SINGAPORE – The town council and various agencies are aware of the “irregular behaviour” of a particular resident in Block 55, Toa Payoh Lorong 5, but the woman has refused repeated offers of help, said chairman of Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council Chong Kee Hiong on Sunday (Jan 7).

The police have also assessed that the woman poses no danger to herself or residents, added Mr Chong in response to TODAY’s queries.

Residents in that block have complained about the woman’s behaviour, which they say has persisted in the last few years. This includes shouting at different times of the day to scattering incense ash outside her neighbours’ homes.

When TODAY visited the unit on the 10th floor, the common area was visibly damaged. Paint on walls had started to peel off and parts of the floor had white stains.

Mr Chong said grassroots leaders had visited the flat after they were told about the woman’s “irregular behaviour”. They found that she had used salt, vinegar and baking powder to scrub the wall and floor to supposedly “get rid of spirits”. She would also throw cold ash over the parapet.

Without naming her, he said the woman lived in the rental flat with her husband and both of them are in their 70s. The Town Council had also repaired the damage from her scrubbing but she persisted in her actions despite being warned.

The Town Council, the Housing and Development Board, resident committees, voluntary welfare organisation Care Corner and the neighbourhood police centre have been working closely together in the past few months to help resolve the matter, he said.

While there are efforts to assist the couple – such as to get professional help for the woman – she has “adamantly refused offers of help in this regard, despite repeated attempts”.

“Police are monitoring if there are adequate grounds to compel her to seek professional help, but their current assessment is that she poses no danger to herself or residents,” he said.

Mr Chong added that relocating the couple would not solve the primary problem and the agencies were “mindful” that they have lived in the block for about a decade.

“It would be unfair to the husband (to) simply transfer the problem to another precinct, (which) may exacerbate the wife’s condition. Nevertheless, alternate housing arrangements are being planned if the resident’s behaviour cannot be improved despite treatment,” he said.

Neighbours told TODAY the police was called in on Sunday evening after a verbal argument broke out between this woman and her next-door neighbours on the 10th floor. 

One resident, who only wanted to be known as Mr L, said he saw the woman spit at her neighbour’s face while the woman’s husband kicked that neighbour’s gate. The police had also showed up at his flat on Friday night to ask if they encountered any problems with the woman.

The 40-year-old, who lives on a lower floor, said he noticed the woman shouting in the past one to two months but could not make out what she was saying. He added that some neighbours also noticed she has been throwing burning objects over the parapet.

“My main concern is if she’s going to pose a danger to (anyone) else, including herself,” he added. 

Another resident, who only wanted to be known as Mdm Ng, said she feels helpless when the woman repeatedly scatters incense ash to the lower floors as well. Her complaints to the town council did not improve matters even though the cleaners were regularly sent to clean up the mess.

“I don’t dare to go up to (talk to her) but it’s very troublesome for us,” said the 62-year-old factory worker in Mandarin. “And no one can do anything about it because she seems to be a little mentally unsound.”

The woman’s next-door neighbour, retiree Lau Yoong Kin, 77, said they have been putting up with her antics since 2008. The woman would splash oil on her laundry and pour salt water along the corridor, she added.

When Mdm Lau confronted her previously, the woman would scold her and, on one occasion, threw a can of air freshener at her. Because of her neighbour, Mdm Lau now keeps her windows and doors firmly shut when she is home and cleans the area outside her home twice a day.

“I’m not scared… but I just don’t like my place to be dirty,” she said in Mandarin. “Even stepping out of the house is difficult.”

Mr Chong said the grassroots leaders have been engaging this couple and their neighbours, many of whom are aware of their problem, have been patient and generous in their responses.

“The various agencies would also like to assure residents that the safety of all residents has been taken into account in dealing with this issue. We hope that all partners working together in the community can bring this problem to a satisfactory outcome,” he added.