BATU GAJAH: Discussions on a new policy banning plastic bags and polystyrene containers have begun in Perak.The matter was brought up at the state executive council meeting, said state Housing and Local Government committee chairman Sandrea Ng.
“Drawing up a policy may be easy but executing it is a different matter, as it concerns members of the public.
“Right now we are conducting studies, including finding alternative materials to replace plastic and polystyrene,” she told reporters at the Batu Gajah market here yesterday.
Last Tuesday, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the government was aiming for a national ban on the use of plastic bags across all business sectors by 2025.
He said a “No Plastic Bags” campaign, led by state governments, would be one of Malaysia’s long-term efforts to deal with pollution caused by single-use plastic waste.
Ng said she would work with the state Environment committee chairman, Teh Kok Lim, to ensure that the policy could be done properly.
“While it is a good policy, it must come with a good alternative in order for it to be accepted by the community, including traders.
“We will look for the alternative, check on how other countries are doing it and make sure that business can go on as usual if we are to implement the policy,” she said.
