Melaka: A total of 17 individuals in Melaka have been sentenced while 39 other cases are still in court proceedings related to offences under the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672), which involve public cleanliness including littering and throwing cigarette butts in public areas in this state.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin stated that 589 notices of offence (NPK) have been issued since enforcement for littering in public places was carried out by the local authorities (PBT). He emphasized the importance of strict action to maintain cleanliness levels in tourist states like Melaka and to raise public awareness about environmental conservation.
"This involves cases of littering, and the most commonly detected item is cigarette butts. So for hardcore smokers, you need to know the places where smoking is allowed and where to dispose of cigarette butts. We do not want the people or tourists coming to Melaka and then facing legal action due to avoidable cleanliness offences," he said to reporters after attending the "You Recycle, We Pay" programme, in conjunction with the 23rd anniversary of the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB), at the MBMB Square.
Meanwhile, Rais highlighted that the practice of separation of waste at source among the community, especially in Melaka, is still unsatisfactory, leading to recyclable materials ending up in landfills. He pointed out that not separating waste at home complicates the recycling process and results in valuable materials being discarded.
"If we look at this waste, it needs to be sorted at home because if sorting starts at home, it will certainly make it easier for various parties. If not separated, parties like SWM (SWM Environment Sdn Bhd) which collects and manages all the waste, will continue to dispose of it in landfills. So, it's a waste," he said.
Rais stated that enhancing public awareness of waste separation is crucial, as certain waste materials can be recycled into high-value products if managed properly. He mentioned a collaboration between Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and industry partners, demonstrating that waste materials like plastic and glass bottles can be commercially reused.
"They collaborated to recycle materials from plastic and glass bottles, which can eventually be turned into products and subsequently commercialized, such as floor tiles," he said.
Discussing the "You Recycle, We Pay" programme, Rais noted the ongoing support from the public, particularly in collecting used cooking oil. "It is more interesting this year as the purchase price of used cooking oil has increased to RM3.20 per kilogramme (kg) compared to RM3 per kg last year. Community participation in programmes like these not only helps the government reduce solid waste management costs but also provides financial returns to the people," he said.
He reported that as of 10 am today, the programme had collected approximately 2.5 tonnes of used cooking oil worth RM8,000, along with 453 kg of e-waste, 420 kg of fabric, 110 kg of glass bottles and tetrapaks, 16 kg of food waste, and 12 kg of old Qurans for respectful disposal. The total value of materials collected was estimated at RM4,656, achieving a carbon dioxide reduction equivalent to 1.1 million kg, or more than 50,000 trees saved.