From streets to toilets, offenders learn a lesson in cleanliness
KUALA LUMPUR: Tomorrow morning, more than 100 people will be picked up from their homes and brought to a spot in the city. But they won’t be tourists gawking at the sights.
They will be given brooms and dustpans and ordered to clean up their surroundings. Some may even have to clean toilets.
“It may seem like a punishment, but the primary goal is to educate and instil awareness on the importance of keeping public spaces clean as well as to enhance civic consciousness,” said Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed.
The litterbugs are not treated like criminals, though.
Recently, The Star had a close look at how the community service is carried out.
It was early morning on March 12 when a group of five people stood in silence at one corner of the Historical Triangle near Jalan Pudu.
Their sentence was read out. On top of a RM1,500 fine they had paid earlier, they had to do four hours of community service.
At 8am, the offenders, aged between 26 and 59, were at the location near Central Market where regular street sweepers had commenced their work.
About 45 minutes later, the offenders, all of whom wore face masks, were assigned their duties and the locations they would cover.
A street sweeper showed them how to carry out the cleaning tasks in an orderly manner.
Minutes later, each one had a green safety vest, along with a broom and dustpan and were sent to their designated spots, watched by SWCorp enforcement officers.
While three offenders swept pavements and sidewalks around the vicinity, clearing dried leaves and litter along the way, two others were assigned to clean public toilets at the basement of Dataran Merdeka.
The group completed their four-hour community service at about 1pm.
Although the court order was carried out in a strict manner, there was compassion.
Besides the protective gear, they were given breaks and refreshments in between, ensuring they stayed hydrated. And, after they had finished, they were also offered packed lunch before being sent home.
Khalid, who was present to oversee the operation, said offenders are notified weeks earlier of their scheduled community service date with arrangements made to pick them up from their homes by SWCorp personnel.
Offenders are assigned cleaning duties similar to those carried out by sanitation workers.
Community service, he said, was not to punish but aimed at “rehabilitating” those who fail to keep public spaces clean.
Under the anti-litter laws, offenders face fines of up to RM2,000 and community service of between four and 12 hours.
Offenders with health conditions are required to submit a certified medical report from a doctor.
Based on the assessment, they may be assigned lighter work.
However, he said they are still required to complete the community service hours.
Khalid said SWCorp also has vehicles on standby in case of medical emergencies.
As of March 18, 1,054 offenders have been nabbed.
