Sengkang West was a new division in the Ang Mo Kio GRC, formed immediately after the 2006 General Election. It comprises of Anchorvale and Fernvale precincts and consists of 100% public housing.
With the redrawing of the electoral boundaries in the 2011 General Election. Sengkang West is now a Single Member Constituency (SMC).
Dear Dr. Lam
I am really happy to read your posting, and glad that you have been contributing much to our Sengkang society with your leadership.
Dr. Lam, I just would like to raise up my concern over recent hospital proposal near Chenlim LRT station, which I don’t think it is an ideal place for Sengkang community. Here are several concerns that I and my neighbours have:
1. In the first place, noise (emergency hospital transportation) will be very disturbing to the neighbourhood especially during evening time
2. the 2 open fields infront of this LRT station over the years are place for family gathering and kite flying. This is one way to promote family activities, and it is one great place for Sengkang community. Why the gov still want to have hospital in this location instead of somewhere else? the other open field has been allocated for BTO. I and my neighboors are very sad to see this. Everything, we are seeing is so materialistic, instead for the community welfare.
3. We are on the hand glad to see hospital as another facility to serve Sengkang community, but it could be allocated in another area.
Dr. Lam, this comment is not complaining. It simply represent my deepest heart feeling towards Sengkang and my love over these 2 open fields. Hope you will help to raise up this concern to the related gov body.
Yours sincerely
Ski Sim
Resident of Anchorvale Link
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Pin Min’s reply:
Thanks for the feedback. I fully understand the concerns about the construction of the hospital at Sengkang. I have discussed with MOH and they have reassured me that the noise level will be brought to a minimum as much as possible through proper design and work processes. Indeed, the open spaces are welcome by many residents. Besides the plots of empty land opposite the CC, there are still many still available next to the SK Methodist church and at the Sengkang Riverside Park.
Ski,
I do not see how can building a hospital in Sengkang West be deemed as materialistic? A hospital is definitely meant to serve the residents in Sengkang as well as residents around the area, it is definitely for the well fare of the residents. Sengkang polyclinic is already bursting at its seams. I can definitely see why a hospital is very much needed here. Everyone wants more and better healthcare facility but no one wants it in their backyard.
Ski,
I agree with Ling Teo.
Maybe you have not seen how a hospital would benefit us in future.
My mum was recently suffered from stroke. It happened when she was at home, the ambulance sent her to Changi General Hospital. The travelling time to and fro during the time she was admitted n stay there, and the multiple checkups have wasted our time as well as money. Bus and train trips to CGH took us abt 40 mins each trip to visit her. And subsequent trips for checkups, we have to take cab as she has problems standing independently n walking. Each cab trip cost more than $10, hence to and fro hospital-home for each checkup will cost us ard $30. This piled up a big sum of money just for travelling, in addition to her checkups, med, etc.
Dear Mr Lam
My name is Shirley and I am a resident in Sengkang West.
I have just received my voting card and was pretty upset by this.
I used to stay in Sembawang in Jan and then shifted to my own place in Sengkang in February. I received my voting card and it has asked me to go back to Sembawang to vote instead of Sengkang. I was shocked and upset. I am no longer a resident there and why do I still need to vote there? After the announcement of the candidates for individual areas. I thought I will be voting for Sengkang. This is devastating.
I called into the Election office and according to the operator, eligibility of voting and areas are as per 1st January 2011 which is the cut off time. All I can get this has been fixed and we cannot do anything about it. I still have to make my way back even though I don’t live there anymore. I find this pretty unfair. We should vote for the area that we live in. Still I believe this is set and it cannot be changed in any way.
I guess I will have to wait for another 5 years to be able to vote and support the area I lived in.
Thank you for your service to us and may you hit big success in this election.
From:
Shirley
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Shirley,
I think there is a cut off date for the register of electors. Nonetheless, please support my comrades in Sembawang!
Dear Mr Lam
I have been stay in Blk 306C Anchorvale Link for about 5 years. Very often I will see smokers(the residents staying there) smoking in the lift , empty can drinks and rubbish in the lift. Can we have a cctv instal in the lift to stop all this.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
We have a programme with the Town Council currently to install CCTVs in all lifts in Sengkang West. This should come to your block soon. The feedback from other precincts who had CCTVs install is very favourable as I am sure your area will benefit from it too.
Dear Dr Lam,
We’ve recently moved into Fernvale Road (Coral Spring). As such, it is a pity that we are unable to vote for this new area that we are staying.
Nonetheless, can we request that the Town Council review on the lack of linking walkways from our void decks to the pathways outside our estate?
Examples:
1) From bus stop to 411B, we are not able to take the walkway along Pei Hwa Sec ; directly cut into our block due to the nice landscape surrounding the estate. Residents either have to walk 1 big round or to take another longer route, ie to cut thru from car park.
2) From Blk 410A, if we want to cross diagonally to blk 441B (where the new PCF sparkletots is located), we are unable to do so as there is no walkway/steps. Residents have to walk along the long carpark route to make a big U-turn or have to walk to the bus stop & turn back.
3) There is no linkways from the different blocks, eg residents/visitors can’t cut thru 411A to get to 411B. If they do so, they have to overcome a number of ‘hurdles’.
Another pressing issue is the lack of childcare vacancies within the vincinity. Many of us are young families with kids or planning to have kids. I’m lucky to have gotten a place for my toddler recently. However, based on feedbacks from some of my neighbours, many of them are still waiting for a place.
