1. Regulation vs. Enforcement
MPP did issue the directive years ago as part of its environmental policy (aligned with the state’s No Polystyrene Campaign). But many food vendors are not following it, stating that the pricing for other types of packaging is expensive. I know this because I buy packaged foods almost on a daily basis.
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Enforcement tends to be soft or absent. Most councils in Sarawak (including MPP, MBKS, and MPS) emphasise education over punishment, but as usual, people don’t follow the rules.
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Only selected premises —but selected not to check !. mainly coffee shops, fast-food outlets, and licensed eateries — get random checks or never at all as I frequently sit at the coffee shop, I have not seen any checks.
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Stall vendors and night market sellers often slip through because they fall under temporary or seasonal permit categories.
So while it’s “compulsory” on paper, in practice, enforcement is irregular or “not compulsory”.
2. Why Vendors Still Use Styrofoam
Several practical reasons why the vendors are still using styrofoam:-
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Styrofoam is dirt cheap — sometimes half the price of paper or PET plastic containers. This is the main reason. YES, I agreed as far as business is concerned.
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It’s heat-resistant and doesn’t leak easily for oily foods like laksa or kolo mee, and is as practical as other containers and can be managed easily.
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Suppliers still sell them openly, especially in fast food and single stall operators and “off-site markets” and wholesale packaging shops. However, it is not used in supermarkets such as at the Spring, ViVa, AEON or merdeka Plaza or the Boulevard food vendors.
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Many vendors claim “no alternative stock” when paper containers run out, and part of the escape route.
Unless MPP controls the supply chain (through supplier licensing), banning at the vendor level alone doesn’t work. Just wondering, similar to other products, such as the dark wind screen. The Government banned it, but it is still widely on sale in the market.
3. Environmental & Health Angle
Styrofoam (polystyrene):
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It takes hundreds of years to decompose, as far as the written document is concerned. How true it is, I have no idea, but a long period is.
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It is said that it releases toxic styrene compounds when heated (especially with oily food) may hurt our health. It is common that the vendor packs the hot rice into it, and we bring it home for our food.
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It adds massive bulk to landfill waste — particularly at open markets where food packaging is disposed of daily.
Switching to paper, plastic, or reusable containers significantly reduces this footprint.
4. The Batu Kawa Reality
Batu Kawa falls under MPP’s jurisdiction, but it’s a mixed-zone area — part urban, part suburban. Enforcement officers often prioritise:
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Urban commercial centres (e.g., 3rd Mile, MJC).
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Less so in suburban or kampung-style stalls where public pressure is lower or the could not care less attitude.
That’s why you still get food packed in polystyrene boxes daily.
What Can Be Done
The general public can do the following:-
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Snap a few examples and post them alongside the MPP notice and WhatsApp or email to the MPP. They may not have sufficient staff to go to the ground.
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Ask: “Why is MPP not enforcing its own ban?” — tagging them on Facebook or X.
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Suggest that MPP integrate packaging checks into their business license renewal inspections.
I believed the public visibility could get faster results than internal memos.
