An Indonesian woman pleaded guilty to littering in a public place and became the first to be charged in court under Malaysia’s new anti-littering laws.
Anita Lukman made the plea at the Johor Bahru Sessions Court today to disposing of solid waste — specifically a cigarette butt and a plastic bottle — on a public street instead of into a designated bin, reported NST.
Pleaded for lighter sentence
Anita was accused of committing the offence at Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut, at 12.41am on Jan 1.
The charge was framed under Section 77A(1) of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672), which allows for an additional community service order under Section 77B(1).
It carries a maximum fine of RM2,000 and up to 12 hours of community service upon conviction.
SWCorp prosecuting officer Siti Adora Rahtimin asked for a sentence that would serve as both a deterrent to the public and a form of rehabilitation for Anita.
Anita, who was unrepresented, admitted to wrongdoing but pleaded for mercy, saying she was a single mother taking care of two children.
“I admit I was wrong and will not repeat it. I will do the community service, but I ask for the lightest fine as I cannot afford it. I am only here to help a friend.”
Judge Nor Aziati Jaafar ordered Anita to pay a RM500 fine and perform six hours of community service, which must be done in two-hour shifts per day and completed within six months.
The court also ordered Anita to serve 15 days in jail if she fails to pay the fine.
On top of that, she faces another fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000 if she fails to complete the community service order.
Another foreigner charged
Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi factory worker, Md Sultan, was also slapped with a similar charge for throwing a cigarette butt at the same location and time.
However, his case was postponed to Jan 28 to allow a Bengali interpreter be present in court.
Both Anita and Md Sultan, who do not know each other, were part of a group of litterbugs who were caught by authorities since Jan 1.
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