IPOH: Perak is still studying the mechanism to implement the Community Service Order (CSO), says state local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng.
She said the state was currently working with the Housing and Local Government Ministry on the necessary coordination and also studying the proper implementation of CSO at both state and local government levels.
Under the CSO, those found guilty of littering will have to perform community service, including sweeping the streets, cleaning drains and washing public toilets.
“In principle, the state agrees with the CSO approach for minor littering offences.
“It is not only punitive but educational in nature and can help build greater civic responsibility among the public,” Ng said when contacted.
“The focus now is to make sure the implementation framework is suitable for Perak’s local government structure, taking into account the different capacities, manpower and enforcement needs of all 15 local authorities,” she added, explaining that each district has different areas of coverage, operational capacity and enforcement resources.
Perak, along with Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Pahang, Terengganu, Melaka, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan (Federal Territories) have yet to adopt the CSO, which officially started early this year.
The implementation followed an amendment to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act (Act 672) passed in Parliament in August last year.
Ng said Perak’s implementation pathway differed because enforcement would involve the state government and the respective local authorities.
“In states where Act 672 is already in force, the enforcement framework is already in place and the CSO can be carried out through Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation.
“The ministry’s target is for states that have not adopted Act 672, to prepare and engage within the first six months of this year. Perak is still within that timeline,” said Ng.