Thank you for your time ; I sincerely hope that you will win the election!
Cheers,
WS
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Wei Shan,
We will definitely look into the request. The Town Council has CIPC fudning for such projects and we have to allocate and prioritise accordingly. Thanks!
Dear Mr Lam,
I stayed in Blk 320 C Anchorvale Drive.
I would like to bring to your attention to the theft of shoes from my neighbours and myself. As I had installed CCTV outside my house myself, I managed to capture the image of a pair of young Chinese girls stealing 2 pairs of my shoes right in front of my doorstep at 9.30p.m. on 27 April 2011. They were fairly bold, as I had visitors in my house during that time. They appeared to come down from the staircase, and going on their rounds. I believed this was not the first time that they had striked, as my neighbour had lost their shoes a couple of months ago. I have since reported the case to the Sengkang Police, and handed over to them the CCTV image. However, given that the security around this precinct had not been good, I would hope that the CCTV installation could be done earlier. If not, at least have the Police patrol the precinct more frequently.
By the way, I am still waiting for the Police to get back to me on the outcome of this case, given that I had taken the efforts to scan through my CCTV images and handed them over to the Police.
Hope that you could look into this. Thank you.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Janson,
Our Town Council has started this CCTV in lifts programme and we are installing them in pahses at the various precinct. This will definitely enhance the security in our estate.
Dear Mr Lam,
I’m writing this to you is because I don’t know who should I report to.
I currently staying in Blk 441D and very concern about some primary school kids as they are often seen playing at the rooftop garden and jumping across the pillar over the carpark after school hours. I think is a very serious issue to look into and not wait till accident happens.
Please do help to raise this issue and see what can be done.
Thank you
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Karen,
I have raised this matter to Town Council to look into already. thanks!
Dear Dr Lam,
I am a resident living in Blk 307D. I’ve went to see you several times during meet the MP session and I would like to thank you for your patience and help. You were very friendly and helpful.
As I am seldom home early, I did not get the chance to see you and sad to say, no time to watch any rally. Frankly, I do not even know who is the opposition. Nevertheless, during the last few hours before the election, hopefully in time to see your reply, I would like to ask a question… What are the plans you have for the Sengkang committee and why should I vote for you?
Many thanks,
Lynn
Dear Dr Lam,
I’m a resident at Blk 413A Fernvale Link.
Many residents, like me, commute by LRT everyday.
What bothers me is the dark surroundings due to the thick overgrowth and the lack of lighting conditions that light up the pavement walkway from Layar LRT station leading to the cluster of blocks at Fernvale Link.
This is especially dangerous when the area becomes dark after 7pm. Many times, I notice occasional joggers, cyclists and pedestrains that ‘appear’ at short visual range which often give me a sudden scare.
For the safety of the residents and the students at Pei Hwa Secondary School (students do stay back late at school sometimes), I would appreciate that lighting conditions be improved in this area.
Hope you could look into this soon.
Thanks,
Wei Wei
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Wei Wei,
Thanks for the feedback. I have already informed HDB about this and they will look into this to see how best to improve on the condition.
Dear Dr Lam
First of all, congratulation to you as elected MP for the next 5 years term.
I am a resident of Blk 310A Anchorvale Road for more than 8 years.
I have a few concerns about the traffic around my estate.
a)Junction of Anchorvale Road (AR) & Sengkang East Avenue (SEA) near Tongkang LRT
I have seen countless of accidents at this junction, mainly involving vehicles turning from SEA into AR with oncoming cars from along SEA. I noticed that there is a blind spot (bushes in front of the LRT track supporting structure) for vehicles trying to make right turn from SEA into AR. The drivers think that there are no oncoming traffic from SWA to SEA because they are blocked by the bushes and the LRT support columns.
It is also very dangerous to use the pedestrian crossing at this junction. Many a times, I and my family members have noticed that although there is a green light for pedestrians to cross, the drivers of the cars trying to make this right turn into AR do not check for pedestrians who have the right to cross because the pedestrian green light is still on. This junction is really a disaster waiting to happen. Can you get LTA to do something about it?
b) Traffic light along Anchorvale Rd at rear gate of Anchorgreen Pri School.
On many occassions, I have seen cars “ignoring” the red light and drive thru. The drivers may have not “noticed” there is a traffic light. My concerns are it is near a primary school and safety of all pedestrians crossing the traffic light, especially the young kids. Shouldn’t it be labelled as “school zone”? Should LTA consider to install a Red Light Camera?
c) Along Sengkang East Avenue (SEA) to Sengkang West Ave (SWA) between Anchorvale rd to Fernvale Link (including the bridge).
I noticed there were many nights (around 10pm-2am) where some cars will speed at least 30-50km/h or more over the speed limits of SEA twd SWA starting from AR junction, and from SWA twd SEA after the Fernvale Link (FL). They revv up their engines and it’s so loud it can be heard reverberating on all the upper floors of the estate. Maybe A Speed Control Measures (speed camera, speed control strips,etc. ) can be implemented so that these cars do not speed. This road has many bends and hidden entry and exits.
From Wilson
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Wilson,
Thanks for these feedback. I have also received similar complaints from residents about these issues and have already informed LTA. I have also suggested installing the “turn right only on green arrow” for that junction, somewhat similar to the one near the SBS depot. It is a much safer option. will also look itno the other issues.
