KPKT To Table Three Bills On Public Cleanliness In Upcoming Parliament Sitting

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is set to table three amendment bills in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session, which is scheduled to begin this Monday, to enhance public cleanliness in the country.

Minister Nga Kor Ming said three acts were the Streets, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) and the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).

He said the amendments aimed to address the issue of littering, particularly involving items such as cigarette butts, tissues, plastics, beverage cans and food packaging in public places and on streets.

“This step is crucial to fostering civic responsibility, raising public awareness and nurturing a culture of cleanliness, thereby contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable Malaysia for the well-being of the people,” he said in a statement today.

He said that ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, it was important for the public to play a role in maintaining environmental cleanliness to create a positive first impression for foreign tourists.

Nga further said that during the Malaysia Cleanup Day programme held at the Pasar Seni area, Kuala Lumpur, on 28 Sept 2024, KPKT collected 51.9 kilogrammes of food waste, 64.3 kilogrammes of paper waste, 127.6 kilogrammes of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts over a 12-hour period.

He said the statistics showed that the imposition of fines by local authorities (PBT) was no longer effective in curbing the habit of indiscriminate littering.

“Therefore, a community service order should be imposed as a form of punishment to educate offenders to be more mindful of environmental cleanliness and help reduce pollution,” he said.

According to him, the amendments would, among others, empower the court to order convicted offenders to perform community service for up to 12 hours, with non-compliance subject to a fine of not less than RM2,000 and not more than RM10,000 upon conviction.

--BERNAMA