Melaka not the cleanest state anymore - Star Metro

June 14, 2017

Melaka’s status as the cleanest state in Malaysia has now dropped to fourth place, said Deputy Housing, Local Government and Environment committee chairman Datuk Sazali Muhd Din.

Terengganu emerged top in the list compiled by the Tourism Ministry, followed by Perak and Penang. Sabah placed fifth after Melaka.

Sazali said Melaka's drop was due to lack of awareness among the public on the importance of cleanliness.

He said motorists throwing rubbish from their vehicles had also contributed to the state’s failure in maintaining its status as the nation’s cleanest state.

“In terms of the cleanliness campaign in the state, it is an ongoing effort and we did not face any problems doing it.

“The same goes for rubbish collection activities across the state,” he said after launching the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPHTJ) ‘Don’t Mess With Melaka - Don’t Throw Rubbish From Vehicle’ programme at Melaka Mall here.

Also present was MPHTJ president Datuk Murad Husin.

Sazali said the government will continue to carry out campaigns to educate the public that maintaining cleanliness is not solely the responsibility of local councils in the state but also requires the public’s cooperation.

Meanwhile, Murad said cigarette butts and food wrappers amounted to the most waste thrown out by litterbugs from their vehicles.

He said at least 1,000kg of rubbish thrown out by motorists was collected every month since MPHTJ formed its motorcycle special litter unit in December 2016.

“From January to May 2017, MPHTJ has issued 65 compounds against litterbugs,” he said.

He reminded motorists that undercover council enforcement officers will issue on-the-spot compounds against those who are caught throwing rubbish from their vehicles in areas under MPHTJ’s jurisdiction.

He said the offenders can be fined between RM150 and RM500 under the council’s by-laws.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/14/not-the-cleanest-state-anymore-melaka-has-dropped-to-fourth-place-in-malaysia/

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, Johor to ban polystyrene - The Star

19 April 2016

IPOH: Perak and Johor, which are moving towards a ban on polystyrene containers, are encouraging people to use tiffin carriers or other biodegradable containers.

The Perak government has declared a total ban on the usage of polystyrene containers and plastic bags from June next year.

Residents here will have to use biodegradable containers or their own shopping bags then.

Perak Environment Committee chairman Datuk Dr Muhammad Amin Zakaria (BN-Batu Kurau) said the ban would be enforced in stages starting with state government buildings this June, citing that cafeterias there would have to use biodegradable containers every Friday.

“In the second stage, the ban will be extended from weekly to daily, starting January 2017.

“The third stage will take place during the same period at the premises of all local governments in the state.

“Finally, the fourth stage will start in June 2017 when the usage of polystyrene and plastic bags will be banned throughout the state, especially in supermarkets, hypermarkets and sundry stores,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

Muhammad Amin said the ban would be enforced by all local authorities in every district.

“Although the move may seem drastic, this is an issue that the state has been contemplating for a while now. We are indeed serious in eliminating polystyrene and plastic waste, so we decided to implement the ban in stages so that the people are given time to get used to the idea of using their own containers and shopping bags,” he said.

Muhammad Amin said the state would work with the Department of Environment to build more e-waste collection centres so that the waste could be handled in a safe manner.

In Iskandar Puteri, state Health and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat said there would be an announcement on the ban by the end of the year.

For now, consumers in Johor should start bringing their own tiffin carriers or food containers for takeaways.

He said the state authorities were conducting a study before banning the use of plastic and polystyrene containers, acknowledging that this was a delicate issue.

Ayub said plastic and polystyrene containers had been clogging up drains and rivers and even becoming mosquito-breeding grounds.

Speaking to reporters, Ayub said that 80% of the 160 tonnes of the rubbish collected yearly in Sungai Skudai, one of the dirtiest rivers in Johor, was made up of polystyrene and plastic.

He also cautioned that the price of takeaway food should not increase once the ban was enforced.

“Customers may not be happy if they are charged an extra 50 sen for taking away food in biodegradable containers.”

Ayub said the state government wanted to encourage food operators to gradually switch to biodegradable containers.

Both Penang and Malacca have banned the use of polystyrene containers in their states.

Bye bye plastic bags - The Star

30 April 2016 BY T. AVINESHWARANandP. SUBAHSHINI

FOLKS in Perak have lauded the state government’s decision to ban the usage of polystyrene containers and plastic bags beginning in June next year.

Perak Environment Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Muhammad Amin Zakaria said the ban will be enforced in stages starting with state government buildings this June. Cafeterias in the state’s buildings have to use biodegradable containers every Friday.

The second stage will see the ban extended from weekly to daily, starting January 2017.

The third stage, also set for January 2017, will cover the premises of all municipal councils in the state.

The fourth stage, starting June 2017, will see the use of polystyrene and plastic bags banned throughout the state.

For S. Selvamani, 52, enforcing the ban in stages is a good move, as people will have time to adapt to it.

“It is not a sudden move, which is good. It gives the people some breathing space.

“The government certainly sees the need for a cleaner environment, hence the move. Many people these days throw rubbish everywhere especially plastics and polystyrene.”

Having already used recyclable bags and food containers to store or keep things for almost three years, engineer Johan Lau, 34, said it is about time the state government enforced such a move.

“Awareness is also important. The state government, with the help of the Health Ministry and Environment and Natural Resources Ministry should come up with plans to educate the people.

“Enforcement is not enough. Education is important too,” said Lau.

Nur Iwani Rohizat, 20, originally from Penang, feels that the move is right.

“When I was in Penang, the state government there had already imposed a ban on plastic and polystyrene. We got used to it and realised how important the move was.

“Since we had to pay 20 cents for a plastic bag as a part of the ban, we started using our own bags made fabric. It is environmentally friendly.”

Restaurant owner Hoor Chong Yang said rules are rules and they have to be followed when it is implemented

“It is pointless to oppose the ban as it will lead to a better environment and I could actually save some money too since I won’t need to buy plastic bags!” said the 35 year old who lives in Bercham.

However, a grocery store owner, who wished to be known as Thilagar, feels that the move is not going to benefit the community.

“Well, I do support the ban of polystyrenes for food packaging, but it is going to be very difficult if people are not allowed to use plastic bags.

“For example, some of my customers don’t bring their recyclable bags or baskets to shop.

“I will have to charge extra for bags made from recyclable materials and the customers will not be happy if I do that,” he said.