No rush to ban plastic bags from MPs

Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin

THE authorities cannot rush into banning the use of plastic bags without looking into the economic impact on local plastic manufacturers, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin said.

Campaigns were being carried out to encourage the people to reduce the use of plastic bags and to recycle plastic products, he told Teresa Kok (DAP – Seputeh).

Friday June 26, 2009
The Star newspaper

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Jasmin says,

Statements like this worry me. I feel that the plastics industry should quickly find new ways to generate money, and not find some more excuses to sell non-biodegradable plastic bags which pollutes. As it is, the government spends billions of the tax payers money just to clean up our plastic mess. By the way, did you know, plastics clog drains and can cause flash floods. Who’s property gets damaged in the process? Yep. Our cars, our houses, our stuff, our money. Sea creatures end up swallowing plastic bags in the sea. Many drown as a result of being suffocated by plastic bags. Who will take responsibility for that?

If you don’t agree with this minister, please forward this article to your friends and family. Send an email to our minister at DSP_lajim@mot.gov.my and tell him you don’t support the use and selling of plastic bags. Please ask  Lajim not to lobbying for the plastics industry but instead to look out for the people’s interest instead.

Better yet.  Tell his boss, our Prime Minister what you think. Twit Dato’ Sri Najib at http://twitter.com/NajibRazak or go to his blog and leave a comment.

Remember, every time a plastic bag is discarded, your money is directly and indirectly to deal with it.

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More info on banning plastic bags

• It’s a dog’s day at the neighborhood market
• Plastic bags causing flooding problems
• Plastic bottles vs paper cups at “More raw food at the night markets”