PETALING JAYA: A total of 14,807 notices have been issued for minor littering offences nationwide, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
He said as of Monday, 548 of the notices involved litterbugs from states that have adopted the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
Out of that figure, 419 have completed their Community Service Orders (CSO), he said.
“In the more than seven months since its implementation, continuous enforcement efforts have shown positive developments,” he said at an appreciation ceremony for the country’s cleaning workers on Tuesday.
Nga said 15 CSO sessions, involving 2,279 hours of service, had been carried out so far.
“Besides having an impact on offenders, the implementation of CSO in public areas also serves as a means of educating the public that littering carries legal consequences,” he said.
He said the initiative would gradually be extended to other states that have not adopted Act 672, including Sabah and Sarawak, through amendments to the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133) and Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).
“This strategic cooperation is important to ensure a more consistent approach to improving the effectiveness of public cleanliness enforcement nationwide.
“To date, the ministry has held briefing and engagement sessions with state governments that have yet to adopt Act 672, namely Penang, Perak, Selangor and Kelantan.
“Sessions with the Terengganu government were held on Aug 3 and 4,” he said, adding that Malaysians should also play their part in keeping the country clean as the country prepares for its 70th anniversary of independence next year.
Nga also called for greater recognition of cleaning workers, saying they played an important role in maintaining the country’s cleanliness.
“As the backbone of the country’s cleanliness, cleaning workers should be given the recognition they deserve, including reasonable and dignified wages.
“I hope that starting next year, winners of the national cleaning worker awards can be nominated for consideration to receive service medals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nga said Malaysia’s ethnic and cultural diversity is a national strength that needs to be protected to maintain a harmonious, inclusive and progressive society, Bernama reported.
He said the spirit of unity in diversity should remain a driving force for Malaysians, including within the staff of the ministry, to work together to develop the country.
“Malaysians should regard our differences as something we can celebrate together and work towards a shared vision to continue developing and improving the well-being of our beloved multiracial nation,” he said at the launch of Semarak Jiwa Merdeka @ KPKT to mark the National month here yesterday.
