Deputy minister: 6,680 issued notices for littering nationwide since January, teens and foreigners among offenders

“JOHOR BAHRU, May 16 — A total of 6,680 individuals nationwide, including 15 teenagers, have been issued notices of offence (NPK) for littering in public places since January. Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said the figure includes 1,866 foreigners, among them individuals from Indonesia, Singapore, China and Bangladesh. “So far, 289 individuals (from the total) have been convicted in court, with 158 having completed the Community Service Orders (PKM),” she said at a press conference after officiating the Sinergi Kasih Madani Komuniti Lestari dan Selamat programme at the People’s Housing Programme (PPR) Taman Desa Mutiara here today. Also present was the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed. Meanwhile, Aiman Athirah said the teenagers, aged between 16 and 18, most of whom committed the offences in Kuala Lumpur, will undergo the same punishment process, including the Community Service Orders (PKM). However, she said the PKM must be implemented in accordance with the approach of the Social Welfare Department under the Child Act 2001. She added that SWCorp has also informed the Ministry of Education (MOE) to raise awareness among school students on the enforcement measures. Aiman Athirah said SWCorp remains committed to carrying out its duties and will not grant exemptions to any individual found committing offences, including minors. The enforcement under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) came into effect nationwide on Jan 1. Previously, Khalid reportedly said that the government would not compromise with repeat offenders, with stricter action including a maximum fine of up to RM3,000 under local authority by-laws, in addition to penalties under Act 672 and up to 12 hours of community service. — Bernama

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