
An environmental group has urged the Selangor government to consider imposing higher charges on single-use plastic bags, saying the 20 sen levy in place over the past few years has failed to change consumer behaviour.
Peka said a more practical measure would be a gradual, comprehensive ban on single-use plastic bags, starting with large supermarkets; incentives for industries to produce eco-friendly alternatives such as paper bags, bioplastics or reusable bag systems; and strict enforcement.
“Small charges only make consumers feel they are ‘buying the right’ to continue using plastic, rather than educating them to stop,” Peka president Rajesh Nagarajan told FMT.
“If all states adopt such minimal measures, Malaysia will not achieve its target of eliminating single-use plastics by 2030. It would be another environmental campaign that looks impressive on paper but fails on the ground.”
Rajesh added that ineffective measures to curb plastic bag use risked tarnishing the government’s commitment to protecting the environment.
Last week, state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said the Selangor government was studying a proposal to increase the 20 sen plastic bag charge at stores to encourage more consumers to bring their own reusable bags.
She said the state government was also considering the introduction of a no single-use plastic bag policy from Fridays to Sundays at all premises.
Rajesh urged the state government to release a transparent report on the revenue collected from plastic bag charges and how it had been channelled to environmental restoration programmes.
“It must present a clear report on how the money is used, not just announce the total collection,” he said.
He also suggested introducing a dedicated “green fund”, with transparent yearly reports, to channel plastic bag levy collections into education, enforcement, and recycling initiatives.
Last year, Jamaliah said the state government collected RM38 million from the 20 sen charge on plastic bags at stores.