The standard of service from the civil/government services

[WangChuk]

Jan 7, 2025, 01:53pm

14,034
52

Cherlynn Ng
Submitted by Stomper
Emmanuel
A man was caught on camera verbally abusing staff at Redhill MRT station.

He was upset that they did not tell him about an escalator not working, which apparently caused him to walk to and fro in vain.

Stomper Emmanuel shared a video of the incident that occurred on Dec 26, 2024, at around 3.35pm.


He recounted: "I witnessed the man verbally abusing and shouting vulgarities at the employee.

"He was fussing over the escalator being broken down and having to walk long distance. But I don't see this is how is the worker's fault."
In the video, the man can be seen raging at a female employee, with a male colleague standing behind her, at the passenger service counter.



The man is heard using the F-word and saying, "Give warning to people, you know? Tell people you are repairing the escalator. I don't have to walk back here, then walk back to the staircase. You understand what I'm saying?"

When the employee tried to explain, the man responded: "You only put (the) way out. You didn't say the escalator is under repair.

"If you are from the other end, the other end, the other, you know the other end? Go and have a look later. I didn't see, ok? I was walking, then walk until the escalator, escalator (under) repair, I got to walk back to the staircase."

The video ends with the man saying, "I said this is not the first time, ok? It's either stupid or you guys just can't be bothered, ok?"

Emmanuel told Stomp: "I am quite angry that he shouted and insulted the workers as they were already trying their best to help him. People should honestly learn to be more gracious and appreciative."

Stomp has contacted SMRT for more info.

U dare scold silver serpents or service providers, they all siao siao lan lan let U fuck shiok shiok. No consequences no law as long as U dare ... the zhenghu, service providers and silver serpents all will bend down let U f shiok shiok one. No believe ask the Malai Encik in the report lah

 

[WangChuk]

Forum: Minimise construction noise for better HDB living​

Dec 20, 2024

Despite numerous complaints and regulatory efforts, excessive noise pollution from construction activities in densely populated HDB estates remains a significant and unresolved issue.

I’ve noticed this in areas like Choa Chu Kang/Teck Whye, where projects such as the construction of new electrical switch rooms, addition and alteration of drop-off porches, and improvement works to surface carparks continue to disrupt residents’ peace.

A primary culprit is the use of noisy excavator-mounted concrete breakers, without adequate consideration for quieter alternatives. While the National Environment Agency (NEA) has implemented noise regulations, enforcement and accountability remain inadequate, further exacerbating the situation, leaving residents to bear the brunt of the noise pollution.

I have repeatedly raised concerns about this issue through letters to The Straits Times Forum, and feel that more can be done.

To address this persistent problem, we must:

– Strengthen enforcement: The NEA should impose stricter penalties for noise violations and hold the employers, and consultants, besides the contractors, accountable for adhering to noise regulations.

– Promote quieter construction: Prioritise environmentally friendly construction methods and encourage the adoption of quieter technologies. Explore alternative tools and techniques such as stitch coring, low-noise hydraulic breakers or silenced models designed for urban or noise-sensitive areas, to reduce noise pollution without compromising efficiency.


– Leverage the Quieter Construction Innovation Fund: The NEA should actively promote the use of this fund to incentivise the adoption of quieter construction practices.

Government agencies, contractors and policymakers must work together to address this pressing issue.

Residents in HDB estates deserve a peaceful living environment, free from the relentless disruption caused by excessive construction noise.

Loong Chik Tong

as long as the construction is government projects .... then its called NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ... then all the contractors in these projects are above NEA and Government LAWS ... be is noise or pollution or die people also nobody can touch or disturb them .... all the NEWS reports over the years have proved this .... so no point complaining something that your voted government had repeated show U they dont care.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Improve signage at MRT stations to point to tourist attractions​

Jan 07, 2025

Recently, I was at Napier MRT station where I came across multiple instances of tourists who were heading to the Singapore Botanic Gardens but were lost at ground level after they came out of the station.

I helped a couple of them by showing the way.

