SHAH ALAM – The state government cannot close down plastic bag factories at the moment as it is the business owner’s right to operate them.
However, EXCO of Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hee Loy Sian said the probability that the plant will close down by itself would be high if customer demand is low.
Therefore, he said, everyone should educate the public to not use plastic bags.
“We cannot close the plastic bag factory for now because of their respective business rights. They (merchants) say it’s their right,” said Loy Sian.
“But we can educate the people about not using plastic bags. At the same time we are raising awareness among the people to bring recycled bags, biodegradable bags and paper bags and so on,” he added.
“If there is no demand for plastic bags then there is no plastic factory, and if people are no longer using them automatically the plastic bag factories will stop operating,” he said.
Loy Sian said this while commenting on his statement in the State Assembly on 29 July on the issue of Selangor not intending to close a plastic factory that has been operating in the state despite having a plastic bag free campaign since 2009.
The statement raised questions from the Natural Resources Protection Organization (PEKA) and environmentalists.
In this regard, Loy Sian wanted PEKA to assist and cooperate with the state government to launch a campaign without plastic bags in an effort to close the plant.
Previously, PEKA President Shariffa Sabrina Syed Akil criticized the EXCO statement and argued that Selangor should ban the factories that produce such materials.
“We cannot equate plastic factories with cigarettes because plastic waste will pollute the earth for hundreds or thousands of years.
“Smokers harm themselves. If people want to stop using plastic bags, a drastic approach must be taken because many people are irresponsible, ” she said.
