A resident of Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council has been attempting to get the wiring of some lights on a bridge at Pasir Ris fixed since 12 May. Reaching out through government feedback channels, Mr Phillip Ang had raised the issue to the PRPTC but he hadn’t received a response for a while.
In an email on 1 July to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Mr Ang slammed the town council for being “irresponsible” and not taking action and asked if the BCA would be able to assist Pasir Ris residents in this case instead.
The bridge in question has a lightbulb that had fallen out of its housing, exposing some wires. It seems to have been haphazardly ‘fixed’ with duct tape holding the bulb in place.
Four days later, and with no reply, Mr Ang reached out again on the issue of possible electrocution due to the PRPTC’s “negligence” in handling the matter. This time, he also noted similar issues raised in other estates, such as Bukit Batok as highlighted by Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s Dr Chee Soon Juan in a Facebook post on 2 July.
Mr Ang stressed that he had raised the issue two months prior. Despite that, PRPTC had not taken any action.
Mr Ang wrote in his follow-up email, “It appears that town councillors, including the MP-chairman, have failed to understand the urgency; are possibly idiots.”
The concerned resident also highlighted the case back in mid-June when two teenagers reportedly received an electric shock from a lamp post in Lorong 5 Toa Payoh.
That incident was first reported by Shin Min Daily News and occurred when the 13-year-olds were playing football next to a playground near the fitness corner.
Mr Ang demanded, “Will town councils take action only after more residents are electrocuted?”
Now, following that email, it appears that action was eventually taken. New bulbs were installed with a new covering as well to protect the bulb and conceal the wires.
Following this on 9 July, Mr Ang decided to highlight the issue to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of National Development.
In the email, Mr Ang first thanked the BCA for taking action following the incident at Toa Payoh in June and for fixing up the bulb at Pasir Ris.
However, as Mr Ang pointed it that the issue in Pasir Ris was only taken care of after it was escalated up to the BCA. When it was first raised to the town council or the representative of the area—in this case it was MP Teo Chee Hean—nothing happened.
Mr Ang added, “I hope the BCA could also extend its assistance to residents of Bukit Batok estate,” referring to the case highlighted by Dr Chee.
Mr Ang added: “EM Services, PR-PTC’s managing agent, should employ qualified property officers who are regularly on the ground; instead of relying on residents’ feedback for obvious issues.
“Otherwise, it should be replaced.”
