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CITY HALL has collected a total of RM4,900 in compounds from litterbugs, since the beginning of May and end of June, as part of “Ops Bersih” exercises carried out at commercial centres and towns within the agency’s rating area.

A spokesman for the agency’s “Jabatan Perkhidmatan Pembersihan Bandaraya (Urban Cleanliness Department, UCD)” said RM2,800 was accrued last month from 100 errant individuals who settled their penalties on the spot.

“Another four chose to do this before the grace-period for their compounds expired,” he said. 

“All these individuals failed to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and dumped this waste in their surroundings.”

A compound of up to RM500 could be imposed against anyone found to be contravening City Hall’s Anti-Litter By-Laws 1984 (Amendment 2005), according to him.

He said those who repeatedly disregarded the agency’s calls to refrain from littering in the common areas could wind up having legal action taken against them.

“They will become liable to a fine for as much as RM10,000, if they are found guilty in court.”

The spokesman said three UCD teams carried out 45 separate inspections between June 3 and 29 within the City Centre, as well as in areas ranging from Manggatal to Luyang. 

He said each team comprised five officers in plain clothes.

“UCD Director Rozie Khan Bin Halik was present on some occasions to get a first-hand look at how the operations were being conducted.”

Among the areas checked in Kota Kinabalu, according to him, were the shophouses in Bandaran Berjaya, Kg Air, Sinsuran and Gaya Street, as well as the waterfront area near the City Hall Jetty, off Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.

Inspections were also carried out at the Central Market and Centre Point Sabah and KK Plaza shopping complexes.

“The highest number of wrongdoers was nabbed around Bandaran Berjaya (14), followed by Centre Point Sabah (12) and Kg Air (three).”

When it came to areas outside the City limits, the spokesman said the team went to Damai Plaza, Likas Plaza, Kingfisher Plaza, Alam Mesra, Indah Permai, Universiti Apartments, Universiti Utama Condominiums (UUC) and the mini Putrajaya Administrative Complex.

On top of this, checks were made of the Inanam, Manggatal and Telipok townships.

“The shops at UUC had the most offenders, with 24 irresponsible members of the public each caught in this instance. This was followed by the mini Putrajaya Administrative Complex where 10 were nabbed.”

He said another five offenders were caught in Manggatal and at the shops in Universiti Apartments.

The spokesman said RM2,100 in compounds was collected last month, with 97 offenders settling their compounds immediately, while 6 litterbugs differed their payment.

Sixty-five “Ops Bersih” checks were made between May 4 and 28, according to him.

“In this instance, the highest number of litterbugs in the State Capital was nabbed around Kg Air (15), followed by the City Hall jetty (11), as well as Sinsuran (eight).”

He said Inanam Business Centre was the location with the most offenders, when it came to inspections outside the City-limits. 

Ten litterbugs were caught around the different blocks there, according to the spokesman said.

“This was followed, he said, by Polytechnic Commercial Centre, where seven errant individuals in total were nabbed.  Four each were taken to task around Damai Plaza and Plaza Juta.”