KUALA LUMPUR – Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has urged all Members of Parliament to give their full backing to the proposed Community Service Bill, which is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.
The Bill, aimed at curbing littering, introduces mandatory community service orders alongside compound fines. Offenders will be required to don green uniforms provided by the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) and carry out tasks such as sweeping streets, cleaning drains, and scrubbing public toilets for up to 12 hours.
Speaking at the launch of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025 today, Nga said the proposed legislation is designed not only to instil civic consciousness but also to improve Malaysia’s image ahead of the Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism campaign, local media reported.
“Tomorrow afternoon I will table the Community Service Bill. Anyone caught littering will be subject to a community service order, in addition to a compound. They will be given a green uniform by SWCorp and made to help city workers clean drains, sweep roads and wash toilets for 12 hours,” he was quoted as saying
“Anyone who fails to comply with the community service order may be sentenced to jail by the Magistrate’s Court in accordance with its jurisdiction. As I have emphasised, cleanliness is half of faith.
“Maintaining cleanliness is a duty for all of us. We want to ensure that when tourists arrive, they see Malaysia as clean, beautiful, charming, and fragrant—not dirty,” Nga added.
He said the government intends to enforce the law within the year, noting its proven effectiveness in countries such as Sweden, Japan, and Singapore.
“This is the time. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We will ensure the law is implemented this year,” he said.
The Bill includes amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) and the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 (Act 133).
In a statement earlier this year, the Housing and Local Government (KPKT) ministry said that, under the proposed amendments, individuals who fail to carry out their community service orders could face fines of between RM2,000 and RM10,000.
This is a marked increase from the current penalty range of RM500 to RM2,000 or imprisonment of up to one year.
The ministry said the community service order is intended to raise awareness and promote a culture of responsibility regarding public cleanliness.
“KPKT has also held special briefing sessions with Members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara in Parliament to explain the proposed amendments and their implications,” it said.
A check of Parliament’s official website confirmed that the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Street, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025 are listed for First Reading on July 21. – July 20, 2025