Time to get tough: To tackle the issue of littering in public areas, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has ordered strict enforcement against litterers and will not grant any discounts on fines.
PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has ordered local councils to be strict in their enforcement against litterbugs and refrain from granting any discounts on fines.
Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said it is time for local authorities (PBT) to have a zero- tolerance approach towards littering.
“I have instructed all 155 local councils to levy fines on individuals caught littering in public areas, with no exceptions for discounts.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to keep public hygiene. Nobody is above the law,” he told Bernama after attending an event in Ipoh yesterday
Nga’s statement came after social media was flooded with pictures showing piles of rubbish scattered on the side of the road near the Pahang-Kelantan border, presumably tossed by motorists.
Several photos showed how public sanitation workers have to labour under the hot sun to pick up heaps of food and drink packages scattered along the road believed to be the route from Kuala Lipis, Pahang to Gua Musang, Kelantan.
“PBT will issue a compound and make sure the individuals pay. Strict action will be taken and those who litter will be held responsible.
“We all attended school. We all have civics education, so it is the responsibility of all parties to look after cleanliness in public areas. We don’t just hand the job to PBT workers.
“We also know the weather is scorching hot right now, please have mercy on our workers who are working hard to clean those areas,” he said, adding that the matter was highly regrettable.
“If you want to eat in the car, place the packets in the car first. When you arrive at your village or hometown, then take it out and throw it in the bin.
“Don’t arbitrarily throw it on the side of the road and expect someone else to pick up after you,” he said.
Nga, who is also the Kepayang assemblyman, said his ministry has also mobilised nearly all its machinery to ensure public cleanliness ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
