SRDC backs no plastic straw move
SIBU: Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) has expressed support for Sibu Municipal Council’s ( SMC) move to do away with plastic straws to protect the environment.
SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai yesterday called upon eateries and members of the public to join hands with the councils in following the directive of Ministry of Local Government and Housing to look for alternatives to plastic straws.
“Our standing committee will convene a meeting to deliberate on what our council should do to support `Say No to Plastic Straw’ campaign mooted by SMC.
“As a matter of fact, our council has already implemented ` Zero Plastic Bag Day’ on weekends as part of its green initiatives.
“We also need full cooperation from the food outlets and coffee shops to reduce the use of straws and plastic bags,”Sempurai said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil encouraged other local councils in Sarawak to emulate SMC by doing away with straws.
SMC has initiated a ` Say No to Plastic Straw’ in conjunction with its annual green event `Love Earth Day’ campaign which will be launched on April 20 before full enforcement on Jan 1, 2020.
SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King told a full council meeting last week that the campaign was an effort to reduce plastic waste.
“All proprietors of eateries, restaurants and coffee shops are reminded not to supply customers with plastic straws after the campaign launching.
“Saying no to plastic straw shall be included as one of the conditions for the renewal of licences starting Jan 1 next year,” Tiong said.
The ban on plastic straws in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan began Jan 1 this year.