GEORGE TOWN: Litterbugs in Penang will have to face the consequences as the authorities have decided to clamp down on the culprits.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will haul litterbugs straight to court for indiscriminate littering, including throwing cigarette butts, along the island's beaches.
At least 40 cases will initially be brought to court as the Council takes a firm stance against indiscriminate littering.
The city council is also buying another beachcomber sand sieving machine next year to filter dirt, cigarette butts and other wastes along the beaches.
MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said they were processing 20 cases of litterbugs without issuing compound notices by hauling them straight to court.
"Littering continues unabated in public places despite signboards being put up to ensure cleanliness and the installation of closed circuit television cameras (CCTVs) to monitor these sites.
"The 20 investigation papers have been opened from unsettled compounds issued during anti-littering enforcement operations.
"We are also processing another 20 cases of litterbugs. They, too, won't be issued compound notices but will be hauled straight to court," he told the New Straits Times today.
Rajendran said 139 anti-littering enforcement operations were conducted in 2022 with 368 compounds issued. He said in 2023, 150 anti-littering enforcement operations were conducted with 374 compounds issued.
"Between January and July this year, a total of 146 anti-littering enforcement operations were conducted with 462 compounds issued," he added.
Rajendran said the city council had continuously highlighted the need to maintain cleanliness in public areas and via anti-litter enforcement campaigns through its media channels, such as Facebook and TikTok.
"The city council also conducts monitoring through the installation of CCTVs and deployment of personnel during enforcement operations," he said.
It was reported that the Housing and Local Government Ministry was set to amend the Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171) to enhance the powers of local authorities against litterbugs such as getting the culprits to sweep the streets.
Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said the ministry's legal officers were reviewing the proposed amendments as current fines seemed ineffective in preventing littering.