Two men fined RM1,300 each and ordered to perform four hours of community service after pleading guilty to littering wooden pallets and cigarette butts.
KUALA LUMPUR: Two men were fined RM1,300 each by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to littering in public places by disposing of wooden pallets and cigarette butts in January.
Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtaruddin also ordered Ahmad Farhan Abdul Ghani, 35, and Mohd Hafizi Mohd Raduan, 48, to carry out four hours of community service within one month, and would face one month’s jail should they fail to their fine.
Ahmad Farhan, an employee of a coffee chain outlet, was accused of discarding cigarette butts in a public place instead of in the designated receptacle beside a hotel in Bukit Bintang here at 7.06 pm on Jan 3, while Mohd Hafizi, a fruit trader, was charged with disposing of wooden pallets and business waste in front of a shop in Jalan Ipoh, Pusat Bandar Utara Selayang, at 3.40 pm on Jan 17.
The charges for both offences were framed under Subsection 77A(1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, punishable under Subsection 77A(2), with a community service order that may be imposed under Subsection 77B(1) of the same Act.
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM2,000 and a community service order of not more than 12 hours in aggregate within a period not exceeding six months, and for a specified number of hours each day not exceeding four hours as stated in the order.
Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) prosecuting officer Wan Mohd Hardy Alias requested the court to impose a deterrent fine and community service on both accused, considering that they were physically and mentally fit to carry out the sentence.
Ahmad Farhan and Mohd Hafizi, who were unrepresented, appealed for a lighter fine on the grounds that they regretted their actions and promised not to repeat the offences.
Meanwhile, SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed, when met outside the court, said SWCorp had issued 1,219 notices involving littering offences as of yesterday, involving 659 locals and 560 foreigners in the Federal Territories.
“SWCorp also monitors the attendance of suspects at court proceedings and, as of yesterday, a total of 18 arrest warrants had been recorded due to failures to attend scheduled court proceedings.
“Of the total arrest warrants, six offenders have been sentenced involving fines ranging from RM300 to RM1,000, imprisonment in default of payment, as well as community service orders between four and eight hours within six months,” he said, adding that SWCorp would continue intensifying large-scale enforcement operations to ensure greater compliance with public cleanliness laws.
Those with information or complaints related to cleanliness issues may channel them through WhatsApp at 013-2107472 or via the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) for further action.