Dear Mr Lam,
I will like to see closer interaction and cooperation with the rest of the Sengkang community now that we’re a SMC. This is especially since we’re, together with the rest of the Sengkang wards, geographically part of the Sengkang town community, as compared to Ang Mo Kio GRC, where the town centre which is quite a distance away from us.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
We will work closely with our counterparts in other parts of Sengkang on town wide development. Thanks for the suggestion.
Dr Lam, I am staying in 436 beside Fernvale point. Now the road beside Fernvale point have extra 10 car park lot. It make the road very narrow. The free bus to fernvale point also stop at this road. The NTUC 20 ft lorry also stop there. i have witness near accident. Since the land beside fernvale point is empty, can HDB, Kuofu ; NTUC have a temp loading point there ; extra car park lot. Why can NTUC 20ft Lorry cannot unload at fernvale point loading bay. Why must they stop infront of the HDB Flat. Hope you can look into this matter. Also the LRT, can you suggest to SBS to have two way on weekend ; PH. Sengkang west have a lot of young parent. they will take their children to CP or swimming Pool but they alway bring along their pram. The crowd at weekend and PH is so high ; with the prams. The train alway very packed. If you do not believe, please take the West side LRT on weekend/PH to have a clearer picture. Thank you
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks, Mike. Will look into it.
Dear Dr Lam,
I’m writing this letter to lodge an official complaint as my several calls to the Town Council all falls on deaf ears as the problem still persist.
I’m a resident of Blk 443B Fernvale Road. In case you are not aware, Blk 443A/B/C & Blk 445A/B/C have only recently collected / collecting our key to our new HDB flat. It is therefore no surprise that many residents would be renovating their flat.
The problem here is that there are too many vehicles (lorry, delivery truck & private cars) parking along the road leading to the multi-storey car park (Blk443) and at the drop-off porch between Blk 443C & Blk 443B. This has cause 2 very serious problem that I identify.
1) Due to the illegal parking, the two-way lane (one to the car park and one from the car park) had been reduce to only 1 lane…and there are occasion where vehicles park at both lanes. This cause inconveniences to residents driving to and out of the multi-storey car park . Not only that, the cars parking along the road also causes visual & physical obstruction, and the delivery vehicles also drives very fast. It is just a matter of time that a collision will happen.
2) There are a few schools around our area (primary & secondary). I have experience in a few occasion that due to the vehicles parking along the road (causing visual obstruction), drivers will not be able see some of these children trying to cross the road to their home or to their schools.
I sincerely hope that the Town Council take a very serious view of these issue and if this is not resolve fast, it is just a matter of time something will happen that we all will live to regret!.
Yours Sincerely
Resident of FernVale
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Pin Min’s Reply:
I will feedback to HDB and TC on the illegal parking along the service roads mentioned.
Dear Dr Lam,
Firstly, congrats to your winning another 5 years’ term. I am a resident of Blk 306C Anchorvale link. As I am staying near the top of the block, in the past, I can sometime hear noises on top of the block late at night.(though this has stopped, just wondering if some of the workers are using the top to bath as i realised that the water pressure drop tremendously when there are noises on top.)
I have brought up the matter to the town council in the past and there seems to be no such problem now but it is still scary to imagine that the water tank seems to be of easy access to the workers, especially with the recent case of a dead body found in the tank.
Can you please ask the town council to have a system to ensure security is super tight. Thoughts of workers swimming in the tank or adding something due their work unhappiness gives me the creeps.
Thanks!
Thomas
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks, Thomas. I have reported this to the TC and they will be monitoring the situation. The TC has also tightened the security measures for accessibility tot he rooftop and rest assured that this is taken very seriusly.
I fully agree with Ling Teo and Jamie
I’m 56, have been staying at Senkang West for the past 12 yrs
My wife passed away in 2007 of breast cancer for 10yrs, had a son of 12yrs, now in Sec 1.
And what’s wrong with having a useful and of value amenities like hospital, it will serve the people well!. Presently I’m suffering from colon cancer stage 4, and had to travel to Cancer Centre at GH on each appointment since 2008. Do you know how much it cost to be terminally sick besides transport?
Now, after going for so many chemos, the medicines had no more effect on the cancer cells. Not even the recent test of the expensive drug that cost $8k! will have any much effect on my cancer. It’s a daily battle now, and not knowing when it will be full blown.
My son is also on medical record since Pr2 and am thankful that the ‘Child Guidance Clinic’ at HPB waive every appontment fee, drugs which the social welfare worker approved on the day of my son’s appt. without question.
Sometimes when he is sick, I had to bring him to Senkang clinic which is full of people daily and couple with my illness, do you know how taxing it is to me.
Anything that is useful and whatever help is caring for the people!
Terence
Thanks
Dear Mr Lam, the tiles in my block’s lift lobby (314B Anchorvale Link) as well as the surrounding blocks and communal halls look extremely dirty. The blocks have recently been given a fresh coat of paint – but the tiling looks bad. Can something be done?
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Vijay,
I will feedback to the town council on this issue.
Dr Lam,
Can i know is there is a sengkang in spore ? Rivervale & Compassvale is under Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC is Pasir Ris-Punggol TC
Anchorvale & Fernvale both under “Sengkang West SMC” now under AMK TC . last election AMK GRC & YCK SMC form TC as AMK YCK TC. why this time AMK GRC & Sengkang West SMC form TC as AMK TC. Can add Sengkang in as AMK Sengkang West TC. all GRC & SMC form TC have both GRC & SMC name. all only sengkang missing.
