CITY HALL collected a total of RM5,240 from litterbugs at commercial centres and towns within its rating-area, as part of the agency’s “Ops Bersih” over the past two months.
A spokesman for City Hall’s Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) said RM5,000 was accrued in January and RM240 last month.
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He said the wrong-doers were spotted disposing of their rubbish, including cigarette butts, indiscriminately.
“A total of 256 offenders were caught between January and February,” he said.
“About 246 of them settled their compounds right away, while 10 others elected to do this within the allotted grace-period.”
A compound of up to RM500 could be imposed against anyone found to be contravening City Hall’s Anti-Litter ByLaws 1984 (Amendment 2005), according to him.
He said those who repeatedly disregarded the agency’s calls to refrain from littering in the common areas could wind up having legal action taken against them.
“They will become liable to a fine for as much as RM 10,000, if they are found guilty in court.”
He said four to five SWMD inspectors carried out 110 separate inspections between January 1 and February 12.
These checks involved properties within the City Centre, as well as those in areas ranging from Manggatal to Lido, according to him.
He said those in Kota Kinabalu, included the shophouses in Asia City, Kg Air, Sinsuran, Bandaran Berjaya and Segama, as well as along Jalan Gaya. The common areas around KK Plaza, Centre Point Sabah, Api-Api Centre, the Central Market and the City Hall Jetty were also kept under surveillance.
“In January, the highest number of litterbugs was nabbed around Centre Point (38), followed by Bandaran Berjaya (24) and Asia City (16). One was caught along Gaya Street and another two in the Kg Air area in February”
When it came to areas outside the City limits, the spokesman said the SWMD team went to Damai Plaza, Plaza Juta, the Alam Mesra Commercial Centre, Kingfisher Plaza, Kingfisher Riverside, the mini Putrajaya Administrative Complex, EG Mall, Taipan, Manggatal Plaza and the Salut Commercial Centre, as well as the shops at Universiti Apartments, Taman Kuala Manggatal, Taman Fajar and Taman Nelly.
Checks were also made in the Lido, Inanam and Manggatal townships.
“The Putrajaya Administrative Complex had the most offenders in January, with 10 offenders. This was followed by Manggatal Plaza where eight others were caught and three at Damai Plaza.”
He said two litterbugs were taken to task last month in Taman Kuala Manggatal and one at Kingfisher Plaza.
By comparison, RM7,960 in anti-litter compounds was collected in January and February 2025, with RM5,100 of these penalties incurred in the first month and RM2,860 in the second.
When asked about the vast difference between the amount accrued in February 2025 and February this year, the spokesman said only four “Ops Bersih” inspections were made last month.
“Most of the Solid Waste Management personnel were caught up familiarising shop operators in the Taipan area of Inanam with the requirements of our SPSS [Sistem Pelupusan sampah sendiri (Personal waste disposal system).”
The SPSS did away with the need for bin-centres, according to him.
“Our compactor parks at a designated spot once in the morning and again at night, as part of the system. Those in the vicinity bring over the garbage from their respective premises, during these times, and throw it into the back of the vehicle.”
He said the Department’s staff had been deployed on shifts round the clock at the commercial centre throughout February to ensure that the SPSS proceeded as it should.
