Anti-litter by-law to be enforced from today

SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council is to strictly enforce the Antilitter By-law from today as council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King disclosed yesterday the council’s intention to turn Sibu into a zero rubbish town.

He warned that anyone caught littering or illegal dumping would be fined RM500.

“Failure to pay the fine will land the offender in court.

“We’ve CCTV cameras to record the litter bugs. We shall print the images in the newspapers,” he said.

Those reporting the litter bugs with useful information and supporting evidence may expect incentives from the council.

Tiong said the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

The council has put up 46 banners at strategic points to remind the public of the RM500 fine for littering. “To the same effect, we’ve planted 24 `No Littering’ signages alongside various roads.”

He lamented numerous initiatives over the last two decades to combat littering but with no significant result.

He said the various Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and environmental programmes initiated to enhance public civic-consciousness did not have much impact on public attitude to littering.

“Many cleaning campaigns by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) received poor response from the public.

“The council has to spend about RM15 million every year on efforts to ensure people live in a clean and pleasant town,” he said.