CITY CLEANSING (Educational campaigns and legislation against litter-throwing)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Health if he will consider conducting campaigns to educate the people to keep their City clean, and if he will introduce legislation to punish the indiscriminate throwing of litter.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, now that re-organisation of the Public Cleansing service has been in operation for more than three months, with a total work force of 3,500 working on a two-shift basis and the racket of high absenteeism during weekdays a thing of the past, we are ready to embark on the second stage of re-organisation, namely, that of educating the public that they also have a duty to keep the Republic clean. Steps are being taken to bring various pieces of legislation up to date so as to implement effectively such policy, namely:

Firstly, any householder or shopkeeper who fails to provide a dustbin after due notice has been served on him, will be provided with an appropriate dustbin by the Public Cleansing Department, and the cost will be charged to his monthly Public Utilities Account for settlement. It is estimated that about one-half of the householders in Singapore are without dustbins at present.

Secondly, as those responsible for litter on public streets, drains and vacant sites do not seem to be deterred by the present lenient penalties of a maximum fine of $100 and a further fine not exceeding $25 for every day during which it is continued after conviction under the Municipal Ordinance (Chapter 133) Conservancy Bylaws, 1941, we are amending the By-laws to introduce more punitive penalties, like $150 for the first offence, $500 for the second offence, and $1,000 for the third offence.

Thirdly, we have also in mind replacing the present Destruction of Mosquito Ordinance (Chapter 139), passed nearly 50 years ago to control malaria, for something more comprehensive and up-to-date legislation to be known as the Destruction of Disease-bearing Insects Act, in the near future.

Lastly, at the same time, we intend to carry Out an intensive education campaign through Radio and T.V. with the co-operation of the Ministry of Culture, and also include Health Education as part of the proposed Civics syllabus for schools which is now being drawn up by the Ministry of Education.