ROADSIDE NEWS VENDORS (Enforcement action)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for the Environment how many newspaper sellers were issued with summonses to appear in court for setting up stalls to sell evening newspapers by the roadside in 1986 and 1987; and what were the reasons for the enforcement action against them.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry took enforcement action against 26 evening newspaper vendors in 1986 and 2 last year.

The Ministry took action against these newspaper vendors because they had set up stalls at bus stops, expressways or main roads which have a speed limit of 70 kph and above causing serious traffic hazards.

Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether these people have been warned first and whether they have been told of the reasons for such actions taken against them before these written summonses were issued?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: The normal procedure, Sir, is to warn these people not to sell their newspapers along expressways and highways; they are always encouraged to conduct their business along side roads which will not cause traffic hazards before summonses are issued.