Dr Sim lauds environmentprotecting initiatives
KUCHING: Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian lauded green initiatives implemented by local councils, especially in Miri and Sibu, to protect the environment.
“We have always supported green initiatives to increase protection of the environment and combat degradation, especially in big cities,” he said, hoping it will lead communities across Sarawak to form green habits.
“The ministry’s policies will encourage the adoption and implementation of initiatives and efforts to minimise and reduce impact and harm on our environment,” he assured.
Dr Sim was commenting on various green initiatives implemented by local councils, notably Sibu City Council and Miri City Council for taking the lead in banning the use of plastic bags and styrofoam for packaging.
He was met at the Hari Raya Qurban celebration attended by State Commissioner of Police Datuk Amer Awal at Padawan Police headquarters at Mile 17, Siburan here yesterday.
Dr Sim hopes to see more local councils introduce and implement environmental and sustainability initiatives that can lead to healthier communities, people and environment.
“We let them plan the efforts and initiatives which are localised to respond to their respective needs and we will support them. It will take time,” he noted.
“We let the local councils do it step by step because we know it cannot be forced into a habit, or it might backfire. We hope to increase community participation and they will slowly adopt as a habit, practices like recycling,” he added.
Concerned over the high usage of styrofoam containers in food service and packaging, Miri City Council ( MCC) has drawn up a policy to ban the use of plastic for food and packaging service in the city, set to take effect on Jan 1 next year.
Miri mayor Adam Yii said the ban would be extended to food and drink providers, supermarkets and manufacturers.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said the council would launch the ‘ Say No To Plastic Bags 2.0’ campaign in October.
The first campaign conducted on Nov 16, 2009 was participated by over 30 business premises.