Annual initiative: Nga helping to clean up Dataran Pantai Cahaya in Port Dickson in conjunction with the launch of Malaysia Clean-up Day. — Bernama
PORT DICKSON: Starting Jan 1, community service orders of up to 12 hours within a six-month period will be imposed on offenders involved in minor littering, says Nga Kor Ming.
The Housing and Local Government Minister said the move is aimed to educate the public and raise awareness on environmental cleanliness.
He said it also aims to prevent repeat offences and reduces the risk of vector-borne diseases caused by rats, flies and mosquitoes.
The implementation of the order will depend on the decision of the Magistrate’s Court and can be carried out in a single day or divided into several sessions according to the total hours.
“Anyone who litters from their vehicle, throws cigarette butts, tissues, plastics, drink cans or food wrappers in public areas will be required to wear a special vest and pick up small litter in public spaces, clean drains and wash public toilets during the stipulated period.
“This approach is not merely corrective; it carries significant humanistic value by exposing offenders directly to the consequences of their actions on the environment,” Nga said during the launch of Malaysia Clean-up Day in conjunction with World Clean-up Day 2025 here, Bernama reported.
He said countries such as South Korea, Sweden, Singapore and Japan have successfully implemented similar approaches.
He said this demonstrates the effectiveness in educating the public and that Malaysians are equally capable of practising it responsibly.
On Sept 8, the Dewan Negara approved amendments to the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Bill 2025, allowing courts to impose community service orders in addition to fines for littering offences in public places.
Meanwhile, Nga said that more than 100,000 participants took part in the nationwide clean-up activities yesterday, with the aim to collect at least 3,000kg of used cooking oil daily in an effort to set two new records in the Malaysia Book of Records.
He said the objectives of the programme include increasing public awareness of cleanliness, recycling and environmental stewardship, while encouraging nationwide participation from the government, private sector, NGOs, communities, educational institutions and individuals.
“The event is not just a clean-up initiative; it represents the core values of Malaysia Madani, emphasising sustainability, public well-being and social unity.”
He said it is an annual initiative by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, designating the last Saturday of September each year as the national Malaysia Clean-up Day, making it a permanent national agenda.
Nga also revealed that the ministry has been chosen by the UN as the winner of the Global Zero Waste Foundation award, a recognition of Malaysia’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
