When we think of growing plants, we think of growing beautiful potted plants along our HDB corridors or in our homes.
A man, on the other hand, loves his plants so much that he grows them all the way to the exterior of his flat.
That was when the town council had to take action to trim his overgrown plants.
Town Council Cut Off Plants Outside Man’s HDB Balcony After He Ignored Calls to Remove Them
Mr Kang Poh Kim, 74, a retired engineer, had been growing his plants since 40 years ago when he first moved into the flat at Jurong.
The plants were so overgrown to the point they extended out of his window.
The plants could potentially cause public health issues and danger, hence the town council urged Mr Kang to do proper housekeeping and remove them if necessary.
However, Mr Kang did not listen and kept his plants.
“As there had been no significant improvement to the situation, and in view of public safety and health, the town council decided to take further action to remove the plants by deploying workers on rope access to trim the overgrowth,” said a Jurong-Clementi Town Council spokesman.
Removal Process Took Six Hours
The process took six hours, probably as long as how it would take to cut off an entire tree.
Workers cordoned off the area below Block 426 Jurong West Avenue 1 and began to trim the overgrown plants which had taken over the exterior of a ninth-story flat.
During the process, Mr Kang was at home watching television.
“I didn’t stop them or argue because I didn’t want to cause any trouble, but my plants are all gone now, so I’m very sad,” said Mr Kang.
Neighbours were Previously Frustrated because of His Plants
One of his neighbours, Mr Anthony Kouh, 72, said that the overgrown plants from Mr Kang’s balcony were a source of frustration for his neighbours.
Mr Kouh said, “He’s been told many times by officials, but he ignores them. The plants wind up breeding mosquitoes and dripping water down, so it’s much better now that they are now gone.”
Mr Kang told Shin Min Daily News that his plants were similarly trimmed about two or three years ago, believing that one of his neighbours complained.
With his plants all gone, with stumps attached to the wall, Mr Kang can only wait for his plants to grow out again.
“I have been growing these plants for so many years, and now they’re all gone. But the roots are still here, so it’s a matter of time that they’ll grow back again,” said Mr Kang.
In other words…the root of the problem isn’t solved. Yet.
Featured Image: Shin Min Daily News