HDB RESIDENTS (Killer litter offenders)

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HDB RESIDENTS:

(Killer litter offenders): 3.

Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many HDB residents have been caught for committing killer litter offences for each of the last five years; (b) what penalties - with a breakdown of the number of each type of penalty - have been imposed on these offenders for each of the last five years; and (c) are there any plans to further step up enforcement actions as well as impose heavier penalties for killer litter offences.

The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Heng Chee How) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, between 2001 and 2005, the Police prosecuted 20 HDB residents under the Penal Code for killer litter offences. Eleven were prosecuted in 2001, two in 2002, three in 2003, one in 2004 and three in 2005. Nineteen of these offenders received imprisonment terms of between two weeks and three months. One was jailed for three months and fined $250.

As flat lessor and landlord, HDB has also taken action against the convicted killer litter offenders. HDB has the obligation to ensure that HDB estates are safe, and residents and passers-by are not exposed to the threat of killer litter.

Of the 20 cases, seven offenders who had committed serious offences and were jailed for two months or more were required to sell their flats. For 11 cases where the offences were less severe and the offenders were jailed for less than two months, HDB issued stern warnings to them. The remaining two offenders were issued a final written warning instead of being required to sell their flats, as their flats were already on the lowest floor. In other words, they committed the offences elsewhere. HDB's actions vary depending

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on the severity of the offences committed, so that the offenders' families are not unnecessarily penalised.

Besides acting against killer litter offenders, HDB also works closely with Town Councils to proactively educate residents not to place objects in precarious positions that could result in their falling off and posing a threat to public safety. Where necessary, residents are warned to remove these objects. Taking summons action against recalcitrant offenders is also a measure and it is taken as the last resort.

HDB and Town Councils will continue to educate residents and take stern enforcement actions against offenders. There are no plans to impose heavier penalties for killer litter offences, as HDB can already compulsorily acquire a flat in very serious or recalcitrant killer litter cases.

However, HDB and Town Councils can only do so much to keep our HDB estates safe. Ultimately, HDB residents themselves must want to act responsibly and ensure that they do not endanger the lives of others by placing objects in a manner that could result in their falling off and hurting others. Also, if they spot potential killer litter, residents can help by advising the households concerned to take them down or by notifying the Town Council or HDB.