Speech by YB Elizabeth Wong

Salam sejahtera, and a very good morning to all of you.

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for taking the time on a Sunday morning to be here in Sunway Pyramid with us on this special day.

I am delighted and honoured to be here to launch the Selangor government's kempen “Hari Tanpa Beg Plastik” or “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign.

As we all know, the need to care for our fragile environment is no longer an option, nor is it something we can procrastinate over.

The reasons to reduce reliance of disposable materials such as plastic bags are plenty and indisputable. Whether it is to ease already overburdened landfills, to help slow down climate change, or to reduce pollution in our rivers and seas, the bottom line remains the same: action must be taken, and it must be taken now.

It therefore gives me great pride to launch this campaign.

Beginning 1 January 2010, every Saturday will be a "No Plastic Bag Day" throughout Selangor.

Consumers who still insist on using plastic bags will have to pay for them. The money collected will then be channelled to the corporate social responsibility programmes of each individual retailer.

The point is not to penalise consumers, but rather, to encourage them to bring along their own bags instead, such as the lovely one we are giving away today.

This is not a radical move, nor is it completely new. The use of plastic bags are similarly discouraged all over the world, from China to Germany, as well as in other states in Malaysia.

Within Selangor, there are already retailers and malls who have seen the light and have independently and voluntarily initiated their own efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags. I applaud them for their work.

Working as individuals, however, we can only do so much. Together, with a unified approach, and backing from the state government, the results will surely be far more encouraging.

So, what we need today is more active involvement and collaboration from all parties in order to truly make a tangible difference. And that is why the Selangor state government is getting involved, by bringing all major retailers in the state together to take part in a unified campaign.

Beyond that, the Selangor government will also be actively raising awareness among the public, educating them about the necessity of reducing the use of disposable materials such as plastic bags.

In six months, we will then evaluate the results of this campaign, and study how we can make even more progress. It is my hope that we will be able to increase the number of days a week considered as "No Plastic Bag Days."

While I recognise the importance of instituting these changes gradually, I also see the urgency of the situation enough to realise we cannot compromise on this matter. We need bold action.

Changing our habits is never easy. Accustomed to virtually unlimited supplies of plastic bags, consumers are undoubtedly going to take some time to get used to this change. I expect resistance, as I'm sure many of you do too.

But change we must. In a few more days, we will be entering the year 2010. We cannot behave as if we are still living in the past.

The Selangor State Government and I sincerely thank Sunway Pyramid for providing this wonderful venue for the campaign launch, and to everyone who have put in their best efforts in making this campaign possible. Also, many thanks to all our green partners and also members of the press.

Ladies and gentlemen, today is the start of a more sustainable future for all and a clean and healthy Selangor. I look forward to being part of that future, and trust that each one of you will join me in Greening Selangor, or Hijaukan Selangor.

I also take this opportunity to wish all guests a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May 2010 be filled with great achievements for a greener Selangor.

With that, and with great hope and joy, I declare the “No Plastic Bag Day” campaign officially launched.