If you live in a Housing Development Board (HDB) block in Singapore, you’re probably no stranger to renovation and refurbishment works that are carried out for the block from time to time.
And while these upgrading works are often welcome by most residents, they certainly weren’t by this man living in Block 471C Fernvale Street.
Earlier this month, on 21 June, a member of the public tipped STOMP off by submitting a video of a man interrupting the work of workers on a gondola by grabbing one of its ropes.
He even used a pole to try and prevent the gondola from moving upwards and getting near his unit with a pole.
Apparently, a resident in the area heard that the man had even threatened the workers by saying that he would sue them.
The workers had been installing anti-bird netting in the area.
Man’s Opinion: Extremely Angered at Installation of Netting
When interviewed by Shin Min Daily News for an article published yesterday (25 June), the man in the video expressed his extreme anger over the installation of the netting.
The man, 45-year-old Mr Chen (Hanyu pinyin), explained that he had heard some noises from outside his second-storey unit in the afternoon of 21 June.
He then realised that workers were trying to install the anti-bird netting outside his unit.
Mr Chen then recounted how he immediately stopped the workers from installing the netting by blocking them with a bamboo pole and grabbing onto the ropes that allowed them to travel upwards towards his unit.
According to Mr Chen, he did not give the Town Council approval to install the netting outside of his house.
He added that there was no need to do so as he is not affected by the birds around his home.
Expressed Concerns Over Netting Affecting Property Prices in the Future
Apart from that, Mr Chen raised various concerns about the possible impacts of installing the anti-bird netting.
One concern he raised was regarding the future price of his home and the possibility of it being negatively impacted by the installation of the netting.
He pointed out that the netting would make painting works for the walls facing outwards more difficult.
He claimed the netting would make it more dangerous for air-conditioner maintenance personnel to do servicing works as it would cause a higher risk of falling.
Most importantly, he harped on how the netting might affect the sale of his home in the future.
However, when the Shin Min reporter asked if he was intending to sell his unit, he said no.
Almost 80% of Residents Voted to Install the Netting, Mr Chen Did Not Respond to Town Council’s Survey
When Shin Min reporters visited the area, other residents revealed that the Town Council had previously issued a survey for residents to indicate whether they wished to have the netting installed outside their homes.
Based on Shin Min‘s report, the Town Council did not install the netting for residents who opted out of the installation through the survey.
The Town Council also put up posters and notices at the relevant blocks to inform residents of the survey results and dates when the netting would be installed.
At Block 471C, over 78% of residents voted to install the netting.
Other blocks in the area had similar voting results, with some blocks having over 80% of residents in favour of the netting.
When speaking to Shin Min, another resident named Mdm Zhang (Hanyu pinyin) shared that installing the anti-bird netting would mean a cleaner environment as she no longer needs to worry about rubbish or bird faeces near her unit.
As for Mr Chen, when the reporters asked him about his response when taking the survey, he said that he did not indicate his preference.
Instead, he left his survey blank.
Well, you know what happens when you leave a test paper blank…
Hence, he said he did not understand why the workers would try to install the netting outside his unit.
According to him, he was angry as the Town Council “had no right” to make a decision for him.
He also claimed that two weeks to make a decision was not long enough.
When responding to Shin Min’s queries, a spokesperson from the Ang Mo Kio Town Council revealed that it has since halted the installation of anti-bird netting due to safety concerns.
The spokesperson explained that even though the Town Council had previously notified residents that the installation would take place between 31 May and 30 June, the safety of all individuals involved is the Town Council’s utmost priority.
In particular, the spokesperson touched on how the Town Council tried their best to adhere to the timeline but will take the necessary measures to solve the issue at hand before continuing the installation works.
When speaking to STOMP, the Ang Mo Kio Town Council also emphasised that the Town Council is “committed to open communication and close collaboration” with their residents.
The spokesperson also urged residents to contact the Town Council in the future if they have any queries regarding the activities and works done in the area.
Apart from that, Shin Min reporters also contacted the contractor tasked with the installation of the anti-bird netting.
According to the contractor, the workers were forced to stop work after the conflict with Mr Chen.
Currently, they are awaiting instructions from the Town Council to determine when they will resume the installation works.