04/07/2025

FRIDAY | JULY 4, 2025

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Plastic bag use prevalent despite impact to environment

Efforts launched to preserve seagrass

MERSING: Pulau Setindan in Mersing has become the starting point for initial efforts to map the increasingly threatened seagrass in the area, paving the way for future marine ecosystem preservation efforts in these waters. Seagrass Ecotourism Experience Programme chief researcher Associate Professor Dr Jilian Ooi said mapping activities of the seagrass fields on the island are being carried out to assess changes in the area. She explained that the location was chosen because the seagrass is easily accessible on foot without needing a boat, unlike other areas such as Sungai Pulai and Sungai Johor. “I want to map the seagrass here because no one has done it before, so we don’t know whether this area is experiencing a decline or not. In addition, we also want to examine how the seagrass roots grow and whether they are in healthy condition,”she said at the launch of the programme at KampungStay Teluk Buih yesterday. Ooi said the programme also emphasises the importance of conserving seagrass as a crucial habitat for dugongs, which have become increasingly rare since 2005. “If we ask the villagers, they say that seagrass has been decreasing because the water quality is less clean, among other factors. “Some say dugongs were abundant in 2005 but are now hard to spot, possibly because the seagrass has decreased. The reduction of this marine plant indirectly affects the dugong’s natural habitat,” she said. Meanwhile, Yayasan JCorp, chief executive officer Zaidatul Zurita Abdul Rahman said they remain committed to preserving Johor’s marine ecosystem through the two-day programme in the waters off Mersing. She said the initiative continues marine conservation efforts by Yayasan JCorp that began in 2023 through a coral reef rehabilitation project. – Bernama Perak finalises village chief appointments IPOH: The Perak government has completed the appointment of 658 out of 828 traditional village chiefs under the first phase, with the remaining to receive their appointment letters soon. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the second phase, involving 170 villages, would be carried out following grassroots feedback and certain changes on the ground. He said previous issues included village chiefs not residing in the communities they were tasked to manage as well as factors such as age and health. “These criteria have been set to ensure that village chiefs can function effectively. Each chief may serve only until the age of 65 and will not be reappointed beyond that age. “We want our village chiefs to be in good health. If they have serious health issues, we will have to replace them with other individuals in the second phase,” he said after launching the Perak Orang Asli Community Symposium 2025 on Wednesday. – Bernama

o Expert urges stricter policies, incentives and community action to curb single-use pollutants

She urged for introduction of creative incentives, such as discounts for customers who bring their own bags and a continued investment in sustainable public education through community leaders, religious centres and local halls. “Banning low-density polyethylene plastic at community events and replacing it with compostable plastics could also be a practical step,” she said. Above all, Marfiah stressed the importance of partnerships. “Strategic collaboration between government, industry and the public can drive meaningful, lasting change,” she said. This could include funding research grants to better understand consumer habits, involving communities directly in policy committees and building knowledge-sharing platforms so the public feels informed and engaged. She also encouraged the creation of local knowledge hubs where communities can learn about the 5R concept – refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle – while running hands-on workshops to turn waste into valuable products. “If people feel ownership of the solutions, they are more likely to participate.”. As International Plastic Bag Free Day was marked yesterday, Marfiah reminded Malaysians that protecting the environment begins with individual action. “We only have one planet Earth, and we cannot continue a lifestyle that destroys it. Change begins with each of us. Love the Earth and protect it from plastic pollution,” she said.

plastic policies. Yet in areas with weaker enforcement or limited incentives, dependence on single-use plastics remains high. Marfiah identified several barriers to change. “The public is accustomed to receiving free plastic bags while shopping, and changing that routine feels inconvenient, especially when buying groceries in bulk,” she said. Inconsistent enforcement and the widespread practice among smaller businesses of handing out plastic bags freely further compound the problem. “Our culture and lifestyle also play a role, with spontaneous shopping trips and frequent purchases from night markets or hawker stalls where plastics are handed out without question,” she added. Government efforts, however, have not been without success. Marfiah highlighted campaigns such as “Say No To Plastic Bags” in Johor, Selangor and Penang, which have helped shift attitudes, particularly among urban residents. “School and community programmes foster early habits among students and families, which is encouraging,” she noted. To help Malaysia transition away from single-use plastics, Marfiah proposed a multi pronged approach. “First, policies replacing single-use plastic bags with reusable options must apply to all retailers, big and small, including hawker stalls and night markets,” she said, adding that mandatory charges on all plastic bags could also push consumers to change habits.

Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are aware of the environmental damage caused by plastic bags, but meaningful behavioural change still lags behind, according to Universiti Teknologi Mara Faculty of Civil Engineering associate professor Dr Marfiah Ab Wahid. “Public awareness in Malaysia about the environmental impact of plastic bags has improved significantly over the past 10 years,” she said, citing government campaigns, media coverage, school education and rising global concern as key drivers. However, she warned that despite this awareness, many people remain attached to single-use plastics. “Plastic bags are convenient. People understand the harm, particularly to marine biodiversity, but their habits are hard to break,” Marfiah explained. She noted that states with strong enforcement, such as Selangor and Penang, have made progress through bans and plastic bag charges. Malacca has also introduced biodegradable

Marfiah said plastic bags are convenient and although people understand the harm, their habits are hard to break. – BERNAMAPIC

‘Time of Use’ scheme helps consumers manage energy consumption KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic and non-domestic low-voltage consumers using smart meters now have the opportunity to benefit from the Time of Use (ToU) scheme, aimed at helping them manage daily energy consumption more efficiently. “With the option to schedule electricity usage during cheaper off peak hours, consumers can now proactively reduce their monthly bills without compromising comfort,” said Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) on its official website. off-peak periods, the entire day on Saturdays and Sundays as well as from 10pm to 2pm the following day on weekdays (Monday to Friday). Peak hours are from 2pm to 10pm on weekdays. (kWh) and below is set at 24.43 sen/kWh. Meanwhile, the peak energy charge for the same monthly usage is 28.52 sen/kWh for ToU consumers, compared with 27.03 sen/kWh for general domestic consumers,” the website explained.

Applications to switch to the ToU scheme can be submitted starting July 1 by emailing the completed application form and required documents to tnbtou@tnb.com.my or by visiting the nearest Kedai Tenaga. Online applications via the myTNB portal will be available from Aug 1. For more information, visit www.mytnb.com.my/tariff or contact TNB CareLine at 1300-88-5454. Information and assistance are also available at all Kedai Tenaga branches nationwide. – Bernama

For instance, consumers who shift the use of household appliances such as washing machines, air conditioners or electric vehicle chargers to off-peak hours may enjoy savings on their electricity bills. “The off-peak energy charge for monthly usage of 1,500 kilowatt hours

To help users better understand potential savings, TNB has introduced an online electricity bill calculator on the myTNB portal. Consumers can select their preferred tariff and estimate their bill before deciding to switch to the ToU scheme.

The initiative is part of the Energy Commission’s recent announcement of a new electricity tariff structure that allows consumers to shift their usage to more affordable off-peak periods. The ToU scheme has been revised and expanded to include longer

According to the official myTNB website, the ToU scheme, also available to customers with current transformer operated meters or remote meter reading systems, offers greater flexibility for users to manage their energy usage according to their individual needs.