This follows reports that Malaysia is slowly becoming a recycling hub for foreign trash material in the wake of China’s ban on the import of plastic waste.

Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the joint ministerial committee consisted of her ministry, housing and local government, and international trade and industry, among others.

“The government is committed to reducing plastic waste. We will not allow Malaysia to be a dumping ground for unwanted plastic waste,” she said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

To Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS-Rantau Panjang), who had asked on measures to get rid of plastic waste in the country, she said Putrajaya wanted to ban all plastic material that cannot be recycled.

“We will make sure plastic that cannot be recycled is banned. We are reviewing the acts related to recycling,” she said.

Yeo added that some 30 companies had been shut down for importing and producing illegal plastic waste and that the government had cut their water and power supply.