LITTERING (Control measures)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for the Environment whether his Ministry has identified the places where littering occurs habitually and what measures are being taken to control littering in such places.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, littering usually occurs in places with a high population density or high level of human activity. Examples of these areas are HDB estates, major pedestrian thoroughfares, bus stops, parks and beaches.

My Ministry together with the HDB and the Parks & Recreation Department held a "No Sweeping Day" on 5th March 1988 to demonstrate to the people the extent of littering that still persists in Singapore. The exercise also showed clearly the specific areas that are litter prone.

Sir, I have brought with me a set of photographs showing the extent of littering in these places. I have deposited a set in the Parliament Library for Members to see.

My Ministry will continue with its educational efforts to get members of the public to cooperate in keeping such places litter free. Enforcement will continue to be taken against those who persist in their anti-social behaviour.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether it is a good idea perhaps to monitor those places which are habitually littered, and apply your enforcement actions, educational programme, just on those places. As an example, in the Telok Blangah Estate, we have one or two places, the rental blocks which are habitually littered. If the Ministry could put up more penalty signs, the anti-littering signs, monitor the situation and apply enforcement action there, I think perhaps we can clear up the problem.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, I could not agree with the Member more. We will do that.

Mr S. Chandra Das (Chong Boon): Sir, the Minister has identified the HDB estates as a litter-prone area. Would the Minister for the Environment be prepared to give town councils when they are established a more effective role in litter control?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Sir, the answer is yes. But it is hard for me to say at this point of time whether Town Councils will be a more efficient organization to control littering offences. All I can say now is that where the Town Councils are successful in communicating closely with residents of the estates under their charge and through persuasion and cooperation by the residents in these estates themselves, there should be every confidence that in such estates there would be fewer cases of littering offences and fewer litterbugs eventually.