Kuala Langat, Malaysia – Three Singaporeans are among 120 individuals fined RM2,000 (S$630) and ordered to perform community service for littering in public areas, according to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Malaysia Increases Enforcement Against Littering
All offenders are expected to be charged in court soon, pending approval from the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Mr. Nga said that on January 5 in Johor Bahru, five people were caught littering, three of whom were Singaporean citizens. This was according to information received from the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp).
A total of 120 offenders were apprehended during “Ops Cegah” carried out on January 1 and 2, comprising 86 locals and 34 foreigners.
“We want Malaysia to be even cleaner than Singapore,” Mr. Nga stated after attending the ministry’s Sentuhan Kejayaan 2025 programme in Sungai Jarom on January 6.
Community service orders, as outlined in the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), took effect on January 1 as part of stricter enforcement against minor littering offenses.
Amendments to Act 672 were passed by the Dewan Rakyat – the Malaysian Parliament’s House of Representatives – in August 2025 and subsequently presented to the Dewan Negara – the Upper House of the Malaysian Parliament – in the same month.
Enforcement will be focused on Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, and Kedah, as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.
SWCorp has been directed to take firm action against litterbugs, with warnings of heavier penalties for repeat offenders.
Those caught littering will be required to wear a green jacket and perform community service, including sweeping roads, cleaning drains, cutting grass, and cleaning toilets.
Fines range from RM2,000 to RM10,000. Mr. Nga noted that individuals with the means to pay a larger fine could still be required to perform community service, stating, “If someone is wealthy and wants to ‘donate’ to the government, they can litter – but they will pay RM10,000 and still have to do community service.”
Enforcement efforts have already demonstrated positive results. Following the “I Lite U” lighting event in Bukit Bintang on January 3, which attracted nearly 30,000 attendees, the area remained clean after the event concluded.
“Nearly 30,000 people attended, but after the crowd dispersed, there was no rubbish left behind. That shows enforcement works,” he said.
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