Authorities banned 55 litterbugs in Johor since Jan 1

JOHOR BARU: Johor Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has issued 55 notices for littering offences since Jan 1, with the majority involving foreigners.

Johor SWCorp director Zainal Fitri Ahmad said the Govt has fully enforced Section 77A of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act (Act 672) as part of a campaign to promote a cleaner urban environment.

“Of the total notices issued, 28 cases involved foreigners, including tourists and workers, while the rest are locals,” he said after an operation in the city centre here on Tuesday (Jan 20).

He said litterbugs were caught discarding items such as cigarette butts, drink containers and tissues in public places.

“It is disappointing to see people throwing garbage on the ground despite standing near rubbish bins. We want Johor Baru to remain clean and ready to welcome guests,” he added.

Zainal said operations would continue on a scheduled basis, with teams also carrying out plainclothes surveillance.

He revealed that two foreign nationals – a Bangladeshi and an Indonesian – will be brought to court on Friday (Jan 23). This marks the first such cases in Malaysia under the newly-gazetted provisions of the Act.

Under the current framework, littering offences under Section 77A are not compounded and must instead go through court proceedings. Conviction carries a fine of up to RM2,000, and the court may also impose a Community Service Order.

Zainal noted that five Singaporeans have been caught so far, often offering various excuses.

“One said they were not throwing rubbish but were collecting it first. These excuses cannot be accepted. Our country’s law is clear,” he said.

SWCorp is also working with local councils to use CCTV cameras to detect littering in busy commercial areas.