Phrases used by parrots: "...everyone has a part to play...", "...play their part..."

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"The public can play a part by promptly reporting, and providing photos or videos of, suspected cases of animal cruelty or pet abandonment at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback or our Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600."

Forum: Safeguarding animal welfare a shared social responsibility​

SEP 19, 2023, 5:00 AM SGT


We thank the Forum writer for the letter “Stricter enforcement of law on pet neglect needed” (Sept 13).
Being a pet owner is a lifelong commitment, and owners must be responsible and provide appropriate care for the animals. The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board (NParks), will take appropriate enforcement action against anyone who does not care for his pet adequately or commits an act of animal cruelty. The cats found in the Bukit Merah flat are under the care of AVS, and the case is being investigated (AVS probing alleged animal neglect after 20 cats rescued from Bukit Merah flat, Sept 7).
The Government adopts an inter-agency approach to address hoarding because of its complexity. AVS is the first responder for animal-related issues. Guided by the Hoarding Management Framework, AVS’ role in the hoarding task force is to assess if there are animal health and welfare concerns. The priority is to determine if the animals have been neglected or ill-treated, and to ascertain their welfare and health condition.
Factors such as the quality of care provided to the animals, overall living environment, and behaviour, are considered to determine if there has been a failure in duty of care. AVS also partners stakeholders such as animal welfare groups and pet owners to investigate cases and re-home the animals where necessary.
Apart from potentially compromising the welfare of the animals, animal hoarding often causes problems for the resident and neighbours and results in hygiene and potential public health issues. In instances where the resident has suspected mental health issues or socio-emotional needs, AVS will work with agencies and community partners such as social service agencies to support the resident. The support from the resident’s family and community is also necessary for such interventions to be successful.
Safeguarding animal welfare is a shared social responsibility. The public can play a part by promptly reporting, and providing photos or videos of, suspected cases of animal cruelty or pet abandonment at www.avs.gov.sg/feedback or our Animal Response Centre on 1800-476-1600.

Jessica Kwok
Group Director,
Animal & Veterinary Service
National Parks Board

 

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"All motorists have a part to play and must abide by traffic rules, if we are to keep the roads safe for everyone."

Forum: Traffic Police has intensified three-pronged approach to improve road safety​

SEP 29, 2023

We refer to the letters by Mr Mohamad Nurhafiz Mohd Noor, “Curb drink driving with stiffer penalties”, and Mr Matthew Chua, “Use drones to help police the roads” (both Sept 22).
The Traffic Police (TP) has been closely monitoring the road traffic situation, and in fact has intensified its three-pronged approach of education, engagement and enforcement to improve road safety and curb drink driving.
For example, it has been reinforcing anti-drink driving messages through its annual anti-drink driving campaign, road safety talks, community roadshows and exhibitions.
TP also conducts daily roadblocks to enforce against crimes, including drink driving. The number of persons arrested for drink driving has remained stable, with 785 persons arrested in the first half of 2023, compared with 790 persons in the first half of 2022.
TP has also been leveraging technology, such as cameras, to deter irresponsible road behaviour. We will study the feasibility of drones for traffic enforcement in the future.
The Road Traffic Act 1961 is regularly reviewed. In 2019, it was amended to enhance the penalties for drink driving, for stronger deterrence. The maximum fine was doubled from $5,000 to $10,000, the maximum imprisonment term was also doubled, from six to 12 months, while the driving ban was more than doubled, from at least 12 months to at least two years.
However, TP’s efforts alone will never be enough. Road safety is a shared responsibility. All motorists have a part to play and must abide by traffic rules, if we are to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Superintendent of Police Lin Zhihao
Assistant Director (Media Relations Division)
Public Affairs Department
Singapore Police Force

 

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"While the Government has set goals, everyone in the country needs to do his or her part, he added."
"...every one of us, to do our part to show care, compassion and empathy for persons with disabilities, and accept them for who they are,” he said."