I realised that the ground-level signage in and around the MRT station could be improved. There is a very subtle icon of some plants to indicate the way to the Botanic Gardens, but no accompanying text. In another instance, the sign was completely hidden behind a glass panel.


I also find that at many MRT stations – like Bayfront, Marina Bay and Promenade – printed papers are used to indicate directions to tourist attractions. While this is helpful, it does show poor planning.

Can we do better with directional signage for tourist attractions in and around MRT stations?

Rahul Gupta

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Make online process for CPF nominations more user-friendly​

Jun 26, 2025

I recently attempted to make my CPF nominations online with my son’s help, but the process proved unexpectedly frustrating.

After completing the required fields, we reached the facial authentication stage, only to encounter repeated failures due to a “Strong light detected” message.

Although it was daytime, we drew the curtains and took extra steps to reduce glare, carefully following on-screen prompts such as adjusting distance and positioning. Despite our efforts – and confirming that our laptop, webcam and wired internet connection were all functioning well – the system continued to reject the image. Eventually, we were met with an “Error 403” message and asked to start the entire process again.


Even though I had logged in via Singpass, all previously entered data was lost, and we had to retype everything from scratch.

Along the way, we encountered other issues: buttons had to be clicked twice, and drop-down menus sometimes shifted focus unexpectedly.

After multiple failed attempts, we had no choice but to give up.

As a senior with mobility issues who tries to limit unnecessary travel, I have yet to complete an online nomination successfully.


Facial authentication should be more adaptable to real-world conditions. Basic form data should also be saved as a draft to avoid the need to re-enter everything in case of errors. Singapore’s push towards digitalisation is commendable, but experiences like this risk leaving some behind.

Yeow Kam Hoow

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Strengthen digital services to support hawker culture​

Jun 26, 2025

President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Lau Pa Sat reminded us how proudly we showcase our hawker culture as part of Singapore’s heritage (French President Macron arrives in Singapore; to exchange agreements on defence, AI, May 29.)

Yet behind this celebrated image lies a digital experience that remains underwhelming. The online ordering platform at Lau Pa Sat is unreliable. Many stalls are missing in the app, some reject orders, and several Kopitiam outlets are not even listed. Items are often marked “sold out” on the app even when they are available.

Based on my personal experience, these issues have persisted for over a year with little improvement. They reflect a gap in the delivery of dependable digital services, especially from a national social enterprise under the FairPrice Group.


As we continue to promote our hawker centres, it is just as important to ensure that the digital infrastructure supporting them keeps pace.

Josephine Lim Teo Hwee

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: MOF should set up panel to find root cause of Acra’s portal glitches​

Feb 20, 2025

I refer to the article “Acra waives late filing penalties till March 15, while it rectifies issues with its new portal” (Feb 17) which highlighted the prolonged disruptions caused by the roll-out of the new Bizfile system on Dec 9, 2024.

More than two months after its roll-out and based on the issues that are faced by users, it is evident that user acceptance testing was either not conducted or inadequately performed and there is a lack of supervisory oversight in allowing a flawed system to go live.

Beyond access issues, of paramount concern is that the system has also displayed wrong information, further eroding confidence in its reliability, which has serious implications for businesses that rely on accurate corporate records for compliance and transactions.

While the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) has extended penalty waivers several times, this does not undo the financial and operational difficulties businesses continue to face.

Instead, it highlights Acra’s failure in enabling and facilitating public compliance. The repeated extensions of penalty waivers raise questions. Are there more serious issues with the system that haven’t been addressed?

The Ministry of Finance (MOF), which oversees Acra, should form a committee to investigate this incident – not only for accountability, but also to determine the root cause of how such a significant failure on Acra’s part occurred.

Understanding these failures is crucial to ensure similar mistakes do not happen again – not just by Acra, but also across other government agencies – when upgrading and rolling out systems for the public to use. This is especially so, as online transactions become the default mode of interaction with government agencies.

Tan Swee Leng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

The person who put up the sign knows nothing about gym equipment and usage.

