KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 — A government study has revealed motorists are the prime “litterbug” culprits in urban areas.
The Malay Mail team took to the streets to observe the severity of the situation.
According to our random checks in Shah Alam, Cheras and KL, we found several motorists discarding their trash while on the move.
We observed various types trash being discarded from vehicles, including boxes, empty cans, plastic bags and food packages.
However, local councils said it was a tricky task to catch littering motorists red handed.
City Director-General Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz said it was difficult for City Hall to take action because motorists escape easily.
He said, however, City Hall had set up a special task force at the end of last year to ensure the cleanliness of the city.
“The team, comprising 25 enforcement officers would patrol Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Raja Laut and Bukit Bintang to catch motorist and pedestrians who litter,” he said.
He added that litterbugs would face a RM200 to RM2,000, fine depending on the seriousness of the offence.
“Indiscriminately dumping rubbish is an offence under Section 47 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
“I urge people not to do so or else you have to face the music.”
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Public Relations officer Zainun Zakaria echoed Amin’s warning.
However, she said that in 2011 the council had launched a campaign called Kutu Sampah in Zon Bersih areas and PJ new town to catch litterbugs and ensure the cleanliness of the city.
“Under the campaign, a minimum RM50 fine will be imposed on litterbugs caught by officers.
“Owners who fail to provide rubbish bins in front of their shops will also be fined RM100,” she added.
On Sunday, Deputy Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique said motorists were often littering the city.
Hence, the government would like to educate road users not to throw rubbish from their vehicles through a vehicle anti-litter campaign.
