Since Jan 1, the Johor Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has issued 55 notices for littering offences, with the majority of cases involving foreigners.

Johor SWCorp director Zainal Fitri Ahmad said the government has fully enforced Section 77A of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) as part of ongoing efforts to foster a cleaner urban environment.

As reported by The Star, he said 28 of the cases involved foreigners, including tourists and foreign workers, while the remaining offences were committed by locals. Zainal Fitri was speaking after a joint enforcement operation carried out in the city centre on Tuesday (Jan 20).

He said the Singaporeans gave a range of excuses when confronted.

“One claimed they were not littering but merely picking up rubbish first,” he said, stressing that such explanations are unacceptable as the law is clear.

According to him, those caught were seen disposing of items such as cigarette butts, beverage containers and tissues in public areas.

“We want Malaysia to be even cleaner than Singapore,” said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming on Jan 6.

Zainal Fitri said the recent enforcement operation underscored the need for greater public awareness, stressing that Malaysia should not be treated as a place where people can litter freely.

He added that enforcement officers observed offenders discarding items such as drink containers and tissues in public areas, a situation he described as particularly disappointing given that many of those caught were standing close to rubbish bins.

Litterbugs may be fined up to RM2,000 and serve community service

Speaking to reporters during an anti-littering operation at the JB Sentral Public Transport Terminal under Operasi Gempur Kutu Sampah, he explained that offences under the newly amended Section 77A are non-compoundable and must be brought to court.

In addition to fines of up to RM2,000, individuals caught littering may now also face community service sentences of up to six months, involving a maximum of 12 hours of work, under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).

Since Jan 1, dozens of similar enforcement operations have been carried out nationwide to curb littering and promote a stronger culture of public cleanliness.

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