The Malaysian Insight

SELANGOR folk will not fall for Barisan Nasional’s vow to do away with the no-plastic-bag policy, said executive councillor Elizabeth Wong.

The tourism, consumer affairs and environment exco said the people were not swayed by BN’s promise to reverse the rule, which sees shoppers being charged 20 sen per plastic bag, should it win the state in the 14th general election.

“Selangor people are smart and responsible enough not to fall for the urban wellbeing, housing and local government minister’s ‘bribe’.

“The Umno/BN opposition in the state continues to underestimate the people with its regressive and nonsensical promises.

“They believe that Selangor votes can be bought with a mere 20 sen.

“Selangor folk can be the judge. Umno will be punished once again in GE14,” she said in a statement.

Yesterday, state BN information chief Dr Satim Diman announced that the BN manifesto listed, among other things, the return of free plastic bags for shoppers in the Pakatan Harapan-led state.

State BN chairman Noh Omar seconded the call, saying the 20 sen charged per plastic bag was a burden to the people.

Wong, who is also PKR’s Bukit Lanjan assemblyman, said it was ironic that the opposition in Selangor opposed the move, when there were multiple BN-ruled states that practised the policy.

“There are a few states ruled by BN, like the Federal Territories, Malacca and Johor, that have reduced the use of plastic and polystyrene.

“The opposition in Selangor is still backward-minded and blind.”

She said Malaysia should be more stern when it came to environmental issues, as the country was a United Nations member state.

State Speaker Hannah Yeoh said BN did not understand that the policy was aimed at educating the people on environmental matters.

She added that the state government had introduced many initiatives to ease the people’s cost-of-living burden.

“They do not understand why this (no-plastic-bag) policy was introduced. They need to educate themselves, and not speak without having knowledge on a particular matter.

“Now, there are a lot of assemblymen giving reusable bags to constituents. Everyone now has a reusable grocery bag,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

Ulu Kelang rep Saari Sungib said the 20 sen charged per plastic bag was a “penalty” that taught shoppers to use less plastic.

“People are now realising the importance of reducing plastic bag use. They also are aware of the importance of preserving the environment.

“BN has humiliated itself by making such a promise,” he said when contacted.

DAP’s Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim said BN was resorting to populist statements to wrest Selangor from PH.

“Selangor BN is desperate to win back the state. They need to look at Malacca… they are also BN and have implemented it (no-plastic-bag policy).

“They need to realise the realities of politics, and not be emotional when trying to sway voters.

“It does not help efforts to educate the people, so that they have more awareness about environmental and other issues.”

Federal opposition lawmakers have slammed the ruling coalition’s promise to Selangor folk as ridiculous and a step backwards.

Currently, the opposition-controlled states of Selangor and Penang, as well as the BN-led Malacca, Johor, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, enforce the no-plastic-bag rule. – February 19, 2018.