SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be
increasing the penalties for littering. From April 1, first-time
offenders will be fined S$300 for minor littering - up from the
existing fine of S$200.
Minor littering is classified as irresponsibly discarding
items like cigarette butts, match-sticks, parking coupon tabs or
even sweet wrappers.
Repeat offenders will be slapped with a fine and corrective work
order or CWO.
Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr
Yaacob Ibrahim, stressed that this is necessary to ensure continued
deterrence as statistics have shown the problem to be on the
rise.
Speaking in Parliament, he said: "NEA has already committed
additional resources to clean up littering hotspot areas such as
Little India, Chinatown and Geylang. This cannot continue
indefinitely.
"We must tackle the source of the problem - littering. NEA
has stepped up enforcement against littering and the number of
offenders caught increased from about 4,000 in 2005 to 33,000 in
2008. The increase clearly shows that littering remains a concern
in Singapore and we should work hard to tackle this problem."
Dr Yaacob noted that NEA is aware of their enforcement limitations,
but the agency will continue to focus its efforts at littering
hotspots to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Similarly, NEA will continue to review the need to increase other
punitive measures against littering.
- 938LIVE