A 25-year-old Singaporean man has been punished under Malaysia’s newly enforced anti-littering law. The man was fined RM1,500 (S$485) and ordered to perform four hours of community service in Kuala Lumpur.
The sentence was handed down by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court after Mohamed Nuh Qurasaini Kayat pleaded guilty to throwing a cigarette butt onto the ground near a 7-Eleven convenience store along Jalan Bukit Bintang on New Year’s Day in 2026.
25yo charged under M’sia’s new anti-littering law
Malaysia’s revised law, which came into force on Jan 1, allows courts to impose mandatory community service on littering offenders. Such work may include sweeping streets, cleaning drains and maintaining public toilets.
Mohamed was formally charged on Feb 9 for discarding the cigarette butt in a public area instead of a designated container. If he fails to pay the fine, he faces a one-month jail term. The community service must be completed within one month of sentencing.
When asked by Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin whether he had anything to say before sentencing, Mohamed claimed that he could not find a dustbin at the time of the offence.
No favouritism for all
“In Singapore, we are taught not to throw cigarette butts on the floor. It was early in the morning and I didn’t see any dustbin. I saw cigarette butts already on the ground, so I chose to throw mine there,” he said.
Under the law, littering offenders may be fined up to RM2,000. Courts may also impose community service orders of up to six months, with work capped at a maximum of 12 hours.
Malaysia’s Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), which prosecuted the case, said more than 10 of its officers were present in court on Feb 9.
Speaking to reporters, SWCorp chief executive Khalid Mohamed said 17 offenders are scheduled to carry out community service on Feb 13 at five locations. He added that a total of 644 offence notices were issued on the morning of Feb 9, 500 to Malaysians and 144 to foreigners with cigarette butt littering making up the majority of cases.
“We do not practise favouritism. Action will be taken against anyone who throws rubbish in unauthorised places in Malaysia,” Mr Khalid said.
Rubbish bins are prepared adequately
He stressed that adequate rubbish disposal facilities are available and urged the public to keep their waste until a bin can be found instead of littering.
On whether travel restrictions could be imposed on foreign offenders before charges are filed, Mr Khalid said discussions are ongoing with the Malaysian Immigration Department.
SWCorp conducted its first simulation of the Community Service Order on Jan 20 in Johor Bahru. During the exercise, offenders were issued masks, gloves and green vests labelled “Community Service Order” before being tasked with cleaning public walkways using straw brooms, dustpans and litter-picking tools.
The activities were carried out under officer supervision and in full public view, with cones and signboards placed around the area to inform the public that the cleaning was part of a court-ordered sentence.
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