Hi Dr Lam
I am a new resident of Blk 411A living opposite Fernvale point. I have moved over here for about one month and I have noticed something very annoying almost everynight. I will like to bring your attention to the noise level from the following:
1. The two televisions that are installed in koufu at Fernvale point are inevitably attracting a lot of crowds in the middle of the night. Televisions’ volume were adjusted to very high. Despite living at high floor, I am able to hear the sound from the televisions! It can be quite annoying to keep hearing noises coming from the televisions when my family and I are trying to get some sleep. This noise pollution is worsen when there is soccer matches such there is actually crowd cheering along with it!I believe residents that are living beside the Fernvale point are experiencing much worst than me. I hope that something could be done to rectify this problem.
2. I will like to point out there are cars and motorcycles speeding at night on the road between Fernvale point and Blk 411A, causing added noise pollution at night. I have read through the entries here and understand that other residents are also concern about this issue too. There has not been much improvement on this issue. I hope that something could be done quickly to rectify this problem too since this is not something new.
Dr Lam, I hope that you will put yourself in my shoes and try to understand why I am so annoyed with the amount of noise pollution present here. Thank you for reading and hope to hear from you soon.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Joyce,
Thanks for the feedback. I will inform the management of Koufu and the Traffic Police reagrding these 2 issues.
Hi Dr Lam,
First of all congrats on winning the recent election.
I’m a resident of Anchorvale Lane and have been staying here for about 4 years. My purpose of writing is to request if it is possible to install a POSB/DBS ATM around this neighbourhood. If you are aware, the nearest ATM is located at Fernvale Point and Compass Point area which is not within walking distance for residents staying around Blk 307 to 317 plus. This has created a lot of inconveience to us when we need to use the ATM services.
May I suggest if one can be install at Blk 308C where the food court and some shops are situated. I am sure this will benefits most residents staying around this area.
For your consideration,
Thank You
Kenneth Lua
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Kenneth,
Yes, we are looking into it right now and in discussion with the banks regarding this proposal. Will keep residents updated in due course. Thanks!
Dr Lam,
Can check with you if HDB will reserve a few season parking every month for resident who purchase car. I wanted to buy a car but was told by HDB that the season parking is full. Is there any plan to increase the parking lot for season parking. I am living in Fernvale Grove. There is an increase of season parking lots in blk 436B & 436D but still not enough. how is the bus service. You say you are talking to LTA to have temp bus stop for service 85 in fernvale area. It is also 2 month already, can you updated us. Thank you
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Pin Min’s Reply:
The season parking is on a first come first serve basis. Residents who are owners will be given priority. If the desired carpark is full, HDB will allocate a season parking ticket for the next nearest MSCP.
Good news. LTA informed me that the temp bus stops will be ready by end July this year.
Dear Dr Lam,
I posted some of my concerns regarding the traffic on May 11 (please scroll up). Please advise if anything has been done so far other than feedback.
For point (a), you have mentioned that you suggested installing the “turn right only on green arrow”. When will LTA carried out the installation? Are we waiting for another accident to happen before LTA will take any action? Just like the case of drowning incident where the railing was put up only after the accident happened. Should we be more proactive to do prevention rather than cure?
For point (b), what suggestion does LTA have to ensure that the pedestrians can cross safely when using that traffic light.
For point (c), Joyce has also posted similar issue about cars/motorcycles speeding at night along Sengkang West Ave, causing noise pollution. Just couple of days back, there was a group of 6-8 cars racing (i.e. speeding) against each other at approx 10pm-1030pm along Sengkang East Ave twd Sengkang West Ave.
After you had feedback to the Traffic Police and LTA, have they responded to your feedback and what kind of followup actions have they taken?
I really feel an urgency on the above issues, cause they concern the safety of every resident in Sengkang West.
Regards Wilson
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Pin Min’s Reply:
I have the speeding and road saftey issues with the TP and they are looking into it. As for the “turn right on green arrow” traffic signal at the said junction, LTA reverted that it will be done by July this year.
Hello Dr Lam, may I know if there’s any masterplan for Sengkang West development over the next 5-10 yrs? I took a walk around Sengkang West Park a couple of weekends ago and like the serenity. I am wondering if more water activites can happen along the reservoir where small boat rides (like those Swan models) can be catered for couples, families. That’s only a suggestion but I would like to understand your plans for Sengkang West to nurture this young vibrant estate.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
There will be more residential developments in SW in the next few years. The new Sengkang hospital is planned for completion by 2020. Yes, we are planning to start a water activity centre at the Punggol reservoir next to the CC. We will update the residents when the plans are firmed up.
RE: My post dated May 11 & June 16
Dear Dr Lam
I am glad that the “turn right on green arrow” traffic signal at the junction of Anchorvale rd and Sengkang East Ave has been installed on June 29. Let’s hope the road users will be able to use that junction safety. Thanks for making it happen.
As regarding to the other road safety and speeding issue, we hope that you will give us an updated as soon as TP has reverted.
Wilson
Hi Dr Lam,
Just want to say thank you for the improvement made to increase awareness of the traffic lights of Anchorvale Green Pri school to ensure the safety of the road users, especially for the students of AGPS.
Dear Dr Lam,
I am glad our voices are heard, and DBSS scheme are under review after the outcry.
Back in 2002, I was trying all means to get town council to build rain canopy shelter in front of my unit, and was told this is difficult. Finally, I went to express my views during one of the meet the people session at AMK, when we were part of AMK GRC. My suggestion was accepted, which resulted in all units having this subsequently.
