Latest news with #DrainageandBuildingAct1974
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Nga wants all MPs to support 'litterbug' bills
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called on all members of parliament (MPs) to support amendments to three acts that will make community service mandatory for litterbugs. They are the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 and the Local Government Act 1976. Nga said the three amendment bills, which would be tabled for the second reading tomorrow, were part of efforts to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia 2026. He said if the amendments were passed, offenders would be required to perform up to 12 hours of community service while wearing a green uniform provided by the authorities. "As such, we seek the cooperation of all MPs to unanimously support the amendments, as they have proven successful in developed countries such as Sweden, Japan and Singapore. "Now is the time and we must ensure that this law can be enforced this year," he said after a city walkabout after the launch of the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025 yesterday. Nga said litterbugs would be made to clean drains, sweep roads and wash public toilets alongside cleaners engaged by local authorities. Those who failed to comply with a community service order would be committing an offence and, upon conviction, be fined between RM2,000 and RM10,000. He said cleanliness was not only a civic duty but also a moral and religious obligation. "Cleanliness is half of faith. We must ensure that when tourists visit Malaysia, they see a country that is clean and attractive, not dirty or unkempt," he said. Nga said during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day programme on Sept 28 last year, 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste and 541 cigarette butts were collected in the Pasar Seni area in just 12 hours. He said the figures showed that fines alone were no longer effective in deterring repeat offenders.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Litterbugs to face clean-up duty under new Bill
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called on all MPs to fully support a proposed Bill that would make community service mandatory for those caught littering. The measure is part of a broader campaign to improve public hygiene in preparation for the Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism initiative. Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025 event, Nga said the Bill – involving amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 and the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 – is scheduled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. 'This is the time. We cannot afford to delay,' he said. 'The government is committed to implementing this law within the year.' He said the initiative draws on best practices from countries such as Sweden, Japan and Singapore. Under the proposed legislation, individuals caught littering will face a compound fine and be required to perform up to 12 hours of community service. Offenders will be issued green uniforms by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, and tasked with clean-up duties such as sweeping streets, clearing drains and scrubbing public toilets. 'This initiative is not just about punishing people. It's about building civic consciousness and instilling personal responsibility,' Nga said. 'We want tourists to see a Malaysia that is clean, beautiful and welcoming – not dirty and neglected. Cleanliness speaks volumes about who we are as a nation.' He also cautioned that failure to comply with the community service order could lead to further legal action, including possible jail time, depending on the ruling of the Magistrate's Court concerned. According to the ministry, the revised penalties represent a significant increase from current fines. Under the new provisions, those who fail to complete their community service could face fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 – up from the existing RM500 to RM2,000 – or up to one year in prison. The ministry added that the stricter measures are aimed at fostering a culture of accountability and curbing irresponsible waste disposal in public areas, especially as the government targets 35.6 million international visitors in 2026.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mandatory community service for littering eyed in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called on all MPs to fully support a proposed Bill that would make community service mandatory for those caught littering. The measure is part of a broader campaign to improve public hygiene in preparation for the Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism initiative. Speaking at the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025 event, Nga said the Bill – involving amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 and the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 – is scheduled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. 'This is the time. We cannot afford to delay,' he said. 'The government is committed to implementing this law within the year.' He said the initiative draws on best practices from countries such as Sweden, Japan and Singapore. Under the proposed legislation, individuals caught littering will face a compound fine and be required to perform up to 12 hours of community service. Offenders will be issued green uniforms by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, and tasked with clean-up duties such as sweeping streets, clearing drains and scrubbing public toilets. 'This initiative is not just about punishing people. It's about building civic consciousness and instilling personal responsibility,' Nga said. 'We want tourists to see a Malaysia that is clean, beautiful and welcoming – not dirty and neglected. Cleanliness speaks volumes about who we are as a nation.' He also cautioned that failure to comply with the community service order could lead to further legal action, including possible jail time, depending on the ruling of the Magistrate's Court concerned. According to the ministry, the revised penalties represent a significant increase from current fines. Under the new provisions, those who fail to complete their community service could face fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 – up from the existing RM500 to RM2,000 – or up to one year in prison. The ministry added that the stricter measures are aimed at fostering a culture of accountability and curbing irresponsible waste disposal in public areas, especially as the government targets 35.6 million international visitors in 2026.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Law change to make litterbugs clean drains, roads and toilets
KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called on all members of parliament to support amendments to three Acts that would make community service mandatory for those caught littering. They are the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, and the Local Government Act 1976. Nga said the three amendment bills, which will be tabled tomorrow for the second reading, are part of efforts to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and to strengthen the long-standing Look East Policy. He said if the proposed amendments are passed, offenders will be required to perform up to 12 hours of community service while wearing green uniforms provided by the authorities. "As such, we seek the cooperation of all MPs to unanimously support the amendments, as it has proven successful in developed countries such as Sweden, Japan and Singapore. "This is the time, and we must ensure that this law can be enforced this year," he told reporters after a city walkabout held in conjunction with the launch of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025 today. Nga said those convicted of such offences will carry out community service such as cleaning drains, sweeping roads and public toilets, working alongside cleaning staff. Anyone who fails to comply with a community service order will be committing an offence and, upon conviction, will face a fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000. He said cleanliness is not only a civic duty but also a moral and religious obligation. "Cleanliness is half of faith. "We must ensure that when tourists visit Malaysia, they see a country that is clean and attractive, not dirty or unkempt," he said. Yesterday, Nga in a statement said that on Sept 28 last year, the ministry recorded the collection of 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts within just 12 hours in the Pasar Seni area during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day programme. He said the figures showed that fines were no longer effective in deterring repeat offenders.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Community service for litterbugs, under proposed law amendments
KUALA LUMPUR: The Housing and Local Government Ministry will table amendments to three Acts during the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which begins this Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen measures against public littering and improve cleanliness nationwide. The three Acts are the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, and the Local Government Act 1976. Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said the amendments would, among other things, pave the way for the introduction of community service orders, as fines under the existing laws are no longer effective in curbing offenders' bad habits. "The amendments are aimed at addressing the littering of small waste items such as cigarette butts, tissues, plastics, drink cans, food wrappers, and similar items in public spaces and on public roads. "This is crucial in nurturing greater civic responsibility, raising public awareness, and fostering a culture of cleanliness. "Ultimately, it will contribute towards a cleaner and more sustainable Malaysia, ensuring the well-being and comfort of its people," he said in a statement today. Nga said that on Sept 28 last year, the ministry recorded the collection of 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts within just 12 hours in the Pasar Seni area during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day Programme. He said the figures showed fines were no longer effective in deterring repeat offenders. "As such, community service orders should be introduced to educate offenders on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and to help reduce environmental pollution," he said. The amendments will empower courts to order those convicted of such offences to perform community service for up to 12 hours. Anyone who fails to comply with a community service order will be committing an offence and, upon conviction, may be fined no less than RM2,000 and no more than RM10,000. "In preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, every Malaysian plays an important role in keeping public spaces clean so that we can leave a positive first impression on foreign tourists," he said.
