IPOH: The full ban on single-use plastic bags in Perak would now start on March 1 next year, instead of Jan 1 as announced earlier.
Perak environment committee chairman Teh Kok Lim said the ban would be implemented at permanent forest reserves, state parks, geosites, supermarkets, convenience stores, fast-food outlets and pharmacies.
“The ban was originally scheduled to begin on Jan 1 but was postponed by two months to allow the public sufficient time to prepare.
“A six-month transition period will follow after the March 1 implementation," he said in a statement on Friday (Dec 19).
"The locations include Royal Belum State Park, Pulau Sembilan State Park, and geopark tourist attractions in Lenggong and the Kinta Valley.
Teh had during the Perak state assembly sitting in late November, said that the ban would be enforced due to the limited effectiveness of the current plastic charge system.
Teh said during the transition period, the state government would focus on education and adaptation.
“From Sept 1, the ban will be fully enforced and no excuses will be accepted for continuing to supply or use single-use plastic carrier bags,” he said.
Teh said the ban targets single-use plastic carrier bags provided by traders, while transparent plastic bags used by coffee shops, as well as wet and public markets are exempted for now.
He added that the state plans to gradually extend the ban to single-use plastic food containers and beverage cups.
