HDB residents got some pointers yesterday on how they can help arrest the littering problem in their estate.
Dr Maliki Osman urged them not to be a litterbug and to spread the anti-litter message to their family members, as well as contact the authorities when they spot anyone littering in their neighbourhood.
The Parliamentary Secretary for National Development gave the suggestions as ‘it is simply not possible for agencies to have ‘eyes on the ground’ round the clock’.
He added: ‘To combat high-rise littering effectively, it is critical that residents play an active part in the battle against litterbugs.’
Dr Maliki was responding to Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) and Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC), who had asked about the need for more effective measures to combat the problem.
Pointing to an incident last Dec 12 in Sengkang, Dr Maliki said it showed there are grave consequences from such irresponsible behaviour.
That day, a 48-year-old man suffered serious head injuries when he was hit by a flower pot thrown from a 16th-floor HDB flat. A 34-year-old woman has since been charged with committing a rash act that endangered the personal safety of others.
Any person convicted of throwing killer litter may be fined up to $2,500 or jailed for up to six months, or both. Also, the HDB can evict the culprit and take back the flat. If it is a rental unit, the HDB can terminate the tenancy.
Dr Maliki said the National Environment Agency (NEA) handled 14 cases of high-rise littering in the last three years and the residents were either fined or given corrective work orders.
The HDB has also sent warning letters to 12 residents for throwing litter from their homes.
He said the Ministry of National Development is working closely with the NEA and town councils to find more effective ways to deal with high-rise littering and falling objects. It will also step up education efforts, he added.
KOR KIAN BENG
Source: Straits Times, 12 Jan 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment