Latest news with #NeeSoonGRC
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- General
- AsiaOne
Falling concrete in flats: Who is responsible for maintenance — town council, HDB, or homeowner?, Singapore News
Recently, there were two instances of concrete blocks falling from ceiling of HDB units. FM Love 972 radio DJ Ho Ai Ling narrowly avoided injury on June 22 when a chunk of concrete fell from the toilet ceiling in her flat at Block 81 Commonwealth Close in Queenstown. Ho moved into her 58-year-old flat 14 years ago. Earlier, an elderly man was struck by falling spalling concrete from the ceiling of his toilet in his Yishun HDB flat on the morning of June 19, sustaining injuries to both his leg and head, requiring more than 10 stitches. The flat was completed 41 years ago. While his family received assistance from Nee Soon GRC MP K Shanmugam with payment for repairs, where exactly does the buck stop when it comes to responsibility for spalling concrete in HDB homes? Is it the owner, HDB, or the town council? Owner's responsibility: HDB HDB has said that spalling concrete is a common issue for older buildings, exacerbated by damp conditions such as those in kitchens or toilets. It occurs when concrete breaks away from a surface due to numerous factors, such as moisture build-up or corrosion of metal reinforcement within the concrete. "As the owner, you are responsible for the prevention and repair of any spalling concrete in your flat," according to HDB, adding that spalling concrete within HDB flats can be prevented with regular maintenance. It has advised homeowners to repair spalling concrete themselves if the affected area is small, or engage a contractor for larger areas before more concrete dislodges and causes injury. [[nid:719319]] If left unattended, concrete spalling can spread to a bigger area and weaken the building structure, HDB stated. It also has multiple inspection regimes in place to detect issues such as spalling concrete, according to response by the Ministry of National Development (MND) to a Parliamentary question by Joan Pereira on Oct 20, 2022. Under the periodic structural inspection regime, inspections must be conducted for all residential buildings every 10 years to ensure that building structures are well maintained. For flats completed before Jan 1, 1989, HDB conducts additional inspections at five-year intervals. Periodic façade inspections are also conducted for buildings above 20 years old and more than 13m in height every seven years. The goodwill repair assistance (GRA) scheme also allows HDB to provide aid to flat owners to repair spalling concrete issues. Under the scheme, HDB co-pays 50 per cent of the cost of repairs, up to $300 per flat. For rental flats, HDB bears the full cost for the repair of spalling concrete. HDB's home improvement programme (HIP) for blocks built up to 1997 also repairs spalling concrete and structural cracks in flats. Town council responsible for common property While many residents may contact their town councils for assistance when they spot spalling or cracked concrete in their homes, the town councils' involvement in resolving the issue should be minimal. According to a response by MND to a parliamentary question by Christopher de Souza on Aug 7, 2024, town councils are responsible for maintaining the common property. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) This means that the maintaining the interior of flats and necessary repair works are not their responsibility. Instead, should flat owners encounter issues with their main soil pipe or exterior and façade walls, the town council can assist. "Minor wall cracks inside flats do not affect the structural integrity and safety of the building," MND stated. "Flat owners can patch up and repaint their walls. For exterior and facade walls, the town councils carries out inspections and upkeep of these walls." HDB also follows-up with regular inspections and will immediately repair if the crack could potentially compromise the structural integrity of the building, they added. Homeowners and their responsibility Speaking with AsiaOne, PKWA Law associate director Mark Cheng said that in most interior spalling cases, HDB's stance that the homeowner is responsible is legally sound. "Flat owners are responsible for maintaining their interiors, but in certain cases, they may be eligible to apply for co-payment from the HDB," Cheng said. Town councils handle common property such as external facades and roofs and would not be responsible for internal spalling, he stated. Cheng said that town councils may investigate and get involved if spalling debris originates from facades or falls onto void decks, corridors or exteriors. But homeowners aren't always liable for concrete spalling. In instances of spalling caused by leakage upstairs, HDB can mediate or enforce repairs, or even take legal action should the person in the unit above refuse access for necessary repairs, Cheng explained. "In addition, the homeowner might not have to pay for repairs if the spalling falls within upgrading schemes such as the HIP, or occurs during the defects liability period for new builds." "Knowing when liability shifts is key," he added. "With the assistance of a lawyer, homeowners can be better advised on their rights, in order to trigger the correct government funding for repairs, or seek redress if coverage is wrongly denied." [[nid:719492]] khooyihang@
New Paper
08-06-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
Nee Soon mosque reopens on Hari Raya Haji after $15m facelift
The $15 million facelift to spruce up Masjid Darul Makmur has not only refreshed an icon in Nee Soon, but the process has also strengthened the local community spirit, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. At the mosque's reopening on June 7 - Hari Raya Haji - Associate Professor Faishal noted that the Muslim community had put up with inconveniences during the two-year renovation, which included having to conduct their religious rites at a temporary site. Agreeing, Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who was also at the event, said the upgrading involved a lot of logistics, as well as support from the Singapore Land Authority and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). Prof Faishal said: "This is the pride of Nee Soon residents, whereby with the strong community spirit, with the right support from grassroots organisations and government agencies, I think we can achieve better," he said. Darul Makmur mosque was first opened in 1987. After it closed in April 2023 for upgrading, the former North View Secondary School in Yishun Ring Road was designated as a temporary prayer site for congregants. The completion of upgrading works means the mosque can now accommodate 4,000 worshippers, up from 3,000 previously. Barrier-free access with ramps and a new lift were also added. Speaking to the media after Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers, Prof Faishal urged the Malay/Muslim community here to continue to feel blessed in Singapore, where there is harmony and they can perform their religious rites with peace of mind anywhere in the country. "This is something not available in many parts of the world," said Prof Faishal, who was an MP for Nee Soon GRC from 2011 to 2025. He was fielded in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC at the recent general election, which the PAP retained in a walkover. Echoing a sermon delivered earlier by Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, he also urged the community to have the notion of gratitude, and to continue playing its part in Singapore's quest to develop as a nation. As part of Singapore's humanitarian efforts for Gaza, more than 10 tonnes of korban meat will be channelled to Palestinians there, said Prof Faishal. Meanwhile, the meat that will be sent to Singapore will be distributed to the less privileged in the community, including zakat beneficiaries, families of incarcerated individuals, and migrant transient workers. Korban refers to the Islamic ritual of slaughtering farm animals such as sheep and lambs, followed by the distribution of the meat to worshippers and the needy. Prof Faishal noted that this year's Hari Raya Haji korban had 5,700 orders for overseas livestock on SalamSG, a platform for key mosque programmes. This is about a 20 per cent increase from 2024. Prof Faishal Ibrahim (right) greets congregants before the Hari Raya Aidiladha prayer at the recently upgraded Masjid Darul Makmur. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The livestock will be slaughtered in Australia before the meat is chilled, packed and sent to Singapore - an arrangement that began in 2020 due to the pandemic. At the event, Prof Faishal also gave an update on Singaporean pilgrims in Mecca. He said all of them are doing well amid the intense heatwave. "I urge them to keep looking out for one another. I also urge them to look at their health, and also ensure that they drink lots of water and also (have a) good rest," he said. (From left) Nee Soon GRC MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi; Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim; executive chairman of Masjid Darul Makmur Mohd Fairus Abdul Manaf; and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam greet a congregant after Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Temperatures in Mecca exceeded 40 deg C this week as more than a million Muslim pilgrims poured into the holy city for the annual haj. In 2024, at least 1,300 pilgrims died after temperatures soared to 51.8 deg C. "We pray that they continue to remain safe and able to do their religious deeds... I look forward to welcoming them when they come back," said Prof Faishal. Besides Prof Faishal and Dr Syed Harun, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam also attended the mosque's reopening. In the afternoon, Prof Faishal observed a live korban at Pertapis Halfway House in Geylang, where more than 120 goats were sacrificed. The korban meat was distributed to 500 lower-income families at the event, with each household receiving 2kg of meat. The beneficiaries also received other essential items and cash vouchers.
AsiaOne
19-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'We do it because we care': RDU to continue engaging Singaporeans despite no GE2025 mandate, Singapore News
The opposition Red Dot United (RDU) said they are keeping their promise to continue serving Singaporeans despite failing to secure any seats at the recent general election. In a Facebook post on Sunday (May 18), RDU shared that the party is dedicated to continue with its community outreach, as member Harish Mohanadas spent Saturday morning at Block 287 Bukit Batok East listening to some of the residents' concerns. A resident had recognised Mohanadas and questioned his reasons for continuing the outreach. "In Singapore, people have grown used to politicians disappearing after Polling Day. The assumption is: if you didn't win, you won't bother," RDU said. "But we made a promise. And even without the mandate, we intend to keep it," they added, saying that the work does not stop despite their recent setback. Mohanadas was part of a five-member team from RDU that contested in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. The team's other four members were Osman Sulaiman, Liyana Dhamirah, Ben Puah and Marcus Neo. They lost to the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, which received 76.66 per cent of the votes on May 3. 'We do it because we care' The party then reiterated their position on wanting to provide representation for Singaporeans, despite the difficulties of doing so without a mandate. "We do it because we care. Because someone has to show up," said RDU, adding that they are continuing their groundwork out of passion despite being busy with "raising children, caring for elderly parents, or just trying to stay afloat like everyone else". From their walkabout, Mohanadas said he was able to gather feedback from the residents of Block 287, which included concerns regarding unaddressed dengue breeding sites and the lack of a sheltered route to the nearby market. RDU concluded their post by recognising residents and supporters who motivate them to keep going, promising that they will not be "inactive post-GE" and that their work "won't end just because (they) didn't win". "We're on the ground, doing what we can, with what we have, because this is what genuine representation looks like," RDU said. RDU contested 3 GRCs and 1 SMC The party fielded 15 candidates across three GRCs and one SMCs but failed to win any seats in the 2025 General Election. The party contested in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Nee Soon GRC and Jurong Central SMC. It garnered 3.96 per cent of the national vote share, with their Nee Soon GRC team performing the best with 26.19 per cent of votes. While they did not manage to secure any seats in Parliament, secretary-general Ravi Philemon found the results encouraging. "What is most heartening for us is that the people have spoken, with their votes, that there is a place for politics like RDU's in Singapore," said Philemon in a Facebook post on May 4, promising that the party will be back at the next general election in 2030. [[nid:717403]]
AsiaOne
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'Let's get married!' Ex-MP Carrie Tan proposes to boyfriend of 7 years, Singapore News
Former Nee Soon GRC MP Carrie Tan is engaged. In a video posted to her Facebook page on Friday (May 16), she revealed that she had popped the question to her boyfriend of seven years, Kevin Teo, on April 26, and explained why she did so. "Watch the video of me breaking another gender barrier with this crazy (not so crazy) thing I did," she captioned. Writing in Chinese, she noted that her partner, who's the Chief Technology Officer at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network, had once suggested that she should be the one to propose "in this age of equality", and given her feminist leanings. The proposal took place during local music school The Singing Loft's recital event on April 26, which also happened to be the fourth day of campaigning for the General Election. "Skipped off on Day 4 of GE for another very serious business," she wrote in the caption to her post, before apologising, tongue-in-cheek, to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. "Sorry PM Wong, I planned this before you announced the writ. Thankfully I wasn't gonna run for elections!" Tan joked. The 43-year-old former politician, who's also a transformation and healing coach according to her LinkedIn profile, had announced that she was stepping down from politics on April 22. Proposed 'for memories' sake' The clip begins with Tan, microphone in hand, telling Teo: "Let's get married!" to loud cheers from the audience. She's also seen performing a love song in Mandarin. Following her successful proposal, where the pair shared a peck on the lips and embraced, she explained to the audience that when they'd first started dating, Teo had told her: "Eh, you're a feminist right, so I think you should be the one proposing to me." "Well, I think it's been seven years and I'm very comfortable," she added. She indicated that even though the pair had mutually agreed to get married, but she thought she'd "pop the question anyway, for memories' sake". Tan noted in her post that the proposal combined the "two loves of [her] life]" — Teo, as well as singing. The couple, both of whom have been through divorce, had opened up about starting over again after their failed marriages during a talk show two years ago. They noted then that Teo was the one who'd made the first move. Tan's heartwarming post has since been viewed over 16,000 times and drawn many comments from netizens congratulating her on the engagement. [[nid:637541]] candicecai@
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
GE2025: PAP's actions are legal but may not always be principled, says RDU at rally
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – In opposition Red Dot United's (RDU) rally on the last day of campaigning, its secretary-general Ravi Philemon led his party members in questioning the principles of the ruling PAP. Mr Philemon cited the example of psychiatrist Syed Harun Alhabsyi joining the PAP's Nee Soon GRC team after resigning from his Nominated MP post in February. He asked why Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam was allowing the former NMP, 'who has not properly accounted for why he is standing under the PAP ticket so soon after stepping down, ride on his coattails into Parliament'. On Feb 14, Dr Syed Harun and lawyer Raj Joshua Thomas resigned from their posts, the first NMPs to have done so before the end of their term. 'For the PAP, everything is legal, everything is constitutional, but is everything principled? We have to be very, very worried about unprincipled political parties. I am worried that the PAP is charting into these waters. You should be worried with me,' added Mr Philemon at the May 1 rally, held at a field in Yishun Central. Other members of the RDU's Nee Soon GRC slate took turns to fire salvos at their opponents, with private school teacher Syed Alwi Ahmad also taking aim at Dr Syed Harun, 40. Dr Syed Alwi, 57, said: 'An NMP role is meant to be non-partisan, a space where voices from civil society, from education, the arts and the community can speak freely without political alignment... when someone moves that quickly from a neutral platform to the ruling party, we must question whether the independence of that voice was ever real to begin with.' Mr Philemon, 56, also said there are many issues that PAP candidates have to answer for, citing incidents such as Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan's 'like' on a Facebook post by former NMP Calvin Cheng and remarks that Dr Balakrishnan made in Parliament about PSP Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai in 2021 that were caught on a hot mic. Ms Sharon Lin, 40, a senior consultant in the information technology sector, accused new candidate Lee Hui Ying, 36, whom former Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah had endorsed at a PAP rally on April 30, of hiding behind the older Ms Lee. Addressing the new PAP candidates, she said: 'Don't ride on the coattails of a minister who has been here for almost 40 years. Don't hide behind Lee Bee Wah. If you want to serve, then start by showing us who you are without the shadows of others propping you up. This isn't just about attacking personalities. It is about upholding principles.' RDU chairman David Foo, 60 – also a candidate for Nee Soon GRC – said his party has shown that it is 'not recalcitrant or rogue', and in the past five years, has proven itself to be responsible. With 15 members contesting in three GRCs and one SMC, the party is fielding the second-highest number of opposition candidates in this election. Dr Foo said this was because RDU had earned the trust of good people who want to serve. 'We are not here to tear the system down. We are here to help make it better for Singaporeans. Because we believe that a system improves when it is challenged with respect, when it is questioned with courage, when it is refined with truth,' he said. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
