NRES SCRUTINISING NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLASTIC POLICY THROUGH FEASIBILITY STUDY

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The government is scrutinising the need for a plastic-related act that is more comprehensive through a feasibility study under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).

Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the study needed to be carried out since the country's existing policy on plastic was made in a fragmented manner.

"Sometimes at the Federal level, the (plastic) policy framework is wide, but when it reaches the implementation stage at the local government or state government level, there is no uniform approach.

"So, for the 13MP, we are looking at (the need) through the feasibility study for an act related to plastic that is comprehensive," he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Senator Michael Mujah Lihan, who wanted to know the government's full commitment to reviewing existing policies to remove Malaysia from being a central location for plastic waste from several developed countries. 

Since the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) plays a crucial role in the management of plastic waste recycling, Nik Nazmi said the ministry is tightening the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

"Under phase two that is being carried out, we want to see the tightening process and possibly look at the plastic (issue) comprehensively, not just regarding the (issue) of importing plastics into our country," he said.

In reply to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Lim Pay Hen as to whether the government is considering using mealworms in the recycling method to overcome the problem of pollution, Nik Nazmi said it will be looked into.

"Our approach at the ministry level is based on two principles, namely emphasising efforts towards zero single plastic usage as well as the need for a sustainable plastic policy because we know there are plastics that we need to use.

"So, in that aspect, we want to have a sustainable plastic policy because the rate of recycling in the country is still low," he said.

-- BERNAMA