GEORGE TOWN: Throwing a cigarette butt or food wrapper in public could land offenders in Penang cleaning drains, beaches or public toilets from July 1.
Those convicted of minor littering offences may be ordered to perform up to 12 hours of community service within six months, fined up to RM2,000, or both.
Offences include throwing cigarette butts in public places, dumping rubbish into drains, leaving rubbish at parks and beaches, throwing waste from vehicles and leaving food waste after trading at night markets or hawker centres.
Community service may involve cleaning roads, public markets, drains, beaches, parks, public toilets, bus stops, pedestrian walkways, overhead bridges and food courts.
Offenders may also be directed to join community clean-ups, help with post-flood cleaning or take part in public awareness programmes.
Failure to comply with court orders may result in fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000.
Penang local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said enforcement officers on patrol would be equipped with body cameras, while 1,822 CCTV cameras statewide would be used for surveillance.
"The state executive council, through a decision on Nov 12, 2025, agreed to implement the Community Service Order under the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Act 2025," he said.
"The implementation guidelines were subsequently approved by the state executive council on May 6 this year before enforcement by local authorities statewide begins on July 1," H'ng added.
Speaking at a press conference in Komtar on Tuesday (May 19), H’ng said the punishment is meant to educate offenders on civic responsibility and public cleanliness rather than solely to penalise.
He said Seberang Perai City Council currently has 17 body cameras, while Penang Island City Council has 170 units.
"Body camera footage, alongside videos and images, could be used as evidence during enforcement operations," he said.
H'ng added that the use of body cameras is aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public confidence in enforcement actions.
