SWCORP OPENS 159 INVESTIGATION PAPERS ON LITTERING CASES IN KEDAH

ALOR SETAR, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- The Kedah Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) has opened 159 investigation papers regarding littering offences since enforcement operations began on Jan 1.

Kedah SWCorp director Shamsuharizal Basir said that of the total, 136 cases involved locals while 23 involved non-citizens, comprising 156 men and three women.

He added that 35 investigation papers had received court mention dates, and convicted offenders would undergo Community Service Orders (PKM) as stipulated.

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“The figures reflect that public cleanliness awareness among the people in this state is still low and needs to be improved, given there were nearly 200 cases in just over a month,” he told reporters during a PKM implementation inspection at the Darul Aman Stadium grounds here today.

Two male offenders, both aged 39, underwent the PKM sentence, the first of its kind implemented for such offenders in the state, involving a local man sentenced to 10 hours of community service and an Indonesian national sentenced to six hours.

Shamsuharizal said the sentences were carried out in stages based on the offenders’ capabilities.

“The safety and health aspects of the offenders are also given priority throughout the execution of the sentence, including allowing them breaks if necessary.

“It does not just involve sweeping rubbish but also covers other cleansing activities such as cleaning drains, cutting grass, cleaning toilets, removing cobwebs and mopping floors according to the offender's ability,” he said.

Shamsuharizal added that SWCorp would not compromise with any party committing littering offences, whether in public places, from inside vehicles or in recreational areas.

The corporation, he said, would continue to carry out undercover operations at identified public hotspots and tourist areas to detect offenders.

Meanwhile, in SEREMBAN, SWM Environment Sdn Bhd has mobilised approximately 1,200 personnel to ensure waste management and public cleansing operations run smoothly throughout the two-day Chinese New Year celebration across its service areas.

Its corporate general manager, Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin, said the workforce involved 1,060 employees and 139 subcontractors on duty on Feb 17, while 1,074 employees and 139 subcontractors would be deployed the following day.

“To ensure smooth operations, a total of 179 waste collection vehicles, including compactor trucks and open tipper lorries, will be utilised during the two-day festive period,” he said in a statement.

In Port Dickson, the company has installed 222 waste bins at 13 main beach locations, including Telok Kemang Beach and Cahaya Negeri Beach, in anticipation of increased visitor numbers.

-- BERNAMA