BANGI, Oct 7 — Engagement sessions with state governments and local authorities on penalties to address plastic disposal and pollution will continue, said Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
He said sessions have been carried out with the governments of several states including Perak, Selangor and Johor, and the response was encouraging.
A similar engagement session is expected to be held in Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak in November, he added.
“So far, the feedback is positive … some even (proposed) higher charges. If possible, we want to expand this programme.
“For some states, it is still new, but there are retailers, especially in states that impose penalties on plastic pollution, which have taken their own initiative,” he told a press conference after attending the Jelajah Kelestarian Alam: Dari Anak Muda Kepada Dunia event at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia here today.
The pollution charge aims to reduce and avoid the use of plastic bags, especially single-use plastic bags, among Malaysians, besides encouraging consumers to carry reusable bags.
Meanwhile, regarding the Climate Change Bill, Nik Nazmi said the consultation paper will be shared to obtain public feedback.
“We hope to have it tabled in Parliament by early next year,” he said.
Among others, the bill emphasises aspects of pollution control that can contribute to disaster mitigation efforts, thus reducing the negative impact on the business sector, in addition to controlling pollution by involving large companies in the effort, in line with commitments made in the Paris Agreement.
— Bernama
