KUALA LUMPUR: The ubiquitous kap chai (small motorcycles) may be banned in Kuala Lumpur as a measure to reduce carbon emissions.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said they were looking at prohibiting these motorcycles and deterring commuters from driving into Kuala Lumpur if public transportation was available at a reasonable price.

“During the day, the population (in the city) increases to between five and seven million because workers commute to work.

“Many cities do not allow kap chai to come in.

“But studies have shown that a lot of people still need them because they are poor and can’t afford (other modes of transport) as their salaries are low.

“Once cheaper public transport is available, we will be looking at the possibility of not allowing kap chai motorcycles into the city,” he said at the launch of the Kibar Bendera Wilayah Persekutuan campaign yesterday.

He said that these motorcycles have also been used by snatch thieves in the city.

On the ban on plastic bags and polystyrene containers, Tengku Adnan said the ministry was planning to act as a supplier of biodegradable products for traders.

He said the move was to reduce the burden on consumers.

“Because of the cost of the biodegradable products that we are asking people to use, we are planning to buy (biodegradable products) in bulk and sell to traders because we don’t want our policy to burden consumers,” Tengku Adnan said.