Singaporeans Caught in Johor Enforcement Sweep
Three Singaporean men have become some of the first offenders caught under Malaysia’s newly strengthened anti-littering laws, which now include mandatory community service orders alongside substantial fines. The individuals were apprehended during separate enforcement operations in Johor Bahru just days after the stricter regulations took effect on January 1, 2026. Malaysian authorities have made it clear that the new measures apply equally to everyone, regardless of nationality, as part of a broader push to improve public cleanliness across the country.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming confirmed that the Singaporeans were among those issued RM2,000 (approximately S$630) fines and community service orders for littering in public areas. The minister disclosed that on January 5 in Johor Bahru, five people were caught, with three being Singaporean nationals. This comes as part of a larger enforcement effort called Ops Cegah, which resulted in 120 offenders being nabbed during operations conducted on January 1 and 2, comprising 86 locals and 34 foreigners.
The incidents involving the Singaporeans occurred in different locations within Johor Bahru. According to enforcement statements from the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), two of the Singaporeans were caught on January 3 near KSL City Mall in Taman Abad during a small-waste enforcement operation. In a separate incident on January 1, another Singaporean was detained during an enforcement operation along Jalan Garuda 2/1 in Larkin Jaya after allegedly littering near a row of shopfronts. All three cases are being investigated under Section 77A of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672).
The swift action against foreign visitors sends a strong message that Malaysia is serious about enforcing its new environmental regulations. Johor authorities emphasized there would be “no free pass” for foreigners who flout local laws, with SWCorp confirming that officers in plain clothes and undercover surveillance measures are being deployed to catch offenders in the act. The Singaporean cases are particularly notable given Johor’s popularity as a destination for Singaporean visitors, who frequently cross the border for shopping, dining, and leisure activities.
Understanding Malaysia’s New Anti-Littering Framework
The stricter anti-littering regime stems from amendments to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, commonly known as Act 672, which were passed by both houses of Malaysia’s Parliament in August 2025. The Dewan Rakyat, which is the lower house, approved the amendments, followed by the Dewan Negara, or upper house, in the same month. After receiving royal assent, the community service provisions came into effect on January 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in how Malaysia addresses minor littering offenses.
The new framework introduces a dual punishment system that combines financial penalties with physical labor designed to educate offenders about civic responsibility. Under the amended legislation, individuals found guilty of littering can face fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000, significantly higher than previous penalties. The court also has the authority to impose community service orders of up to 12 hours, which must be completed within a maximum period of six months. This approach aims to link the offense directly with its consequences by requiring offenders to participate in cleaning and maintenance activities.
The law currently applies to eight jurisdictions: Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, and Kedah, as well as the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Other states, including Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, and Terengganu, are expected to adopt similar measures pending state-level approval. The federal government has indicated that a six-month period will be allowed for discussions with state governments yet to implement Act 672 to explore suitable methods for adoption.
“We want Malaysia to be even cleaner than Singapore,” said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, expressing the government’s ambitious cleanliness goals during a recent event.
The implementation of these measures represents a policy shift from relying primarily on fines to cultivating long-term behavioral change. SWCorp Chief Executive Officer Khalid Mohamed explained that the community service approach was introduced because fines alone are not effective for all levels of society. For some individuals who can afford it, monetary penalties do not serve as an adequate deterrent, hence the addition of mandatory service requirements.
The Green Jacket Punishment
One distinctive aspect of the new enforcement approach is the visible nature of the punishment. Minister Nga Kor Ming detailed that once caught, offenders will be given a new uniform, specifically a green jacket, and made to work alongside local council cleaners. This public display is intended to serve as both a punishment and a deterrent, reinforcing the message that littering carries social consequences beyond just financial penalties.
The community service tasks are comprehensive and designed to address various aspects of public cleanliness. Offenders may be required to sweep roads, clean drains, cut grass, clean public toilets, wash facilities, paint structures, clear cobwebs, and even assist the National Landscape Department with tree trimming. The variety of tasks ensures that offenders directly experience the labor required to maintain clean public spaces, theoretically fostering greater appreciation for the work performed by sanitation workers.
The minister made it clear that wealth will not shield offenders from these requirements. In a pointed statement addressing those who might consider fines merely a cost of doing business, he said: “If someone is wealthy and wants to ‘donate’ to the government, they can litter—but they will pay RM10,000 and still have to do community service.” This combination of maximum fines and mandatory service aims to eliminate any perception that paying a fee can excuse anti-social behavior.
