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Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Mayor Jeeti Sidhu urges govt to approve bio-gas plant at Samgauli to tackle waste crisis
Mayor Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu has written to the Punjab government seeking immediate approval for setting up a Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant at Samgauli village, aimed at addressing the growing waste management crisis in SAS Nagar (Mohali). In letters addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tejveer Singh (Secretary, Local Government Department), and Deepti Uppal (Secretary, PMIDC), the mayor emphasised the urgency of clearing the path for this critical project. 'Several tonnes of domestic and commercial waste are being generated daily in Mohali, creating a serious challenge. With the closure of the city's dumping ground following High Court orders, all waste is now piling up at RMC (resource management centre) points, crippling the sanitation system and posing a major public health risk,' he said. Mayor Sidhu pointed out that although a contract for waste processing was awarded to a Panchkula-based company, the increasing volume of waste has overwhelmed the firm's capacity, leading to delays in timely processing. To offer a long-term solution, the Municipal Corporation has identified 50 acres of land at Samgauli for setting up the proposed CBG plant. He said, 'PMIDC has already been appointed as the nodal agency for this project. The only hurdle now is the pending approval from the Local Government Department.' Sidhu appealed for swift clearance to kickstart the project, which, he asserted, would reduce the city's mounting garbage issue and also contribute to sustainable energy generation.
The Star
23-07-2025
- The Star
Getting tough on litterbugs
No excuses: Nga said the law applies equally to everyone including foreign nationals found guilty of littering in public spaces. — Bernama LITTERBUGS can now be fined up to RM3,000 for repeat offences following the passing of amendments to the Street, Drainage and Building Act. Under the amended law, the fine for a first offence has been raised from RM500 to RM2,000, while second and subsequent offences will carry a penalty of up to RM3,000. The previous limit was RM1,000 for subsequent offences. Pet owners who fail to clean up after their animals would also be liable under the new law, as their waste is considered litter in public. Other new penalties is the introduction of community service as an additional punishment, allowing courts to impose up to 12 hours of unpaid work on minor offences. However, the courts are required to consider the offender's physical and mental condition and explain the consequences of non-compliance to the person. For offenders under the age of 18, subsection 47(1H) of the amended Act stipulates that community service provisions under the Child Act will apply. Clause 3 of the Bill also amends Section 48 to redefine 'child' as a person under 18, and 'community service' as any unpaid work or task aimed at maintaining or enhancing public cleanliness. Clause 4 introduces a new Section 125A, granting powers to authorised officers of local authorities to supervise the implementation of community service orders issued under subsection 47(1A). Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the amendments would complement the recently passed Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill. Under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill, failure to comply with court-ordered community service may result in fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000, as stipulated in subsection 77B(6). As for the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, it will empower the Local Government Department to issue standard operating procedure to all local authorities to ensure uniform implementation of community service sentences for people convicted of littering. All these amendments collectively aim to strengthen the legal framework to combat public littering by authorising courts to issue community service orders as punitive measures, Nga said. He said the law applies equally to everyone including foreign nationals found guilty of littering in public spaces. 'Imagine if a Datuk Seri or Tan Sri is ordered to sweep the streets under a community service order. This would certainly raise public awareness on the importance of maintaining cleanliness,' he said when wrapping up the debate on the amendments. Through the enforcement of such orders, Nga expressed confidence that littering – often the cause of clogged drains and flash floods – could be significantly reduced, especially in urban areas. Nga said that the amendments are necessary to provide the Federal Government with clear legal authority to regulate the matter and empower local authorities to enforce community service penalties effectively. The Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after 10 MPs took part in the debate. Nga also announced that starting Jan 1 next year, all shopping malls nationwide will be required to provide recycling facilities at their premises in order to obtain business licences. This new condition will be enforced by local authorities as part of the government's broader push for sustainable waste management.
