KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — Two men were fined RM1,300 each by the Sessions Court today after pleading guilty to littering in public places by disposing of wooden pallets and cigarette butts in January.
Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtaruddin also ordered coffee chain outlet employee Ahmad Farhan Abdul Ghani, 35, and fruit trader Mohd Hafizi Mohd Raduan, 48, to carry out four hours of community service within one month, and would face one month’s jail should they fail to pay their fine.
Farhan was accused of discarding cigarette butts in a public place instead of in the designated receptacle beside a hotel in Bukit Bintang at 7.06pm on January 3, while Hafizi was charged with disposing of wooden pallets and business waste in front of a shop in Jalan Ipoh, Pusat Bandar Utara Selayang, at 3.40pm on January 17.
The charges for both offences were framed under Subsection 77A(1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, punishable under Subsection 77A(2), with a community service order that may be imposed under Subsection 77B(1) of the same Act.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM2,000 and a community service order of not more than 12 hours in aggregate within a period not exceeding six months, and for a specified number of hours each day not exceeding four hours as stated in the order.
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) prosecuting officer Wan Mohd Hardy Alias requested that the court impose a deterrent fine and community service on both accused, considering that they were physically and mentally fit to serve the sentence.
Both accused, who were unrepresented, appealed for a lighter fine on the grounds that they regretted their actions and promised not to repeat the offences.
Meanwhile, SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said they had issued 1,219 notices involving littering offences as of yesterday, involving 659 locals and 560 foreigners in the Federal Territories.
“SWCorp also monitors the attendance of suspects at court proceedings and, as of yesterday, a total of 18 arrest warrants had been recorded due to failures to attend scheduled court proceedings.
“Of the total arrest warrants, six offenders have been sentenced involving fines ranging from RM300 to RM1,000, imprisonment in default of payment, as well as community service orders between four and eight hours within six months,” he told the media outside the court.
Khalid added that SWCorp will continue intensifying large-scale enforcement operations to ensure greater compliance with public cleanliness laws.
Those with information or complaints related to cleanliness issues may channel them through WhatsApp at 013-2107472 or via the Public Complaints Management System for further action.
