Penang: What may seem like a harmless act-feeding pigeons in public spaces-could now land you with a RM250 fine in Penang. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has issued five compounds to individuals caught deliberately discarding food waste to feed pigeons, in violation of Section 47(1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the offence carries a compound of RM250 for each case, with the possibility of court action for non-payment or repeat violations. Despite continuous public awareness campaigns, MBPP said some individuals continue to ignore the warnings and persist in feeding pigeons in public areas.

‘Alongside enforcement, MBPP is also actively implementing pigeon population control operations. As of April, the Environmental Health Department successfully destroyed 36 crow nests and captured 818 pigeons at various hotspot locations across the city,’ it said in a statement.

The council added that daily monitoring and control operations will continue at designated locations as part of its ongoing efforts to manage the urban bird population and maintain cleanliness.