JOHOR BARU: Two foreign nationals have become the first people in the country to be charged under a new anti-littering law.
Sultan Md, 28, a Bangladeshi, and Anita Lukman, 49, an Indonesian, were charged in the Sessions Court here on Friday morning (Jan 23).
Anita, an odd-job worker, pleaded guilty to throwing a cigarette butt and a drink bottle on the pavement on Jalan Ibrahim Sultan in Stulant Laut here at 12.41am on Jan 1.
The offence was framed under Section 77A(1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007.
Anita, who was unrepresented, asked for a lighter punishment, saying she is a single mother and has to care for two school-going children, aged eight and 15.
"I am only helping my friend with odd jobs and my children may miss school if I do not send enough money home," she said, tearing up.
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) prosecuting officer Siti Adora Rahtiman asked for a suitable punishment for the accused as a lesson to her and the public not to litter.
Judge Nor Aziati Jaafar ordered Anita to pay a fine of RM500, in default 15 days' imprisonment, and to serve six hours of community service.
The court instructed her to serve up to two hours a day of community service order within six months of sentencing or risk being fined RM2,000 to RM10,000 if she fails to do so.
The other accused, Sultan, a factory worker, was charged with a similar offence, which he committed in the same area at 1.27am on Jan 1.
However, he requested a translator as he did not fully understand the charge and the court allowed the request and set Jan 28 for the next mention.
Full enforcement of offences under Section 77A of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 was implemented starting at 12.01am on Jan 1.
Under the law, offenders may be fined up to RM2,000, and the court may also impose a community service order of up to six months, involving work not exceeding 12 hours in total.
