Getting tough on litterbugs

The Star

4 days ago

No excuses: Nga said the law applies equally to everyone including foreign nationals found guilty of littering in public spaces. — Bernama
LITTERBUGS can now be fined up to RM3,000 for repeat offences following the passing of amendments to the Street, Drainage and Building Act.
Under the amended law, the fine for a first offence has been raised from RM500 to RM2,000, while second and subsequent offences will carry a penalty of up to RM3,000. The previous limit was RM1,000 for subsequent offences.
Pet owners who fail to clean up after their animals would also be liable under the new law, as their waste is considered litter in public.
Other new penalties is the introduction of community service as an additional punishment, allowing courts to impose up to 12 hours of unpaid work on minor offences.
However, the courts are required to consider the offender's physical and mental condition and explain the consequences of non-compliance to the person.
For offenders under the age of 18, subsection 47(1H) of the amended Act stipulates that community service provisions under the Child Act will apply.
Clause 3 of the Bill also amends Section 48 to redefine 'child' as a person under 18, and 'community service' as any unpaid work or task aimed at maintaining or enhancing public cleanliness.
Clause 4 introduces a new Section 125A, granting powers to authorised officers of local authorities to supervise the implementation of community service orders issued under subsection 47(1A).
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments would complement the recently passed Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill.
Under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill, failure to comply with court-ordered community service may result in fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000, as stipulated in subsection 77B(6).
As for the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, it will empower the Local Government Department to issue standard operating procedure to all local authorities to ensure uniform implementation of community service sentences for people convicted of littering.
All these amendments collectively aim to strengthen the legal framework to combat public littering by authorising courts to issue community service orders as punitive measures, Nga said.
He said the law applies equally to everyone including foreign nationals found guilty of littering in public spaces.
'Imagine if a Datuk Seri or Tan Sri is ordered to sweep the streets under a community service order. This would certainly raise public awareness on the importance of maintaining cleanliness,' he said when wrapping up the debate on the amendments.
Through the enforcement of such orders, Nga expressed confidence that littering – often the cause of clogged drains and flash floods – could be significantly reduced, especially in urban areas.
Nga said that the amendments are necessary to provide the Federal Government with clear legal authority to regulate the matter and empower local authorities to enforce community service penalties effectively.
The Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after 10 MPs took part in the debate.
Nga also announced that starting Jan 1 next year, all shopping malls nationwide will be required to provide recycling facilities at their premises in order to obtain business licences.
This new condition will be enforced by local authorities as part of the government's broader push for sustainable waste management.