Forum: Users should not hog weight-bearing machines at gym​

Apr 08, 2025


I exercise regularly at an ActiveSG Gym, and appreciate the various aerobic and weight-bearing machines available.

As it is a public gym, there is high footfall, and hence there is a need for users to be considerate and practise courtesy in their use of equipment.

Unfortunately, there are a few inconsiderate users who frustrate other users by hogging some of the machines. When politely asked to share the use of the machines after they have been on them for a long time, these users point to the notices pasted all over the gym stating that users should limit their workout on each machine to 30 minutes.


Applying this 30-minute limit to every machine in the gym is hard to understand.

I can understand a 30-minute rule for the treadmill machines, as these are aerobic machines. There are also six of such machines.

But there is only one of each type of weight-bearing machine, to be shared by all users. Hence, someone who hogs a weight-bearing machine for 30 minutes each time deprives other users of the chance to use it.

Weight-bearing machines are not meant for such long usage, unlike aerobic machines like treadmills.

ActiveSG is probably better informed about how aerobic and weight-bearing machines should be used. I wonder if there is a need to rectify such notices in order to “ensure a positive and inclusive environment for all”.

Lim Boon Seng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Share ratings for each govt agency in OneService app​

May 01, 2025

I use the OneService app by the Municipal Services Office frequently to give feedback on issues on the ground.

What I have experienced is that government agencies are often too eager to close issues raised, with over-simplified responses such as “we are looking into it” or “we have informed our contractor to rectify this issue”. Perhaps, the time taken to close issues is their key performance indicator.

Issues should instead be closed by the person who raised the issue, or only when the issue is rectified by the government agency.


I provide ratings for each issue raised based on the actions taken by the relevant government agency. The Municipal Services Office should share the ratings for each government agency in the OneService app over a period, say, each calendar year, so that residents can see whether the government agency has done well or improved over time.

Ang Bock Leng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

May 27, 2025, 11:49am

Tengah resident claims she reported water leakage in 2024, but town council says it received her feedback only in March​

Ong Su Mann
Submitted by Stomper
Anonymous
A homeowner said she first reported the water leakage at Block 122B Tengah Drive in August 2024, but the town council said it received her feedback only in March.

What happened?

Stomp previously reported that Stomper Anonymous had written to Chua Chu Kang Town Council on April 24: "I have reported the issue of water leaking from the roof garden to my unit close to 10 times since August 2024 via the OneService app and email."


The town council replied on May 16: "We are aware of the issue and have already informed HDB's main contractor on April 25."

This triggered the Stomper who responded angrily: "I reported this last year and you only informed HDB's main contractor on April 25? What have you all been working on in the past many months?

In response to a Stomp query, a town council spokesperson said: "According to our town council records, we received feedback from the resident on the water leakage at the water riser of Block 122B Tengah Drive on two occasions - once in March 2025, and another in April 2025.

"These were received via email. We are not aware of any other feedback sent to other platforms on this matter."

Rebutting the town council, the Stomper shared a PDF compiling all her feedback about the water leakage since August 2024.

She said: "Since they are unable to recall all of my reports, I'm putting in extra time to retrieve all the messages to support their work more effectively!"

The PDF shows that her initial messages about the leakage were to the Building Service Centre, set up by HDB to help homeowners with rectifying defects in their new flats.

PHOTO: STOMP

PHOTO: STOMP

PHOTO: STOMP
The Stomper also provided feedback via the OneService app twice in March.

PHOTO: STOMP
She emailed the town council directly only in April and May.

PHOTO: STOMP
The town council spokesperson told Stomp: "As the water leakage falls under the purview of HDB and its contractor, we promptly notified HDB upon receiving the resident's feedback, the most recent being April 25. We had also updated the resident accordingly via email.

"On May 11, HDB's contractor started rectifications to address the water leak by implementing measures such as the application of water proofing coating on the floor of the water riser. The works are ongoing and will be completed by the end of this month."

