KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor government's 'No Plastic Bag Day' campaign that began on Jan 1, has  received mixed reaction.

While some welcomed the move, observed every Saturday, as a step in keeping Mother Nature alive and kicking, there are others who are annoyed they have to pay 20 sen for every plastic bag during the campaign.

However, shopping outlets, retail stores as well as hypermarkets like Carrefour and Giant, have taken to the campaign every Saturday.

The Malay Mail spoke to several consumer groups yesterday to get their take on the campaign.

Consumers' Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) president Jacob George:

"It's stupid to charge 20 sen for each plastic bag on Saturdays. On what basis did they decide on the price? We were never consulted. People might think that Cassa had a role in determining the price of the plastic bag.

The 20-sen charge is simply too much. Don't get me wrong, I fully support this campaign as it is very good for the environment. However, charging for plastic bags defeats the whole purpose. This is a good campaign but it needs to be finetuned."

2 . National Consumer Complaints Centre senior legal manager Vahsudevan Perumal:

"Just last week, we received four complaints about the charge for plastic bags. These people were not even aware of the campaign and felt no sufficient notice was given about the 'No Plastic Bag Day' campaign.

Charging 20 sen for plastic bags is totally unfair. The people pay for the products they buy and on top of that they have to pay for the plastic bags. If they are giving plastic bags for a small fee, it defeats the purpose of the campaign.

Either you give plastic bags or you don't. The campaign is for shops throughout Selangor but so far only major hypermarkets are getting involved. What about the smaller outfits?

3. Malaysian Muslim Consumers' Association secretary-general Datuk Dr Maamor Osman:

"The  campaign is a good initiative by the Selangor government. But I don't agree with the 20-sen charge for plastic bags. What is the purpose of carrying out this campaign if you can pay to get plastic bags?

If the campaign says no plastic bags, then there should be no plastic bags, paid or otherwise."

4. Consumer Research and Resource Centre chief executive officer Datuk Paul Selvaraj:

"People have been getting plastic bags for free for a long time and they will feel the pinch when they have to pay for it.

I think 20 sen for a plastic bag is okay. In order to change the mindset of people, they need to be educated on the environment, but, sometimes, even after being educated, they won't voluntarily say no to plastic bags.

So charging for the plastic bags is one of the best ways to instil environment consciousness among the people."

5. Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) president Datuk Marimuthu Nadason:

"The 20-sen charge for plastic bags is fair. It is very cheap compared with what some other countries are charging for plastic bags. I think the people are just as excited about the campaign as those who implemented it.

It does not matter whether the campaign is being carried out by Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional. As long as it benefits the environment in the long run."