EFFORTS to strengthen the Penang Go Green agenda are producing measurable outcomes, the State Legislative Assembly was told today.
Responding to a question from Teh Lai Heng (PH-Komtar), state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu (PH-Perai) said Penang remains the only state with a dedicated green entity, the Penang Green Council (PGC).
“PGC works closely with both city councils, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to drive Penang towards a low-carbon and resilient future,” he said.
Sundarajoo, relatively, told the state assembly that the collaboration between MBPP and MBSP includes the implementation of the Carbon Neutral Policy, improved solid waste management, the ban on single-use plastics, wider solar adoption, electric vehicles and green building certification.
“We are taking a comprehensive approach because sustainability must be integrated into every level of planning and development,” he said.
Separately, he also added that sustainable building standards will also be introduced for Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) projects.
“We want RMKu developments to meet affordable housing needs while also contributing to the state’s environmental goals,” he said.
These measures, he said, reflect the state’s commitment to “ensuring Penang stays green, resilient and competitive towards 2030”.
On the waste separation at source, Sundarajoo said the reintroduced policy on July 1, 2024, has helped improve public awareness and recycling performance.
He said recycling under MBPP increased from 41.78% in 2023 to 43.72% in 2024, reaching 45.27% as of September 2025.
In MBSP areas, the rate rose from 57.36% in 2023 to 57.60% in 2024, with the 2025 figure of 33.64% based on a revised reporting method
“This policy is working. We are seeing better public participation, and both councils are recording steady improvements,” he said.
He said PGC strengthened the initiative through the MAMPAN Directory, which now lists more than 220 premises practising 5R principles.
The council also conducted 140 Eco-Talk sessions since 2018 involving schools, communities and corporate groups.
PGC also organised environmental events statewide in 2025, including Earth Day, World Water Day, the Penang Hill Festival, Malaysia Clean-Up Day and the Penang2030 Festival.
Meanwhile, the Penang Green Market series recorded an average of 500 visitors per session, with more than 5,000 attending the special Penang2030 Festival edition.
“These programmes are strengthening recycling habits and building a more environmentally conscious community,” he said.
On the enforcement of the single-use plastic ban, Sundarajoo said surveys by PGC show strong public support for the state’s measures
“The data clearly shows that Penangites and business operators are ready to reduce and eventually forgo the usage of single-use plastics,” he said.
According to Sundarajoo, the increase in plastic bag charges from 20 sen to RM1 since 2021 led to a 78% drop in plastic bag usage between 2020 and 2021.
“This reflects firm and growing community support for Penang’s green policies,” he said in reply to Teh.
Story by Edmund Lee