KUALA LUMPUR: A Singaporean man has been fined RM1,500 in default one month's jail by the Sessions Court here after he pleaded guilty to throwing a cigarette butt in a public place on New Year's Day.
In imposing the sentence on Mohamed Nuh Qursaini Kayat, 25, on Monday (Feb 9), judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin also ordered him to perform four hours of community service within one month.
He was accused of improperly disposing of solid waste, namely a cigarette butt, in a public space instead of in a designated receptacle, near a convenience store along Jalan Bukit Bintang here at 1.45am on Jan 1.
The charge was framed under Section 77A(1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, which provides for a maximum fine of RM2,000 and, in addition, a community service order of up to 12 hours in total within six months.
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) prosecuting officer Muhammad Syarihul Mohd Dzahir urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence as a deterrent to the accused and the public, stressing the importance of maintaining cleanliness in public areas.
Nuh Qursaini, who was unrepresented, pleaded for leniency, saying there was no rubbish bin nearby and that he threw it on the ground because there were already cigarette butts there.
Speaking to the media after the proceedings, SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said that, to date, six foreign nationals had been charged in court for littering offences, including the disposal of cigarette butts.
"So far, 644 cases involving littering offences have been recorded under the Act, 500 of which involve Malaysian citizens. More people will be charged in court over the next three days," he said.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had told the Dewan Rakyat recently that all those convicted of littering would carry out their Community Service Orders simultaneously on Friday (Feb 13).
He said the offenders would be required to clean drains, sweep roads and wash public toilets. – Bernama
