Many states in Malaysia have already implemented a law saying that there will be no plastic bags given out on weekends, but Pahang state government is set to take a step further. The Menteri Besar of Pahang, Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail has informed that starting from 1st July, it is forbidden for all businesses regardless of size and nature to give out plastic bags, polystyrene containers and plastic straws to their customers on Saturdays and Sundays.
Source: Utusan
According to Sinar Harian, Wan Rosdy said that this was in line with the movement to make Pahang into a state that is free from plastic pollution. He added that he hopes with this new regulation in place, business owners and consumers will be more responsible about the waste they create.
“Businesses of all types will not be providing plastic bags and plastic straws to consumers every Saturday and Sunday. Consumers will need to develop the habit of bringing their own bags and straws once they step out of the house,” he explained.
Source: Kosmo
Previously, Pahang had implemented a 20sen charge for plastic bags given out every Saturday but it looks like this did not deter consumers from creating more waste, which was why they decided to enforce this new regulation. Wan Rosdy said that he hopes vendors will provide biodegradable plastic bags instead that can decompose in 10 to 12 weeks to reduce the impact on the environment.
He announced that Pahang alone produces 90 to 1,200 metric tonnes of waste a day which is a disturbingly high amount of rubbish that is very bad for the environment. Although providing plastic bags on weekends has been outlawed, Wan Rosdy said that he wants to educate the public and give them time to adopt this new habit.
Source: Straits Times
For now, there will be no legal action even if businesses or consumers break the law as they want to create awareness among the public first. However, if this doesn’t work either, they are considering to impose fines on those who flout the law.
Before you decide to use that plastic bag, consider the impact on the environment okay?
Also read: Turtle Found Dead With Plastic Bags Coming Out Of Its Rectum, Believed To Have Pooped Them Out
