This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on August 18, 2025 - August 24, 2025

Southeast Asia now stands at a decisive juncture. From viewing plastic pollution as somewhat abstract, intangible and not a priority, we can finally turn the evolving awareness into action, especially in our region, where plastic pollution and waste dumping are ubiquitous issues.

As governments and civil society gathered in Geneva for the second part of the fifth round of negotiations towards an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty, we anticipate countries to realise a landmark pact that will effectively bring the plastics era to a close.

In this light, we support the statement by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights during the opening plenary that a treaty that tackles the full life cycle of plastics is top priority.

From creation through the extraction of fossil fuel, followed by production and disposal, plastics have polluted our land, air and water, compromising the rights of every Asean citizen to a safe, clean and sustainable environment.

Plastic chokes our oceans, making up 80% of waste. The plastics industry is highly carbon-intensive, accounting for about 5% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. Vulnerable communities face the brunt of the challenges related to plastic pollution, where we see informal waste pickers, petrochemical and recycling workers, women and children face disproportionate exposure to toxic pollution, microplastic contamination and lack of workplace safeguards.

Exacerbating the issue is the influx of waste from countries in the Global North that are sent to Asean states for treatment, disposal and recycling. After China’s 2017 ban on 24 types of waste, Southeast Asia became the new dumping ground for global trash, violating the most basic human rights of the people — from health to environment and labour conditions.

Moreover, with an expected annual growth rate of more than 4%, the Asean plastics industry is projected to grow from 30.48 million tonnes last year to 38.36 million tonnes in 2029. The effects are more evident than ever — from hormonal imbalances and fertility challenges to concerns around brain development. What can we do now to address them?

As members of parliament and the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights, we emphasise that the plastic crisis represents a fundamental challenge to human rights protection and environmental justice. Addressing this crisis nationally, regionally and globally requires comprehensive policy responses that acknowledge the interconnected nature of plastic-related harms and prioritise the rights and well-being of affected communities.

As such, we reinforce our commitment in cascading the resounding calls of civil society and government champions involved in the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations to urge Asean member states, in our capacity as parliamentarians, to enact and enforce robust national laws addressing every stage of the plastics life cycle, grounded in human rights, gender equity and evidence-based data.

We have already begun to engage with the Asean Senior Officials for the Environment Meeting held at the end of July, to establish a Working Group on Plastic Pollution, alongside the seven working groups that have been formed throughout the years.

At the national level, Malaysia as Asean chair this year should play a leading role by sharing meaningful custom information with neighbouring countries to track and trace the importation of plastic waste collaboratively.

At the sub-national level, as both of us are MPs from Selangor, we call upon the state to start mandating waste separation at source so that the plastic recycle and reuse rate can be significantly improved, thus allowing the Extended Producer Responsibility and other mechanisms to play effective roles.

We will push to enact a regional ban on plastic waste imports, accompanied by clear phase-down timelines, binding enforcement mechanisms and options to promote and enhance domestic waste management for national and regional circular economies, among others.

Furthermore, it is crucial for Asean member states to cascade a determined Global Plastics Treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics that will turn the tide for the benefit of human health, the environment, biodiversity and human rights, including provisions for technology transfer, financial support and capacity building.

In saying this, we pledge to uphold the Asean Human Rights Declaration’s affirmation of the “right to a safe, clean and sustainable environment” and to align our policies accordingly, ensuring no vulnerable sector is left behind.

By weaving the Global Plastics Treaty resolutions into national and regional legislations and Asean processes, centred on human rights principles, parliamentarians across the region can help deliver the commitment that this generation and our planet urgently demand.

Lee Chean Chung is member of parliament for Petaling Jaya and Ahmad Yunus Hairi is member of parliament for Kuala Langat. Lee and Ahmad are members of the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights, a regional network of current and former parliamentarians who advance human rights and democracy in Southeast Asia.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play.