All Singaporeans must play a part to build a more caring, inclusive society: DPM Lawrence Wong​

DPM Lawrence Wong speaking with several artists with disabilities at Shaping Hearts 2023 at Our Tampines Hub on Nov 11. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Judith Tan
Correspondent

NOV 12, 2023


SINGAPORE – Becoming a more caring and inclusive society is central to Forward Singapore, a road map to build a shared future, and to truly make a difference, there is a need for the collective support of everyone, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
While the Government has set goals, everyone in the country needs to do his or her part, he added.
“We will need the help of employers and businesses, to be more accommodating, to be more inclusive especially for people with disabilities. We will need the support of community groups, many of which have the specialised skills, experience and expertise to support those with special needs; and importantly, we need the support of all Singaporeans – every one of us, to do our part to show care, compassion and empathy for persons with disabilities, and accept them for who they are,” he said.
DPM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, was speaking at Shaping Hearts 2023, Singapore’s largest inclusive arts event, at Our Tampines Hub on Saturday.
He said the North East Community Development Council (CDC) has been doing its part by launching the inaugural North East HeARTS Award to bring the joy of the arts to more persons with disabilities, especially among those of lower income.
He also announced that the CDC has rolled out a $9 million fund to help residents with greater needs cope with the cost of living.
Cost-of-living pressures dominated discussions for seven hours in Parliament on Tuesday, with Members of Parliament on both sides agreeing it was a concern, and concurring that aid must be given to those who need it.

On Saturday, DPM Wong reiterated that the Government has been doing more, including implementing a Cost of Living Package recently and giving $500 of CDC vouchers to every household.
2023 marks the fifth year that the North East CDC has organised this inclusive arts festival to showcase the works of persons with disabilities, and help them earn a meaningful living. The event has set a fund-raising goal of $750,000, with the primary objective being to raise awareness for the special needs community and promote a more inclusive society that appreciates the unique abilities of every individual.
Featuring over 350 paintings from more than 150 artists, Shaping Hearts 2023 also featured stage performances, workshops and an art marketplace.

 

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"We agree with Ms Tan Li Fong (Time to see littering as a societal problem and act firmly, Nov 15) that everyone has a role in upholding high standards of cleanliness and public health in Singapore."

Forum: Everyone has a role to keep Singapore litter-free​

Nov 22, 2023

We agree with Ms Tan Li Fong (Time to see littering as a societal problem and act firmly, Nov 15) that everyone has a role in upholding high standards of cleanliness and public health in Singapore.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) adopts a multi-pronged approach to uphold high standards of public cleanliness. Our enforcement and cleaning efforts are supported by education, outreach and ground-up action.
We take strict enforcement action against a range of public health offences, including littering, smoking, spitting and urinating. Enforcement officers and surveillance cameras are regularly deployed to littering hot spots across the island.
Under the Environmental Public Health Act, any individual committing a littering offence is liable to a court fine of up to $2,000 for a first conviction, $4,000 for a second conviction, and $10,000 for subsequent convictions. The court may also impose a Corrective Work Order (CWO), requiring repeat offenders to clean public areas for up to 12 hours. CWO sessions are usually organised once every two months at various locations.
From 2020 to 2022, NEA issued an average of 17,200 tickets for littering and conducted about 1,600 enforcement actions annually against persons caught high-rise littering. Over the same period, about 2,200 littering offenders were sentenced to perform CWO. The highest court fine imposed for high-rise littering was $7,200.
NEA works with stakeholders such as community leaders, residents, town councils and schools to foster collective action and social responsibility towards keeping public spaces clean. Visual nudges, including posters and banners, are also displayed at littering hot spots.
Many partners conduct ground-up activities such as litter-picking brisk walks, beach and park clean-up exercises, and “Cleaner-Appreciation Days”.

The Public Hygiene Council collaborates with town councils and other partners to hold quarterly SG Clean Days, reminding residents to keep their surroundings clean while cleaners cease work for the day. Many bin their litter, return their used trays and crockery to keep tables clean at hawker centres, and use public toilets responsibly and conscientiously.
NEA will continue to engage the community to demonstrate gracious behaviour, take greater individual and collective ownership, and keep our environment clean.

