KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) is not joking when it announced its intention to implement a ban on plastic straws.
The council first introduced the ban to the MBKS hawkers on March 1 on a one-month trial run for the hawkers to get used to the ban.
The implementation and on-the-ground checks is scheduled to starton April 1, with a fine of RM50 imposed on hawkers not adhering to the legislation.
MBKS mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said once it is successfully implemented among hawkers, the move to ban plastic straws would be extended to food operators in shopping malls and restaurants.
“In May, we will start to extend the ban to eateries in shopping malls and after that, we will move to all the eateries in MBKS jurisdiction one month later.
“We will do it one at a time. However, I am very happy to see that a few restaurants have already come up with their own initiatives to support our move in reducing plastic waste,” he told reporters at a press conference held at MBKS building yesterday.
Wee added that the council was considering the ban as one of the conditions to acquire or renew licences from MBKS.
“With the addition of the plastic straw ban in the conditions to acquire licences, the operators will have to comply with it. We are targeting that by September, there will be no more plastic straws used in eateries,” he said.
On the feedback from the public, he acknowledged that a number of operators were concerned over their customers’ request for straws.
He stressed that in the event where a customer demands for a straw, then he or she must pay for it.
“It is up to the hawker to set the price for the straw whether it is10 sen or 20 sen. At least there is an option for those who want it.
“Even for bubble tea drink, there are environment-friendly straws of certain sizes made available in the market. We have also made it ready as well,” he said adding that there should be no excuse for not supporting the ban on plastic straws.
He pointed out that this was not the first time that such strategy was used citing as an example the plastic bag charge in business premises.
“The premises would not give you a plastic bag, but if you require one, they can supply an eco-friendly bag or of such sort.
“Such strategy will encourage consumers to bring reusable bags when shopping and cut down the use of single-use plastics.
“This is the same with straws. If you want to save money, you should carry your own straw lah,” he said.
