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S'porean man, 25, guilty of littering in M'sia made to do 4 hours' community service & fined S$485
He claimed that he did not see any dustbin on the day of his offence.
February 09, 2026, 04:12 PM
A 25-year-old Singaporean man who was the first to be charged under Malaysia's new anti-littering law has been ordered by the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to perform four hours of community service and was fined RM1,500 (S$485).
On Feb. 9, Mohamed Nuh Qurasaini Kayat was charged with throwing a cigarette butt in a public place instead of a designated container.
He pleaded guilty to the littering act that took place on New Year's Day near a 7-Eleven convenience store in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, reported The Straits Times.
Malaysia's new anti-littering law came into effect on Jan. 1, 2026 and requires offenders to complete community service acts such as cleaning drains, streets and public toilets.
Claimed he did not see any dustbin
When recording the guilty plea, Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin asked Mohamed Nuh if he was going to appeal before passing the sentence.
Mohamed Nuh claimed that he did not see any dustbin on the day of his offence, reported ST.
"In the early morning, I did not see any dustbin. I saw cigarette butts on the floor, so I chose to throw mine on the floor.”
If he fails to pay the fine, he will be sentenced to one month's imprisonment.
The community service is to be completed within one month of sentencing.
Malaysia's waste management agency, SWCorp, was responsible for pressing the charge and had more than 10 of its officers present in court.
New anti-littering law
The law, which is under Malaysia's new enhanced legislation of Section 77A of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 672, is aimed at educating and instilling civic responsibility in offenders.
Offenders may be ordered to perform up to 12 hours of community service with a maximum period of six months.
This is on top of fines of up to RM2,000 (S$646).
On Feb. 9, 500 Malaysians and 144 foreigners were issued with offence notices, with cigarette butt litter accounting for the majority of offences.
SWCorp chief executive Khalid Mohamed said that 17 offenders will do their community service across five locations on Feb. 13.
“We do not practise favouritism. We will take action against anyone who throws rubbish in unauthorised places in Malaysia.”
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