Tony Teo
Group Director, Environmental Public Health Operations
National Environment Agency

 

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Forum: Keeping public toilets clean a collective responsibility​

DEC 13, 2023

We refer to Mr Tay Boon Suat’s letter on how dirty coffee shop toilets are an issue that needs to be addressed (Users must help keep coffee shop toilets clean, Dec 2).
Public toilets at food establishments are an essential amenity, especially to the stallholders, food handlers and cleaners who work there.
Dirty and wet toilets are prone to breeding germs and viruses. It is thus important that the toilets in food establishments are kept hygienically clean.
We need to recognise that keeping public toilets clean is a joint responsibility.

Everyone, including the premises’ operators and the public, has a role to play.

Clean public toilets can be possible only if everyone does their part to keep them clean.
It has been more than a year since the Public Hygiene Council started the Neighbourhood Toilets Community Group initiative to drive home the message of collective responsibility in keeping public toilets clean.

While the initiative started only as a pilot scheme, the participating coffee shop operators and community volunteers observed that toilet cleanliness at their participating premises has improved significantly since the pilot.
More needs to be done, and the first thing to do is to start recognising that we cannot hope for a clean Singapore if the toilets are dirty.
We always think it is someone else’s job to keep public toilets clean.
This is a total misconception; we need to be more civic-minded and adopt a culture of change in picking up litter, as well as in keeping public toilets clean, just like we do in our home.

Andrew Khng
Chairman
Public Hygiene Council

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"Everyone, including the premises’ operators and the public, has a role to play."

Forum: Keeping public toilets clean a collective responsibility​

DEC 13, 2023

We refer to Mr Tay Boon Suat’s letter on how dirty coffee shop toilets are an issue that needs to be addressed (Users must help keep coffee shop toilets clean, Dec 2).
Public toilets at food establishments are an essential amenity, especially to the stallholders, food handlers and cleaners who work there.
Dirty and wet toilets are prone to breeding germs and viruses. It is thus important that the toilets in food establishments are kept hygienically clean.
We need to recognise that keeping public toilets clean is a joint responsibility.

Everyone, including the premises’ operators and the public, has a role to play.

Clean public toilets can be possible only if everyone does their part to keep them clean.
It has been more than a year since the Public Hygiene Council started the Neighbourhood Toilets Community Group initiative to drive home the message of collective responsibility in keeping public toilets clean.

While the initiative started only as a pilot scheme, the participating coffee shop operators and community volunteers observed that toilet cleanliness at their participating premises has improved significantly since the pilot.
More needs to be done, and the first thing to do is to start recognising that we cannot hope for a clean Singapore if the toilets are dirty.
We always think it is someone else’s job to keep public toilets clean.
This is a total misconception; we need to be more civic-minded and adopt a culture of change in picking up litter, as well as in keeping public toilets clean, just like we do in our home.

Andrew Khng
Chairman
Public Hygiene Council

 

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"Everyone can play a part to improve path safety as we encourage more to take up active mobility as a greener mode of travel."

Forum: LTA enhancing cycling infrastructure and trying to boost path-sharing culture​

