CM’s advice to litterbugs
showing samples of waste during the launch of the statelevel National Environment Day in Bukit Serindit, yesterday. Pic by Rasul Azli Samad MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron yesterday told litterbugs to “dirty your pockets and cars first before you dirty the environment”.
“When you have plastic bags or food wrappers, keep them in your pockets or leave them in your cars until you can dispose of them properly,” he said.
The state’s new environmental policy, said Idris, would be intensified under the Melaka Maju Phase 2 plan.
He said the ban on plastic bags was already showing significant impact on the environment since it took effect on Jan 1.
“When we banned plastic bags, there were people who said this chief minister had gone crazy.
“I would have thought so, too, had I not realised the adverse effects on the environment,” said Idris during the launch of the state-level National Environment Day in Bukit Serindit near here.
He also reiterated the state government’s go-green policy.
“Plastic bags that are disposed of inappropriately will clog drainage systems and damage the environment.
“We used to see 10,000 tonnes of plastic bag waste before.
“By the end of this year, with the ban in full force, we hope to see this reduced drastically to 2,000 tonnes.”
He also called on the public to reduce open burning after spotting 21 sources of open burning during a short helicopter flight around the state.