TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, has stated that the banning of single-use plastic is a reflection of environmental change.

The policy, Governor Regulation No. 142/2019, stipulates the use of environmentally friendly shopping bags in shopping centers, supermarkets, and traditional markets.

The Governor Regulation has been made legal since December 31, 2019, and will be made in effect six months after the attainment of its legality, which falls on July 1, 2020. According to Anies, the regulation is not only the result of the recent floodings.

“This is not only done in anticipation, but this also is part of us acknowledging the drastic environmental changes, and one of the causes for it is plastic,” said Anies in The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Building, on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

The governor ensured that he will give further information related to the public banning of single-use plastic, as not all plastics are harmful. “That’s why we can recycle it as well,” he said. “Medical equipment in hospitals is largely made of plastic. That, we can recycle. But we made our regulation strictly for single-use plastic.”

Anies Baswedan has further promised that he will provide a full explanation about the regulations of plastic use; from start to finish and whether or not the plastic should be discarded or recycled. “Our point is, we want to raise people's awareness in decreasing the use of plastic,” he said.

IMAM HAMDI | DIO SUHENDA