JALAN KAYU CONSTITUENCY (Construction of more public lavatories, complaints against HDB staff, and tidying up of vacant land)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether he will direct the Housing and Development Board to look into the need to construct more public lavatories in that part of Ang Mo Kio New Town which falls within Jalan Kayu Constituency, especially in areas where senior citizens regularly meet: (b) what is the number of complaints of rudeness against HDB staff for each of the years 1979 and 1980 and what system is in force to ensure that all such complaints receive the prompt attention of senior management staff; and (c) whether he will take steps to tidy up the land in Jalan Kayu, originally acquired for pig farming, as the sites, overgrown with vegetation and used for illegal dumping of rubbish, are now posing a health hazard.

Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee (Toa Payoh): Question No. 11, Sir.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, cigarette kiosks located at some of the void decks have attached toilets which are available for public use. There are six kiosks strategically located within that pan of Ang Mo Kio New Town which falls within the Jalan Kayu Constituency. In addition, there are five eating houses located within the area, whose toilets can be used by the residents. As there are adequate public toilet facilities in the area, there is no necessity to build more public toilets.

According to the HDB Area Office, a group of senior citizens are observed to meet regularly at the void deck of Block 534. For their convenience, they can either use the toilet facilities of the eating house at the adjacent Block 532, or the public toilet at Block 539 which is two blocks away.

In answer to part (b) of the question, the HDB received 11 written complaints of rudeness against its staff in 1979 and 14 in 1980.

All the complaints were referred to the management and thoroughly investigated by the departments, whose reports were then submitted to the management for decision. If any complaint is substantiated, the officer or officers concerned will be disciplined.

Officers who have contacts with the public have to undergo courses on courtesy. They are constantly reminded to be courteous and tactful.

In answer to (c), most of the unauthorized dumping areas in Jalan Kayu have been cleared and tidied up. They will soon be allocated for non-pollutive farming use. Meanwhile officers from the Primary Production Department and Public Health Division frequently patrol these sites to prevent further dumping of rubbish. Persons caught committing the offence will be prosecuted in court.