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Restore locker facilities at ActiveSG stadiums​

Jun 09, 2025

I want to express my profound frustration and disappointment with the recent removal of locker facilities at ActiveSG stadiums managed by Sport Singapore (SportSG).

As a resident of Chua Chu Kang, I have long relied on my neighbourhood stadium for my regular runs. However, I stopped going to my local stadium due to its no-locker policy. I initially thought this was only at ActiveSG Choa Chu Kang Stadium, but imagine my dismay when I recently visited Bukit Gombak Stadium and discovered that it, too, had discontinued locker facilities.

In the past, these stadiums provided small locker cubicles for rent at just 20 cents, allowing users like myself to securely store valuables. This was extremely convenient and beneficial for many, as I dislike running with my phone in my hand or carrying valuables in my pockets.


I find it perplexing that such a simple yet essential amenity has been discontinued. The absence of lockers discourages me and, I am sure, others from using the facilities and makes exercising less comfortable.

I strongly urge SportSG and the relevant authorities to reconsider this policy.

Mohd Fahmy

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Move closer to a more integrated and patient-centric healthcare system​

Jun 12, 2025

My brother, who is visually handicapped, receives specialist care from multiple healthcare institutions – namely, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC). Before each consultation, he is often required to undergo routine blood tests about a week in advance.

However, because the consultations are at different hospitals, he must make separate trips to each facility for what are essentially the same tests.

This process is not only inefficient but also physically taxing – not just for my brother, but for other patients who may be elderly or have mobility issues.

It also places a significant burden on caregivers, many of whom are already juggling multiple responsibilities.

I urge the Ministry of Health to review this process and consider allowing such routine pre-consultation tests to be done at the public hospital nearest to the patient, regardless of where the consultation will take place. The results can be securely shared across institutions.

Implementing this change would reduce unnecessary travel, ease caregiver stress, and move us closer to a more integrated and patient-centric healthcare system.

Gabriel Chia

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Time to relook lack of air-con in B2 and C class hospital wards?​

Jul 01, 2025

I am writing as a concerned citizen to ask if the Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the possibility of installing air-conditioning in B2 and C class wards of public hospitals.

This issue has been brought up before, but with climate change driving temperatures in Singapore consistently to 34 deg C to 36 deg C – and even higher when humidity is factored in – the issue of heat is no longer just a matter of comfort, but one of patient recovery and staff well-being.

Our healthcare environment must keep pace with changing realities. Air-conditioned public transport has become the norm for over two decades, and I believe it is time to extend this basic comfort to our public healthcare wards.


Many patients in B2 and C class wards are vulnerable, and excessive heat can compromise their recovery process.

Equally, our dedicated medical workers are operating under increasingly challenging conditions, which can affect both morale and performance.

Enhancing the physical environment of our public hospitals is aligned with the broader goal of delivering quality, patient-centric care.

Given the rise in ambient temperatures and the real impact of climate change on everyday living conditions, I hope the ministry will consider this matter seriously now.

Schalling Tan

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Not easy to buy online tickets for football matches​

Jul 08, 2025

The Football Association of Singapore is using Ticketek, a company based in Sydney, Australia, for selling tickets to football events in Singapore.

I am 68 and am finding it very difficult to secure tickets, as the process seems rather complicated. The password field, even when filled with the required 12 characters, does not always let me proceed. I also find electronic payments a security risk.

Surely a company which has counters in Singapore should be chosen as the ticketing partner, as that would give us a choice to buy physical tickets. It doesn’t help that Ticketek’s helpline is an Australian number.

One suggestion is to sell the tickets at the venues for three days after the match dates are announced, so that fans like me can go physically to buy them.

It looks like I cannot even go support Singapore’s boys’ and girls’ squads in the Lion City Cup 2025, or watch the national team when they face India and Bangladesh in the coming months.

As retired seniors, we feel locked out from attending football events in our golden years. Please think of us.

Prakasam Alexander Maria

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Concerned about the state of cleanliness in Chinatown​

Jul 15, 2025

As a long-time resident of Chinatown, I am increasingly concerned about the state of cleanliness in the neighbourhood. Over the past few months, the decline has become hard to ignore.

