KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Barisan Nasional has pledged for consumers in the state to receive 20 sen for using their own bags during shopping if the coalition wins the next general election.
Selangor BN chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar, in lambasting the PKR-led administration in Selangor over its anti-plastic bag campaign, said such an approach should be educative instead of punitive.
The Selangor government currently imposes a 20 sen charge for each plastic bag at the shop counter upon request.
Noh said the people would be more encouraged to participate in the campaign should the people were rewarded with 20 sen instead of bringing their own bags when shopping for groceries, for example.
Noh, however, clarified that BN would continue the policy there people would still need to pay 20 sen for a plastic.
"I am not against the campaign, but there is a better way to do it effectively. Those who did not bring their own bag should pay 20 sen for each plastic bag upon request at the counter.
"However, those who bring their own bags should be rewarded with 20 sen," Noh told a Press conference at the end of today's Parliamentary session.
Noh said as of now, it was unclear as to where the money collected from the 20 sen penalty was channelled to.
"According to a statement during a recent Selangor state assembly sitting, a total of RM1.8 million were collected from the penalty imposed on using (or purchasing) plastic bags in just within four months.
"It is stated that the money was used to fund welfare activities. What welfare activities?
"There is a better way to do this. It also seems that the ones who are making money are the plastic bag traders."
Reporting by Syed Umar Ariff; Rohaniza Idris; Meor Riduwan Meor Ahmad; Nur Lela Zulkipli; and Siti Nur Mas Erah Amran.