Who Is Affected by the Law
The Malaysian government has emphasized that the new anti-littering measures apply universally, with no exemptions based on nationality, age, or social status. This inclusive approach ensures that the principles of justice and compliance with the law are implemented comprehensively. Foreigners, including tourists and foreign workers, face the same penalties as Malaysian citizens, which includes both fines and mandatory community service. This policy has significant implications for the millions of visitors Malaysia receives annually, particularly from neighboring countries.
Children and minors are also subject to the law, though with specific provisions regarding accountability. Parents or guardians are held fully responsible for littering offenses committed by children under their supervision. During New Year’s Eve enforcement operations, two children were among those issued notices for littering, with their parents facing the consequences. This approach reflects the view that cleanliness is a shared responsibility and not solely the government’s duty, requiring education and supervision from families as well.
The law covers all public spaces accessible to the public, including privately owned areas such as shopping malls, restaurants, and car parks. This broad definition means that littering in virtually any location outside a private residence falls under the scope of the legislation. Common offenses that trigger enforcement include discarding cigarette butts, spitting in public, throwing plastic bottles, and dropping food wrappers or other small waste items.
SWCorp has mobilized 330 personnel nationwide to enforce the new regulations, with officers deployed at hotspot locations where littering problems are most prevalent. The enforcement strategy includes routine patrols, undercover officers posing as members of the public, and CCTV surveillance measures. Officers in plain clothes can issue notices immediately once an offense is observed, making it difficult for potential offenders to avoid detection by watching for uniformed personnel.
Business owners and operators also face responsibilities under the new framework. Shop owners can be fined if rubbish is found outside their premises, creating an incentive for businesses to maintain clean areas around their establishments. This provision extends the concept of shared responsibility to commercial entities, recognizing that they have a role to play in maintaining the cleanliness of their immediate surroundings.
Early Enforcement Results Show Promise
Initial data suggests that the stricter enforcement measures may be achieving their intended effect. During the New Year’s Eve celebrations, when crowds gathered in major cities for countdown events, enforcement officers issued 42 notices to individuals caught littering. Among those were 24 Malaysians and 18 foreigners, demonstrating the inclusive nature of the enforcement. The operations focused on hotspot areas, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, where large numbers of people congregated to welcome 2026.
Perhaps the most encouraging indicator of success comes from the measurable reduction in waste collected after major public events. According to waste contractor Alam Flora, approximately 3.2 tonnes of rubbish were collected from three major hotspots in Kuala Lumpur—Dataran Merdeka, the KLCC area, and Bukit Bintang—after the New Year’s Eve countdown. This figure marked an 11 percent drop from the 3.6 tonnes collected during the previous year’s celebrations, despite similar crowd sizes. The reduction occurred amid expanded enforcement efforts and greater public awareness of the new penalties.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was among the hundreds of thousands who thronged the city to watch light shows, fireworks, concerts, and other events to ring in the new year. Alam Flora deployed more than 150 workers from late evening until the following morning, supported by dozens of mobile rubbish bins placed around high-traffic areas to manage crowds and waste. The combination of enhanced infrastructure for waste disposal and strict enforcement appears to have influenced public behavior positively.
“Nearly 30,000 people attended, but after the crowd dispersed, there was no rubbish left behind. That shows enforcement works,” Minister Nga Kor Ming observed regarding the “I Lite U” lighting event that kicked off Visit Malaysia 2026 in Bukit Bintang on January 3.
The cleanliness maintained after this large-scale event demonstrates the potential impact of the new regulations when combined with public cooperation. The absence of litter despite significant foot traffic suggests that the threat of substantial fines and community service may be changing public attitudes toward waste disposal. This outcome aligns with the government’s goal of creating a cultural shift toward greater civic responsibility and environmental awareness.
Tourism Goals Driving Cleanliness Initiatives
The timing of these stricter anti-littering measures is closely tied to Malaysia’s broader tourism objectives for 2026. The country has launched Visit Malaysia 2026, a major campaign targeting 45 million visitors and RM350 billion in tourism revenue. With such ambitious goals, creating a clean and attractive environment for international tourists has become a national priority. The government recognizes that cleanliness plays a crucial role in shaping visitors’ perceptions and experiences, influencing their likelihood to return and recommend Malaysia to others.
