Datu Dr Penguang Manggil
SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is a leading example of good environmental stewardship as the first local council in the state to totally ban the use of plastic bags.
According to Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, SMC is the first in many green initiatives to preserve and conserve the environment.
“SMC was also the first to ban the use of Styrofoam for food packaging and to impose RM500-fine for indiscriminate littering, and decomposting for vegetable wastes, among others.
“I salute them for their political will to take these initiatives for the sake of our environment and our future generations,” he said when contacted yesterday.
When chairing the full council meeting on Wednesday, SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said the council would launch the ‘Say No To Plastic Bags 2.0’ campaign in October.
Tiong said the campaign was necessary to establish a more sustainable and green Sibu city, adding that the first campaign was conducted on Nov 16, 2009 with the participation of over 30 business premises.
All retail stores and enterprises shall replace plastic bags with biodegradable bags or paper boxes while the public are encouraged bring their own bags when shopping.
Meanwhile, SMC deputy chairwoman Rogayah Jamain said doing away with plastic bags would help to lengthen the lifespan of landfills.
“Plastic takes 10 to 1,000 years to decompose. Plastic is toxic to the environment and is also hazardous to animals. SMC will roll out more campaigns to get the public to bring their own bags when shopping.”