Think twice before flicking that cigarette butt onto the road or leaving rubbish at parks in Penang — enforcement officers equipped with body cameras are coming.
Starting 1 July, officers will be deployed with the cameras to monitor littering offences and enhance transparency during enforcement operations across the state.
Penang local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said footage from the body cameras, along with videos and photographs, could be used as evidence.
“The use of body cameras is aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public confidence in enforcement actions,” he said during a press conference on 19 May.
“Those who are caught throwing a cigarette butt or food wrapper in public could end up cleaning drains, beaches or public toilets.”
He added that the Seberang Perai City Council has 17 body cameras while the Penang Island City Council has 170 units. Apart from body cameras, Mr H’ng said there are 1,822 closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) statewide for surveillance and monitoring purposes.
Individuals convicted of minor littering offences could be ordered to perform up to 12 hours of community service within six months, fined up to RM2,000, or both. Failure to comply with court orders may result in fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000.
“Community service may include cleaning roads, public markets, drains, beaches, parks, public toilets, bus stops, pedestrian walkways, overhead bridges, food courts and hawker centres,” Mr H’ng said.
“Offenders may also be directed to participate in community clean-up efforts, post-flood cleaning operations or public awareness programmes.”
He also said the state executive council, through a decision on 12 November 2025, agreed to implement the Community Service Order under the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Act 2025. The implementation guidelines were subsequently approved on 6 May, before enforcement by local authorities statewide begins on 1 July.
“The punishment is not meant solely to penalise but to educate offenders on civic responsibility and public cleanliness,” he said.
Source: The Straits Times
