LITTERING offenders across several states have begun serving court-ordered community service under stricter enforcement of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, with authorities warning that no one will be spared regardless of nationality.
In Johor Bahru, a 52-year-old local contractor, who wished to be known only as Tan, said the punishment had been a sobering lesson after he was ordered to carry out a Community Service Order for discarding a cigarette butt.
“After this, I will be more careful and will not throw rubbish indiscriminately,” he said.
Tan acknowledged that he had been aware of enforcement under Section 77A(1) of Act 672 since the beginning of the year, but did not expect to be among those penalised.
He received a Notice of Offence from two officers of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation in Taman Universiti on 3 January.
“At that time, I threw a cigarette butt before getting into my car. I was shocked when SWCorp officers came knocking on my car window.
“When I lowered the window, they just pointed at my cigarette butt. I already knew I would be fined,” he said.
He was later fined RM500 by the Sessions Court on 29 January and ordered to complete six hours of community service, to be carried out in two-hour sessions within six months. Since appearing in court, Tan said he has reminded friends and family not to litter.
“I am confident this punishment can raise public awareness,” he added.
An Indonesian woman, Anita, 49, who has lived in Johor for 15 years, said she was similarly surprised when issued with a notice while celebrating the New Year in Johor Bahru city centre.
“When my friends and I were about to leave, we were stopped by SWCorp officers at about 1am who claimed that I had thrown a cigarette butt and a water bottle.
“We usually carry plastic bags with us wherever we go, but perhaps I overlooked disposing of the cigarette butt and water bottle properly. Since then, I often advise my Indonesian friends not to commit the same offence,” she said.
In Kuala Lumpur, four offenders, including foreign nationals, carried out public cleaning duties in the capital after being sentenced by the court for cleanliness-related offences. The Chief Executive Officer of SWCorp, Khalid Mohamed, said they were fined and ordered to complete four hours of community service within six months.
“Based on discussions, all offenders agreed to complete the four-hour period today in accordance with the legal provision that sets a maximum of four hours per day.
“Today, we have four offenders involved in Kuala Lumpur, comprising one local citizen and one each from Pakistan, Singapore and Indonesia,” he said.
Offenders were assigned tasks such as sweeping public areas, collecting dry leaves and clearing small litter. Khalid stressed that the programme was intended not merely as punishment but as a means of education and public awareness.
“This programme is not just a punishment, but an educational and awareness process for the community. Education about cleanliness actually begins at home and in schools, but the time has come for community service orders to reinforce that message,” he explained.
In Alor Setar, two 39-year-old men became among the first in Kedah to carry out community service after being convicted last month of littering in public places. One, an Indonesian national, had earlier been fined RM300 for discarding a cigarette butt near Menara Alor Setar, with a default sentence of three months’ imprisonment if unpaid. He was also ordered to complete six hours of community service within two months, at a maximum of one hour per day.
SWCorp Kedah director Shamsuharizal Basir said enforcement of Act 672 was being carried out firmly and without regard to status.
“It should be clarified that enforcement of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 is implemented strictly regardless of an individual’s status,” he said.
He added that another local man in Sungai Petani had been fined RM700, or six months’ imprisonment in default, and ordered to complete ten hours of community service within six months for discarding a cigarette butt.
“Based on records, there will be more community service orders in this state as 159 investigation papers have been opened and 35 cases have already been given mention dates in court.
“My advice to the public is not to throw small rubbish indiscriminately and firm action will be taken against offenders who litter in public places, outside vehicles or anywhere else,” he said.
Shamsuharizal also revealed that SWCorp officers conduct undercover operations in plain clothes as part of Op Cegah to detect offenders.
Across the country, authorities say the stepped-up enforcement is designed to send a clear message that corrective action will be carried out firmly, systematically and without compromise in the interest of public cleanliness. - February 13, 2026
