Latest news with #LocalGovernmentAct1976


The Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
‘Adopt balanced approach when handling unlicensed S'gor traders'
A BALANCED approach, which upholds the law should be adopted when tackling unlicensed hawkers in Selangor. Sungai Buloh Umno legal and electoral bureau head Adzly Ab Manas said the state government and local authorities should also promote social inclusiveness. He said enforcement actions were insufficient to deal with the issue, which was increasingly complex and challenging. 'The challenge is not solely about legality or city planning. It is also deeply associated with aspects such as economic survival, bureaucratic obstacles and the public's right to livelihood. 'Proactive reforms and empathetic engagement with micro-entrepreneurs must be the standard when dealing with this issue,' he said. He also said while the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), Food Act 1983 and other local council by-laws required hawkers to obtain licences and follow specific health and safety regulations, many were forced to operate informally due to various problems. 'These problems include lengthy and rigid licensing procedures, delayed site approvals, lack of designated trading spaces in high-demand urban areas, financial constraints among B40 traders and poor legal awareness, especially among the elderly and foreign-born citizens,' he said. He urged the authorities to introduce temporary or daily trade passes and 'mobile licences' for new or low-income hawkers. 'Controlled trading zones should also be declared under Section 101 of Act 171 to avoid blanket prohibitions and allow managed and rotational hawking. 'The authorities should also shift from punitive actions to advisory and corrective methods, including the introduction of a 'Hawker Verification Programme' for legal transition support. 'Centres for legal briefings, fast-track licensing and free legal clinics in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the Bar Council should also be established.' He said unlicensed hawkers must be seen not as criminals, but as essential contributors to the urban micro-economy. 'Under Articles 5 and 8 of the Federal Constitution, every citizen has the right to livelihood and equal treatment under the law. 'A fair law does not criminalise poverty, but creates paths for legal participation. 'The Selangor government and local authorities in the state must lead with compassion and initiate legal reforms on this matter. 'We must ensure that every hawker, regardless of capital or background, has the right to trade with dignity and legality.' Adzly said he was ready to work with all stakeholders, to create policy solutions that honour both the law and the people.


The Star
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Tougher measures to clean up Johor
Onn Hafiz says the state government will use AI-based monitoring systems. Johor government will set up a special task force as part of a renewed effort to address illegal rubbish dumping. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said they aimed to implement a more comprehensive strategy against offenders. The announcement comes as official figures highlight the ongoing challenge. Last year, local councils statewide handled 2,206 cases of illegal rubbish dumping, with compounds reaching RM654,210. This trend has continued as another 634 cases were recorded, with compounds worth RM202,700 as of April this year, Onn Hafiz revealed. The intensified approach, he said, follows a decree from Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. 'It is time we stop tolerating littering, whether on the streets or in the rivers,' he said at the state assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar. As of April this year, 634 cases of illegal dumping were recorded in Johor. — Filepic Onn Hafiz acknowledged that current laws, including the Local Government Act 1976 and Environmental Quality Act 1974, were proving insufficient. 'The penalties are no longer strong deterrents, especially when compared to other countries with stricter enforcement and heavier fines,' he said. 'As such, the state government can no longer rely solely on existing approaches. 'We must take more radical and firm steps,' he said, adding that among them included raising the minimum compound rate and reviewing outdated by-laws. Onn Hafiz said the task force would focus on three key areas, the first being strengthening enforcement and reviewing outdated by-laws. 'It will also step up civic education and public awareness campaigns, as exemplified by Japan's cleanliness culture,' he elaborated. Additionally, the task force will deploy artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems at hotspots to speed up offender detection and prosecution. In his opening address at the assembly, Tunku Ismail had instructed the authorities to impose stricter punishment on those who continue to dump rubbish illegally. He said the state government and federal agencies must work together to address the issue.

