Indonesian man becomes first in Malaysia jailed for littering after failing to pay US$244 fine
An Indonesian worker has become the first known person jailed for a littering offence under Malaysia’s strengthened anti-littering regime after failing to pay a RM1,000 fine.
- An Indonesian worker served one month in jail after failing to pay a RM1,000 littering fine.
- Johor authorities have recorded 107 community service cases involving Malaysians and foreign nationals.
- Malaysia’s strengthened littering regime has generated thousands of enforcement notices since taking effect nationwide.
JOHOR, MALAYSIA: An Indonesian man has become the first person in Malaysia to serve a jail sentence for littering after failing to pay a RM1,000 (approx. US$244) fine, authorities said on Tuesday, 15 September, as the country steps up enforcement of its anti-littering law introduced nationwide this year.
The 36-year-old general worker was convicted after discarding a cigarette butt in the Stulang area of Johor in February, according to Johor Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) director Zainal Fitri Ahmad.
He began serving a one-month jail sentence on 28 August after failing to settle the RM1,000 fine imposed by the court.
After completing his jail term, he will undergo a six-hour Community Service Order (CSO), Zainal said at a press conference following an inspection of the implementation of the 50th Series of CSO in Johor on Tuesday.
The case marks the first known instance of a person being jailed for a littering offence under Malaysia's strengthened enforcement regime.
More than 100 cases result in community service
Zainal said 107 cases resulting in CSOs had been disposed of in court to date, involving 59 Malaysians and 48 foreign nationals.
The cases resulted in total fines of RM71,550, while the CSOs imposed ranged from two to 10 hours.
Authorities in Johor have also conducted 3,358 enforcement operations, issuing 3,095 Notices of Offence, he said.
"To date, 789 investigation papers have also been submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor for further action," Zainal said.
Littering in public places is an offence under Section 77A of Malaysia's Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
Offenders may be fined up to RM2,000 or ordered to perform community service for up to six months. Failure to comply with a community service order may result in further action, including a maximum fine of RM10,000, according to Zainal.
Foreign nationals among early cases
The law came into force nationwide on 1 January, with community service applying to everyone, including tourists and foreign workers.
Malaysia Mail, citing The Star, reported that Bangladeshi citizen Sultan Md, 28, and Indonesian national Anita Lukman, 49, were among the first foreign nationals charged for littering under the law.
Anita pleaded guilty to discarding a cigarette butt and a drink bottle on a pavement in Stulang Laut, Johor Bahru, on 1 January. She was fined RM500, with 15 days' jail in default, and ordered to complete six hours of community service within six months.
In a separate case, Sultan was charged over littering in the same area. He requested a Bangladeshi interpreter, and the court fixed 28 January for mention.
Community service introduced nationwide
SWCorp chief executive Khalid Mohamed said the CSO was introduced to complement fines and encourage behavioural change and civic responsibility.
"The Community Service Order is not intended to shame offenders," he said, according to Bernama.
The order allows courts to impose up to 12 hours of cleaning work. Khalid said fines remained available, but added: "For some individuals who are financially well-off, fines have little impact, which is why the community service approach is being introduced."
SWCorp and local authorities implement the policy in states adopting Act 672, while local councils handle enforcement in other states. Courts may consider factors such as age and health, with officers monitoring offenders' safety during their sentences.
Enforcement includes public cleaning
SWCorp conducted its first CSO simulation in Johor Bahru on 20 January. Offenders were given masks, gloves, green vests, brooms, dustpans and litter-picking sticks before cleaning public walkways under supervision.
The Straits Times reported that Singaporean Mohamed Nuh Qurasaini Kayat, 25, was later fined RM1,500 and ordered to perform four hours of community service after pleading guilty to throwing a cigarette butt near a 7-Eleven in Kuala Lumpur on New Year's Day.
"I saw cigarette butts on the floor, so I chose to throw mine on the floor," he said.
On 9 February, SWCorp issued 644 offence notices, including 500 to Malaysians and 144 to foreigners. Cigarette-butt littering accounted for most offences.
"We do not practise favouritism. We will take action against anyone who throws rubbish in unauthorised places in Malaysia," Khalid said.
He said discussions were also under way with Malaysia's Immigration Department on possible travel restrictions for foreign offenders before they are charged.
Khalid said the government expected the CSO programme to contribute to a nationwide culture of cleanliness under the public cleansing reform in the 13th Malaysia Plan.
