BARISAN Nasional’s promise to reverse the no-plastic-bag rule in Selangor if it succeeds in recapturing the state in the coming elections is in direct violation of global environmental conservation efforts, said opposition leaders.
Yesterday, Selangor BN information chief Dr Satim Diman announced it was on the BN manifesto to bring back free plastic bags for shoppers in the Pakatan Harapan-led state.
The opposition-ruled states of Selangor and Penang, as well as the government-run states of Malacca and Johor and federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya, have enforced a no-plastic-bag rule compelling shoppers to pay 20 sen for each plastic bag they use.
DAP’s Lim Lip Eng, who is the Segambut MP, said BN’s pledge was “shocking” and regressive.
“It is already a global effort to reduce the use of plastic bags in novel bid to fight environmental hazards,” Lim said in a statement today.
“Hence, it is the height of idiocy for BN to promise free plastic bags as part of its election manifesto.”
Selangor PKR Youth communication director Muhammad Naqib Nassaruddin said the pledge was a populist move that disregarded the negative effects on the environment.
“According to studies by the National Solid Waste Management Department, Malaysians produce more 19,000 tonnes of solid waste every year, and 24% of it is plastic.
“The natural degradation of plastic takes about 100-500 years. Indirectly, plastic is a threat to the environment.
“The campaign to be free of plastic bags and polystyrene is very important because they pose a big danger to the environment and to the health of consumers,” he said in a statement.
In a talk yesterday, Satim was reported to have said that apart from removing the 20 sen-per-bag charge on consumers, BN would set up a factory to produce plastic bags to be given out for free. – February 19, 2018.
Comments
Posted 6 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Ali Along · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Horas returns · Reply
Also, shoppers can still pay 20sen for a plastic bag and if they dispose of them irresponsibly after that, the affects will be the same.
Thus, I'd like to know by how much has this No Free Plastic Bags ruling actually reduced harm to marine life. Have there been any research findings which show its true effectiveness in achieving its stated aim.
The solution then is to implement means and facilities to collect back such single-use plastic bags fater they have been disposed of and if they cannot be practically recycled, then do something to render them harmless to marine life, such as to melt them down and cast them into plastic blocks which may or may not have further practical use.
I can only speak about Selangor and despite its stated concern for the environment in this No Free Plastic Bags ruling, the Selangor state government has done nothing or hardly anything to establish a comprehensive recycling programme in Selangor with recycling bins in public places, awareness campaigns with the participation of supermarkets, malls and other public places in the recycling programme.
Without these additional measures and facilities in place, this No Free Plastic Bags campaign is just a band aid measure, which looks good and feels good.
Meanwhile, if the BN is in populist mode right now, also promise to cut taxes and duties on tobacco, beer and liquor, and increase the subsidy on fuel prices as well.
Posted 6 years ago by IT Scheiss · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Horas returns · Reply
Yes. Making use of biodegradable plastic bags compulsory is a good measure instead of this No Free Plastic Bag ruling.
However, do they have the political will to do so when the manufacturers will scream "bad for business".
Posted 6 years ago by IT Scheiss · Reply