Penang residents have been reminded to think twice before disposing of cigarette butts on roads or leaving rubbish in public parks, as enforcement efforts against littering are set to be strengthened.
Beginning July 1, enforcement officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras to monitor offences and improve transparency during operations.
Penang local government and town and country planning committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said recordings from the body cameras, together with video and photographic evidence, can be used for enforcement purposes.
He said the move is intended to boost accountability, transparency, and public trust in enforcement actions.
“Anyone caught discarding cigarette butts or food wrappers in public may be required to clean drains, beaches or public toilets as a form of penalty,” he said during a press conference on May 19.
The Seberang Perai City Council currently has 17 body cameras, while the Penang Island City Council has 170 units in operation.
In addition to body-worn cameras, H’ng said there are also 1,822 CCTV cameras installed statewide for surveillance and monitoring purposes.