JAN 15, 2024


We refer to the letters by Forum writers Kelvin Tan, Loke Kwan Ng and Harry Ong Heng Poh (More needs to be done to make cycling network safer, Jan 5; Educate public on penalties for cyclists who exceed speed limit, Jan 8; and Cyclists should give priority to the safety of other footpath users, Jan 11). We thank them for their feedback and suggestions.
As part of the Land Transport Authority’s efforts to promote sustainable travel modes, we are expanding and enhancing our cycling infrastructure to make it safer, more connected, and accessible.
Under the ongoing Islandwide Cycling Network programme, we are building wider paths by using adjacent space or repurposing road space. Given the densely built-up nature of our towns, it is not always possible to provide segregated spaces for different users. In such shared spaces, users would need to share the space responsibly and graciously.
To improve safety, we designate interaction areas such as bus stops as pedestrian priority zones, with speed strips and signs to remind active mobility users to slow down and give way to pedestrians and the more vulnerable. Where space permits, a bypass path is built behind the bus stop to reduce interaction between active mobility users and bus commuters.
We are pressing on with our public education efforts to build a gracious and responsible path-sharing culture. We will promote the code of conduct for cyclists and pedestrians, for example, to remind them to keep to their respective paths.
We will also continue to educate users of the path rules such as keeping to the respective speed limits and will take enforcement action to ensure the safety of all users, especially the more vulnerable. As Mr Ong mentioned, footpaths are shared spaces. Cyclists should look out for other users and travel at slower speeds where necessary.
Everyone can play a part to improve path safety as we encourage more to take up active mobility as a greener mode of travel.

Chan Boon Fui
Group Director, Active Mobility Group
Land Transport Authority

 

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The next of kin, when paying respect to their loved ones, can also play their part in exercising their responsibility for the general maintenance and upkeep of their loved ones’ burial plots and monuments.

Forum: Everyone has a role in maintaining cemetery grounds​

FEB 22, 2024

We thank Mr Winston Chew Choon Teck for his letter “Keep cemetery grounds well-maintained” (Feb 15), and agree that it is important to have care and respect for the deceased.
The Choa Chu Kang Cemetery spans about 300ha, a huge area equivalent to more than 400 football fields.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) maintains the cemetery grounds regularly, with more frequent cleaning conducted in areas where more human traffic is expected. This includes regular grass-cutting maintenance for common areas of the cemetery.
The next of kin, when paying respect to their loved ones, can also play their part in exercising their responsibility for the general maintenance and upkeep of their loved ones’ burial plots and monuments.
Working closely with service providers, NEA ensures that cleaning frequency is increased during special festivals at the respective cemetery areas where large crowds are expected.
In operating the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery, NEA does not plan for exhumations on an ad-hoc basis. This is done progressively in phases when the land is due for cemetery development, and after the graves in each phase have collectively reached the maximum burial period of 15 years.
NEA will attempt to reach out to the next of kin of all affected graves in that phase. Depending on one’s religious requirements, the exhumed remains may be cremated or be re-interred individually by the next of kin’s contractor or collectively by NEA’s appointed contractor.

We thank the writer for his feedback. With individual and collective ownership, we can keep our cemetery grounds clean and well-maintained.

Pun Wui-Mei
Director
Memorial Facilities and Planning Division
National Environment Agency

 

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"Everyone has a part to play to keep the roads safe for all."

Forum: 40% fewer accidents involving right turns after red-amber-green arrows were installed​

MAR 06, 2024

We thank Mr Ong Khoon Keat for affirming the safety benefits of the red-amber-green (RAG) arrow scheme (Worth the longer waits at traffic junctions if roads are safer, Feb 29).
Since 2018, the Land Transport Authority has been ramping up the installation of RAG arrows to control right turns at traffic light junctions, and prioritising locations near schools, Silver Zones, wider junctions and accident-prone areas.
Currently, there are close to 1,200 junctions with RAG arrows.
Mr Ong asked how RAG arrows have reduced accidents. We have observed about a 40 per cent reduction in accidents involving right turns after RAG arrows were installed.
Safety is a key consideration in our road infrastructure planning and design. Complementing RAG arrows are other initiatives, including Friendly Streets, School Zones and Silver Zones to make our roads safer, especially for vulnerable groups such as children and seniors.
Beyond improving infrastructure, we will also continue to work with the Traffic Police and the Singapore Road Safety Council on educational programmes to promote road safety awareness and encourage responsible practices among all road users. Everyone has a part to play to keep the roads safe for all.

Alvin Chia
Group Director, Traffic & Road Operations
Land Transport Authority

 

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Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it takes a serious view on food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices.

Food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices, and ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, said SFA.

The agency added that it is looking into the incident.

