KOMUNITI@UNIMADANI PROGRAMME: ADVANCING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY THROUGH MADANI COMPOSTING FACILITIES WITH THE PANTAI SIRING COMMUNITY, MERLIMAU, MELAKA

Merlimau, Jasin, Melaka, 19 February 2025 – The handover ceremony for two Madani Composting Facilities was held at the Fishermen’s Activity Building, Pantai Siring Jetty, Merlimau, under the Public University Community Empowerment Programme (Komuniti@UniMADANI), sponsored by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia (MOF). The project is led by Ts. Dr. Aliza Che Amran from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Technology (FTKE), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).

The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by Y.Brs. Ts. Dr. Rostam Affendi bin Hamzah, Deputy Director of the RICE UTeM-Melaka Collaboration Management Centre, followed by the officiating address delivered by YB Datuk Zaidi bin Attan, Member of the Serkam State Legislative Assembly, who also serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Melaka State Executive Council portfolio for Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture.

Also present at the handover ceremony were Ts. Dr. Muhammad Sharil bin Yahaya, Deputy Dean of Student Development at FTKE; Puan Siti Rohayu binti Mohd Isa, Assistant Director of SWCorp Melaka; several UniMADANI programme collaborators; and representatives from interested non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including the National PEMADAM Strategic Partner.

Each of the two Madani Composting Facilities is equipped with an electric composting machine supported by a hybrid power system comprising solar panels, an inverter and batteries.

Through these facilities, food waste is processed using electric composting machines and converted into compost fertiliser. The resulting compost can then be sold by community members to generate additional income. The two facilities were developed by UTeM researchers to serve two communities: Sekolah Menengah Arab Assaiyidah Khadijah (SAIKHAD) and the Pantai Siring Fishermen’s Development Committee (JPN Pantai Siring). SAIKHAD received an electric composting machine with a 10 kg capacity, while JPN Pantai Siring received a machine with a 50 kg capacity.

Before using the facilities, UTeM researchers provided knowledge transfer and training to community members on the Takakura method of food waste composting. This initiative ensures that participants acquire the knowledge and practical skills needed to sustain the composting programme over the long term.

For the SAIKHAD community, the composting facility provides a valuable educational resource that can enhance students’ learning experiences and stimulate their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Students learn to prepare fermented liquid using brown sugar and tempeh, observing the fermentation process firsthand. They then prepare seed compost using the fermented liquid before proceeding with manual food waste composting. Once they understand these fundamental processes, students are introduced to electric composting machines and how the technology simplifies compost production while saving time and effort.

Meanwhile, the facility addresses food waste management challenges faced by the Pantai Siring community. The scheduled food waste collection system implemented by JPN Pantai Siring helps reduce odour pollution caused by decomposing food waste. Food business operators have also experienced the benefits, as their premises are no longer affected by unpleasant odours from accumulated food waste, which is collected and processed by the local community.

The Madani Composting Facilities programme also aligns with Malaysia’s Solid Waste Circular Economy Action Plan (2025–2035), launched by the Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) in August 2024, as well as the government’s efforts to achieve a national recycling rate of 40% by 2025.

In addition, the facilities serve as a field research laboratory for UTeM students and researchers, as well as researchers from MICET, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), and SWCorp Melaka. They provide opportunities to explore and evaluate new technologies for food waste composting. The success of this initiative reflects a collaborative effort among these three parties, bringing together their respective areas of expertise to implement the programme. Further research and technology trials are expected to be conducted at the facilities in collaboration with community members, who remain open to participating in these ongoing initiatives.

This university-community partnership strengthens social ties and builds a stronger relationship between UTeM and the local community.

RICE extends its congratulations and appreciation to all researchers who contributed directly and indirectly to this initiative. It is hoped that this collaboration will continue to support the development and sharing of research expertise, provide valuable hands-on experience for researchers, and enhance the educational opportunities and practical skills of the participating communities.

Thank you.

Director
RICE UTeM-Melaka Collaboration Management Centre (RICE)

Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

#RICE_UTeM #ResearchAndInnovation #CommunitySTEMInnovation #InnovationAndCommercialisation #Consultancy #IndustryCollaboration #MoUMoA #KSTP #StartUpUTeM