SWCORP ISSUES 85 NOTICES FOR LITTERING IN MELAKA

MELAKA, March 13 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) issued 85 Offence Notices (NPK) involving the offence of littering in public places and roads in the state between Jan 1 and yesterday.

Its director Nor Zaki Md Nor said the individuals concerned, comprising 67 adults and five local children, two adult tourists and one child tourist, as well as 10 foreign workers, were subject to the action under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) which came into force on Jan 1.

He said all the individuals were facing Community Service Order (PKM) involving punishment of 12 hours of cleaning work and a fine of up to RM2,000.

"Based on the NPK issued, the individuals, including teenagers aged between 15 and 18, were detected throwing away cigarette butts, tissues, mineral water bottles and plastic packaging.

"During the New Year's Eve celebration on Jan 1 alone, seven individuals were given notices for littering and all the cases will be brought to court in stages and the first mention is expected to take place in court on April 1," he told reporters here last night.

He said this at the SWM Environment Hari Raya and Iftar Operations Strategy Media Conference with Strategic Partner Agencies, Media and Orphanage 2026 which was also attended by SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin and SWM Environment Melaka and North Johor regional operations manager Khaw Su Aun.

Elaborating further, Nor Zaki said the cases involved were detected through operations carried out at tourist hotspots, public places and rest and service areas in the state.

He said the operation would continue throughout Hari Raya Aidilfitri to ensure that the public complies with the regulations and does not throw away garbage as they please.

He said that apart from that, his party will also work with the Melaka Road Transport Department to facilitate the process of tracking individuals who throw garbage from their vehicles.

In another development, he said that more frequent monitoring will be carried out at all 22 garbage bins centered in Melaka to prevent uncontrolled garbage piles during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

"We are also in the process of adding more closed circuit cameras in hotspot areas that are the focus of people dumping garbage illegally in the area," he said.

-- BERNAMA