Excerpts from readers' letters


Housing Board blocks undergo major repair and redecoration works every seven years.

However, I am puzzled as to why such works on HDB blocks and multistorey carparks are not carried out at the same time.

All major redecoration works cause an inconvenience to residents in terms of air, noise and water pollution.

I have spoken to my town council about this, and they told me that the works occur separately because the HDB blocks fall under the jurisdiction of the town council while the multistorey carparks are managed by the HDB.

I hope that the authorities will consider scheduling the repair and redecoration works of HDB blocks and carparks at the same time.

Donny Ho Boon Tiong


I am very happy that an MP spoke up for teachers in Parliament recently (Teachers tarred with unclean wage: Seah Kian Peng; May 19).

Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) is right in saying that measuring everything in terms of dollars and cents is not right and there are some results that are not tangible - such as the scope of teachers' work, which includes staying more than 12 hours in school and marking after school hours.

Therefore, using an "economic compass" to measure the work of teachers is wrong.

Rather, a give-and-take approach is necessary.

Boby Sebastian Kappen


MP Seah Kian Peng's call for a rethink is logical and sensible (Teachers tarred with unclean wage: Seah Kian Peng; May 19). Using the notion of clean wage as a justification is extremely feeble.

Teachers are known to do countless things for which they are not paid, like conducting remedial classes and accompanying students on overseas study trips.

Is this not contravening the clean wage system?

The free parking benefit pales in comparison with the many sacrifices made by teachers, for which they are not paid.

As a nation, we need to demonstrate magnanimity and embrace a give-and-take attitude. We should not quantify every action in monetary terms. If perks are deserving, why be so grudging?

Lawrence Loh Kiah Muan


I would like to propose that drains in public areas be covered or guarded by rails, especially where walking surfaces exist beside a drainage system or are intercepted by it (Elderly woman helped by stranger, after she fell into 2m-deep drain lost consciousness; May 17).

The installation of drain guards is one way to reduce mishaps related to open drains, besides being able to filter pollutants such as street litter and sediment.

Taking proactive measures in reporting accident-prone sites such as a slippery mouldy patch or a pothole, or reporting safety-related incidents that might otherwise not be reported should be encouraged.

Establishing a centralised process for reporting potential accident sites will speed up investigation and follow-up actions compared with reporting to different authorities depending on the nature of the risks.

Grace Chew Chye Lay (Dr)

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 25, 2018, with the headline 'Excerpts from readers' letters'. Print Edition | Subscribe