KOTA TINGGI:  The Housing and Local Government Ministry has successfully transformed a solid waste disposal site in Felda Tenggara into a sustainable recreation park.

Its minister, Nga Kor Ming said the nearly eight-hectare solid waste disposal site has been partially converted as part of efforts to preserve the environment for the well-being of the people.

He explained that this initiative aligns with the aspirations of Malaysia Madani, which emphasises sustainable development and the welfare of the people.

"The ministry has successfully transformed the closed solid waste disposal site in Felda Tenggara, Bandar Tenggara, into a 7.56 ha sustainable recreation park.

"This is part of the ministry's focus on environmental conservation and managing solid waste using modern, sustainable, and effective technology," he said yesterday.

He made these remarks during a working visit to the Bandar Tenggara Waste Disposal Site to review the progress of the transformation project.

Nga added that the site previously emitted foul odours and was polluted.

The site handled nearly 50 tons of solid waste daily and had accumulated over 360,000 metric tons of garbage since 1999.

"The government is now redeveloping this solid waste disposal site into a sustainable recreation park, allowing people to exercise and relax here, picnic with their family, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

"The site is nearly 90 per cent complete. It is expected to be ready by 2025, before the Visit Johor Year," he said.

The recreation park, valued at RM23 million, was developed from an idea from Nga and is being implemented through a collaboration between the National Solid Waste Management Department and the National Landscape Department.

It will feature landscape components such as 17,000 plants, pavilions and pergolas, restrooms, information corners, plazas, walkways, and attractively designed windmills.

It will also feature environmental recovery components such as a leachate treatment pond, a gas ventilation system, and on-site detention ponds.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1102805/housing-ministry-transforms-waste-disposal-site-park