It said: “SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained.”

Woman horrified to find cockroach in Mr Bean drink​

Photos in the post show an insect on the plastic wrap on the cup, with the drink seemingly almost half consumed. PHOTO: COMPLAINT SINGAPORE/PAMSTER TAN/FACEBOOK

Chin Hui Shan

MAR 19, 2024

SINGAPORE – A woman was consuming her Mr Bean drink “happily” until she felt a crunch. It turned out to be a cockroach.
A Facebook user who goes by Pamster Tan recounted the incident on Facebook group Complaint Singapore on March 18. She said her colleague had ordered a drink from Mr Bean at Queenstown MRT.
She wrote: “I sucked in something that’s not a pearl and with a crunch, I spit the item out.
“To my horror, (it was) a huge cockroach!”
Photos in the post show an insect on the plastic wrap on the cup, with the drink seemingly almost half consumed.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, Mr Bean’s assistant brand director Venus Ang said the company has contacted the customer to ensure that she is fine. Mr Bean will discuss with the customer how it can help with her recovery process.
Mr Bean has done manual checks at the store to ensure there is no cockroach infestation, she added. It has also activated pest control to check on the premises and no cockroach is found.


Mr Bean has more than 70 outlets in Singapore, according to its website.
Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said it takes a serious view on food safety and will investigate all feedback alleging poor food safety practices.
Food operators must play their part by adhering to good food hygiene and preparation practices, and ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, said SFA.
The agency added that it is looking into the incident.
It said: “SFA may engage the feedback provider for more details and will not hesitate to take enforcement action if sufficient evidence has been obtained.”

 

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#1
"We urge both the public and business operators to continue to play their part in adhering to the safe distancing measures that have been put in place," a URA spokesman said.

Robertson Quay incident: Six men and one woman to be charged for flouting circuit breaker measures

The park connector along Robertson Quay on May 17, 2020.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Clara Chong

SINGAPORE - Six men and one woman, aged between 30 and 52, will be charged in court next Tuesday (June 2) for flouting circuit breaker regulations.
They are linked to the incident where groups of people were seen gathering at various places in the Robertson Quay area on May 16, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said on Saturday.

These seven individuals will be charged under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020.

"We take such breaches very seriously and will not hesitate to take action," Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Earlier this month, photos of crowds along Robertson Quay had circulated on social media, showing people failing to stay at least 1m from one another in the riverside dining enclave.

Most of the people pictured were not wearing masks, while some had their masks lowered as they spoke to one another.

On May 17, URA issued a directive to some restaurants at Robertson Quay, barring them from selling alcohol for takeaway with immediate effect, as the takeaway sales had contributed to more individuals gathering in the area.

As circuit breaker measures lift from June 2, more people will come in contact with one another, said Mr Masagos. "It will be more critical than ever to practise safe distancing," he said.

Singaporeans must remain vigilant to curb the spread of Covid-19 despite the decreasing trend in the number of community transmissions, he added.

"Stay home as far as possible. Wear a mask and keep a distance of at least 1 metre from the next person when you go out," Mr Masagos said.

"We urge both the public and business operators to continue to play their part in adhering to the safe distancing measures that have been put in place," a URA spokesman said.

Play "which part" sia?

 

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"...this will require residents to collectively play their part and adjust their waste disposal habits."

Forum: Collective responsibility needed to reduce waste generated at home​

APR 10, 2024

We thank Mr Rodney Tan Wee Hong for sharing his suggestions (Collect waste from landed properties on alternate days to save resources, April 2).
Mr Tan’s suggestions of alternate-day collection and having shared larger bins between neighbouring houses are areas that we can explore as we continue to evolve our waste collection system. As highlighted by Mr Tan, this will require residents to collectively play their part and adjust their waste disposal habits.
More broadly, we continue to encourage all households to reduce the waste generated, recycle right, and do their part in keeping their neighbourhood clean and pest-free.

Ron Wong
Director, Waste Management Division
National Environment Agency