The Sun
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
New SOPs for community service enforcement by local authorities
KUALA LUMPUR: The Local Government Department (JKT) will introduce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to guide local authorities (PBTs) in enforcing court-ordered community service sentences for littering offenders. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming announced the move following the passage of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat. Nga stressed the importance of capacity building for PBT officers, particularly when handling young offenders. 'They must fully understand not only the provisions under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) but also the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), which has been taken into account in the ministry's implementation plan to ensure effective legal enforcement,' he said during the debate. The Bill, passed by a majority voice vote, introduces a new Subsection 104A(1), allowing courts to mandate up to 12 hours of community service for by-law violators alongside fines. Subsection 104A(3) authorises PBT officers to set the time and location for the service, while Subsection 104A(8) ensures that offenders under 18 are treated under Act 611 provisions. To strengthen enforcement, the ministry plans to increase the number of authorised PBT officers and improve inter-agency collaboration. 'Modern technology and efficient resource management will also be prioritised,' Nga added. The Dewan Rakyat sitting resumes tomorrow. - Bernama
Barnama
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
JKT To Provide SOPs For Community Service Enforcement
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- The Local Government Department (JKT) will issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) to local authorities (PBTs) to ensure uniform implementation of court-ordered community service sentences for individuals convicted of littering in public areas. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the SOPs will be introduced following the passing of the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat today, to ensure effective implementation of the law while upholding social justice for all offenders. Nga added that capacity building is important for PBT officers, especially when dealing with young offenders. 'They must fully understand not only the provisions under the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) but also the Child Act 2001 (Act 611), which has been taken into account in the ministry's implementation plan to ensure effective legal enforcement,' he said when winding up the debate on the Bill. The Bill was passed by a majority voice vote after being debated by eight Members of Parliament from both the government and opposition blocs. The amendment introduces a new Subsection 104A(1), which empowers the courts to order individuals convicted of breaching by-laws under Act 171 to perform up to 12 hours of community service, in addition to any fines imposed. Subsection 104A(3) provides that authorised PBT officers shall determine the time and place for carrying out the community service once a court order is issued. Meanwhile, Subsection 104A(8) states that if the offender is under the age of 18, provisions under Act 611 regarding community service orders will apply. Nga further said the ministry has outlined several strategies to enhance the effectiveness of the law, including increasing the number of authorised PBT officers for enforcement and monitoring purposes.
New Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt allocates over RM146mil for infrastructure projects in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has approved RM146.22 million for 24 infrastructure development and repair projects in Kelantan this year. Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation was approved under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan for 2025, with projects to be implemented through eight agencies under the ministry. "Among the key projects is the construction of 855 Rumah Mesra Rakyat units worth RM69.37 million in 14 parliamentary constituencies," he told reporters after visiting a home repair programme in Kampung Penambang, here today. He said the Local Government Department has been allocated RM30.58 million for 95 projects, including slope repairs and the construction of Pasar Siti Hajar in Pasir Puteh, Pasar Besar Kuala Krai, and stalls at Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Under the Community Wellbeing Division, RM13.95 million has been set aside for the repair of 389 homes and the construction of 27 new units in urban areas. Nga said RM12.7 million will be used for the development of People's Housing Projects in Pasir Mas, Ayer Lanas (Jeli), Batang Merbau (Tanah Merah) and the Residensi Rakyat Programme in Kadok (Kota Baru). The National Landscape Department will receive RM10.95 million for park upgrades in Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu, as well as a landscape master plan study in Machang. In addition, RM2.7 million has been allocated for the maintenance of low-cost stratified housing, and RM1.5 million for the construction of an engineering workshop for the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department. Meanwhile, Nga said over RM1 million in financial aid has been approved for 10 non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI) in Kelantan as of July 7. "The ministry has been tasked with implementing the RIBI Maintenance Initiative nationwide under Budget 2025. "A total of RM50 million has been allocated for maintenance and repair works at houses of worship nationwide, to ensure greater comfort for devotees," he said during the RIBI allocation handover ceremony at St. Martin's Church here. He said the increased allocation reflects the Madani government's commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that no one is left behind, including communities in Kelantan. – Bernama
