“It’s to educate” – Children as Young as 10 in Malaysia Can Now Be Sentenced to Community Service for Littering

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) has revealed that even children can be charged for littering.

Taking to its Facebook page, the corporation explained that children as young as 10 years old can be ordered to participate in Community Service Orders (CSOs) should they commit minor offences such as littering.

The corporation further clarified that under the Children Act 2001, minors aged between 10 and 18 can be held accountable for minor criminal offences, including littering.

“Can’t children be prosecuted for littering? If children are caught littering in public places, they can also be given a Community Service Order (CSO) by the court,” SWCorp stated.

Education through enforcement

SWCorp shared that enforcement efforts will be tightened and will now include child offenders. While the move may seem strict, the corporation clarified that the intent is corrective rather than punitive.

This image is for illustration purposes only.

“The goal of this law is not to burden our children’s future, but to educate through enforcement,” it noted.

Starting in 2026, stricter enforcement will be implemented through amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007. This will apply to Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Kedah, Perlis, and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

The post concluded with an appeal to adults to set a positive example for the younger generation, noting that children naturally imitate the behaviour they observe in their elders.

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