Barnama
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Sterner Action To Be Taken Against Illegal Waste Dumpers
ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 26 (Bernama) -- Johor will implement stricter measures to tackle the growing problem of illegal waste dumping. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi stressed the need for more radical and comprehensive measures to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the state's environment. He said the recent decree by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, highlighting concerns about pollution in rivers and roads caused by irresponsible individuals, signals that it is time for more decisive action. "Among the steps include raising the minimum compound rate as a clear signal to all parties, in addition to amending or introducing new, more relevant and stringent laws," he said during the winding-up session of the Johor State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kota Iskandar here today. He added that the state government has also formed a Special Committee to Tackle Illegal Waste Dumping, which has three main focuses: strengthening enforcement and reviewing outdated by-laws; expanding civic education and public awareness campaigns more aggressively; and introducing a smart monitoring system based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at hotspot areas to speed up the detection and prosecution of offenders. Onn Hafiz said that although Section 69 of the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) empowers local authorities to impose fines of up to RM2,000 or one-year imprisonment and an additional fine of RM500 per day for repeat offences, as well as the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (Act 127) which allows for penalties of up to RM100,000 for water pollution offences, these laws need to be further scrutinised. "Other countries are far stricter and more aggressive than us currently. For example, Singapore imposes fines ranging from 2,000 Singapore dollars (RM6,600) to 50,000 Singapore dollars (RM165,000), Corrective Work Orders (public cleaning work), and 'Name & Shame'. "In South Korea, the penalty goes up to 100 million won (RM350,000) and imprisonment of up to seven years, utilising technologies such as IoT sensors and CCTV. "In Japan, laws like the 'Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law' and the 'Water Pollution Control Law' empower authorities with significant authority. Fines can reach up to 10 million yen (over RM300,000), and violations may result in imprisonment for up to five years," he said.


The Star
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Ampang Jaya eateries slapped with compounds in food safety ops
MPAJ officers inspecting and rating the condition of a toilet in an eatery, among other areas checked, during the enforcement in Taman Muda. TWENTY-THREE compounds were issued to food operators in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, for failing to adhere to food safety standards. The operators were found to have discharged effluents improperly, employed food handlers who had not received typhoid vaccinations, neglected basic hygiene practices and failed to implement pest control measures within their premises. The operation by Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) involved 21 food premises in Taman Muda. 'Toilets at the inspected premises were also reviewed and rated during the same operation. 'Seventeen toilets received four- and five-star ratings, while two compounds were issued to operators for failing to maintain toilet cleanliness,' MPAJ said in a media statement. The local authority said this was in line with requirements from Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) which stipulated that all public toilets at food premises must achieve a 4- or 5-star rating and meet the Clean, Attractive and Fragrant (BMW) standard before their operating licences could be renewed. 'During the operation, an Aedes-free backlane operation was also carried out, where officers identified four mosquito-breeding sites,' MPAJ stated. 'Three compounds were issued under Section 74 of Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) to owners of premises with unhygienic conditions. 'They included buildings where containers with stagnant water were found, each having the potential to facilitate mosquito breeding,' the statement said. The local council added that enforcement action was also carried out at a scrap yard, resulting in the seizure of items. Separately, inspections to ensure proper pest control were carried out at several locations, including grocery stores, supermarkets and fruit shops. One compound was issued under Section 34(1) of MPAJ Food Establishments 2007 by-law to an operator for failing to take necessary steps to keep the premises free of pests. 'The operation is part of MPAJ's efforts to prioritise cleanliness, particularly in how food is handled at premises within our jurisdiction. 'All premises owners, especially those involved in preparing, handling or selling food, must comply with the regulations to ensure the food is clean, safe and does not endanger public health,' said the local council. MPAJ said regular monitoring and inspections would be conducted to ensure food premises upheld the highest standards of cleanliness.


New Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Malaysia urged to strengthen tobacco licensing and enforcement
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's top tobacco control group is urging local authorities to step up checks on licensed businesses selling tobacco products. Backed by the Local Government Act 1976, the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC) said local councils must enforce business compliance with regulations set by national agencies, including the Health Ministry and the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN). MCTC president Dr M. Murallitharan said that since 2022, all tobacco retailers in Malaysia are required to be licensed by LKTN and to display the permit prominently as part of stricter measures to curb illicit sales. "This measure is crucial to curb the sale of illicit tobacco products that have disrupted the legal market and caused significant economic losses," he said in a statement. MCTC is a non-governmental coalition of health professionals and public health advocates working to promote tobacco control policies, support enforcement, and protect young people from tobacco and nicotine products. Dr Murallitharan also urged local authorities to enforce regulations, including mandatory "No Smoking" signs, a ban on displaying smoking products at sales counters, and restrictions on marketing to minors. Councils must strengthen enforcement by making public health rules a core condition of business licences, helping to reduce overlap with other agencies, he said. Dr Murallitharan also said all local councils should take proactive steps to review and tighten their licensing terms, incorporating relevant legal and regulatory requirements to support national efforts to protect consumers and public health.