KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 — The Dewan Negara (Senate) passed five bills today, including three under the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT).
The approved KPKT bills are the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Street, Drainage, and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025.
It also approved the Atomic Energy Licensing (Amendment) Bill 2025 under the Science, Technology, and Innovation Ministry (Mosti), and the Government Procurement Bill 2025 under the Finance Ministry.
Earlier, the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed by majority vote following debate by eight senators.
Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the bill introduces Subsection 77(B)(1), allowing courts to impose community service orders in addition to fines for littering offences in public places.
“This amendment targets minor littering such as cigarette butts, tissues, plastic wrappers, drink cans, and food packaging commonly found in public areas. Data shows fines alone are no longer an effective deterrent,” she said during the bill’s second reading.
Offenders will be required to perform up to 12 hours of community service while wearing a special vest to raise civic awareness on environmental cleanliness.
Meanwhile, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang said amendments to the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 prepare Malaysia for the future use of nuclear energy in power generation.
“The option to use nuclear energy has been widely discussed nationally. Strengthening existing laws is necessary to support the development of a nuclear power programme,” he said, concluding the debate.
The bill, passed by the Dewan Rakyat on August 28, introduces new offences with severe penalties, including discretionary death sentences for acts involving radioactive or nuclear materials intended to cause death, serious injury, or major environmental damage.
Chang added that the discretionary death penalty aligns with principles of proportionality and exceptionality, applying only to serious nuclear-related offences.
The Dewan Negara session will resume tomorrow.
