Litterbugs Beware! Repeat Offenders May be Forced to Clean Longkangs & Public Toilets Starting Next Year

Repeat littering offenders may soon face community service penalties, including cleaning drains and public toilets, starting next year.

According to a report by Berita Harian, the Minister of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), Nga Kor Ming, shared that an amendment will be made to the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), to include a section related to punishment for offenders who litter everywhere.

This amendment will involve the community service law to ensure that offenders who have committed the action do not repeat it.

“Those who are subject to this legal action have been convicted, but are not afraid of being compounded. We will invite individuals who commit this repeated offence by giving them a special T-shirt to go into the field to clean drains and roads,” he said.

Commenting further, Nga said that this amendment of the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) is a method that has been proven effective and is already being practised in several developed countries such as Norway, Sweden and Singapore.

This image is for illustration purposes only.

He added that the amendment will be tabled in Parliament after getting the approval of the Cabinet next year.

“Now is the age of social media, if we don’t take care of cleanliness, foreign tourists who come will spread it on social media, causing the country’s name to be affected. Therefore, it is important that we start this effort next year,” he explained.

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Also read: Man Praised for Returning Litter Thrown Out of S’porean-Registered Vehicle at a M’sian Traffic Light