Penang has stepped up its fight against littering. Enforcement officers across the state are now equipped with body cameras, and a new community service order (CSO) for offenders has taken effect.
State local government committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the body cameras ensure enforcement is carried out transparently and professionally, and can also serve as evidence.
“Each operation is led by an operations officer while enforcement personnel with body cameras ensure enforcement is carried out transparently and professionally, besides serving as evidence,” he said in a statement.
Offences that can lead to a CSO include throwing cigarette butts, tissues, plastic items, bottles and food wrappers in public places, dumping rubbish into drains, littering in parks, beaches and recreational areas, throwing rubbish from vehicles, and leaving food waste or rubbish after trading in public areas.
A Notice of Offence will be issued to offenders before the case is taken to court. The court can impose a fine of up to RM2,000, order offenders to perform community service of up to 12 hours within six months, or both.
The CSO is not a replacement of existing fines, and can only be imposed following a conviction. Those who fail to carry out court-ordered CSO can be charged with a separate offence and fined between RM2,000 and RM10,000.
Penang is implementing the CSO under amendments to the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, rather than the federal Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007. The state gave its two city councils six months to prepare the enforcement mechanism, public awareness campaign, notices and court process before full enforcement started.
H’ng joined officials from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), including island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, on a public awareness programme at Lebuh Armenian last month to distribute leaflets to residents, traders and tourists explaining the CSO.
H’ng said many supported the move as a way to boost cleanliness and civic responsibility.
Source: The Star
