Singaporean fined, ordered to perform community service under Malaysia’s new littering law

A Singaporean man was fined RM1,500 (US$364) and ordered to complete four hours of community service after pleading guilty to littering in Kuala Lumpur on New Year’s Day.

Mohamed Nuh Qurasaini Kayat, 25, admitted to throwing a cigarette butt on the ground near a 7-Eleven convenience store along Jalan Bukit Bintang instead of using a designated container.

If he fails to pay the fine, he will face one month’s imprisonment.

The community service must be completed within one month of sentencing.

Court remarks

During proceedings on 9 February at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court, Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin recorded Mohamed’s guilty plea and asked if he had anything to say before sentencing.

Mohamed told the court he did not see any dustbin in the early morning and claimed he saw other cigarette butts on the ground before discarding his own.

SWCorp leading enforcement

Malaysia’s waste management agency SWCorp is responsible for bringing such charges.

SWCorp chief executive Khalid Mohamed told reporters that 17 offenders will carry out community service on 13 February across five locations.

On the morning of 9 February alone, 644 offence notices were issued — 500 to Malaysians and 144 to foreigners — with cigarette butt littering accounting for most offences.

“We do not practise favouritism. We will take action against anyone who throws rubbish in unauthorised places in Malaysia,” Khalid said.

Previous cases involving Singaporeans in Johor Bahru

The case follows earlier incidents in Johor Bahru where three Singaporeans were caught littering during enforcement operations since the start of 2026, as Malaysian authorities intensified action under strengthened anti-littering laws.

Two Singaporean men were detained on 3 January near KSL City Mall in Taman Abad during a small-waste enforcement operation by officers from the Johor Bahru branch of SWCorp.

In a separate incident on 1 January, another Singaporean was detained along Jalan Garuda 2/1 in Larkin Jaya during a similar enforcement exercise near a row of shopfronts.

All were issued offence notices on the spot for allegedly discarding small litter in public areas.

All three cases are being investigated under Section 77A of Act 672.

Tighter laws and increased surveillance

The incidents come amid tighter enforcement following recent amendments to Act 672, which allow offenders to be ordered to perform up to 12 hours of community service within six months, in addition to fines of up to RM2,000 (US$485).

Community service duties may include collecting rubbish, cleaning public areas, cutting grass or clearing cobwebs.

SWCorp has deployed undercover officers in plain clothes in hotspots such as markets, transport terminals, and commercial areas.

Officers are authorised to issue offence notices immediately when violations are observed.

SWCorp previously conducted a public simulation of the Community Service Order in Johor Bahru, where offenders cleaned public walkways under officer supervision and in full public view.

Khalid said discussions are ongoing with Malaysia’s Immigration Department on the possibility of imposing travel restrictions on foreign offenders before they are formally charged.