Business operators are no longer issued physical licences by MPAJ as the SmartLicence.
SOME 46 businesses in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, have been issued licence cancellation notices for failing to remit plastic bag fee collections from January to July.
Ampang Jaya City Council (MPAJ) president Dr Ani Ahmad said 22 compounds were issued in that period for violation of licence conditions relating to plastic bag charges.
“This enforcement action is taken against business owners who provide plastic bags to customers but have not registered or paid the fee to MPAJ,” she said during the local council’s full board meeting.
According to MPAJ records, from 8,595 registered premises, 3,684 charged a fee while 4,911 premises were plastic bag-free.
“During this period, MPAJ received RM611,687.52 from 890 business premises.
“From this, 60% (RM366,905.58) will be handed over to the state government while 40% (RM244,603.74) will be channelled into the trust account managed by MPAJ,” said Ani.
Since 2020, businesses in Selangor have been required to register with local councils and hand over the 20sen charge for every plastic bag sold to consumers who request for one.
The collection programme is part of a state directive where businesses selling plastic bags to customers will have to channel the collection to their respective local councils.
Device will be installed in their premises instead..
The 40% remaining with local councils is to be used for environment-related causes.
Types of businesses that are subject to the programme include supermarkets, hypermarkets, restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, accessories shops and clothing stores.
Since 2017, consumers have been charged 20sen for each plastic bag requested.
On another matter, Ani said those applying for new business licences from MPAJ would be charged an extra RM105 for the use of the SmartLicence System.
The breakdown of charges are RM45 for the SmartLicence device, RM50 for management costs and RM10 for installation charges.
Ani: MPAJ issued 22 compounds related to plastic bag charges.
“With the implementation of the new system, MPAJ expects to increase revenue by RM462,043.
“The additional revenue from this licence fee adjustment will be collected from October to December during the licence renewal process,” said Ani.
“So far, MPAJ has received 51 new applications, resulting in an additional RM5,355 collected.”
Ani said 3,140 devices had been installed as of July, with a target of 10,000 devices by September.
Since July 1, business operators are no longer issued physical licences now that the SmartLicence system is in place.
The shift to digital business licences is to allow for easier business operations and increase enforcement efficiency, said MPAJ.
