Community Service Order For Littering Marks Shift In Gov't Policy - SWCorp

CYBERJAYA, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The Community Service Order (PKM) for littering offences comes into effect today, marking a shift in government policy from a purely fine-based punitive approach to cultivating long-term behaviour change and civic responsibility.

Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said the enforcement of PKM is not intended to shame offenders, but to educate the public to be more mindful about cleanliness.

Starting today, SWCorp personnel, together with local authorities (PBT), will be stationed at public hotspots as part of a targeted enforcement strategy, particularly for littering offences involving cigarette butts and food wrappers.

“SWCorp personnel, in collaboration with local authorities, will be at hotspot areas and will bring individuals who commit offences before the court for a decision,” he told reporters in a recent interview.

He said the court may impose up to 12 hours of community service involving cleaning work, in line with the policy’s objective of linking the offence to its direct impact on the public environment.

The Community Service Order applies to everyone without exception, including tourists and foreign workers, to ensure fairness and full compliance with the law.

Khalid said the power to issue fines as an enforcement tool remains in place, but the government sees the need to complement it with the order because fines alone are not effective for all segments of society.

“For some individuals who are financially well-off, fines have little impact, which is why the community service approach is being introduced,” he said.

From a governance standpoint, Khalid said the implementation of PKM in states adopting the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) will be carried out by SWCorp and the respective local authorities, while in other states, it will be fully implemented by their local councils.

He said the safety, health and welfare of offenders are also taken into consideration in the policy, with courts taking into account factors such as age and health conditions.

“The execution of the order will be monitored, and our officers will ensure the offenders’ safety throughout the sentence period,” he said, adding that early reception of PKM has been positive, including in Parliament, reflecting consensus on the need to change enforcement approaches.

Khalid said he is confident that PKM will be a catalyst for a culture of cleanliness nationwide, in line with the public cleansing reform under the 13th Malaysia Plan.

-- BERNAMA