KUCHING, 19 December 2025 — The Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak (MPHLG) today organised the Prize Giving Ceremony for the School Recycling Competition 2025 (Southern Zone) at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Kuching.

The ceremony was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak. Also present were YBhg. Datu Elizabeth Loh, Permanent Secretary of MPHLG, heads of departments, representatives from Federal and State Government agencies, local authorities, teachers, parents, and students.

In her address, YBhg. Datu Elizabeth Loh highlighted that the Southern Zone competition involved six (6) Local Authorities, namely Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS), Bau District Council, and Lundu District Council.

The School Recycling Competition 2025 is a joint initiative by MPHLG Sarawak in collaboration with Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&NHB), the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) Sarawak, the Sarawak Education Department, as well as 12 Local Authorities from both the Southern and Central Zones.

For the Southern Zone, a total of 68 schools participated, comprising 41 primary schools and 27 secondary schools, with the involvement of 47,020 students. This represents an increase of approximately 41.7 per cent compared to the previous year, reflecting growing awareness and stronger commitment among school communities towards recycling practices and environmental stewardship.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes for the School Recycling Competition (Southern Zone) 2025, which included Special Awards for Highest Aluminium Collection, Highest Plastic Collection, Highest Beverage Carton Collection, and Highest E-Waste Collection. Main Awards were also presented for the Primary School Category, Secondary School Category, as well as the Local Authority Category.

As part of efforts to encourage sustainable lifestyles, each participant received a reusable plastic bottle to promote reduced dependence on single-use plastics and to reinforce environmentally responsible habits in daily life.

MPHLG hopes that the School Recycling Competition will continue to serve as an effective platform to empower communities, expand environmental awareness, and strengthen sustainable practices among students and the wider community.