As Malaysia ramps up its fight against littering, three Singaporeans recently found themselves facing mandatory community service after being caught during enforcement operations in Johor Bahru. This is part of a broader initiative to tackle littering, which saw harsher penalties introduced from 1 January 2024.
Community Service and Fines
Under the new laws from the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, offenders can now be fined up to RM2,000 (US$493) and required to complete up to twelve hours of community service. If offenders fail to comply with the community service order, they could face fines soaring to RM10,000 upon conviction.
- First-time offenders face fines and community service.
- Mandatory community service can last up to six months.
- Strict enforcement includes non-Singaporean offenders—foreign nationals are equally targeted.
Government’s Stance on Littering
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming emphasised the need for cleaner streets, stating, “They thought they could do it (litter in public); now they cannot. We want Singapore to be clean, Malaysia to be even cleaner.” His comments reflect a new zero-tolerance policy aimed at preserving public spaces.
Since the new regulations took effect, a significant number of operations have been conducted. For instance, in operations on 1 and 2 January alone, authorities apprehended 120 litterbugs, including 34 foreigners and 86 Malaysians.
Enforcement Actions
Recent reports indicate that the Johor SWCorp has been diligent in its enforcement efforts. A total of 39 offence notices were issued between 1 and 8 January, with three cited as Singaporean nationals. The strict measures aim to promote a cleaner environment in anticipation of Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
In light of these changes, those looking to visit Johor should be mindful of their littering habits, as the consequences could be more severe than before. With enforcement in full swing, local and foreign nationals alike are advised to keep public spaces clean to avoid running into legal trouble.