Will The Same Protestors Dare To Protest No Plastic Bags Day Now?

When the Penang and Selangor state governments implemented the No Plastic Day beginning on a Saturday, we can various forms of protest from many parties. These 'protestors' protested for the sake of protesting just to create a ruckus or made some noise to Pakatan Rakyat's ideas even though it may benefit the earth or the environment.

The Malaysian Plastic Manufacturers Association ("MPMA") northern branch even gave the reason that as many as 1,600 workers may lose their jobs if Penang was to further extend the No Plastic Days to other days besides Saturdays and effect the no more FOC plastic bags from today onwards.

MPMA northern branch is running a campaign, purposely going against the Penang state government, by giving out free plastic bags on the first three Sundays in January 2011.

Parti Gerakan Penang branch has even blasted the Penang state government for this no plastic bag policy.

Then we have web portals, such as this, writing about the negative effect it will have on the Selangor state government if the No Plastic Bag Day is to be carried out on the Saturdays. It mentioned that voters will be against such environmental policy.

Suddenly, the federal government has now decided to follow both the Penang and Selangor state governments to impose the 'No Free Plastic Bags on Saturdays' beginning next Saturday itself.

In launching this new ruling yesterday, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry staff gave out reusable cloth bags to shoppers at the Alamanda shopping centre. May I know who paid for those cloth bags? Taxpayers' monies?

I can't wait to see MPMA northern branch, people that walked away from payment counters and Parti Gerakan Penang to protest even louder now since it's being implemented nationwide. The federal government is doing this quickly before Kedah and Kelantan (under Pakatan Rakyat ruling) decide to impose it. No face lah. I supposed MPMA as a whole and Parti Gerakan as a whole will be protesting too?

For those of you in Penang, bear in mind that when you shop at hypermarkets, supermarkets, departmental stores, pharmacies, fast food restaurants, nasi kandar outlets, convenience stores, chain stores, petrol kiosks or mini markets, bring along your own fabric bags / biodegradable bags / reusable bags to store your stuff.

I was caught off guard on Saturdays at times when I shop at Giant or Tesco. Forced to pay the RM0.20 for each plastic bag. Even IKEA imposes the RM0.20 ruling. Subsequently, I have bought those bags of my own to overcome this situation and stationed those bags in my car boot. Just have to remember to bring it along haha.

But have I seen customers protesting at the payment counters and walked away as what was written in the web portals? Nope, I didn't see that personally. Can't imagine people walking away after having selected their goods with care over a period of time just because of RM0.20.

Be prepared for those nationwide campaign against the federal government's decision. No?
Tags: Fabric Bags, Biodegradable Bags, Reusable Bags, No Free Plastic Bags, No Plastic Bags