Minister Nga Kor Ming has explicitly connected the enforcement efforts to the tourism campaign, urging all Malaysians to act as tourism ambassadors. This role involves keeping public spaces clean, ensuring fair pricing by traders, and treating visitors politely. The comprehensive approach acknowledges that a positive visitor experience depends on multiple factors, with environmental cleanliness being a fundamental component. By encouraging citizens to take ownership of their country’s image, the government aims to create a more welcoming atmosphere for international guests.
The minister has also noted Malaysia’s long-standing admiration for Japan’s renowned cleanliness standards. However, he emphasized that such values must be practised consistently at home rather than simply admired from afar. The new legislation and enforcement efforts represent an attempt to institutionalize these cleanliness standards through legal frameworks and behavioral conditioning. The comparison to Japan reflects aspirations toward a cultural transformation where public cleanliness becomes a deeply ingrained social norm rather than a government-mandated requirement.
The enforcement also serves a practical function beyond tourism promotion. Clean public spaces contribute to public health, reduce the burden on municipal services, and enhance overall quality of life for residents. By connecting littering directly to the labor required to clean it up, the new laws aim to foster a greater understanding of the collective impact of individual actions. This educational component is central to the legislation’s design, which views community service as a tool for instilling civic responsibility rather than merely punishing offenders.
Practical Information for the Public
For members of the public who wish to comply with the new regulations or report violations, SWCorp has provided guidance on how the law operates in practice. Citizens are permitted to use their phones to record instances of littering, provided they capture both the act and the offender’s identity clearly. Photos or videos showing the act, identifiable details such as a face or vehicle registration, and landmarks to confirm location are all admissible as evidence. These recordings can be submitted to SWCorp via WhatsApp at 013-210 7472 or through the SISPAA system at swcorp.spab.gov.my.
While reports can be made, contact details are required for verification purposes, and complainants should be aware they may be called as witnesses in subsequent proceedings. However, SWCorp has indicated that complainants are generally protected, addressing potential concerns about retaliation. Importantly, filming someone littering in a public place does not violate privacy laws, as there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in such settings.
Regarding the distinction between deliberate and accidental littering, the regulations treat items like cigarette butts or wrappers as deliberate offenses, while genuine accidents may result in warnings. This determination ultimately falls to enforcement authorities and the magistrate’s court after investigation. The type of community service assigned is at the court’s discretion, though it typically involves cleaning public areas, waste collection, washing, painting, cutting grass, and similar duties related to maintaining public spaces.
Offenders who fail to complete their assigned community service face additional consequences. Refusal or failure to comply constitutes a separate offense punishable by similar fines or imprisonment. However, the system does provide some flexibility—courts may consider medical or personal circumstances when determining appropriate sentences, and offenders can appeal or request alternatives based on valid grounds. Repeat offenders face tracking systems that can lead to higher fines and longer service periods for subsequent violations.
The enforcement is primarily carried out by SWCorp officers and local council enforcement personnel, who have been given specific authority to implement the new provisions. Tourists should be aware that the same rules apply to them as to residents, meaning they face identical penalties including fines and mandatory community service if caught littering. This uniform application reinforces the message that cleanliness is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of how long they plan to stay in the country.
What to Know
- Three Singaporeans were among 120 people fined RM2,000 and ordered to perform community service for littering in Malaysia under new laws that took effect January 1, 2026
- The amended Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672) introduces fines ranging from RM2,000 to RM10,000 plus up to 12 hours of community service
- Community service tasks include sweeping roads, cleaning drains, cutting grass, cleaning toilets, washing facilities, and even trimming trees
- The law applies to everyone without exception, including foreigners, tourists, and children, with parents held responsible for minors
- Enforcement currently covers Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perlis, Kedah, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya
- Early results show an 11% reduction in waste collected after New Year’s Eve events in Kuala Lumpur compared to the previous year
- The stricter penalties are part of preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026, which targets 45 million visitors and RM350 billion in tourism revenue
- SWCorp has deployed 330 personnel nationwide and uses undercover officers and surveillance to catch offenders
- Members of the public can report littering incidents via WhatsApp to SWCorp or through the SISPAA system
- Offenders who fail to complete community service face additional fines or imprisonment for non-compliance
