Summonses of up to RM1,000 should make litterbugs think twice before throwing rubbish indiscriminately.
Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) president Mohamad Azhan Md Amir launched the “PJ Watch” awareness campaign at Laman MBPJ in Section 52, Petaling Jaya.
As part of the one-month campaign, the city council has placed 20 signboards in commercial areas to warn the public against littering.
The Petaling Jaya mayor said the awareness campaign would focus on Section 52 and SS21 Damansara Utama.
“We are encouraging business owners to be mindful of rubbish outside their premises.
“Sometimes, I conduct my own spot checks and recently saw fruit peel dumped in drains along a row of shoplots in Section 52.
“When rubbish accumulates in the drainage system, it will contribute to flash floods,” said Mohamad Azhan.
He added that there would be spot checks at several locations in the selected areas for a month.
Business owners will be issued a notice of compliance to keep the surroundings of their premises free of rubbish.
During this period, verbal notices will be made through speakers in business areas by the city council’s enforcement unit.
There will also be CCTV cameras monitoring, and failure to adhere to regulations will result in compounds being issued.
After the awareness period, the council will issue compounds of up to RM1,000 under the Local Government Act 1976, namely the Refuse Collection, Removal and Diposal (MBPJ) By-laws 2007 and Anti-Litter (MPPJ) By-laws 1999.
“Some of the business premises will also be given plogging tools which they can use to remove waste from drains and surrounding areas.
“Ultimately, enforcement will be rolled out throughout the city,” said Mohamad Azhan.
The city council spends RM76mil on waste management and disposes 230,000 tonnes of waste yearly.
In 2021, MBPJ issued 228 notices to businesses for failing to provide a rubbish bin.
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