MSO could look into ‘grey’ areas involving several public agencies

From David Kwok Ng Kan

I applaud the Ministry of National Development for setting up the Municipal Services Office (MSO). (“Municipal office seeks to pursue stronger citizen-centric approach”: Aug 30)

Currently, many people do not know where and how to lodge their complaints when a problem involves a few government and public agencies.

I’m living in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat where there’s a shopping mall and the common space (the ground floor and void deck) is maintained by the town council, while the estate comes under the HDB.

This often gives rise to ambiguity when enforcement is needed to solve municipal problems, such as illegal parking and walkway obstruction.

Take the case of illegal parked motorcycles at the shopping mall and the void deck.

The town council has the power to issue summons to the illegal parking offenders because the mall is classified as part of the common area. But it is unable to do so due to a lack of manpower and its property officer works during normal office hours.

On the other hand, the HDB has the manpower to do so (because it outsources this duty) and it has the authority to issue summons to the illegal parking offenders, but it is unable to do so because it is considered a common area.

In tackling illegal parking and walkway obstruction, the HDB and town council should compromise to come up with a solution. It should not strictly adhere to the current policy about which body can or cannot take action in this case, which is a crucial part of the problem.

Otherwise, it would create a loophole for bikers and shop owners to park illegally and place their wares beyond the permitted areas.

Maybe the MSO could look into these grey areas.