Perak NGOs say plastic, polystyrene ban long overdue - Malay Mail

4 July 2018 By Loghun Kumaran

In Perak, over 200,000 tonnes of garbage are generated by households and 30 per cent, or about 65,000 tonnes, is made up of plastics. — Istock.com pic via AFP

IPOH, July 4 — Environmental groups in Perak want the state government to revive a proposed ban on plastic bags and polystyrene food containers and this time, make sure it is carried out.

The groups say it is time for the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to cut down on the use of plastic in the state after a similar plan by its predecessors was not fully implemented.

The present government, they stressed, must not drag its feet about the proposal and other policies to save the environment.

Ipoh City Watch president Dr Richard Ng said many concerned citizens want the Perak government to emulate the ban in Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor and other states on the use of plastic and polystyrene containers.

“Many customers end up using plastic bags to place their garbage before they are dumped illegally or sent to landfills where they will take hundreds of years to decompose,” Ng said.

“There are currently over 2,000 illegal dumpsites in Perak where over 30 per cent are plastics.”

In Perak, over 200,000 tonnes of garbage are generated by households and 30 per cent, or about 65,000 tonnes, is made up of plastics.

Ng said there were many options open to the authorities, but noted a strong political will was needed from the outset.

He said traders should be forced to use recyclable plastic containers, while plastic straws and disposal plastic plates, forks and spoons must be banned.

“The enforcement can be carried out by business licensing authorities like local councils. Traders who ignore this ruling can have their business licence revoked.

“Plastic manufacturers have been warned long ago to change their business so as to adhere to the new sustainable environment requirements.

“There should be no excuse that their business is badly affected by the ruling as there are many industries that have closed down due to destructive technology as well as changes in demography and market demands.”

He suggested that ‘no plastic days’ could be enforced on weekends, where the charges on consumers who insist on using plastic bags could fund non-governmental organisations who educate the public on environmental initiatives.

In 2016, the previous BN administration took a bold step by announcing the first phase of a state-wide ban on plastic bags and polystyrene containers.

At the time, it said the move would be implemented in stages — from state government offices in June 2016 to a full public enforcement a year later.

However, the state temporarily called off the ban, saying it would be rescheduled after further studies were carried out.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman said such extended studies were unnecessary, given the breadth of sources at the government’s disposal.

“There’s no need for studies to last years at a time, especially when you have multiple agencies. What is needed is a proper mechanism and commitment from the state,” he said.

Meor Razak said the state must make the plastic ban feasible for the public and plastic manufacturing industry.

“They could offer tax exemption or incentives to businesses that support the ban. You can’t expect businesses to change by themselves without support.”

“We have written to the state government about the necessity to bring in this ban. But we haven’t heard anything back yet. It seems like the environment is not a priority at the moment,”

Perak Association for the Protection of Natural Heritage of Malaysia (PEKA) chairperson Sajeeda Muhamad agreed that nothing can be done without political will from the new administration.

“The new government must do something. If other states like Penang can carry out bans, why can’t Perak?

“They can start with Ipoh first, and then gradually expand it throughout the state. But our leaders must take the lead and show a good example.

“Individually, it can be as simple as bringing their own containers... maybe stop buying plastic mineral bottles.”

BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC SPACES, SAY NGOS - Malay Mail

June 3, 2017

Perak’s health authorities are urged to widen the scope of the smoking ban beyond the state’s public parks.

Non-governmental organisation leaders say more can be done to dissuade smoking in public areas as current rules are only limited to specific areas.

Ipoh City Watch president Dr Richard Ng welcomed the ban, adding it should not be limited to parks and open spaces.

With more than 20,000 Malaysians dying each year from tobacco-related diseases, Dr Ng said it would be interesting to see if the ban could be effectively implemented and how it could be used to educate smokers.

“The government must demonstrate a strong political will to ensure such ban is enforced.

“They must be seen as putting people’s health above the (interests of) industry or businesses,” said Dr Ng.

Under the ban that came into force on Thursday, offenders face a RM5,000 compound and could be dragged to court if they fail to pay the compound within the stipulated period.

If convicted, those who refuse to pay the compound could face a RM10,000 fine, two years prison or both.

Family Wellness Club president Mangaleswary Ponnampalam said the move was a step forward in the fight against the ill effects of smoking.

“I support the ban because people who frequent parks want fresh clean air where they can exercise or relax with their families.

“Smoking pollutes the air and non-smokers are subjected to secondhand smoke,” she said.

“There is a direct link between smoking and lung cancer. It is good to ban smoking in all public places.”

Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia president Puan Sri Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil said the ban would contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

“Being an environmentalist, I believe this is a way forward to reducing the ancillary pollutants in our air.

“The initiative should be done on a nationwide scale and expanded further to include other areas as well. Passive smoking is hazardous to our health and affects our environmental health.”

Since the beginning of the year, the state health department has issued 517 compounds to people caught smoking in restricted areas, collecting RM 62,970 in compound.

A total of 194 cases were brought to court, with RM9,750 in fines meted out in 25 cases.

http://epaper.mmail.com.my/2017/06/03/ban-smoking-in-public-spaces-say-ngos/

Perak U-turn on plastic bag ban upsets consumer groups - Malay Mail

May 24 2017

The Perak government’s decision to temporarily call off the ban on polystyrene containers and plastic bags has been met with mixed reaction from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and stakeholders. 

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir had announced on Monday the authorities would not be implementing the ban, scheduled to begin on June 1.

He said the ban would be rescheduled after further studies were carried out.

Perak Consumer Association president Abdul Rahman Said Alli, a staunch supporter of the ban, was disappointed with the U-turn.

“Many are aware of the dangers of plastics but they don’t care. Making plastics available only makes it easier for consumers to continue using them,” he said.

“There are alternatives available. In the past, people used to wrap items with old newspapers, and these days biodegradable bags are an option.”

Abdul Rahman said it boils down to the policy makers. 

“They can produce results if they have the will to do so,” he said.

Ipoh City Watch chairman Dr Richard Ng, who was upset with the decision, urged the state government to impose the ban. 

He said the ban could still be enforced from June 1 if it was implemented as a way to educate traders and the public. 

“Traders and businesses should have been taught about the need to ban plastics and polystyrene,” he said.

“The government can provide incentives to traders who opt not to use thick plastic bags and polystyrene containers. 

“Supermarkets and shops should start charging consumers for plastic bags. This would encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags.

“Money collected from buying the plastic bags can be used to support NGOs that promote recycling and waste management.” 

Dr Ng said there were more than 2,000 illegal dump sites in the state with plastic materials making up about 30 per cent of the garbage.

He said an NGO, Koperasi Alam Hijau Perak Bhd (Kohijau), had installed 35 recycling bins in various locations in Perak since last September to make recycling easier for the public.

Since then, it had collected 5,068kg of rubbish, including 1,936kg of plastic waste.

“The public must discard their mentality that they are the rate players and cleanliness is strictly the responsibility of the local government,” he said.

“The local authorities must also provide enough bins, step up their enforcement and start nabbing those who dump rubbish indiscriminately.”

However, Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association state chairman Johnson Phoon agreed with the postponement of the ban.

“The way to deal with the matter is by addressing the root cause first. People must change their mindset,” he said.

Phoon said the masses could learn to cut down on the usage of plastic bags and practise proper waste segregation.

“Otherwise, we will be back to square one,” he said. 

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/perak-u-turn-on-plastic-bag-ban-upsets-consumer-groups