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FORTY-TWO individuals have become the first to face investigation under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which prescribes a maximum fine of RM2,000 or twelve hours of community service for littering in public areas.
The offenders, comprising forty adults and two children, received Notices of Offence during the SWCorp Preventive Operations (Ops Cegah) held at eleven major locations across the country on New Year’s Eve 2026. Among them, twenty-four were Malaysian citizens, while eighteen were foreign nationals, SWCorp Chief Executive Khalid Mohamed confirmed.
The offences involved the disposal or abandonment of small items such as cigarette butts, plastic bottles, drink cans, packaging, tissues, and food wrappers in public areas and along streets.
Khalid said all those implicated would be investigated and brought to court in accordance with the provisions of Act 672.
“Ops Cegah was conducted on New Year’s Eve to coincide with celebrations, commencing at 12.01am,” he explained.
“The operation mobilised enforcement personnel across the state, with the involvement of SWCorp senior management, close cooperation with local authorities, and 330 concession staff responsible for ensuring that affected areas were swiftly restored to cleanliness.”
The law came into full effect yesterday, stipulating fines of up to RM2,000 and mandatory community service of twelve hours, to be served at a maximum of four hours per day, for offences involving the disposal of small litter in public spaces.
Khalid emphasised that Ops Cegah is not a seasonal initiative, but part of an ongoing commitment to continuous monitoring and enforcement at the state and branch levels.
“The operation concluded at 3am on New Year’s Day, but follow-up activities continued to ensure that public areas maintained optimum cleanliness,” he added.
Community service orders are intended not only to punish but also to cultivate civic awareness among offenders, encouraging responsibility and instilling an understanding of the importance of public hygiene, while deterring repeat offences.
Meanwhile, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall stated that its personnel had been actively cleaning the Bukit Bintang area following New Year’s celebrations and the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026. Efforts focused on collecting litter, washing roads, cleaning pedestrian pathways, and restoring high-traffic areas for public use. - January 2, 2026
