Latest news with #LocalGovernment(Amendment)Bill2025
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
MADANI Legal Reform Gains Momentum With Key Bills And Motions Passed
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- The MADANI Government's legal and institutional reform agenda continues to gain momentum, with five bills and two key motions passed in the first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting. It included amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) and the introduction of community service penalties for minor littering offences. The Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, drafted to expand protection for whistleblowers and strengthen mechanisms for reporting misconduct, was passed by a majority voice vote following debate by 24 members of parliament. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who tabled the Bill, reaffirmed the government's commitment to enhancing whistleblower protection as part of its anti-corruption efforts and drive to improve public and private sector integrity. She noted that although the Act 711 has been in force for over a decade, it still contains weaknesses that need to be addressed. Also drawing attention during this week's Dewan Rakyat proceedings were the passage of the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Streets, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at improving public cleanliness. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments seek to address the issue of minor littering, including cigarette butts, tissues, plastic, drink cans, and food wrappers, in public spaces and roads by introducing community service orders as an additional penalty to existing fines. Nga said the move is crucial to instill civic responsibility, raise public awareness and cultivate a culture of cleanliness, ultimately contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable Malaysia for the well-being of its people. Also passed was the Consumer Credit (Finance) Bill 2025, which was formulated to address significant gaps in the currently unregulated sector, particularly among businesses targeting vulnerable credit consumers who are susceptible to exploitation.
Sinar Daily
22-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Recycling facilities mandatory at shopping malls from Jan 1, 2026
Any shopping mall that does not provide (recycling facilities) will not be granted a business licence by the local authority. 22 Jul 2025 06:59pm Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. Photo by Bernama Photo illustrated by Sinar Daily. KUALA LUMPUR - The National Council for Local Government has decided that all shopping malls must provide recycling facilities effective Jan 1, 2026, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said this requirement will be part of the business licensing conditions imposed by local authorities on premises owners, in line with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's effort to phase out single-use plastic bags. According to him, the move is also part of the ministry's proactive efforts in managing plastic waste in the country. "Any shopping mall that does not provide (recycling facilities) will not be granted a business licence by the local authority,' he said when winding up the debate on the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote after being debated by 10 Members of Parliament from both the government and opposition blocs. Nga said the Bill followed the passage of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday, which, among other things, aim to empower the courts to issue community service orders for littering offences in public places. Through the enforcement of such orders, he said, the ministry is confident that littering, which clogs and pollutes drains and waterways, can be addressed progressively, thereby helping to reduce flash floods, especially in urban areas. Nga also stated that the community service order would apply to everyone, regardless of status, and even foreign tourists found guilty of littering in public could be subjected to the same. "Imagine whether it's a Datuk Seri or a Tan Sri - if they are ordered to sweep the streets (under a community service order), it would raise awareness about maintaining public cleanliness,' he said. In addition, he said pet owners are also subject to the same regulations if they are found to have deliberately left pet waste in public areas, as it is considered litter. "I stress that under the Madani government's administration, everyone is treated fairly, and I emphasise that the objective of the community service order is not to punish but to raise public awareness and foster a sense of responsibility in keeping public spaces clean,' he added. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat passes Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to enhance public cleanliness and enforce community service orders against littering offenders, has received approval from the Dewan Rakyat. The bill, tabled for its second and third readings by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, was debated by 10 lawmakers. Two other related bills; the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 were tabled for their second and third readings yesterday and received approval from the Lower House. Nga said amendments to the three acts were crucial to instilling greater civic responsibility, increasing public awareness, and nurturing a culture of cleanliness, ultimately contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable Malaysia. In his winding-up debate, Nga said pet owners are also subjected to community service orders. "Whoever keeps cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, if you bring them and deliberately leave their droppings in public places or on public roads, you are also subject to community service if convicted, because that waste is also considered litter. "As such, anyone bringing pets to public parks, please clean up after them and dispose of waste in the trash bins." Nga added that under the Madani government, everyone will receive fair treatment and there is no discrimination against underprivileged groups in the enforcement of community service orders. "These laws are not meant to punish, but to increase awareness and a sense of responsibility." He said the ministry is confident that through the enforcement of community service orders, the issue of littering, which leads to clogged drains, waterways and ditches, can be addressed progressively.
Barnama
22-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Recycling Facilities Mandatory At Shopping Malls From Jan 1, 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- The National Council for Local Government has decided that all shopping malls must provide recycling facilities effective Jan 1, 2026, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said this requirement will be part of the business licensing conditions imposed by local authorities on premises owners, in line with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government's effort to phase out single-use plastic bags. According to him, the move is also part of the ministry's proactive efforts in managing plastic waste in the country. 'Any shopping mall that does not provide (recycling facilities) will not be granted a business licence by the local authority,' he said when winding up the debate on the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today. The Bill was later passed by a voice vote after being debated by 10 Members of Parliament from both the government and opposition blocs. Nga said the Bill followed the passage of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday, which, among other things, aim to empower the courts to issue community service orders for littering offences in public places. Through the enforcement of such orders, he said, the ministry is confident that littering, which clogs and pollutes drains and waterways, can be addressed progressively, thereby helping to reduce flash floods, especially in urban areas. Nga also stated that the community service order would apply to everyone, regardless of status, and even foreign tourists found guilty of littering in public could be subjected to the same. 'Imagine whether it's a Datuk Seri or a Tan Sri — if they are ordered to sweep the streets (under a community service order), it would raise awareness about maintaining public cleanliness,' he said.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
New SOPs for community service enforcement by local authorities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Local Government Department (JKT) will introduce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to guide local authorities (PBTs) in enforcing court-ordered community service sentences for littering offenders. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced the move following the passage of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat. Nga stressed the importance of capacity building for PBT officers, particularly when handling young offenders. 'They must fully understand not only the provisions under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) but also the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), which has been taken into account in the ministry's implementation plan to ensure effective legal enforcement,' he said during the debate. The Bill, passed by a majority voice vote, introduces a new Subsection 104A(1), allowing courts to mandate up to 12 hours of community service for by-law violators alongside fines. Subsection 104A(3) authorises PBT officers to set the time and location for the service, while Subsection 104A(8) ensures that offenders under 18 are treated under Act 611 provisions. To strengthen enforcement, the ministry plans to increase the number of authorised PBT officers and improve inter-agency collaboration. 'Modern technology and efficient resource management will also be prioritised,' Nga added. The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes tomorrow. - Bernama
