Minister warns local authorities over RM200m SWCorp debt, says could cripple Malaysia’s trash collection sevices

Minister warns local authorities over RM200m SWCorp debt, says could cripple Malaysia’s trash collection sevices



Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming gives a press conference in Bangi on October 1, 2025, following the SWCorp Fourth Convocation Ceremony. — Picture by Choo Choy May

Thursday, 02 Oct 2025 12:55 PM MYT


BANGI, Oct 2 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming today warned that local councils’ failure to settle their debts with the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) could jeopardize the quality of public cleansing services.

While confirming that claims of a nearly RM500 million debt were outdated, Nga revealed that the outstanding sum still stands at a significant RM200 million.

He noted that although this represents a 60 per cent reduction following ministry interventions, the remaining arrears still pose a risk.

“Failing to pay SWCorp will affect the quality and efficiency of public cleansing, which is its core duty,” he told reporters after officiating SWCorp’s fourth convocation ceremony here.

Nga also issued a stern reminder that all local councils are legally bound to honour their agreements with SWCorp under the Contracts Act 1950.

“All local councils must respect the contracts between the federal and state governments. These agreements must be upheld under the law,” he said.

He added that the ministry will now adopt a more aggressive approach to prevent councils from allowing arrears to accumulate again.

The nearly RM500 million figure was first brought to public attention by Ipoh Timur MP and SWCorp board member Howard Lee, who told the Dewan Rakyat that local councils collectively owed the corporation the sum in unpaid rubbish collection and street cleaning fees.

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Local council members all appointed and not elected, thus no sense of responsibility - granddad's services are considered free