BEGGARS AND TISSUE PAPER PEDDLERS IN ORCHARD ROAD

BEGGARS AND TISSUE PAPER PEDDLERS IN ORCHARD ROAD:

(Efforts to curb activities): 8.

Er Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports in light of the rising numbers of beggars and tissue paper peddlers in Orchard Road, what efforts have been taken to curb their activities.

The Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon) (for the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of beggars identified by MCYS and the Police has fluctuated over the last five years but is not on the rise. There were 72 such cases in 2006, compared to 91 in 2002. On average, MCYS receives about five reports a year of individuals selling tissue paper in public places.

My Ministry conducts regular patrols to identify beggars and destitute persons. We also act on calls by members of the public to our 24-hour toll-free line. All calls are carefully investigated.

Any person in genuine need is referred to appropriate social service agencies for help, so as to address the root cause of their problems. These agencies include the Community Development Councils, Family Service Centres, Voluntary Welfare Organisations and the grassroots organisations. Those who are work-capable will be assisted through ComCare schemes, such as the Work Support Programme, while those who are unable to work and who have no one to turn to for help can be helped through the Public Assistance Scheme. Those who are homeless and have no means of support are admitted to our welfare homes for destitute persons. There are sufficient social assistance and support in our community. Nobody needs to beg.

We all have a part to play in solving this problem. We must curtail begging. It

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is an anti-social and illegal act. Giving money to beggars will not solve their more fundamental long-term problems. In fact, it may well make matters worse by deepening the sense of dependency and loss of dignity. It will also encourage unscrupulous people to take advantage of public generosity. Consequently, I would strongly encourage members of the public who come across beggars to inform my Ministry so that appropriate action can be taken. The public can also help the needy by volunteering and channelling donations to registered charities and Family Service Centres where there are trained personnel and social workers who provide effective assistance to people who are truly needy.

Er Lee Bee Wah:

Sir, I would like to ask MOS how many of these beggars have been arrested over the last one year at Orchard Road area. Of those arrested, are they Singaporeans or foreigners, and what are the actions taken? Do we bar them from entering Singapore subsequently? I urge tougher action to be taken against them as they tarnish the image of Singapore as a tourist hub.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: Mr Speaker, Sir, in 2006, there were about 72 cases picked up by us. In 2007, up to September, there were 68 cases. Out of these 68 cases, 59% were foreigners. So, 41% were Singaporeans. Out of the 41% Singaporeans, 16% have family, and we therefore refer them back to their family and we try to find out what is the reason that they go out to beg. About 17 of them (25%) who are homeless, we refer them to the destitute homes. As for the 59% foreigners, we refer them to the ICA and the Police for repatriation. As I said, my Ministry and the Police actually conduct periodical or very regular patrols every week (about three times a week). We also have a hotline. If the public comes across any beggars, please call us and also feedback to us, and we will immediately conduct investigations.

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I urge the public to support this effort. We conduct very regular patrols in Singapore, especially along Orchard Road, malls, shopping areas and also around a temple. I am sure Members know which temple. It is a very popular temple. We also know that on certain days of the week we should go to which area. We do our best to go round to patrol.

Mr Speaker: Mdm Phua, last question.

Mdm Cynthia Phua: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask MOS to work closely with the market and hawkers' association to promote the hotline number, because not many of us really know the hotline number. I am sure the hawker stallholders will definitely help the Ministry in this.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: I think it is a good suggestion. We can work with the Shopkeepers' Association and the hawker centres to really get them to work with us.