
Govt pushes for civic responsibility with tougher anti-littering measures
Its minister Nga Kor Ming said in a statement today, the proposed amendments involve the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), and Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171).
'This aims to address littering of small waste items such as cigarette butts, tissues, plastic wrappers, drink cans, and food packaging in public areas.
'This step is crucial to foster greater civic responsibility, raise public awareness, and promote a culture of cleanliness, all of which contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable Malaysia for the well-being and comfort of the people,' he said.
Nga said that during the Malaysia Clean-Up Day programme on September last year, the ministry recorded a collection of 51.9kg of food waste, 64.3kg of paper waste, 127.6kg of plastic waste, and 541 cigarette butts — all within just 12 hours around the Pasar Seni area in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the data indicates that fines imposed by local authorities are no longer effective in deterring littering behaviour.
'Therefore, community service orders should be imposed as a more educational punishment to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among offenders and reduce pollution.'
The proposed amendments will empower the courts to order offenders to carry out community service for up to 12 hours. Failure to comply may result in a fine of not less than RM2,000 and up to RM10,000.
As Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaches, Nga stressed that every Malaysian has a crucial role to play in maintaining public cleanliness to ensure a positive first impression for international tourists.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
19 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Dewan Rakyat passes Poisons Act amendments to broaden enforcement powers, definitions
KUALA LUMPUR: The Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to broaden the definitions of enforcement authority and premises, has passed its third reading in the Dewan Rakyat. The bill was tabled for its first reading in the lower house of Parliament on Tuesday. The proposed amendments revise four clauses under the Poisons Act 1952 (Act 366), with the primary objective of expanding the definitions of "enforcement authority" and "premises." Notably, the amendment to Section 2 of the Act updates the definition of "authorised officer" to include police officers of any rank, as well as individuals appointed by the Health Minister under Section 31A. Previously, only police officers holding a rank of Inspector or higher qualified as authorised officers. The bill also broadens the definition of "premises" to include any land, building or part of any building, as well as any installation or structure on land, offshore or otherwise and whether movable or immovable, to apply to the entire act. The amendment also includes a new section 31A to empower the Health Minister to appoint any person as an authorised officer under Act 366.


The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
Education amendment bill 2025 makes secondary school compulsory
KUALA LUMPUR: The Education (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, proposing significant changes to Malaysia's education system. The bill aims to make secondary education compulsory, expanding the current definition under the Education Act 1996. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh introduced the bill, confirming that the second reading will follow during the ongoing parliamentary session. The amendments target Section 2 of the Education Act 1996, redefining 'compulsory education' to include secondary schooling. A new provision, Section 32A, mandates that parents of Malaysian children residing in the country must enroll their children in secondary education institutions and ensure continuous attendance. Non-compliance could lead to penalties, including fines up to RM5,000, imprisonment for six months, or both. The bill acknowledges that these changes will require additional government funding, though the exact financial impact remains undetermined. The move aligns with broader efforts to enhance educational attainment and reduce dropout rates nationwide. - Bernama


Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
No more dropping out: Govt tables Bill to make secondary school compulsory
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to make secondary education compulsory, was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, when tabling the Bill, said the second reading is expected to take place during the current parliamentary sitting. The Bill seeks to amend Section 2 of the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) to substitute the definition of 'compulsory education' to include secondary education. It also proposes a new Section 32A, which provides that every parent whose child is a Malaysian citizen and resides in Malaysia must ensure the child is enrolled in a secondary education institution and remains in school throughout the secondary education period. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both, upon conviction. The Bill also states that the proposed amendments will involve additional government expenditure, the amount of which has yet to be determined. — Bernama