Rubbish is often seen along the pavements, and it is not uncommon to spot rats rummaging through trash in broad daylight.

Chinatown was never spotless, but it used to be decently clean, pleasant enough for a nice walk or to welcome visiting friends. These days, I find myself avoiding certain alleys and street corners because they have become too unsightly or unhygienic.


It is easy to point fingers at tourists or foreign workers, but I’ve noticed that many of the offenders are locals.

Some older individuals openly spit or discard litter as though someone else is responsible for cleaning up after them. This undermines the values we claim to uphold as a clean and green society.

Before the blame is placed on the hired cleaners, I believe it must be acknowledged that this may not be a matter of efficiency but of resourcing.

In a high-traffic neighbourhood like Chinatown, no cleaning team, no matter how hard-working, can keep up without sufficient manpower and support.

What is urgently needed is both stronger enforcement of anti-littering laws and a cleaning force that matches the scale of activity in the area. Public messaging alone is not enough.

I urge the authorities and all fellow Singaporeans to take this matter seriously.

Cleanliness is not just about civic pride. It is about hygiene, safety and preserving the liveability of the spaces we all share.

Justin Kan Rui Liang

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days​

Ms Grace Fu thanking the workers who saved a driver from the sinkhole, Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah (centre) and Mr Ganesan Veerasekar (second from right), on July 29.

Jul 29, 2025

SINGAPORE – The sinkhole that formed in Tanjong Katong Road South should not have happened, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who apologised for what she described as a serious incident.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and PUB, I would like to extend my sincere apology to the injured driver for the injury suffered as well as for going through a harrowing experience,” she told reporters on the evening of July 29.

The sinkhole was located near a PUB construction site for sewer laying works.

Ms Fu, whose ministry oversees PUB, the national water agency, also apologised to members of the public and residents in the vicinity of the sinkhole for the anxiety and unease the incident caused, as well as to motorists and commuters inconvenienced by the road closure and diversion.

She said she has instructed her ministry to form an internal investigation panel to look into what caused the sinkhole. This will take several months.

The panel will comprise very experienced people with various expertise, she added.

She said the panel will also make recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents from happening.

When asked if a reported burst water pipe nearby on July 25 could be linked to the sinkhole occurring the following evening, she said all the available evidence will be studied and the findings reported.

She added that the priority is to reopen the stretch of Tanjong Katong Road South that remains shut, while ensuring public safety.


While many tests have been done to check on the stability of ground conditions, she said motorists and commuters may be inconvenienced “perhaps for a few more days” by the closure of a section of Tanjong Katong Road South between Mountbatten Road and the ECP.

“We are going through a very thorough and rigorous safety assessment, and until we’re satisfied with that, we will not open the road. We will do so when we ascertain that it is safe to do so,” she added.

The authorities are trying to restore that section of road, which caved in on the evening of July 26, swallowing a car and its driver.

The driver escaped with the help of workers on-site and was taken conscious to hospital. It was previously reported that she was experiencing muscular pains.

Ms Fu said on July 29 that she understands the driver is still recovering in hospital.

On July 27, the badly damaged car was hoisted out of the sinkhole with a crane.

The sinkhole was refilled early on July 28 with liquefied stabilised soil, which is made of soil, cement and water.

Works to test the ground are under way – using a ground-penetrating radar to check that the sinkhole has been completely filled, drilling a long metal rod into the ground to test the material, and scanning the area using sound waves.

PUB had said a concrete structure, known as a caisson ring, failed at the adjacent PUB worksite around the same time the sinkhole formed at about 5.50pm on July 26.

A caisson ring is a watertight concrete cylinder that is sunk underground to form a stable foundation for other structures.

The reasons for the failure of the caisson ring are still unclear.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said on July 28 that it will carry out an independent investigation into the sinkhole, which could take a few months to complete.

Ms Fu said PUB will cooperate fully with BCA in its investigation.

