SUBANG JAYA: Malaysia remains committed to zero single-use plastics despite the recent executive order signed by US President Donald Trump to once again normalise the use of plastic straws, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said that Malaysia will also have its own policy to guide the people on the usage of single-use plastics.
“For Malaysia, our policy is towards zero single-use plastics.
“However, we are aware that there are some single-use plastics that are necessary and we can’t avoid from not using them. So, there will be a policy which would outline avoidable plastics,” he said when met after launching The Forgotten Stripes: Tapir Launch and Exhibition at Inti International College here on Wednesday (Feb 12).
Malaysia has introduced the Roadmap to Zero Single-Use Plastics 2018–2030, which was designed to phase out single-use plastics through a multi-phase approach while the Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021–2030 aimed to foster a circular economy for plastics.
Nik Nazmi also said that under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the ministry is planning to study the feasibility of having a national-level legislation to tackle plastic waste pollution.
He said that currently the legislation to address plastic waste is segmented into different states and local governments.
“Due to the differences (of legislation), some states are acting faster than others. So, there’s no consistency,” he added.
On Monday (Feb 10), Trump signed an executive order aimed at encouraging the US government and consumers to buy plastic drinking straws, pushing back efforts by his predecessor to phase out single-use plastics and tackle waste.
