Masjid Pengkalan Hulu the First Mosque in Perak to Ban Single-Use Plastics

Masjid Jamek in Pengkalan Hulu, Perak has become the first mosque in the state of Perak to implement a ban on single-use plastics, including food and drink in plastic. The mosque committee in Pengkalan Hulu also organised an awareness programme on the dangers of single-use plastics.

This awareness programme was initiated by the mosque committee after receiving advice from the Sultan of Perak. Recently, the Sultan of Perak instructed against the use of single-use plastics and prohibited students from using plastic bottles and packaging for their food and drink items.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP). Approximately 50 people, including other mosque committee members, civil servants and government officials attended the healthy lifestyle talk programme.

The talk was moderated by CAP senior education officer N.V. Subbarow together with Zulkifli Yusuf and Mohd Ridzuan Mohamad.

Single-use plastics are easy to understand. They refer to plastic packaging that cannot be reused and may or may not be recycled depending on the type of plastic material. Here is a list of some single-use plastic items: plastic straws, plastic cutlery, plastic shopping bags, disposable plastic lids for hot beverages, plastic water bottles, plastic takeaway containers and drink cups, plastic food wrappers, plastic bottle caps, plastic stirrers.

All of these are common everyday items that pose a danger to the environment.

To lead a healthy lifestyle, it is wise to pay attention to the plastic packaging that we buy and pledge not to buy products that involve single-use plastics. Plastics are not biodegradable; they just slowly break down into microplastics. Not only do they pose a threat to marine life, but these microplastics release toxic chemicals that eventually migrate into the atmosphere, plant life, and animal tissues.

We can all be more aware of the single-use plastics in our homes. It is time to take action and make a change!

> Avoid using plastic shopping bags; instead, use cloth or paper bags for shopping.

> Bring your own tea or coffee tumbler to work or use the reusable cups provided by the coffee shop.

> Do not buy plastic water bottles; use glass or reusable water bottles instead.

> Do not purchase plastic straws; buy paper ones instead. Refuse if offered plastic straws.

> We as individuals also need to take responsibility for living a healthy lifestyle.

> Everyone on this planet should pay attention to living a life that involves only the use of recycled materials as much as possible.

N.V. Subbarow
Senior Education Officer
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)

Press Statement, 1 March 2024