He said mall operators should also encourage tenants, particularly food and beverage outlets, to segregate waste and channel recyclable materials to the facilities provided.
KUALA LUMPUR: Shopping malls that fail to provide recycling facilities will risk having their operating licences withheld or revoked under a new government directive making such facilities mandatory nationwide.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said all shopping malls are now required to provide recycling facilities as a condition for obtaining and renewing their licences, following a Cabinet decision.
READ MORE: Over 1,000 shopping malls to provide recycling facilities by year-end – Nga
“This initiative will be implemented in stages beginning June 2026 to strengthen solid waste management, expand circular economy practices and make recycling more accessible to the public,” he told reporters after launching the National Recycling Campaign 2026.
“If a shopping mall fails to provide recycling facilities, it will not be granted a licence,” he said.
Nga said guidelines and directives have already been issued to local authorities nationwide to ensure uniform implementation of the policy.
The move is expected to affect more than 1,000 shopping malls across the country and forms part of the government’s efforts to reduce landfill waste, promote recycling and encourage a circular economy.
He said mall operators should also encourage tenants, particularly food and beverage outlets, to segregate waste and channel recyclable materials to the facilities provided.
Nga expressed confidence that operators would comply with the requirement, stressing that environmental responsibility must be a shared commitment between businesses and the public.
Malaysia has set a national recycling rate target of 40% and aims to achieve a waste diversion rate of 53% by 2035.
