KUALA LUMPUR: The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is considering a nationwide ban on single-use plastic bags as early as 2026.
Its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the ban on single-use plastic bags was already enforced in Negeri Sembilan, Penang and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
In the Federal Territories, single-use plastic bags are not provided to consumers as businesses are encouraged to use biodegradable plastic bags.
"We have received positive feedback from state governments and local authorities in engagements in nine states," he said in a written Parliamentary reply.
"Engagements are also scheduled for Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah."
He was responding to a question from Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman (PN-Kubang Pasu) who asked for an update on the Zero Single-Use Plastics Roadmap 2018-2030 and Plastic Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030.
Nik Nazmi said his ministry will continue to work with all stakeholders including industry players and NGOs to raise public awareness on single-use plastics.