AN interministerial committee will soon be formed to tackle the issue of microplastics in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this allows a holistic resolution on the matter, citing how each ministry as well as local councils have their own legal frameworks.
“We need to standardise this through a committee to ensure a consolidated approach.
“First, we need to identify what new pollutants are present, how they will be monitored, and measures that should be taken holistically in terms of enforcement as well as prevention steps.
“This will be done in a streamlined manner under a committee that will be formed,” he said during Minister Question Time yesterday.
Fadillah, who is the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, also said a more in-depth study had to be conducted locally to evaluate the impact of microplastic exposure on humans.
The Deputy Prime Minister was responding to a question by Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (PH-Ledang) on measures taken to tackle microplastics in Malaysia.
On whether a legal framework will be developed to tackle the issue, Fadillah said the focus is currently on advocacy measures.
“If we have policies and laws that are not yet practised, they will not be effective,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to raise awareness about best practices, including the use of biodegradable plastics.
The Star previously reported that Malaysia ranks the highest among 109 countries in consuming microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5mm, according to a recent study.
The study, published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal, found that Malaysians ingest an average of 502.3mg of microplastics daily per capita.
The report noted that more than 50% of Malaysia’s microplastic consumption was from fish consumption.
Malaysia was also recorded in the top 10 countries that inhaled the most microplastic particles, at an estimated 494,000 microplastic particles a day (per capita), according to the study.
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