Now that the plot of land in front of Blk 413B is put on hold due to DBSS review, may I suggest rather than using this plot to build houses, would it be better to provide recreational facilities, in addition to those that is currently available around the community center? With the expected increase in occupancy rate due to the newly build housing units in the vicinity, providing more recreational facilities would help in promoting better work/life balance, and encourage a healthier lifestyle among the citizens. This would also ensure a good spread of facilities across the estate. Building mini 5 or 7- a side football pitch, fishing facilities or mini parks/garden are some suggestions which I can think of.
I hope my view can/will be taken constructively to build a better living environment for the residents in this estate.
Thanks.
Rdgs
TC Wee
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks for the comments. We shall await the review of the DBSS by MND and consider other options, whenever possible. We have to balance the demand for housing as well as recreational facilities. The site of the recreational facilities may not exactly be at this location but we will work towards a win-win solution.
Dear Dr. Lam,
I am a resident in Blk 441A and recently, I brought the problem of ants to the town council’s attention. I wish to commend on the response provided by Chew Wei Ling who promptly responded the next business day while I was overseas. The problem was noted the ants have not returned.
In a follow up call, I mentioned that the corridors here are not swept daily. If this is not the usual practice, please let me know, because that was my experience in my previous HDB residence. The dead ants were outside my house in the week while I was away.
Last Saturday, the cleaners were hard at work washing the first storey in anticipation of the Fernvale Vista block party. However, I have to wash and sweep the corridor myself. I wonder if I can get a discount on the service and conservancy charges?
I stay on the level of the roof garden. The nice view is somewhat marred by a pair of shorts that somehow dropped onto the shrub. It has stayed there for some weeks now and I think it needs to be removed. Can we have someone look into this?
I would also advocate that some civic awareness education campaign be necessary. This is because for the past year since we moved here, we have been faced with the problem of wet laundry. The service yard ledge is not enough to prevent absent minded residents who forgot to wring their clothes dry, if anything, it just tells them that the water will drip somewhere not within their house.
Another feedback is a blindspot that is the filter lane from Fernvale Road into Sengkang West (SKW) Way towards Jalan Kayu. The area to the left of the road is an elevated field, so drivers will not see pedestrians on the pavement on the side of SKW. Cars turning left will first meet the zebra crossing. While we may slow down in time for walking pedestrians, the same may not be true for cyclists who are much faster. I had a near brush with a cyclist there. Perhaps a mirror might help?
Thank you very much in taking your precious time in reading my feedback.
Dear Dr Lam,
I am a resident in blk 306 C Anchorvale Link. I just wanted to bring to your attention that there seems to be a problem with the light timer with this block as the lights were still on late into the afternoon on several occasion. I have called the 1800 3258888 (to report lights related problem in our district) and there seems to be no improvement at all regarding this problem.
Just this morning it happen again. (5th of aug 2011) The whole block lights
were still on even thought it is very bright at about 9am. Hence I made a call to the no mentioned above and they told me they will report it to the AMK town council. When I finished my breakfast at about 11am, the light is still on so I made another call and again they mentioned that they will highlight to the AMK towncouncil. You can imagine my surprise when I went out about 5 pm in the evening, the light is still on. I call them again and they mentioned that they do not know why the AMK town council has not taken any action and if they were to inform them now, they will probably only inspect the timer the next day. You can just imagine how much electricity is wasted – blk 306 C is a much bigger block compared to the rest – from morning all the way to the evening.
what is the point of the government asking us citizens to save electricity when they themselve are wasting so much with a timer system that is so prone to mistiming. I have also seen a few other times other blocks in sengkang having this timing problem – lights still on despite noon time. Could you please ask the town council to be more sensitive to this issue and immediately send someone over to look into the problem instead of letting electricity go to waste. And to have a proper maintenance and servicing schedule to make sure our light timer system is not wasting our limited and expensive resources. (and I am sure this problem is not isolated in sengkand – just imagine if all these happen on a regular basis in several block many times a week! – our hard earned tax payer’s money going down the drain)
Thanks
Thomas
This feedback was sent to AMK TC in the first quarter of this year, but there was no reply at all after a lapse of almost half a year!
Many years ago, when MP Mr Wee Siew Kim came for house visits and asked residents for areas of concern, we made a proposal to have an extended shelter above the flight of stairs leading to the basement carpark between Blk 317D and 317C as the original structure/design was flawed and not rain-proof at all which defeats the idea of having a shelter. We also proposed a sheltered drop-off point at the loading/unloading bay in front of the lobby area at Blk 317D similar to the one at Blk 522 Serangoon Ave 4 (Mr Wee was MP for both areas prior to year 2006), which will highly benefit elderly residents who are not so mobile when they alight at the block as well as families with young children which are plenty in this area. Many residents were seen struggling when they were loading/unloading stuff on rainy days. Although there is a sheltered drop off point in between Blk 317B and Blk 318B, again, it was the same not-so-smart-design as the original basement car park shelter which was flawed and does not serve well as a shelter. In fact, I wouldn’t call it a shelter at all! Furthermore, it was not near too! A more well-covered sheltered drop off point should be factored into the design in the first place and this common facility can be seen in many new flats around Sengkang and Buangkok but not the ones that we lived it! The first suggestion was rejected citing reason that the basement car park shelter was a “special design” in which the architect came up with and matches the rest of the facilities so it cannot be changed? No satisfactory answer was given to the second proposal. We finally saw a change to the said flawed basement car park shelter which was eventually torn down and a new and (slightly) bigger one was erected and it did serve its purpose afterall (though there is still room for improvement)-albeit a 10 years waiting time! My question now is, will there be a plan underway for a sheltered drop-off point at Blk 317D?