She noted that having two teams looking into the incident will help the authorities to determine the causes of the incident in a more thorough and systematic manner.

When asked about complaints from some residents about noise during the recovery works, she said it is a “very fine trade-off” – if work is stopped at night, rectification may not happen as quickly as hoped.

“I hope that the residents will also understand that we want to do this quickly, to stabilise the situation, so that public safety is protected to its maximum,” she added.

Ms Fu later toured the site where the sinkhole occurred and thanked two workers, Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah and Mr Ganesan Veerasekar, who helped to pull the driver to safety.

 

[WangChuk]

Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days​

Ms Grace Fu thanking the workers who saved a driver from the sinkhole, Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah (centre) and Mr Ganesan Veerasekar (second from right), on July 29.

Jul 29, 2025

SINGAPORE – The sinkhole that formed in Tanjong Katong Road South should not have happened, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who apologised for what she described as a serious incident.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and PUB, I would like to extend my sincere apology to the injured driver for the injury suffered as well as for going through a harrowing experience,” she told reporters on the evening of July 29.

The sinkhole was located near a PUB construction site for sewer laying works.

Ms Fu, whose ministry oversees PUB, the national water agency, also apologised to members of the public and residents in the vicinity of the sinkhole for the anxiety and unease the incident caused, as well as to motorists and commuters inconvenienced by the road closure and diversion.

She said she has instructed her ministry to form an internal investigation panel to look into what caused the sinkhole. This will take several months.

The panel will comprise very experienced people with various expertise, she added.

She said the panel will also make recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents from happening.

When asked if a reported burst water pipe nearby on July 25 could be linked to the sinkhole occurring the following evening, she said all the available evidence will be studied and the findings reported.

She added that the priority is to reopen the stretch of Tanjong Katong Road South that remains shut, while ensuring public safety.


While many tests have been done to check on the stability of ground conditions, she said motorists and commuters may be inconvenienced “perhaps for a few more days” by the closure of a section of Tanjong Katong Road South between Mountbatten Road and the ECP.

“We are going through a very thorough and rigorous safety assessment, and until we’re satisfied with that, we will not open the road. We will do so when we ascertain that it is safe to do so,” she added.

The authorities are trying to restore that section of road, which caved in on the evening of July 26, swallowing a car and its driver.

The driver escaped with the help of workers on-site and was taken conscious to hospital. It was previously reported that she was experiencing muscular pains.

Ms Fu said on July 29 that she understands the driver is still recovering in hospital.

On July 27, the badly damaged car was hoisted out of the sinkhole with a crane.

The sinkhole was refilled early on July 28 with liquefied stabilised soil, which is made of soil, cement and water.

Works to test the ground are under way – using a ground-penetrating radar to check that the sinkhole has been completely filled, drilling a long metal rod into the ground to test the material, and scanning the area using sound waves.

PUB had said a concrete structure, known as a caisson ring, failed at the adjacent PUB worksite around the same time the sinkhole formed at about 5.50pm on July 26.

A caisson ring is a watertight concrete cylinder that is sunk underground to form a stable foundation for other structures.

The reasons for the failure of the caisson ring are still unclear.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said on July 28 that it will carry out an independent investigation into the sinkhole, which could take a few months to complete.

Ms Fu said PUB will cooperate fully with BCA in its investigation.

She noted that having two teams looking into the incident will help the authorities to determine the causes of the incident in a more thorough and systematic manner.

When asked about complaints from some residents about noise during the recovery works, she said it is a “very fine trade-off” – if work is stopped at night, rectification may not happen as quickly as hoped.

“I hope that the residents will also understand that we want to do this quickly, to stabilise the situation, so that public safety is protected to its maximum,” she added.

Ms Fu later toured the site where the sinkhole occurred and thanked two workers, Mr Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah and Mr Ganesan Veerasekar, who helped to pull the driver to safety.

these stupid ministers and government wayangs forgotten that the culprit of this incident is PUB and its silver serpents' incompetence ... now wayang and make all daft sinkies to believe they are the ones who save the sinkieland from dying now.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating​

SCDF said on July 30 that because the dry rising main was not working, water could not be charged up to the affected floors.


