Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia: Transition period for plastic ban is long enough, and those who refuse to listen to repeated warnings may be fined
On June 28, Negeri Sembilan State Executive Councillor Aruguma pointed out that since the local government has given enough time, those businesses that still fail to comply with the regulations on the use of biodegradable plastic bags, if they have received warning notices many times, will face a RM250 fine.
He said that regarding the environmental policy of Negeri Sembilan's ban on disposable plastic bags, the state government has given businesses enough adaptation and transition period. If businesses have received warning notices many times and still refuse to listen to repeated warnings, the local government can take enforcement actions to speed up the process of promoting the full use of environmentally friendly bags.
"In the past two years, the state government has carried out various publicity and education activities and given businesses enough time to adapt. Now it is time to strengthen enforcement to ensure that the plastic ban policy achieves practical results."
He said that since the implementation of the ban on plastic bags, the authorities have issued more than 200 warning notices, requiring businesses to comply with the terms of their business licenses and only use biodegradable plastic bags. In the face of businesses that still fail to comply, the local government can only take enforcement actions.
"In the past two years, we have been using publicity and education to let merchants understand the importance of using biodegradable plastic bags. However, if some merchants still do not comply with the regulations, it is not fair to merchants who have already cooperated with the policy, so enforcement is imperative."
He calculated that as of now, about 70% of merchants in Seremban Market have switched to biodegradable plastic bags, but overall, only about 30% of merchants in Negeri Sembilan have actually implemented this transformation.
He said that the Negeri Sembilan government's goal is to increase the proportion of merchants using biodegradable plastic bags to 50% by the end of this year, while large supermarkets have set a 100% usage target.
He stressed that these large supermarkets have greater capabilities and should take the lead in taking action to switch to environmentally friendly bags from now on.
No plastic bags are allowed to be sold to customers
Aruguma stressed that the Negeri Sembilan government not only prohibits merchants from using plastic bags, but also does not allow any merchant to sell plastic bags to customers at a price of 20 cents or 50 cents.
"We promote this policy not to make profits for businesses, but to truly implement environmental protection policies."
He pointed out that if some businesses continue to sell or charge fees for plastic bags, it will not only offset the effect of the policy, but also be unfair to businesses that have complied with the regulations. The authorities will strengthen publicity and cooperate with law enforcement actions to ensure that all businesses comply with the regulations and jointly maintain environmental protection goals.
Those present included the state assemblyman for Rawang, Chow Siew Yong, Seremban councillors Lim Chun Rong and Guo Qisheng, assistant councillor Deng Hanqiang, Negeri Sembilan DAP deputy organizing secretary Muganda, and Seremban Public Market Traders Association chairman Xu Lidi.
