KOTA KINABALU: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is studying the possibility of putting a ban on plastic straws in all eateries in the city, as implemented in Selangor.
Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman said to date, DBKK has no laws with regards to banning single-use plastic straws and would need to consider the "pros and cons" of the move before realising it.
“Before we can implement (the ban), we need to study it properly because it involves all authorities and laws. We need to understand the advantages and disadvantages,” he told reporters when met during DBKK Hari Raya Open House here, today.
It was reported that the Selangor government will impose a ban on plastic drinking straws, effective July 1, to eliminate single-use plastics and to further protect the environment.
Selangor Environment, Green Technology and Consumer Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment Committee chairman Hee Loy Sian was quoted saying that the state government would instruct restaurants and coffeeshops to stop providing plastic straws to customers.
Hee however said the straws can be given only if a customer request for it.
In September last year, Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Adnan Mohd Ikhsan had said plastic straws would be banned in all Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
Meanwhile, Ara Dinawan Research Education Conservation Centre (ADRECC) director (education and conservation) Monica Chin said Sabah should lead by example and ban single-use plastic straw immediately.
“The ban has been implemented in many countries and Selangor is following in the footstep. We must take initiative to preserve and protect our environment.
“Every day, tonnes of trash are being dumped to Kayu Madang landfill (in Manggatal here), with plastics among the biggest rubbish contribution. We cannot take any more time to think and do study. We have to act fast,” she said.
“The future is now. We need to ban plastic straw now and do enforcement rules or policy check list upon renewal of trading license. I don’t want our future generation to suffer with the amount of trash we left behind.” she added.