THIRD-TIME litterbugs would have to sweep the streets in special outfits under a new proposal. A three-tier penalty system would see first-time litterbugs liable for a fixed penalty of $800. Those committing the offence for a second time would have to take a course on environmental education. And third-time offenders would have to sweep streets in special outfits. But Democratic Party member Lau Chin-shek said he strongly objected to the proposal made by a working group under a steering committee chaired by Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan Fang On-sang. Mr Lau called the move 'inhumane and unreasonable'. 'Putting on a special outfit to sweep public streets is a punishment close to a Cultural Revolution-style punitive measure,' he said. The Frontier's Lee Cheuk-yan said: 'Littering is bad. But it doesn't mean we should cross the boundary and stampede on people's dignity.' Democratic Party legislator Cheung Man-kwong said: 'I understand Singapore is adopting the measure. But it doesn't mean we should.'
