Trashed: This file photo shows a beach littered with plastic waste.
KLANG: The federal government’s initiative to eliminate single-use plastic bags is timely to rescue Malaysia from severe environmental degradation, says an academic.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Shamila Azman said the ban offers both immediate and long-term environmental benefits.
“In the short term, it will significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that would otherwise accumulate in ecologically sensitive areas.
“The risk of wildlife ingesting plastic or getting entangled will also be greatly minimised,’’ said Dr Shamila, who is with the university’s Civil Engineering Faculty.
Dr Shamila was responding to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s recent statement that the government has banned single-use plastic bags at forest reserves, national and state parks, marine parks, geo-heritage sites, geosites, as well as certain business premises.
According to Dr Shamila, in the long term, the prohibition will support the overall health of ecosystems by preventing plastics from degrading into harmful microplastics that persist in soil and water, before eventually entering the food chain.
The ban will also inculcate sustainable practices among the people by introducing them to reusable alternatives to plastic.
“Similar initiatives have already been implemented in other countries, such as Vietnam, where local authorities have banned single-use plastics to protect iconic natural sites like Ha Long Bay from plastic pollution.
“As this policy gains traction in Malaysia, it can serve as a foundation for expanding national efforts in plastic reduction and promotion of a circular economy.
“Collectively, these outcomes contribute to the long-term resilience of Malaysia’s natural heritage and environmental sustainability goals,’’ said Dr Shamila.
However, to ensure the success of the ban, she stressed the need for authorities to adopt a holistic, multi-pronged approach which combines policy enforcement, public education, stakeholder engagement and sustainable infrastructure development.
Besides carrying out consistent enforcement and monitoring, relevant government agencies must establish clear guidelines, penalties and compliance mechanisms.
“Regular audits, training of enforcement personnel and collaboration with local councils will ensure the ban is implemented uniformly across states,” said Dr Shamila.
Meanwhile, Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the expansion of the plastic bag ban in the state is being implemented in phases, with a focus on clear enforcement and public engagement.
“The state government will first strengthen enforcement mechanisms and introduce a legal framework to ensure businesses comply with the weekend plastic bag ban and charge policy,” she said.
Currently, single-use plastic bags are banned on weekends in Selangor and those who still want to use them are charged 20 sen per piece.
“At the same time, the Plastic-Free Campaign will be intensified through collaboration with communities, schools and NGOs to raise awareness and encourage behaviour change,’’ she added.
