SWCorp continues nationwide anti-littering enforcement, issuing fines and community service orders to offenders across Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: “We work 24/7, including after office hours,” said Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) CEO Khalid Mohamed, reminding the public to practise responsible waste disposal, as enforcement against littering continues nationwide.
He said enforcement officers are deployed around the clock, sometimes operating in plain clothes to monitor individuals who litter in public places.
“Today, we carried out the second series of the Community Service Order, involving five offenders, following the first series on 13 February, which also involved five individuals.
“The programme was implemented during Ramadan after the court, which convened on 23 February, imposed fines along with a four-hour Community Service Order that must be completed within one month from the date it was issued.
“In consideration of the Muslim offenders who are observing the fast, the tasks were arranged at locations deemed suitable and manageable during the fasting month,” he told reporters during the Community Service Order implementation programme here today.
Khalid added that today’s group comprised five offenders, who are four Malaysians and one Indian national including four men and one woman.
“From 1 January to 11 March this year, SWCorp recorded 1,002 littering offences nationwide under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
“Of the total, 789 offenders were locals while 213 were foreign nationals. A total of 709 compound notices were issued, while 189 cases were brought to court, with 76 cases already completed.”
Khalid said offenders found guilty by the court may be ordered to perform community service, including cleaning drains, sweeping public areas, removing cobwebs and washing public toilets.
“These are routine cleaning tasks usually carried out by sanitation workers. The principle is simple. The hands that throw the rubbish should be the hands that clean it,” he said.
He added that enforcement operations are conducted across seven states that implement Act 672, with Kuala Lumpur recording the highest number of offenders at 37 cases, followed by Kedah with 31 cases.
The Sun Malaysia
