AN environmental group has urged local authorities in Sungai Petani to not renew the licence of six plastic processing factories in the district.

Sungai Petani Environmental Action Group (PTAS) said Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSP) president Mohd Fauzi Mustaffa must exercise his power to stop all six companies from updating their certification.

PTAS president Lydia Ong explained that the factories will harm the wellbeing of the residents if they continue to operate.

“We have evidence to show that, since last year, the factories have caused cases of breathing difficulties and have also increased the numbers of patients admitted to private hospitals for illness.”

“Studies from Europe and the US showed that the increase of particulate matter (PM2.5) can cause stroke and heart problems,” said Ong in a memorandum to Fauzi.

However, as Fauzi was not in his office today, PTAS will hand over the memorandum another day.

Earlier today, PTAS led close to 100 residents from Sungai Petani to march to Dataran Zero on Jalan Ibrahim towards the MPSP building to submit the notice.

Ong reminded MPSP about its promise to the state government, where it said that no more new permits will be given to processing companies.

“We would like to remind MPSP that in April 2019, the state government announced its policy on zero permits for plastic processing companies.

“We want to know what caused this change in policy,” she said.

PTAS yesterday organised a peaceful demonstration to urge MPSP and the Kedah state government to act against plastics processing companies still operating.

Yesterday, the Housing and Local Government (KPKT) committee stated the Kedah government was considering renewing the licence of six companies that recycle plastic waste.

At the moment, the KPKT is just issuing Import Permits (AP) for four plastic waste recycling companies and all four have compliance letters from the Department of Environment. – September 22, 2019.