SHAH ALAM - Waste management is doable in Malaysia, however it is often met with failure due to the third world mentality of most of its citizens, an expert claims.
Ecoknights Vice President Amlir Ayat said incineration is possible if it is managed and maintained in a proper way.
He said that incinerator contributes to the reduction of solid waste and sustainable waste management in the country.
"This can be done and it is being conducted and carried out in many other countries as well.
"However, the problem in Malaysia is that a lot of people are worried about Malaysian mentality when it comes to maintanance.
"Its always the question of 'Can Malaysians do this or can this be maintained?'," he said.
This is the problem in the country, Amlir said by picking up a phrase by a popular Malaysian politician who said 'Malaysia has first world infrastructure but third world mentality'.
"I remember one day I drove my friend who was from abroad in Kuala Lumpur. When he saw KLCC, he said 'You are way richer than us' whereas their country was more developed.
"However, they looked at the streets and found garbage on the streets yet we have beautiful expensive buildings.
"It really pushed me to an embarassing point," he said.
Amlir said this in a Wacana English Edition programme titled 'Ramadan: Feast or Waste?'.