Selangor in anticipation of increased numbers of athletes, supporters, and visitors.
Its managing director Dato' Ramli Mohd Tahir said the company has already projected operational requirements for each competition venue, including identifying locations expected to receive the highest visitor turnout throughout the Games.
“We have carried out our assessments and expect an increase in the number of people at certain locations, such as the Football Stadium and the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Centre in Section 13.
“If necessary, we will increase the number of Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) bins or 240-litre Mobile Garbage Bins, as well as increase the frequency of waste collection.
“For example, at the Panasonic Stadium, when competitions are held with large crowds of spectators and traders, the amount of waste generated will naturally increase,” he said.
Ramli was speaking at a media conference following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between KDEBWM and TM Enviro Industries Sdn Bhd to strengthen the e-waste management ecosystem at KDEBWM's headquarters yesterday.
He added that the existing waste collection schedule will be maintained throughout SUKMA 2026, with additional collections carried out at venues recording higher waste volumes to ensure competition areas remain clean at all times.
“Our mandatory collection schedule will remain unchanged, but we will carry out additional collections based on the increase in waste expected at many venues.
“During the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as events held on Saturdays and Sundays, there will certainly be a greater accumulation of waste. However, we are prepared, and all our plans have already been put into action,” he said.
Meanwhile, KDEBWM has no plans to recruit additional workers, instead choosing to optimise its existing workforce by improving productivity while ensuring sufficient waste collection facilities are available.
“I do not think we need additional workers; what is important is increasing the productivity of our existing workforce. We may consider overtime payments or allowances as an incentive to encourage higher productivity.
“If one RoRo bin is not enough, we will add another. Once a bin is full, we will remove it and replace it with a new one to keep the area tidy.
"We also hope the public will do their part to keep the venues clean and avoid littering,” Ramli said.
While the actual number of athletes and supporters travelling from across the country is difficult to predict, KDEBWM estimates that the volume of waste generated at each venue could potentially double compared with normal days.
"InsyaAllah (God willing), we are ready to face the situation,” he said.
Selangor will host the 22nd SUKMA from August 15 to August 24, with competitions taking place across all nine districts of the state, except for track cycling, which will be held at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
The PARA SUKMA Games are scheduled to take place from September 5 to September 14.
