Malaysia’s new year revelry sees less waste as tougher littering laws kick in
Some 42 litterbugs caught in a nationwide operation face fines and community service amid stringent enforcement of waste laws
About 3.2 tonnes of rubbish were scooped up from three major hotspots in Kuala Lumpur – Dataran Merdeka, the KLCC area and Bukit Bintang – after the countdown, according to waste contractor Alam Flora.
The figure marked an 11 per cent drop from the 3.6 tonnes collected a year earlier, officials said.
Alam Flora said more than 150 workers were deployed from late evening on Wednesday until the following morning, supported by dozens of mobile rubbish bins placed around high-traffic areas to manage crowds and waste.
As the crowds soaked in the revelry, officers issued 42 notices to people, including foreigners, caught littering during a nationwide operation.