A community service order for minor littering offences begins enforcement in several states, with fines of up to RM10,000 also applicable.
PUTRAJAYA: The Community Service Order under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 will be enforced from Tuesday as an additional penalty for minor littering.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry said enforcement will cover Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
For Penang, Selangor, Kelantan and Terengganu, implementation will start as soon as possible subject to state approval.
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The penalty follows amendments to the Act passed by the Dewan Rakyat and tabled in the Dewan Negara in August 2025.
It will be enforced together with the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 and the Local Government Act 1976.
Offenders may also face fines of RM2,000 to RM10,000 for the same offence.
The Community Service Order is imposed in addition to, not as a replacement for, existing fines and only after a court conviction.
Sentenced individuals must perform up to 12 hours of community service within six months.
Tasks include collecting solid waste, washing public areas, cutting grass and clearing cobwebs.
Scheduling and supervision will be determined by authorised officers.
Refusal, resistance, failure to comply or absconding constitutes a separate offence.
This separate offence is punishable by fines between RM2,000 and RM10,000.
The ministry said the measure is intended to educate the public and promote awareness.
It aims to foster responsibility and respect for environmental cleanliness.
Members of the public may lodge complaints with SWCorp via WhatsApp at 013-210 7472.
Complaints can also be made through the SWCorp Public Complaints Management System online. – Bernama
