PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are divided over the government’s new tough stance on littering, set to take effect tomorrow, with some welcoming the crackdown and others questioning whether authorities have the tools and infrastructure to make it work.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming issued a final warning that anyone caught littering in public will face a RM2,000 fine and 12 hours of community service.
The law applies to everyone, including foreigners, and is part of wider efforts to boost urban cleanliness nationwide.
Online reaction was swift, reflecting public frustration over persistent rubbish in city centres. Some welcomed the long-overdue move.
Reddit user Legatuspacis45 called it “a good start”, pointing to litter piling up around central Kuala Lumpur areas, such as Masjid Jamek, but warned that without comprehensive surveillance, enforcement could amount to little more than a token gesture.
“Hard to say, but this would not actually solve the problem,” the user wrote, stressing that responsible habits should be nurtured from a young age rather than imposed solely through fines.
Others placed the onus squarely on individuals.
Butterninja argued that managing one’s own waste takes minimal effort, citing Japan where people dispose of rubbish at the point of purchase rather than leaving it in public spaces.
Some called for harsher penalties.
Lurker4Memes argued that 12 hours of community service is too lenient, insisting that people should be fully accountable for the waste they generate and stressing that enforcement must be backed by sufficient trash and recycling infrastructure.
A more measured approach was suggested by BigMandolorian, who said starting with lower fines could prevent disproportionate impacts on lower-income individuals, suggesting escalated penalties for repeat offenders.
For others, the issue was with consistent enforcement.
hidetoshiko said punishment only works if it is visible and sustained, suggesting public shaming as an effective deterrent in Malaysia and pointing to Singapore as a model more likely to succeed locally than Japan’s strict social norms.
Questions were also raised about clarity.
ryukagesanada asked whether minor acts, such as dropping cigarette butts, would be treated the same as dumping bags of rubbish, suggesting warnings for first-time offenders to build awareness.
Concerns over fairness surfaced as well.
toastiiii criticised the flat RM2,000 fine, arguing that it could hardly dent wealthier offenders while hitting others hard, raising fears over inconsistent enforcement or corruption if authorities lack clear evidence.
Infrastructure gaps were another recurring theme.
kewarken noted the scarcity of public bins, arguing that the government must invest in facilities if it expects compliance.
Vast_Battle_704 questioned if acts such as public spitting would also fall under the law.
