Penang to enforce community service sentences for littering from July

PENANG will implement community service sentences for offences involving littering in public places from July 1 this year, the state government has announced, as part of efforts to strengthen public cleanliness and civic responsibility.

State executive councillor for Local Government, Town and Country Planning Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said both local authorities in Penang require a six-month preparatory period before the enforcement can begin.

He said the state had taken note of the nationwide implementation of community service orders under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, which came into force yesterday in several states under the purview of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

“For Penang, we have not adopted Act 672. Instead, we are implementing amendments under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 as amended in 2025,” he said.

Jason explained that the matter had been deliberated and approved at a Penang State Executive Council meeting on Dec 17, where it was agreed that both local councils would be given about six months to develop an appropriate enforcement framework.

“This includes a period of education and advocacy to the public before the law is enforced in the state,” he said, adding that the Seberang Perai City Council and Penang Island City Council were tasked with identifying suitable implementation mechanisms.

He was speaking to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony of Seberang Perai City Council councillors at the council headquarters in Bandar Perda, which was witnessed by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. A total of 24 councillors took their oaths of office at the event.

Jason said both local authorities had also been instructed to establish a special task force to study and refine the enforcement process.

“This task force is needed to examine the mechanisms and methods involved, including how summonses will be issued and enforcement action taken,” he said.

He noted that while the policy originated at the federal level, coordination at the local level was essential to ensure smooth and consistent implementation.

Earlier, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government announced that community service penalties for littering had come into effect in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis and Kedah, as well as in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

For states that do not apply Act 672, including Penang, Selangor, Kelantan and Terengganu, implementation will proceed as soon as possible, subject to approval by their respective state authorities.

The community service order is intended to curb the persistent problem of small-scale littering in public spaces and promote greater public accountability for environmental cleanliness. - January 2, 2026