JANUARY 1 wasn't just the first day of the new year. It also ushered in an ambitious statewide ban on all plastic bags, a move that has received mixed reception.

The ban applies to all supermarkets, pharmacies, fast food chains and convenience stores. "Mini-markets and sole proprietorships will also be asked to do the same on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays when they renew their yearly licences," said Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng. Hawker and market stalls were exempted from the ban. Read here.

The ban will be monitored by the Penang Consumer Watch Group via random checks. The group will then report their findings to the state government. “Last year was spent educating the public on the ruling," said State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh. “It’s time for full implementation now." Read here.

The ban's supporters include the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association. However, plastics manufacturers, represented by the Malaysian Plastics Forum and the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association have decried the move, saying that authorities should focus more on raising awareness on recycling rather than implementing an outright ban. Said MPF chairman Lim Kok Boon, "Plastic does not pollute the environment. It is the person that uses is who pollutes. I think there is plenty of misconceptions floating around about plastic bags." Read here.

Penang water supply to fulfill demand till 2020

Maintenance and upgrading works at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant has ensured that Penang will have the capacity to meet increasing demands for the next 10 years. Capacity of the plant's treated water tanks have also increased from 13.6 million litres of water a day to 31.9 million litres. Read here.

Other than the major upgrading work being done at the plant, maintenance was also being done at 31 different locations by more than 300 workers. "We have to continuously upgrade our treatment and pumping facilities to meet future water demands as we cannot afford a water crisis," said Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) general manager Jaseni Maidinsa. Read here.

A side effect of the upgrading and maintenance works was that water supply to 80% of the state had to be disrupted from 7am to 7pm. However, a tripped pump at the Sungai Dua plant had lengthened the planned disruption of 12 hours to 48 hours. The PBAPP has apologised for the disruption. Read here.

Other news

• Starting anew after tsunami: On Boxing Day six years ago, Muhd Hanif Che Husin and his family were left with only the clothes on their backs when a massive wave battered Penang’s shores and destroyed his village, claiming 23 lives. Read here.
• Duo charged with bribery: A federal department director from Penang and a state government agency manager were charged with graft totalling more than RM22,000 in separate courts here and in George Town. Read here.
• Penang's future is history: Mick Shippen hits the history trail in George Town. Read here.
• ‘Heritage’ artist Tan passes away at 80: Renowned artist Tan Choon Ghee, best known for his works on Penang heritage buildings, passed away on Tuesday. He was 80. Read here.
• Hope for our public culture?: THERE was a quaint little announcement recently when the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) held its last full-council meeting for the year. In an apparent attempt to clamp down on littering the MPPP decided to increase the fine against litterbugs to RM250 from RM50. Read here.

For more news on Penang, please click through to iGT NetBuzz Dec 27, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 here. For daily updates, "like" iGeorgeTown on Facebook or join us on Twitter.  

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form