Association, DBKK discuss collaborative solutions for plastic waste management

Borneo Post

18-07-2025

Liaw (third right) presenting a memento to Sabin. Other MPMA members present are Ang (left), Hiew (second right) and Law (right).
KOTA KINABALU (July 18): Members of the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, Sabah Branch (MPMA Sabah), led by chairman Liaw Hen Kong, paid a courtesy call on Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah on July 16 to explore solutions and seek collaborations on plastics wastes management.
On the way forward for MPMA which has about 800 members across Peninsular and East Malaysia, Liaw shared that MPMA both at the headquarters and branch levels advocated and adopted plastics circularity.
MPMA is stepping up recycling efforts and hosting campaigns to spread the importance of recycling to the consumers including the young population on regular basis. Through responsible use of plastics by consumers such as Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs), our environment will be rid of plastics wastes.
Consumers are inconvenienced by the single-use plastics ban. Despite ban on certain single-use plastics, the Department of Statistics recorded annual national exports of plastics products rose over the years at RM11.94 billion in 2014 and RM17.34 billion last year. This is evidence that plastics is essential, efficient and economical.
However, plastics pollution is a challenge that the industry, the authorities and consumers collectively need to address and overcome.
Liaw welcomed the initiative by Sabin to have regular engagements with the plastics industry to learn and keep abreast of the latest developments and future plans of both the plastics industry and City Hall.
On the solution to solid waste management by City Hall, the mayor shared his plan to use incinerator and has proposed that the plastics industry consider this initiative to reducing not just plastics waste but municipal solid waste as well.
Other topics discussed were single-use plastics, paper straws, tetra packs, common misconceptions about plastics and recycled plastic products (Standard: SIRIM ECO 018 2024, AMD. 1:2024)
Liaw also invited Sabin to attend an upcoming event of MPMA Sabah, which is the plastics talk, themed 'Plastics Action – A Greener Future' in August.
Other MPMA Sabah members present were Datuk Alan Ang of Uniang Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd (advisor), Kelvin Hiew of HKT Furniture Sdn Bhd (welfare officer) and Law Yit Chean of Borneo Flexible Packaging Sdn Bhd (member).