The Sessions Court here on Tuesday fined two men RM1,300 each and ordered them to carry out four hours of community service after they pleaded guilty to littering in public areas five months ago.
The two offenders were identified as coffee chain employee Ahmad Farhan Abdul Ghani, 35, and fruit trader Mohd Hafizi Mohd Raduan, 48. Both were also ordered to serve one month in jail if they fail to pay the fine.
Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtaruddin instructed both men, who were charged separately, to complete their community service order within one month from the issuance of the notice on Tuesday.
According to case facts, enforcement officers from the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) conducted a small litter enforcement operation and community service order monitoring exercise at Pusat Bandar Utara Selayang and Bukit Bintang on Jan 3 and Jan 17.
During the operation, officers allegedly caught the two men disposing of solid waste in public places.
Ahmad Farhan was accused of throwing a cigarette butt in a public area instead of into a designated bin beside a hotel building in Bukit Bintang at around 7.06pm on Jan 3.
Meanwhile, Mohd Hafizi was accused of dumping wooden pallets and business waste in front of a shop along Jalan Ipoh in Pusat Bandar Utara Selayang at around 3.40pm on Jan 17.
Both men were charged under Section 77A(1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007, punishable under Section 77A(2) of the same Act. They were also subjected to a community service order under Section 77B(1).
The offence carries a maximum fine of RM2,000 and community service of up to 12 hours within a six-month period.
During proceedings, SWCorp prosecuting officer Wan Mohd Hardy Alias urged the court to impose a sentence that would serve as a lesson to the offenders.
However, both men, who were unrepresented, appealed for lighter punishment, saying they regretted their actions and would not repeat the offence.
Speaking after the proceedings, SWCorp chief executive officer Khalid Mohamed said that as of Monday, SWCorp Kuala Lumpur had issued 1,219 notices for littering offences involving 659 locals and 560 foreigners.
He added that SWCorp is also monitoring court attendance of suspects, with 18 arrest warrants issued so far against individuals who failed to attend scheduled court proceedings.
