Six Singaporeans were fined in Johor Bahru on Monday (5 January) for littering the street.
This was confirmed by Housing and Local Government (KPKT) Minister Nga Kor Ming, based on the latest information from the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp).
SWCorp is carrying out enforcement in Johor following the implementation of Community Service Orders under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672), which took effect on 1 January.
In case you missed it, the Community Service Order under Act 672 will serve as a deterrent to address the issue of littering in public places.
“We want Singapore to be clean, and Malaysia even cleaner”
Commenting on the matter, Nga revealed that individuals caught littering in public spaces were issued compound notices. He said that regardless of nationality, everyone is expected to take care of the cleanliness in Malaysia.
“They thought they could litter publicly, now they can’t.”
Nga also said that during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, a total of 120 individuals were issued compound notices, and legal action will be taken by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC). Those individuals are bound to face community service alongside a fine.
“After receiving clearance from the AGC, they will be charged in court, and the court will make a decision. The maximum penalty is a fine of RM2,000 to RM10,000, while the community service penalty is 12 hours within a period of six months.”
In a separate incident on 1 January, the first day the new anti-littering law came into effect, a Singaporean was issued a notice of offence in Larkin Jaya, Johor Bahru.
On 3 January, two Singaporean men were fined for littering near KSL City Mall in Johor Bahru, as shown in this SWCorp Johor Bahru Facebook post.
He added that even cigarette butts are included, and he wanted to provide civic awareness to Malaysians, similar to that of the Japanese.
“If you go to Tokyo, there are no trash cans because they love the environment and bring their own bags. There are cigarette butts, plastic bottles that go in the bags, and then they throw them away when they get home,” Nga said, reported BERNAMA.
What do you think of a fine and community service as a punishment?
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