Eateries in Sibu all for banning plastic straws

SIBU: The Sibu Coffeeshops and Restaurants Owners’ Association will support any move by the state government to ban the use of plastic straws.

Its chairman Tong Ing Kok said the move would not only help to protect the environment but also reduce costs for coffeeshop operators as they would not have to buy straws for customers.

“We will support anything that is good for the environment.

“The ban will also help us to cut costs as most food outlets spend about RM30 a month buying straws,” he said.

However, Tong said ample time should be given to eateries to comply with the ban should it be extended to Sarawak.

“I hope they will not implement it in a rush but give us time as most of us still have straws in our stores,” he said.

On the other hand, state local government and housing minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said the state government would have to study the matter first before deciding on such a ban.

“We will discuss this with all the relevant stakeholders before we make a decision,” said Dr Sim yesterday.

Plastic straws are already banned in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan from Jan 1.

The Federal Territories Ministry had said that businesses still found to be using plastic straws risked having their business licences terminated.

In Labuan, customers are said to be getting used to having their drinks without the use of straws at restaurants.

According to feedback, most of the 100 over coffeeshops and restaurants in the island have complied with the ruling.

Chris Yen, a coffeeshop operator in Labuan town, said his customers were getting used to drinking directly from the mug or cup.

“But sometimes some customers still ask for straws, especially when they bring their children along to the restaurant or eateries,” he said.

A Labuan Corp enforcement and licensing official said most coffee­shops were complying with the ruling.