Litterbugs in KK must be fined RM500, says Sabah minister

 

Workers of Kota Kinabalu City Hall clearing the streets of litter during the Hari Raya holidays. (DBKK pic)

PETALING JAYA: A Sabah state minister has urged the Kota Kinabalu City Hall to impose the maximum compound penalty of RM500 on those who are caught littering in the city.

Christina Liew, the state tourism, culture and environment minister, said such a stringent measure is needed to deter littering and ensure the city is kept clean, The Borneo Post reported.

This follows DBKK’s criticism of the public after it collected 200kg of rubbish in public areas over the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays.

While the local council’s by-laws do allow for a maximum RM500 compound to be imposed on litterbugs, Liew said offenders are usually let off the hook with a lighter penalty.

“My understanding is that the sum is usually very much below RM500, and could be as little as RM30. This will not act as a deterrent. Why not seriously consider making an on-the-spot mandatory compound of RM500 to put potential offenders at bay?

“Do execute the power of arrest and drag the litterbugs to court to be convicted of littering and subjected to community work (depending on the type of littering),” Liew was quoted as saying.

She added that Sabah could learn from the penalties Singapore imposed on those who litter in the city-state, where first-time offenders can be fined S$2,000 and then double the amount for repeat offenders. - FMT