KOTA KINABALU: Collective action is needed to stop the growing threat of plastic pollution, workshop participants here were told.
Local Government and Housing Ministry deputy permanent secretary I Stanley Chong said addressing the problem was crucial to protect biodiversity, preserve the ecosystem and safeguard people's health.
“Marine species, like dolphins and sea turtles, suffer from ingesting or getting entangled in plastic, often leading to malnutrition or death.
"Coral reefs and mangroves are also harmed, with plastic debris increasing disease vulnerability and suffocating plant life,” he said when opening the Plastic Inception Workshop here on Tuesday (Oct 22).
“Microplastics contaminate our food and water, potentially causing diseases," he added.
The workshop, organised by the ministry and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia, aims to tackle plastic pollution and help create a sustainable future for Sabah.
It also aims to unite key government agencies and stakeholders, while increasing understanding of critical gaps in plastic waste management.
“The workshop is meant to discuss and propose actionable recommendations and solutions to bridge these gaps and improve plastic waste management across Sabah,” Chong added.
He encouraged representatives from local authorities to identify specific challenges and gaps in their respective districts and raise them for discussion.
“Together, we can explore sustainable and impactful solutions that will pave the way for a cleaner, healthier future for Sabah,” he said, hoping the workshop's findings would serve as a firm foundation for further action.
