PETALING JAYA: Several groups have welcomed the introduction of community service penalties, such as cleaning toilets and sweeping the streets, for offenders caught littering.
They said this initiative will foster discipline and raise awareness among Malaysians about the importance of protecting the environment.
Perak Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department director Yusoff Shariff expressed his full support for the initiative.
“This will encourage the public to be more disciplined and responsible,” he said in an interview yesterday.
He said littering remains a problem in areas like public parks.
“People often take it for granted and continue to discard waste improperly,” he said, highlighting the issue of food waste attracting wild animals such as monkeys.
“Subsequently, these animals start to scavenge for food from humans, which has led to incidents where monkeys start snatching snacks from children or visitors,” he said.While conservation parks in Perak are “under control”, Yusoff acknowledged there has been occasional littering by visitors.
He believes the community service punishment will teach people to be more disciplined and appreciate the environment.
“Littering may seem minor, but its impact is significant, especially with harmful materials like polystyrene,” he said.
Don’t dump: Littering is said to still be a problem in many public areas.
He called for more public awareness and enforcement campaigns to ensure that the environment is kept clean.
Ecological Association of Malaysia president Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail said managing rubbish is everyone’s responsibility.
“Some countries have community programmes where they clean public parks.
“Efforts to curb littering have begun in schools, and it’s important to reassess their effectiveness,” he said.
By educating students, the initiative can extend discipline to the wider community.
Ahmad said people must understand solid waste issues, especially plastic, which is a global concern.
He also said support from local authorities is crucial.
“We need to educate people to share responsibility, and local councils must provide good facilities and promotion for solid waste management,” he said.
Environmental Protection Society Malaysia president Nithi Nesadurai spoke on the need for extensive stakeholder deliberations.
“If implemented effectively, community service could be a positive step forward,” he said, noting that fining offenders for littering have been challenging to enforce.
Nithi emphasised the need for careful consideration of the logistics to manage community service and suggested a trial be carried out with a local authority before nationwide implementation.
“Replacing community service with fines without constant enforcement will not lead to a different outcome.
“Effective enforcement, prompt prosecution and penalty imposition are key,” he said.
Although littering is a significant public nuisance, he cautioned that there are other more pressing issues to address, such as inadequate waste disposal services, illegal dumping by businesses and the need to enhance recycling efforts through improved facilities and services.
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman’s Tun Tan Cheng Lock Institute of Social Studies assistant professor Dr Tan Sing Pei called the initiative “timely”.
“It highlights the principle that individuals must take responsibility for their actions,” she said.
Tan cited Singapore’s “Corrective Work Order” – in place since 1992, where offenders clean designated areas while wearing labelled vests – as an example of fostering long-term behaviour change.
“This method employs a shaming and deterrent strategy, effective for those concerned about their public image,” she said.
She stressed that the initiative’s success depends on consistent enforcement, well-designed programmes and public education.
“By creating a culture of shared responsibility, this initiative can lead to a cleaner, more cohesive society,” she said.
A draft Bill to introduce community service penalties for people found guilty of littering offences will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in March.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said it is the courts’ authority to determine the specific community service punishment for individuals found guilty of littering offences.
