Rights activists are horrified by the scheme to deter minor offenders
In most places, a warning letter followed by a summons and a fine is enough to deter illegal parking, street hawking and defaulting on rates.
But in Malaysia's northern Perlis state, officials have resorted to more radical measures.
The state government is hiring 20 former gangsters and village bullies as 'muscle' to back up enforcement officers. They will follow the enforcement officers on their rounds and persuade ratepayers to cough up, discipline drivers and keep hawkers off the streets.
Perlis Chief Minister Shahidan Kassim came up with the idea after enforcement officers refused to take on the increasingly aggressive hawkers who line the roads in Kangar, the state capital about 450km north of Kuala Lumpur. The hawkers' presence causes massive traffic snarls.
Mr Shahidan, who is famous for his unconventional methods, says the accredited gangsters are the best answer to the problem yet.
'I don't care what the critics say ... we must beef up our enforcement with individuals who can earn the respect of the public,' Mr Shahidan said. 'The village bullies and gangsters are the best choice.'
