KPKT Intensifies Cleanliness Drive As Visit Malaysia Campaign Extended

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is stepping up public cleanliness efforts, including stricter enforcement against minor littering, to safeguard the nation’s image following the extension of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

Minister Nga Kor Ming said the move was crucial, with the country expected to welcome more than 45 million foreign tourists after the Cabinet agreed to extend the campaign until the end of next year.

He said KPKT was committed to ensuring that every visitor returned home with fond memories and a positive impression of Malaysia’s cleanliness and public hygiene standards.

“Next year, we expect to welcome more than 45 million tourists. I want to ensure that every visitor leaves with fond memories and sees Malaysia as a truly clean country.

“I need the cooperation of all parties to make this effort a success. We have undertaken various measures, including repairing and upgrading 12,000 public toilets nationwide. This is a collective effort,” he told reporters after attending KPKT’s Pesta Cahaya event in conjunction with Deepavali here today.

Also present were Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj and Indian community leaders.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling Budget 2027 on Oct 9, announced that the government had agreed to extend the VM2026 campaign until the end of 2027.

A total of RM935 million was also allocated to boost the tourism and cultural sectors amid global geopolitical uncertainties, including the conflict in West Asia, which have affected international tourist arrivals.

Meanwhile, Nga said KPKT, through the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), had issued more than 17,000 compounds for minor littering between January and September this year.

He said the enforcement action resulted in RM467,000 in fines being collected, with the courts also imposing a total of 3,868 hours of community service on offenders.

“Our philosophy is clear. We want to keep Malaysia clean and ensure a good quality of life for the people. Those who create the mess must clean it up. Do not litter, and dispose of your rubbish properly,” he said.

In another development, Nga stressed that local authorities had never issued hawker or small business licences to foreign nationals, adding that stern action would be taken against those who misused their visas to conduct business illegally.

He said that although the government welcomed foreign direct investment, all foreign investors must comply with Malaysian laws, including by registering a company and submitting a formal application.

“No one is above the law. We welcome foreign investors, but they must follow the law and not misuse their visas to operate unauthorised businesses from unsuitable premises,” he said.

--BERNAMA