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Mrs Wong,
Yes. I was aware of the feedback on the shelter to the basement carparks and the sheltered drop-off points when I took over in 2006. Together with TC, HDB and the RC, we studied the various options of modifying the existing designs to provide reasonable shelter without affecting the aesthetic aspect and blending witht he surrounding structure. In addition, we had to source for fundings and due to the limited CIPC funding for all projects in SW, we had to prioritise the work accordingly and at different phases. We had since modified the shelters leading to the basement carparks as you have pointed out and we have also started work, in phases, on the sheltered drop-off points for the affected blocks in your precinct. Thanks for your feedback once again.
DEar Dr Lam,
I am a resident of Blk 325C Sengkang East Way, a single mother of a 3 year old staying with my elderly parents. I can see a lot of efforts has been done to the community here as well as for SIngle parents. Thank you very much!
I am facing childcare woes as the one downstairs is always full and if i will to choose a location further, it would be very inconvenient when my parents help to fetch and send as they are sick and have problem walking. Its even worst when its raining. ALso childcare centre have rules like after 7pm there be charges incurred. If i work in town, most offices end at 6pm and to make it on time at 7pm is really tough with public transport. Its also hard to leave on the dot.
The morning rush hour also make it tough and i need to go to work very early at times and i need my parents help to send and now that my father is sick only my mum could help who has problem in walking.
If i will to send to a childcare that provide transport, it would be costly.
I hope Dr Lam could help with the shortage of childcare centre in this area
as i find that its a hot spot. Not only its expensive but no vacancy as well.
Probably its near Sengkang Mrt and young working couples that result in shortage.
I would also encourage aircon childcare as they are cleaner less dust, and more comfy for children with our humid weather who are very active. The staff are happier working in airconditioned environment too. There are a lot of HDB non aircon centre who are ver dirty probably due to the dust and kids like to put everything in their mouths. Usually these centres are short of manpower too and they might not be so attentive . I was pretty appalled by the findings but most of them are non aircon and due to the shortage of childcare and limited financial there isnt much choice.
Pls help. Thanks you
Sincerely,
Zoe
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Zoe, I am currently working with MCYS to increase the number of kindergartens and childcare facilities in Sengkang West. I seek your patience and understanding. The situation should improve next year.
Hi Dr Lam,
I m a resident of 441C Fernvale Vista. I am concern about the safety of predestrians using the entrance to the Fernvale LRT, as there is no pathway for predestrians to and from the predestrian crossing and Fernvale LRT. With the new Kopitiam around more vechicles are coming in and out although i have observed that carpark attendants are stationed there to control area. But sometime vehicles are turning in at high speed and the entrance is blocked by bushes therefore both drivers and predestrians are unable to keep a look out for each other. Some suggestions that I can think of are to have bushes removed, building a proper pedestrian pathway or a install EPS barriers which would “force” vehicles to slow down when they need to enter the said area.
Sengkang West is highly populated by small kids and i have 2 toddlers who loves to take a walk to the shop daily not forgetting the upcoming primary school, i hope to do my part to prevent an accident waiting to happen.
i hope you could look into my suggestions regards to concern. Thank you very much for your time.
Regards
Sarena
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Sarena,
I have highlighted this to HDB and TC and they are currently looing into it.
Thanks.
Dr Lam,
Recently, there are a lot of ge tai shows held in fernvale near the temple.
can understand that they held it on weekend but nowsaday, it even held it on weekday and past 10pm.
it really cause noise disturbance and we can’t really rest after work.
i hope you can look into it.
Thanks
Hi Dr Lam,
I’m a resident of blk 443b fernvale road. I’m a rider who own a motorbike, wanted a season parking but still the carpark is full and i can’t get my season parking. Today i went to the HDB to ask them about it and they tell me to go and booked my season parking at the nearest AXS machine on midnight 1 dec 2011 to book on advance for january 2012. I do as i was told but still it was full. Can u please look on into this matter because i really does not know where to park my bike because all the carpark is full and the one which is not is far away from my house. Can u make more motorbike lot at 443 carpark because the way they design the carpark for motorbike can actually make more lots.
Hope to hear from you soon Dr Lam, thanks.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks. I will work with HDB to address this shortage. In the interim, HDB will cluster the MSCPs to help alleviate the shortage and increase the capacity.
Dear Dr. Lam,
I totally agree with Ski on the above comments on SengKang hospital.
I’m moving to SengKang area soon (after the BTO is ready) and my flats will be located at the same area where the hospital will be build at.
I know that having a hospital near our area is benficial to us, however, do you think that the hospital is located too near our housing area? Look at NUH and SGH, they kept a distances away from housing estate but SengKang hospital is just located besides HDB flats !
Don’t you think its abit inappropriate? What if we have a disease outbreak like SARS or H1N1 again ?
What will happen to the residence staying nearby? What is the risk of having the disease spread to those who live near the hospital?
Althought it abit late now, but I seriously hope that MOH will have a good prevention system or reconsider the location of the hospital for the sake of the Sengkang residence.
