LITTERING PROBLEM AT BLOCK 103, DEPOT ROAD

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for the Environment how many residents at Block 103, Depot Road were prosecuted for littering in the latter part of 1992 and whether the littering problem at that block has been brought under control.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, no littering offender was apprehended in the vicinity of Block 103, Depot Road during the latter part of 1992. Enforcement was stepped up in January this year when the area became more littered. Of the 10 litterbugs caught, five lived in Block 103 itself. All the 10 culprits were at the ground floor when they committed the offence.

Aside from enforcement action, the Town Council and my Ministry did a house-to-house visit to advise residents not to litter. There is now less litter in the vicinity of Block 103 and the littering problem has been brought under control.

The problem of littering in housing estates is not peculiar only to Block 103, Depot Road. It exists in other blocks and in other Town Councils as well. Potong Pasir is also not spared.

My Ministry has actively campaigned against littering and attempted to educate members of the public not to litter. At the same time, tougher laws are enacted to deal with the hard-core litterbugs. We hope that the recently enacted Corrective Work Order (CWO) will deter them from littering.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, as far as I am aware, there is no littering problem at Potong Pasir Town Council. Can the Minister please name the block or any particular area which has been badly littered?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: What I am saying is that littering happens everywhere.

Mr Chiam See Tong: No.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: I will ask my Public Health Officers to do an enforcement blitz on Potong Pasir, and I will report to you.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I am just asking a justified question, and the reply is a threat to blitz Potong Pasir. Is this in order, Sir?

Mr Speaker: But what is your supplementary question?

Mr Heng Chiang Meng: Sir, I would like to ask that this House note that a statement has been made by an honourable Member - a definite factual statement - that there is no littering problem in Potong Pasir. May I ask the Minister to confirm the veracity of this statement at the next parliamentary sitting, Sir?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: I will, Mr Speaker. 1.29 pm