SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will take strict action against litterbugs, said its chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King yesterday. According to him, the council had started the RM500 compound to those caught littering within the council’s jurisdiction since July 1, 2017.
“Court action will be taken against those who fail to comply with this rule. Offenders will also be published in local newspapers to create awareness that SMC is taking stern action against anyone who violates the rules.
“Meanwhile, whistle-blowers — with concrete supporting evidences on the offence — will be rewarded and their identities will be kept confidential.
“Littering has remained a bad habit here though civic-mindedness, consideration and tolerance were some of the values taught in school ever since the establishment of the education system.
“There are still some who do not have the conscience to consider how their behaviours would affect others around them. “The same law applies to every country in the world. Obviously most of us when we travel to another country, we abide by their laws,” he pointed out.
Tiong stressed the implementation of RM500 anti-littering compound fee is vital as an effort to deter acts of littering including throwing rubbish out of the car windows or into drains or dumping of bulk refuse under trees or within Central Business District (CBD) areas. He also advised residents to put their domestic rubbish outside their houses during the scheduled rubbish collection days to ensure a clean environment.
