Civic education, not just fines, is the ultimate solution to littering, says community leader, as new community service orders for offenders are set to begin
KUALA LUMPUR: Strengthening civic education from a young age is the ultimate solution to Malaysia’s littering culture, according to a community safety leader.
Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said while new punishments are a deterrent, they do not guarantee a long-term shift in societal attitudes.
“Even if you keep imposing fines on them (offenders), they don’t bother,” he told Bernama.
Lee stated the key to a clean society is a high level of civic awareness cultivated from an early stage.
He was commenting on a new community service order for littering offences set to begin on January 1, 2026.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming issued a final reminder about the order on Saturday.
Nga said enforcement officers have been instructed to uphold the new law to strengthen public cleanliness.
“Anyone, including foreigners, who throws rubbish in public places will be fined RM2,000 and sentenced to 12 hours of public cleansing work,” he said.
Lee acknowledged public service is suitable for instilling discipline in stubborn offenders who ignore fines.
He cautioned that its enforcement must be executed properly and fairly by the relevant authorities.
Lee added that local authorities must ensure sufficient manpower is deployed to enforce the order effectively.
He cited Japan’s success in maintaining cleanliness as stemming from a mindset nurtured from youth, not just laws.
“In Japan, when you walk along the streets, you will find that there are hardly any rubbish bins,” Lee said.
He emphasised that integrity is critical, and individuals should not litter even when no one is watching.
“Civic education is the key to all this, and there is no better place to instil it than in schools,” Lee added.
