KUCHING: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is planning to introduce a community service order of up to 12 hours for minor littering offences through proposed amendments to existing laws.
In a statement on Wednesday (Feb 19), the ministry stated that the amendments involve the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) and the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).
“Under these amendments, failure to comply with the community service order could result in a fine ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000,” the statement added.
To gauge public opinion on the plan, Sarawak Tribune has spoken to four individuals from different backgrounds.
Aziela Mahmud, 27, General Worker
“I fully support this initiative because it promotes accountability. Fining people may work to some extent, but making them clean up after themselves teaches a real lesson. If someone is forced to do community service, they’ll understand the consequences of their actions more deeply. Littering is a serious issue in Malaysia, and we need stronger measures to curb it. However, I do think the duration should be based on the severity of the littering offence. A single candy wrapper shouldn’t get the same punishment as dumping a pile of garbage. If the government enforces this fairly, it will definitely be a step in the right direction.”
Wan Samim Wan Marzuki, 27, Mechanic
“I think this is a creative approach, but I’m unsure about its effectiveness. In theory, community service sounds like a great way to deter littering, but in practice, enforcement is always a challenge. Will there be enough officers to monitor offenders? Will people take it seriously? In Malaysia, many rules exist, but compliance is another matter. I believe combining community service with monetary fines is a better approach. First-time offenders could get community service, but repeat offenders should be fined heavily to ensure they don’t litter again. Education is also key—public awareness campaigns should go hand in hand with these penalties.”
Azzwina Junaidi, 21, Student
“I think this is a fair punishment, and it’s a better alternative to fines for those who may struggle financially. Some people litter out of carelessness rather than bad intent, so giving them a chance to contribute back to society instead of just paying a fine is reasonable. However, the government should also improve waste management infrastructure. In some areas, there aren’t enough rubbish bins, so people end up littering because they have no choice. Before punishing people, we need to ensure the system supports cleanliness. If we address both enforcement and infrastructure, I believe Malaysia can become a cleaner country.”
Lamah Chang, 66, Retiree.
“This is long overdue! I’ve seen too many cases where people just throw their rubbish anywhere because they think no one is watching. This initiative will make them think twice. However, I believe both the community service order and fines should be enforced together. Some people won’t care about community service if they only have to do it once or twice. But if they know they might also have to pay a hefty fine, they’ll be extra cautious. More importantly, I think schools should include lessons on civic responsibility from an early age. If we teach children the importance of cleanliness and the consequences of littering, we won’t need to rely on punishment so much in the future.”
