Winners of the Used Cooking Oil Collection Competition holding mock cheques worth between RM500 and RM1,000 pose with Datuk Chan Foong Hin (back row, sixth from left).
KOTA KINABALU (Oct 27): More than 2,000 kilograms of used cooking oil (UCO) were successfully collected through a Used Cooking Oil Collection Competition involving 13 schools across Kota Kinabalu — an initiative by the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) to promote civic awareness and sustainable practices among students.
The programme aims to educate students on the importance of proper waste oil management and its potential as a raw material for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
At the closing ceremony held at Horizon Hotel on Monday, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin presented prizes to the winning schools.
The champion of the Primary School Category is SJKC Chung Hwa Likas – 420kg, first runner-up: SK St Francis Convent – 192kg, second runner-up: SK Kepayan – 170.85kg.
Secondary School Category: Champion: SMK SANZAC – 392.5kg, first runner-up: SM Tshung Tsin and SMJK Shan Tao – 113.5kg each
The achievement reflects a strong level of environmental awareness among students and the school community, supported by active participation from teachers and parents.
In his speech, Chan thanked all participating schools and key partners — Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and JCI Kota Kinabalu — for their commitment in making the first-ever programme of its kind in Sabah a success.
“Collecting over 2,000 kilograms of used cooking oil in just two months shows how environmental education at the school level can make a major impact on the community. This is not just a recycling activity — it’s a community effort to support the nation’s journey towards sustainable energy,” he said.
Chan highlighted that used cooking oil now holds increasing economic value, particularly as a key feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — in line with the National Agri-Commodity Policy 2030 (DAKN2030), which promotes high value-added and low-carbon agri-commodity development.
According to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Sabah collected only about 5,200 tonnes of UCO in 2024, representing less than 1.5% of Malaysia’s total of 380,000 tonnes.
Chan said initiatives like this competition could help boost UCO collection rates across the state.
He also urged more schools, NGOs, and local communities to join the effort to manage used cooking oil more effectively, noting that the practice not only generates additional income for households but also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution.
“Schools that are interested can contact my office to coordinate with DBKK and licensed UCO collectors such as Arus Oil to ensure the collection and delivery process is done safely and efficiently.
“This programme proves that small community actions can have a big impact on the future of sustainable energy in our country. Let’s continue to strengthen our recycling culture for the wellbeing of our people and the planet,” he added.
Also present at the event were DBKK Director of Solid Waste Management Department Leong Tze Fui, Malaysian Cocoa Board Director-General Datuk Dr Ramle Hj Kasin, and MPOB Sabah Zone Coordinator Amran Arifin.
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