Would MSO help with monkey issues?

Would MSO help with monkey issues?

New body to coordinate public feedback.

Remember that saga over the fishball stick near Bukit Gombak MRT station?

That saga was not actually a unique incident.

Housewife Vicky Chong, 49, regularly jogs at the Bukit Batok Nature Park and when she spots litter, she picks it up.

Occasionally she reports cases on the National Environment Agency's (NEA) website.

A few months ago, she noticed litter all over a bus stop in Upper Bukit Timah Road and the carpark at Bukit Batok Nature Park.

The culprits were monkeys who ransack the bins.

As it was a litter-related issue, Madam Chong sent an e-mail to the NEA and suggested replacing the bins with the monkey-proof ones that are used in the park.

Not so easily done, she found out.

The carpark is managed by NEA, the bus stop by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the park by the National Parks Board (NParks).

Madam Chong's feedback is not rare.

It is estimated that 10 to 15 per cent of feedback the Government receives involves multiple agencies, is directed to the wrong agency, or involves a solution where the agency responsible is not immediately obvious.

That is why Madam Chong supports the new municipal services office, she said in a letter published in the Straits Times Forum page last Friday.

The idea of the Municipal Services Office (MSO) was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally.

COORDINATE AGENCIES

It aims to improve the Government's overall coordination and delivery of municipal services, said the Ministry of National Development (MND).

MSO will be housed within MND.

Ms Grace Fu, who will oversee MSO, said it will be set up on Oct 1.

Ms Fu is a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

The MSO will not replace the feedback management functions of government agencies and town councils and it will help them resolve municipal issues especially in cases where multiple agencies are involved.

For a start, the MSO will work with eight agencies: the People's Association, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, the Housing and Development Board, the LTA, the NEA, NParks, Public Utilities Board and the Singapore Police Force.

Ms Fu will be also studying the feedback mechanism loop to ensure its efficiency, reported the Straits Times online yesterday.

"Whatever we do right now we have to make sure it's most convenient for members of public and that it doesn't create another layer, it doesn't delay the process," Ms Fu told reporters before flagging off the One Community Walk at Yuhua Constituency yesterday.

Madam Chong hopes the feedback process will be streamlined.

She said: "I'm not frustrated now that I know that respective agencies will be looking into the matter. I'm just wondering when this issue will be solved."

Tin Pei Ling, MP for Marine Parade GRC

"It's usually issues with cleanliness. Depending on where a piece of litter falls, different agencies could be involved.

"If it falls near a drain, it could be the duty of the Public Utilities Board. If it falls near the a grass patch near the drain, it could be the National Environment Agency (NEA).

"Usually, I would just ask the town council for help and they would do it out of goodwill.

"It really annoys people when they see rubbish lying around for a few days, because they expect a clean and green place. A one-stop portal would be helpful as a lay person might not know which agency would be best."

Baey Yam Keng, MP for Tampines GRC

"There is a long strip of land the size of a few football fields between Tampines Street 45 and the Tampines Expressway.

"Last year, during the peak of the dengue period, residents complained that it was a potential mosquito breeding spot and messy with overgrowth.

"The area nearest to the HDB flats is managed by the town council, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) manages the area near the expressway.

"There are trees so NParks is involved as well, and as it is state land - the Singapore Land Authority.

"Currently, there may be some discrepancies and disagreements (between agencies). There is a merry-go-round, residents are confused and things are not solved, which is a pity."

Zaqy Mohamad, MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC

"There was a case of monkey spotting which involved many agencies at one time because these animals don't just stay at one spot.

"If they are spotted at a HDB estate, the town council is involved. Elsewhere, in the forest, either Mindef or Agri-food and Veterinary Authority, depending on which part of the forest.

"I see a number of such cases involving multiple agencies. There is no wrong door policy, but it could also be a revolving door especially when they get caught in the web of regulations.

"Over the years, with experience, you will realise which is the right agency to approach. When more than one agency is involved, getting them on the same table helps to resolve the issue. At the management level, there is a commitment to resolve the issue."

linheng@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Aug 25, 2014.
Get The New Paper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.