The state collected RM6.6 million in 2020, followed by RM8.5 million in 2021 and RM4.8 million up to June.

State tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian expected the state to collect RM9 million this year alone, Berita Harian reported.

Businesses in Selangor have been charging 20 sen for plastic bags since 2017. In 2019, the state made them channel the 20 sen they charged to a special state fund.

Hee said the state had given some leeway to traders and did not strictly enforce the no plastic bag and polystyrene rule during the pandemic, since their income had been severely affected.

“We did not want to make things more difficult for them, so there was not as much enforcement during the period,” he told the state legislative assembly today.

He said large-scale enforcement will resume next year with traders to face strict action if they do not comply, including the possible withdrawal of their licences.

Hee also said the state may propose raising the charge per plastic bag or hold a “no plastic bag day” on which the sale of plastic bags is banned.