SWCorp Enforces Community Service Orders Against Littering Offenders

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) today carried out the ninth series of the Community Service Order (CSO) under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) as part of enforcement efforts against littering in public places.

SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said the implementation of the CSO programme serves as a clear preventive message to the public while promoting responsibility and awareness regarding public cleanliness.

“The CSO is implemented in a controlled, ethical and compliant manner without affecting the dignity of the individuals involved. This should be viewed as a shared responsibility in creating a more disciplined, comfortable and high-quality urban environment.

“The implementation of CSOs proves that enforcement is not merely punitive, but also serves as a social education instrument capable of fostering awareness and responsibility towards environmental cleanliness,” he said.

A total of 18 offenders aged between 20 and 45 years, comprising 14 Malaysians and four foreigners -- two Bangladeshis and one each from Myanmar and Pakistan -- carried out one-day community service sentences, mostly involving offences related to discarding cigarette butts in public places.

All offenders underwent four hours of community service beginning at 9 am at the Children’s Playground Jalan Metro Perdana Timur 5, where they performed cleaning duties such as sweeping, collecting rubbish and clearing drains under close supervision by SWCorp Federal Territories enforcement officers.

The ninth series of the programme was also conducted simultaneously across six states, namely Kedah, Pahang, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Perlis and the Federal Territories, involving a total of 76 offenders.

Meanwhile, SWCorp Federal Territories, in a statement, said that the CSO programme acts as a rehabilitation mechanism by exposing offenders directly to the realities of public cleanliness management.

“A total of 1,292 Notice of Offence Notifications (NPK) were issued across four branches under Act 672, involving 695 locals and 587 foreigners.

“These statistics demonstrate the government’s commitment to increasing compliance with public cleanliness regulations and ensuring that minor littering offences are no longer taken lightly,” read the statement.

Under the enforcement of the Community Service Order introduced on Jan 1, individuals convicted of dumping solid waste in public areas may face fines of up to RM2,000 and/or community service for a maximum of 12 hours.

-- BERNAMA