BUKIT LANJAN: Is Elizabeth Wong hoping for Selangor consumers to forget about 20-sen plastic bag policy fiasco?

WHAT AN IRONY! She’s so proud that she has helped businesses make extra RM1.87 million from the sale of plastic bags to consumers!

State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong. — Sunpix by Asyraf Rasid

RM1.87 million collected through 20-sen plastic bag charge in Selangor

Posted on 24 July 2017 - 09:38pm

Last updated on 25 July 2017 - 12:15am

SHAH ALAM: A total of RM1.87 million has been collected from shoppers in Selangor through the 20-sen charge for each plastic bag since the "No Plastic Bag" campaign was implemented in the state on Jan 1 this year, Selangor Legislative Assembly was told today.

State Tourism, Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said the collection only involved supermarkets and food premises that had informed the state government, through their respective trade associations, on their collection of the 20-sen charge between January and May … for more, go to http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/07/25/rm187-million-collected-through-20-sen-plastic-bag-charge-selangor

BUKIT LANJAN: Is Elizabeth Wong hoping for Selangor consumers to forget about 20-sen plastic bag policy fiasco?

Hello Elizabeth Wong! Have you conveniently maintained a “silence is golden” stand on the 20-sen plastic bag fiasco and hoping for consumers in Selangor to forget the matter?

Sorry to disappoint you but the fiasco is still pending, unresolved and not forgotten.

“In fact, the 20-sen plastic bag policy is a complete and ignominious failure,” Gerakan Deputy Speaker Syed Abdul Razak Alsagoff said.

“Before your staunch political supporters start whacking me, let me state that I am not raising this issue just for political gain or mileage.

“You are not only the Bukit Lanjan assemblyman, you are also a Selangor executive councillor in charge of environment. Has your 20-sen plastic bag policy achieved the desired results for the environment?

“Firstly, if you are sincere about your policy, then ban the use of plastic bags totally or impose RM1 charge on plastic bags. This will most likely force consumers to stop using plastic bags.

“As it is, many consumers are still willing to pay 20-sen for plastic bags. And who gains? The plastic bags cost only two sen, and businesses are happily profiting 18 sen per plastic bag when consumers previously get them free,” he added.

Syed Razak said: “So, Miss Wong, you have not only helped businesses to profit from the sale of plastic bags, you have also burdened consumers financially.

“Lets also not forget your flip flop contradictory statements that the profits from the sale of plastic bags would go to the state government coffer to be used for the environmental campaigns, which we all now know is not true.

“If your policy had been well thought, you would have ensured that the profits from the sale of plastic bags be used to subsidise quality recycled bags and be sold cheaply or given away free to consumers who spend a minimum sum.

“Now, wouldn’t that make a policy of more sense for the environment? No?” he asked.

Would It Be Better To Charge Consumers RM1 For Plastic Bags Instead Of 20 Cents?

Published by Nandini Balakrishnan — 04 Jan 2017, 01:03 PM

"Shoppers are still using plastic bags because they are cheap."

Cover image via Sin Chew Daily

Environmental activist Gurmit Singh wants the Selangor government to implement a ruling that makes retailers charge RM1 instead of 20 cents for plastic bags

Image via The Nut Graph

Environmental activist Gurmit Singh

Speaking to Free Malaysia Today, Gurmit said that this would ensure that the people would think twice before paying for plastic bags that are currently being sold for 20 cents … for more, go to http://says.com/my/news/charge-rm1-instead-of-20-sen-for-plastic-bags-in-selangor-says-activist

Syed Razak, who is Gerakan’s nominee to contest N.37 Bukit Lanjan in the coming 14th General Election (GE14), said instead of trying to sweep the matter under the carpet, Wong should use her office and state government to rectify the policy.

“What’s so difficult about that? You want to save face? A mistake is a mistake. We all make mistakes.

“Admit the mistake, rectify it. That should be the way of a responsible and accountable elected representative for the rakyat (people). To remain quiet and hoping for the problem to go away is no solution for you and consumers,” he added.

N.37 LET BUKIT LANJAN SOAR WITH SYED ABDUL RAZAK ALSAGOFF