Some 161 tickets have been issued to persons for urinating in public, under the Anti-Litter Ticketing System which was implemented on May 1, by the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA).

"This is all about the measures we need to take to bring about a change in the behaviour of our people," director of enforcement and compliance at the NSWMA, Andre Wiltshire, is noted as saying in a JIS release.

"There is a need to understand that there are consequences to actions and one of the consequences is that if you are caught urinating in public, the fine is $2,000," he stressed.

Wiltshire acknowledged that more public education would be necessary to make more persons aware that the offence was punishable by law. "There are many persons out there who are simply not aware that it is against the law to do it," he said.

Sanitary facilities

The director also noted that the NSWMA was partnering with the local authorities to construct additional public sanitary conveniences for persons requiring the use of such facilities.

"We are also working with the local authorities to ensure that the locations of the sanitary conveniences are made public as well," he pointed out.

Under the Anti-Litter Ticketing System, other offences are also subject to penalties and fines. The littering or disposing of garbage in any public space attracts a fine of $2,000, while the wilful breaking of any bottle or article made of glass in or on any public place without having lawful authority or reasonable excuse to do so, attracts a fine of $5,000.

Persons employing individuals to deface public property or public space by erecting, displaying, depositing or affixing anything on any building, wall, fence or structure will be fined $10,000.