Campaign’s transparency questionable, say consumer groups

KUALA LUMPUR: Consumer groups, which have been monitoring the effectiveness of the Selangor government’s “No Plastic Bag” ruling, say the policy has not only done nothing in preserving the environment, its transparency is also questionable.

The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations said although the policy was entering its second year, the awareness among the public had not improved.

Its deputy president, Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman, said the association’s study found that consumers had no qualms about paying for plastic bags and had not been making it a habit to bring recyclable bags when shopping.

He questioned the state government’s “lack of planning and strategising”, saying it failed to provide alternatives for consumers.

He said if the spirit behind the policy was environmental preservation, the state government should have compelled retailers to provide consumers with recyclable bags or push for the sale of reusable shopping bags.

“By right, if it is about the environment, plastic bags should not even be an option.

“Previously, plastic bags were given free, but now, some retailers are profiting from it. Of course, they want this policy to stay.”

He said the state government should have laid on the table its target for the campaign and monitor the use of plastic bags.

The state government, he said, should periodically make public details of the collection of the charge for plastic bags, as well as how the funds were used and if the use of plastic bags had drastically reduced.

On Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar’s plan to introduce a policy that could see retailers paying 20 sen to consumers who bring reusable bags to shop, if the ruling coalition was given the mandate to rule Selangor, Yusof said he welcomed the idea, but suggested that a trial be carried out first to determine if it could change the way Malaysians embraced recycling.

Checks online showed the plastic bag that Selangor retailers charged consumers 20 sen for only cost between 1 sen and 4 sen.

Malaysian Muslim Consumers’ Association lead activist Datuk Nadzim Johan said it was important for the state government to educate the people on the aim of the “No Plastic Bag” campaign.

He said only with knowledge and understanding on environmental issues could the people be supportive and participate in such campaigns.

“The reason many are upset or not supportive of the campaign is because many do not understand the effects of plastic bags on the environment.”

He said it was the public’s right to know how the funds collected were used.

“Who is monitoring this campaign? What are they doing with the funds and where are they channelled to?”