'A good lesson learnt': Singapore resident fined, sentenced to 4 hours of community service in JB for littering

There may not be quite as many bins in other countries compared to Singapore - but that doesn't mean littering is allowed.

A Singapore resident has been sentenced to RM1,000 (S$322) and four hours of community service in Johor Bahru's Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (April 1) after he was caught for littering.

He was among the four in court on Wednesday facing charges relating to littering. 

Sinha Vaibhav, 40, pleaded guilty but asked for a reduction in community service due to a knee injury, providing the judge with a doctor's memo.

He will serve his four hours of community service over the course of six months, spending an hour each day he conducts his service.

'I shouldn't have done that'

Speaking with AsiaOne, Vaibhav shared that he threw a can of coke into a pile of trash outside a KKMart in front of KSL City Mall while waiting for his car to finish servicing on Jan 14 this year.

The Singapore resident - who is here on an employment pass - told AsiaOne that he was unable to find a bin nearby, and believed it was okay to toss his trash there because someone else had already done the same.

"But I felt guilty for that," he said in retrospect. "I shouldn't have done that."

His actions were recorded by police officers who had approached him to take his statement.

The officers then explained his misdeeds to him, issuing Vaibhav a notice.

AsiaOne also asked Vaibhav if he knew of the enhanced legislation, known as Act 672, that punishes those caught littering or spitting with a fine of up to RM2,000 and community service of up to 12 hours.

Vaibhav admitted that he was not aware of the legislation, explaining that he doesn't go to Malaysia often.

Vaibhav said he received a WhatsApp to collect his summons following the incident, which he then collected on March 12. He was told that his court date was set on April 1.

"It's a good lesson learnt," he commented. "In Singapore, we know not to litter. We don't do that in Singapore.

"Maybe there was a bin nearby, I just didn't see it."

While this sentencing may have left a bitter taste, Vaibhav will still be going to Malaysia, he said to AsiaOne.

"I love it here," he said, sharing that he brings his car to Malaysia for servicing and takes his kids to Legoland.

"Maybe next time, I'll just keep it (trash) in the car first and walk around… to look for a bin."

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khooyihang@asiaone.com
shafiq.apandi@asiaone.com