THE Penang government will go ahead with its ‘No Plastic Bag’ campaign and also conduct a public survey on the plastic issue as well as the ‘Say No to Plastic Straws & Single-use Plastics’ for three months.
State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the state government was determined to proceed with the campaign to make Penang a clean, green, healthy and safe state.
Although Penang was the first state to launch the ‘No Free Plastic Bag’ campaign 10 years ago, today is the start of the campaign that encourages businesses to voluntarily stop providing plastic bags on every Monday, even though shoppers are willing to pay for them.
“We don’t want to force them. We would rather be consultative than authoritative. No need to wait for the government to make it a law.
“We have started our educational campaign on this matter since the beginning of January,” Phee told a press conference after opening a dialogue session on ‘Say No to Plastic Straws & Single-use Plastics’ at Komtar.
Today’s campaign, however, did not get off to a good start as only 36 of the 86 invited factories took part in the dialogue session. All operate canteens in their respective premises.
Phee said he was disappointed with the factories which did not send any representative nor apology despite the invitations were hand delivered two weeks ago.
“As much as I am angry, we are still willing to discuss with them, listen to them and help.
“A cleaner environment means a healthier environment. We’ve only one earth. If we don’t save this earth, who will?”
Phee said when he mooted the idea of ‘No Free Plastic Bag’ years ago, he was ridiculed with some calling him ‘bodoh’ (stupid) and ‘tak ada kerja’ (no work to do).
But today, he said he was proud that many states in Malaysia have sought Penang for advice on how to implement the policies.
Phee said the Penang Green Council would conduct the three-month survey on the plastic issue at cafes, coffee shops, wet markets and supermarkets.
“Positive or negative, we need public response and support. This is our 10th year since we started our campaign. I want to thank all for the success.”
He said PGC would present the survey feedback to an international conference to be held in Penang on Sept 27.
While Penang is trying to reduce the use of plastics, Phee said countries like Kenya, Tanzania and Bangladesh even ban the use of plastics.
Also present at the press conference were PGC assistant general manager Hoo Huey Chin and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillors Rohaizat Hamid and R. Kaliyappan.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud