NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TRADE FAIRS 1990 - 1994

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for the Environment, for each of the years from 1990 to 1994, (a) what is the number of complaints arising from trade fairs and mini trade fairs (pasar malams); (b) what is the nature of these complaints; (c) where are the locations of the fairs complained against; and (d) what are the organisations to which the licences for the fairs were issued.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: (a) The complaints against trade fairs and mini trade fairs were received verbally or in writing by various government agencies, the media, Shopkeepers Associations and Members of Parliament. The aggregate number of complaints is, therefore, not available.

(b) Members of the public complained about noise nuisance, poor food hygiene, littering, gambling, illegal engagement of foreign workers and traffic obstruction. Shopkeepers complained about unfair competition.

(c) Locations of fairs which have attracted complaints included those held in void decks, spaces next to flats, along roads and sites near to shops.

(d) Prior to 1st July 1994, no licence was needed to hold such fairs. Between 1st July 1994 and 31st December 1994, the following licences were issued: _______________________________________________________________ Organisations Number of Applications Approved _______________________________________________________________ Grassroots 172 Social/Civic 34 Tertiary/Institution 24 Religious 11 STPB 5 Town Council 4 School 3 _______________________________________________________________ Total 253 _______________________________________________________________