Summary

• Toa Payoh fire: SCDF found Block 229's dry rising main faulty, hindering firefighting on the 10th and 11th floors on July 29.
• Residents reported firefighters struggling with the dry riser, and confusion over evacuation. Staircase became smoke-logged while trying to escape.
• Temporary shelter and essential items were provided to affected residents.

AI generated


Jul 30, 2025

SINGAPORE - The dry rising main at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 was not in proper working condition when the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) fought the blaze there on July 29.

SCDF said on July 30 that because the dry rising main was not working, water could not be charged up to the affected floors.

Firefighters had to set up hoses directly from the fire engine below up to the 10th and 11th floors via the staircase.

The fire had engulfed a flat on the 10th floor and spread to a unit on the 11th. A total of seven people, including a firefighter and a child, were taken to hospital.

An SCDF spokesman said: “This is more onerous, but it is a contingency that SCDF firefighters regularly train for during their routine drills.”

The dry rising main is a vertical red pipe installed in a building, and is typically dry when not in use.

During a fire, it is charged with water from a fire engine, allowing water to reach the upper floors of a building.

SCDF said it is working with the town council to investigate the incident. It is also working to rectify the dry rising main fault to ensure it is in proper working condition.

The spokesman said: “SCDF takes a serious view of fire safety and will take firm action against any non-compliance with fire safety requirements, including non-maintenance of fire safety provisions such as the dry rising main.”

A similar incident happened in August 2020, when the wet riser was not working when firefighters tried to use it to fight the flames on the 20th floor at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh.

On July 30, residents of Block 229 told The Straits Times they had noticed firefighters having trouble getting water from the dry riser.

Residents also raised concerns about fire escape routes, as the 25-storey building was a point block, with only one exit staircase down.

They said initial instructions on what to do after the fire broke out were confusing.

Some said that when they called 995, they were told to quickly take the stairs down to the ground floor.

But several of those living in the units above the 10th floor were unable to do so, as the sole staircase had become smoke-logged.


They were then told to head upstairs.

Some residents faced difficulty, as the area was filled with thick black smoke.

A retiree living on the ninth floor, who wanted to be known only as Mrs Tan, 72, said: “It was an inferno. We knocked on as many doors as we could. But we couldn’t get to some of them because the staircase was filled with smoke.”

ST has contacted the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council for comment.

Mrs Tan said the woman living in the 10th floor unit that was on fire had stumbled down the stairs and was crying when she approached her and her husband.

She said the woman appeared to be hyperventilating and asked for help to call 995.

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Saktiandi Supaat posted on Facebook on July 30 that temporary shelter had been arranged for affected households.

Essential items such as mattresses, daily necessities and mineral water have also been provided through community partners.

The power supply for most of the units in the block had been restored by July 30.

But the restoration of electricity is expected to take longer for units on the 10th floor.

A resident there, Mr Seah Seng Chye, 50, a teacher, said the authorities told him the earliest it could be restored was Aug 4.

He said he would be staying with his in-laws in the meantime, and hoped the authorities could look into better fire escape routes for the block.

A resident on the 15th floor, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ong, 46, an architect, agreed.

He said: “There are quite a few elderly and young families staying here. Hopefully the authorities can look into what more can be done to make it safer.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council​

SCDF said on July 30 that because the dry rising main was not working, water could not be charged up to the affected floors.

Summary

• An underground pipe leak may have caused the dry riser at Block 229 to fail during a recent fire.
• Firefighters had to run hoses up the stairs as the dry riser wasn't working, hindering their ability to put out the fire.
• A similar incident occurred in August 2020, when a wet riser malfunctioned during a fire in Toa Payoh.

AI generated

Jul 31, 2025

SINGAPORE – An underground pipe leak could be the reason the dry rising main was not working during the blaze at Block 229 Toa Payoh Lorong 8 on July 29.

