PETALING JAYA: Activists are divided over a move requiring litterbugs to wear a special vest in public while doing their community service.
“It doesn’t help when we issue summonses and fines. To get rid of a bad habit, it is best to shame them in public by making them wear vests and be seen,” said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
“Furthermore, community service is not against the Federal Constitution and it cannot be deemed as forced labour.”
On Saturday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced that starting Jan 1, litterbugs would have to perform community service of up to 12 hours within a six-month period, depending on the order of the magistrate.
“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,” he was quoted as saying.
However, Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek Sama) founding member Thomas Fann said punishments should not degrade offenders.
“It must be a corrective action, not humiliation. Forcing offenders to wear vests and clean toilets publicly risks turning justice into a shame theatre, breeding resentment rather than responsibility.
“Justice should heal society, not degrade its members,” he said.
Social and Economic Research Initiative managing director Rashaad Ali was supportive of the move to compel offenders to perform community service but questioned its enforcement.
“Weak enforcement negates any efforts to educate the public on collective cleanliness and the consequences of their actions,” he said.
The provision to empower the courts to issue community service orders for littering offences in public areas came under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Dewan Rakyat in July.
While many Netizens gave the thumbs up to community service for litterbugs, they also pointed out the lack of rubbish bins in public places.
“This is great but they need to be educated from a young age not to litter and if there are no bins, take it (the rubbish) home.
“There is a lack of rubbish bins everywhere in public places,” said Michelle Hart on the Penang Today community Facebook page.