Regards,
Marine.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Marine,
I am working with the new hospital planning committee to address some of these issues and to help allay the concerns of residents living nearby. The experience at the KTP Hospital is also useful in the planning and siting of the new Sengkang Hospital.
Dear Sir,
I stayed in Fernvale Court and my unit is right next to the on-going construction site. For the past few months, my family and I have been understanding but recently the activities have shifted closer to my block (438B) and it does not help that ever after 7.30pm, I could still vividly hear the machinery, crane and piling of steel / metal going on. This is really causing an induced stress to me and my family. I believe all the residents in 438B and even 439A agrees with me. This does not help when even weekends, the construction activities are still persisting.
We understand the urgency for HDB to ramp up the flats in order to sustain the population growth but it has to be well balanced with the residing people already staying in the vicinity. Both my wife and I worked hard in the day only hoping to get a well deserved rest and peace at our own homes. Nothing more.
I sincerely hope you could understand our plight and advise the respective authorities accordingly.
Best regards,
Derek Teo
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Derek,
I will convey this to HDB and ask them to check on the contractors. There are certain regulations with regards to the noise and timings of construction works and these must be complied with.
Dear Sir,
This is the second time I have highlighted my concerns here and I want to say I really appreciate your understanding and prompt response. Even though this may not be the correct channel at times, you have never failed to reply to our concerns. This truly makes your presence felt.
Thank you, Dr Lam, MP of Sengkang West.
Best regards,
Derek
Hello Dr. Lam,
I don’t know where else to post this, but….
My concerns are the public transport around Sengkang West.
I’m living at 443C. I admit that I have access to 2 bus stops, where there are a total of 3 buses available for me.
Nonetheless, it is difficult to get around with just these 3 buses alone.
Furthermore, Service 163 usually takes very long before it arrives.
My Aunt has been living here at 409B for 5 years, yet I do not see any new bus services added to the bus stop in this area.
My request to you is this :
Include more bus services to get to town.
It is very inconvinient for the residents here as we have to transfer to another bus. It would be great if there is a direct bus from here to the western side of SG.
I hope you will take my request into consideration. Thank you very much for your time in reading this.
Yours Sincerely,
Shawn
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Shawn,
your concern is a valid one. We are currently working with MOT / LTA / SBST to improve the bus services in Sengkang West. This is especially important with the many new BTOs being developed.
Dear Sir,
Would you be so kind enough to include more buses around Sengkang West to town?
It is very inconvinient to travel around with just only one bus.
I have visited this area since 2006. I saw the building of Fernvale Point and the blocks of HDB buildings, have taken the bus here for years, yet I do not see any new bus service added to this area. Having only 163 is very difficult to travel using public transport. Futhermore, it only arrives at a frequency of 15min
I hope you can request for more bus services to serve the residents of Sengkang West, especially those who are at the border of Jalan Kayu.
Dear Sir,
I stayed in Fernvale Grove Blk436C. Recently, we realize that there are a lot of watermark stains which I assume was cause by the crack lines from the exterior walls of the flat. In these recent months, the watermark stains has adverse to “balloon like” lump of paints due to the high humidity in Singapore. This could be cause by water sipping in from the crack lines to the interior of the walls.
Sir, may I request your help to write to the relevant authority and do a check on the exterior walls of the flat? It has cause much stress to me as it become a unsightly view in all the interior of my rooms.
Appreciate your reply and do contact me at my email should you require more information or photos to present the case.
Best Regards
Shirley
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Shirley,
I ahve forwarded your feedback to the Town Council and they will be contacting you soon.
Dear Sir,
Thank you for replying to my posts.
I seriously do hope the improvements will be implemented as soon as possible.
Once again, thank you for your time and attention.
Yours sincerely,
Shawn
Dear Dr Lam,
I agree that more bus services should be added to our area. I’ve lived in Anchorvale Road for about 10 years already and the only mode of transport that gets me out from there is Bus 163 unless I decided to take the bus from the interchange, I’ll take the LRT. However, that will make my everyday journey to Ang Mo Kio longer. I’ve tried taking the bus service at various timings in the morning and it’s always too crowded. I’ll normally board the bus from the stop at Sengkang East Ave (Opp Blk 310B). There are days when I tried taking the service from 7am onwards but the bus couldn’t stop by the time it reaches the bus stop I was at as it is already full. The bus is also crowded between 8am-9am, And the timing interval between buses can be a killer, 15 mins.
There is a loop service 163M that will touch Jalan Kayu, however it doesn’t stop at Bus Stop No 68019 – After Sengkang West, which I thought they should, considering there’s Bus Service 86 there that we can hop onto for those continuing journey to Yio Chu Kang and Ang Mo Kio.
I’m very sure there has been a tremendous increase of people who’s now staying in the areas where we rely heavily on bus service 163, therefore there ought to be an improvement in the service.
Thank you for your attention.
Dear Dr Lam,
I am a resident of Block 310A Anchorvale Road of almost 10 years. I have a few issues which i would like to highlight to you.
Firstly, If you ever do make your way to our playground from 4pm onwards right up to 8pm. You will hear voices of children playing, enjoying the playground, playing under the blocks including the pavilion and my child is one of them.
Unfortunately, lately someone from our block facing the playground have been throwing food packages, tissues and many times lighted cigarette butts! There was an occassion one of the cigarette almost landed on my child.
Can the Town Council help by placing cameras at areas whereby the culprits can be caught.
Secondly, there is a small field in the middle of the playground which I notice the children hardly use it.