In a statement on July 31, Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council said it conducted a joint inspection of the dry riser with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, after SCDF found that it was not working properly.

“In our discussion with SCDF, the probable reason for the failure of the dry riser could be due to an underground pipe leak,” the town council said.

It said the specific dry riser at Block 229, where the fire broke out, was last tested by an authorised fire prevention and protection system contractor on Aug 28, 2024, and was found to be in working condition. The next inspection for the dry riser is scheduled on Aug 5.


The town council said SCDF requires a hydrostatic test for the dry riser to be conducted annually, which includes checks to detect such leaks.

In a statement on the evening of July 31, national water agency PUB clarified that there were no leaks to its water pipes supplying water to Block 229.

“The underground pipe which was leaking is part of the housing block’s internal firefighting infrastructure,” added PUB.

On July 29, a fire broke out in a unit on the 10th floor of the block, engulfing the flat and spreading to a unit on the 11th floor.


Seven people, including a firefighter and a child, were taken to hospital.


A day after the fire, on July 30, SCDF said that because the dry rising main was not working, water could not be charged up to the affected floors.

Firefighters had to set up hoses directly from the fire engine below up to the 10th and 11th floors via the staircase.

ST reported on July 30 that a similar incident had occurred in August 2020, where the wet riser was not working when firefighters tried to use it to fight the flames on the 20th floor at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh.

In response, the town council on July 31 said the fire suppression systems involved in the two cases are unrelated.

The 2020 incident involved a wet riser system, while the recent incident in Toa Payoh Lorong 8 involved a dry riser system, said the town council.

It added about the older incident: “Subsequently, the SCDF conducted comprehensive inspections and concluded that all fire safety systems are in good working order. The wet riser system at Block 138C Lorong 1A Toa Payoh has been properly maintained and remains in full working condition.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Gym should have been included in CC’s plans​

Aug 05, 2025

I live near Thomson Community Club, which is finally opening in August, looking grand and beautiful. As an older person nearing 60, I was looking forward to having a cost-effective gym near me so that I can heed the Government’s call to stay healthy and strong.

When I went to the community centre to inquire about gym facilities, I was told that a tender is being conducted for an operator.

The centre has been closed for six years, since April 2019, and I can’t understand why it has taken so long to conduct a tender.

The Government is pushing Healthier SG and Age Well SG programmes, and we all know Singaporeans have long lifespans (84 years on average) but poor healthspans (74 years on average).

The call to healthy living in Singapore as we age seems to be thwarted by poor planning.

Chen Jia Shuan

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Aug 7, 2025, 01:48pm

Resident unable to use rubbish chute in own home after neighbour throws cardboard down, choking it​

Cherlynn Ng
Submitted by Stomper
Randy
A resident was faced with a choked rubbish chute after someone threw cardboard down, clogging the passageway.

Stomper Randy alerted Stomp to a video of the incident that has been circulating online.

According to a caption accompanying the video, the resident said he had tried clearing the mess himself with a stick.


"But it was impossible as the cardboard thrown by someone else was too much and somehow (got stuck on) my level," shared the resident, who then reported the issue to Jalan Besar Town Council.

The resident alleged: "(The town council) told me that the cleaner isn't allowed to enter my house and asked me to clean this up myself.


"Is this the way town council settles problems for residents? Where is our money which we paid the town council going to?

"They said that the cleaner checked the main rubbish chute but there's no chokage. Of course! It's on my level, obviously they can't see any chokage."

The video, posted by Singapore Incidents on Aug 3, has garnered over 204,000 views and 250 comments to date.

In response to a Stomp query, Jalan Besar Town Council said the bin chute has since been cleared. It declined to share the location, citing privacy concerns.

A spokesperson told Stomp on Aug 7: "As an added measure, the town council's cleaning team also checked the other bin chutes in the block and no chokage was observed.

"We encourage residents to dispose of cardboard properly by recycling it in the blue recycling bin found at every block. This not only prevents the possibility of choking the bin chutes, it is also one way of doing our part for the environment."