Everyone has a part in keeping environment clean: Lee Bee Wah

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency Er Dr Lee Bee Wah filed a motion for adjournment in Parliament, on the standard of cleanliness in Singapore.

Citing experience from her own ward, she stressed everyone should play a role in keeping the environment clean.

She recounted: "In Khatib Centre, we have cleaners working at 9am as well as 5pm. Last Friday, I told town council cleaners not to do any cleaning from 5pm onwards. And on Saturday, myself and about 100 grassroots leaders and community leaders went to Khatib Centre. We picked up bags and bags of rubbish."

"I’m sure this is not uniquely Nee Soon South and it happens in a lot of places in Singapore. And perhaps we have indeed become complacent," she commented. "Perhaps, a new generation has not learnt the lesson of what impact filth and grime can have on environmental health."

"Deputise senior members of non—government organisations, maybe even for grassroots organisations to act as enforcement officers who have a warrant card and be properly trained," suggested Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Environment and Water Resources.

He also suggested reviewing fines and penalty regimes for littering.

— CNA/xq