No plans to shut down plastic manufacturing factories in Selangor

SHAH ALAM: Selangor has no plans to shut down any plastic manufacturing factories in the state.

This is amidst its Plastic Straw Free (#BebasStrawPlastik) campaign which kicked-off this month as well as its "No Plastic Bag" initiative which has been in force since 2009.

Environment, green technology, science and consumer affairs exco Hee Loy Sian said the state government would focus on raising awareness on the cutting down of plastic bags and encourage consumers to bring their own bags from home.

The "Selangor Bebas Plastik" move, he said, was inline with Malaysia's Roadmap Towards Zero Single-use Plastics 2018-2030 which was approved by the federal cabinet.

"We have no plans to shut down existing plastic factories. They (plastic manufacturing factories) can produce their products. That is their right," said Hee at the second sitting of the second meeting of the 14th state legislative assembly session, here, today.

Hee was replying to a supplementary question by Mohd Fakhrulrazi Mohd Mokhtar (PH-Meru) who had asked if the state government had any plans to control or eliminate plastic manufacturers or factories.

"Our campaigns will only be in vain if plastics are still being produced. That is why I feel that there should be such plans, if not, the campaign serves no purpose," said Fakhrulrazi.

Hee hoped that it would not become an issue as consumers have the right to plastic bags.

“But we want to educate them to cut the use of plastic bags as we gear towards a total ban in 2025. We need to prepare for that," he said.

Hee said the state government was working closely with local councils, non-governmental organisations (NGO), schools as well as the Selangor Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to educate the people to refrain from using plastic straws and bring their own recyclable shopping bags.

He said food and beverage operators had also been told to only give out plastic straws upon request.

Shopping malls, he added, were also encouraged to produce their own bio-degradable shopping and paper bags.

"We want consumers to bring their own stainless steel straws and for food operators to use paper straws instead. However, the best alternative is to sip directly from the glass.

"If we can drink hot coffee from a cup, I don't think there will be a problem with cold beverages. We just need to get used to it," said Hee.