More public awareness campaigns on littering needed

THE intention behind the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 is noble and not an issue, the idea being to keep our cities and towns litter-free.

Amendments to the Act now enable courts to enforce community service orders alongside fines for people caught littering. The community service in public areas, with a maximum of four hours a day, is aimed at educating offenders and encouraging greater responsibility and civic consciousness in keeping the environment clean. The fines can escalate to a maximum of RM10,000 for failing to comply with community service court orders.