Public in favour of statewide ban on single-use plastic bags
By ANNABELLE LAWRENCE
Metro News
Monday, 15 Dec 2025

PERAK’S plan to implement a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags beginning Jan 1, 2026, has garnered positive public reaction, and is seen as a necessary move to tackle the growing plastic waste problem.

General worker Nurul Asmida Idris, 30, said she welcomed the ban.

“Once plastic bags are banned, we will see less rubbish.

“During events, we sometimes collect three to four lorry loads of waste and most of it is plastic bags.”

She said many landfills were filling up with plastic waste, while discarded bags were often seen clogging drains during rain, causing blockages and contributing to flash floods.

“Using woven bags while shopping will be good for the environment in the long term.”

Banker Murshidul Amin Nor­azman, 28, said people were increasingly aware of the dangers of single-use plastic bags and were slowly adapting to alternatives.

He said many retail outlets had begun phasing out the use of plastic bags, and encouraging customers to buy reusable ones.

“Supermarkets are already practising this.

“Over time, as more places adopt this, people will become more conscious and eventually reduce their plastic usage.”

Kindergarten operator Amirah Mohd Amin, 39, said the move was beneficial as excess plastic bags had become unmanageable in homes.

“Plastic bags pile up and we don’t know where to put them.

“If discarded indiscriminately, it could cause drains to be clogged and causing flooding.”

She said the ban was an opportunity to teach people sustainable habits.

“We can train our kids to bring their own woven bags, reusing them for groceries and daily shopping.

“Businesses will also adapt because people will be aware that they must bring their own bags.

“More awareness campaigns on the dangers of single-use plastic bags should be held.”

Ipoh City Watch president Dr Richard Ng said the move was timely, pragmatic and necessary as the current policy of charging for plastic bags had failed to change consumer behaviour; usage remain­ed high and was on the rise.

“In 2016, the state government announced its intention to ban plastic bags and polystyrene products effective June 1, 2017, in line with national efforts to tackle single-use plastics, following earlier steps that restricted plastic use in government offices and cafeterias.

“However, the 2017 ban plan struggled because many traders and small businesses were not properly informed or prepared.”

He said the lack of clear regulation, guidelines, support and alternatives to plastic undermined compliance.

“Over time, authorities concluded that a full ban was premature especially given the lack of awareness among consumers and the limited availability of affordable, safe alternatives.

“As a result, they shifted to the pollution-charge or bag-fee approach, hoping economic disincentives and gradual awareness would change behaviour before the ban’s implementation.”

Ng said the ban would cut off the primary source of plastic bag consumption at retail points, likely reducing the volume of single-­use plastic entering landfills, waterways and the environment.

“With no plastic bags offered at points-of-sale, consumers are more likely to use reusable bags, which normalises more sustainable habits and lowers risk of plastic pollution, microplastics, contamination of water, soil, harm to wildlife and possible long-term human health risks.”

He said it could also reduce litter in streets drains and rivers, lower flooding risk and improve cleanliness.

“The disadvantages are that implementation and enforcement can be difficult especially in rural areas, wet markets and night markets as there may be lack of safe, affordable substitutes.”

Ng said non-governmental organisations such as Ipoh City Watch, Kohijau and Lions Clubs should use the opportunity to raise environmental awareness by running campaigns about plastic pollution, benefits of reusable bags and waste reduction.

“I would recommend the state government couple the ban with public-education campaigns, especially in rural areas, support for affordable reusable or alternative-bag supply, waste-segregation infrastructure, incentives for recycling or upcycling and collaboration with businesses to ensure smooth transition and equity.”

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news...se-plastic-bags

the truth is that banning plastic bag

is bullshit feel good propaganda initiated by gomens trying to look good

and mass media like this site is unable to publish actual thoughts because they will be banned

the actual truth is that Malaysia does not behave like the Japanese (who uses plastic far more than us)

is because leadership from young, is lacking severely

ie the lack of leadership from those that champions this ban

This post has been edited by Redhunt: Dec 16 2025, 08:51 AM

problem with waste management, but blame plastic...

Both can be true

Individual waste management, yes
Despite being though the 3R reduce reuse recycle in school, it's never put into practice

Singapore top in the world for single-use plastic waste per person, do you see them complaining about clogging plastic in their drain? lol

It's a right move. But pls stop the inport of plastic waste.

No point you ban the use but gov alllow it to be bought over to malaysia

I am in favor. If we can reduce plastic use, we should. Because the real lie is that plastic can be recycled. It is costly and recycle plastic have little to no use and releases more toxic material

Already:

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5532982

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5532804

don't stop there. what about single-use plastic bottles? meh.

Meanwhile...

not individual or education, is the system.. whats the point of 3r where single-stream compactor truck is sent to collect 'commingled' waste

Do the states like Perak have jurisdiction over online platforms?

I think the ban is only on major retailers providing plastic bags to bag groceries. It's not a blanket ban on the use and sale of such bags. You will still see small sundry shops giving out plastic bags. Ditto pasar malam sellers.

Despite supermarket here doesn't use it
I still have tons of it

Many of which already deteriorated

Bring own bag lor... plastic bag now charge 30 cents? Expensive

Should promote biodegradable one.

Don't want plastic bag then don't use garbage bag. Do it like the old times when you just put all rubbish inside tong and wait for cleaner to collect. See whether those cleaner will rage quit or not.

And this is why need to reduce plastic bag usage

Consumer Plastic Rcyling program scam .

Put the responsiblities on consumer .
Should put the responsiblity on manufacturer .. tax them .
Or ask plastic manufacturer to collect and recycle them , or dont use material that cannot degrade .

Now they do easy way .. put recycle logo ... then guilt us if not do their job .