May i suggest a climbing playground to be fix in the middle of the field for all these children with so much energy but no where to climb! Instead they are climbing the pavillion side walls with holes.
I thank you and hope that you will look into it.
Sincerly
Your Resident
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks for the feedback. The Town Council will look into your suggestions.
Just attended the Earth Hour with my kids ~ would like to thank the RC for organising a great event ~ always nice being able to interact with my fellow residents and enjoying the atmosphere with my kids. However, I notice that for most RC-organised events, plastic sheets are distributed for sitting. We should be encouraging residents to be more environmentally-friendly and to bring their own mats for sitting instead. After today’s Earth Hour ~ I saw some of these plastic sheets in the dustbins. Do hope we can be more earth friendly during future events.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Yes it was a meaningful event and helped raised awareness amongst residents, especially the young children.
Will feedback tot he organisers regarding your suggestion for future events.
Dear Dr. Lam,
I am representing a group of residents of Fernvale Residence to highlight carpark concern. We note that there is no free parking on Sunday and Public Holiday for our carpark at Blk 434.
While we appreciate that it may be to ensure that residences get priority access to a carpark lot, it is causing distress to those of us who have concerns of having family visits on Sunday as it implies carpark fee will be imposed. This will definitely deter visitors, and result in a loss in family bonding opportunities.
In addition, for residents who are just about to start or is currently in the midst of renovation, it is financially straining to fork out additional carpark fees to over the renovation works.
As there has been a delay of a good 2 months from date of key collection to ability to start renovation due to need to rectify the numerous defects in the units, we seek your kind attention and assistance in looking into this matter.
Thank you!
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Lixian,
I have spoken to HDB and as Fernvale Residence is still very new and not many residents have shifted in yet, HDB is monitoring the demand with the possibility of extending the Weekend free parking scheme when appropriate.
The other new developments such as Coral Spring, Fernvale Grove and Fernvale Vista also went through the same process and I am glad that HDB will be extending the FPS to these places very soon.
Dear Dr Lam,
I am very disappointed when i heard there are two childcare centre will be open by Moriah School House for both block meant for infant care ONLY. As you are aware we need more school/childcare/student care at fernvale road. My son 3 years old this year im planning to put him childcare mid of this year as his nanny unable to take care of him anymore. yet i cant find any. I really hope you can look into this matter.
Thanks ; Best Regards
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Mrs Chan,
I am aware of the high demand for infantcare, childcare and student care in Sengkang. I am working with MCYS and the service providers to cater to this need. The immediate solution will be to identify and convert appropriate void decks to such facilities. We are also looking at expansion of existing facilities too. Many of the new BTOs have also been identified to provide infant/childcare. I will be working with existing primary schools to consider studentcare as well.
I have been living in Sengkang for the past 14 years. I shifted to Fernvale recently, I encountered 2 power trips in the space of a month.each time the power fails,all the 3 lifts fails.I hope something can be done to improve this as I think this is definitely unacceptable.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Jimmy,
Rest assured the TC and HDB are actively looking into this issue and to troubleshoot the problem.
Rgds.
Dear Dr Lam,
I am a future resident of Anchorvale horizon. I understand that the basketball courts above anchorvale horizon is to be used as a commerical development. can i ask what are we expecting for that plot of land. Will there be a supermarket or hawker center? Thank you for your time.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Ron,
Congratulations on choosing the BTO @ Anchorvale horizon and I look forward to welcoming you and your family to Sengkang West.
There is currently no confirmed plan for that plot of land and I have not been informed of any impending development there. I will update residents should I receive any updates from HDB.
Dear Dr Lam, thanks for your help in my recent matters. As a resident in Fernvale Vista, I’m quite concern with the upcoming development next to Fernvale Point. They did highlight on what they are building next to the LRT and the path going to the shops has been detour and we have to walk quite far than the usual one.
I hope you can inform us on what the are planning to build as I say the land has already been sold. Not sure on what development they will be building.
Thank you
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Ridwan,
There will be a new shopping mall next to Fernvale Point. It is about 2/3 size of Compasspoint point and should be ready in about 2 years time.
Dear Dr Lam,
Would like to bring to your attention that due to the construction of BTO flats at the open field around Anchorvale Rd, fernvale/seletar area which I believe result in the migrating of birds to the row of tree along Anchorvale Rd.
Which create an unbearable noise pollution which disturb my sleep/rest. The birds will start getting very nosy during the evening 5-8pm and then 1-2AM and follow by 4-5AM.
Do not get me wrong that I do not welcome mother natural and in fact I’m sad that the open field for kite flying that you had once prompted for the resident to come down and fly kite was now gone and you don’t get to see any more kite in the air these days.
But it is the noise of these birds during 1-2AM is beyond the acceptable throttle hold and result in me getting wake up by all these nosy birds every midnight.
Would hope that you and the town council could help to look into this.
Thank you.
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Pin Min’s Reply:
thanks. I will ask TC to work with NEA on this matter.
Dear Dr. Lam,
Thanks for serving the Sengkang west community. I would like to bring your attention to a fire incident happened on 4 Jan. Here is the account of my personal experience.
I was awoken by the smell of something burning in the past midnight on 4 Jan. I saw the size of football field near the Chinese temple engulfed in flames. From a distance, I could see a thick gray smokes billowing into skies. For a moment, I thought of calling 995 before I realized it could be related to burning activity happening at the Chinese temple nearby. This fire has resulted in lots of haze and ashes around the neighborhood. Worst of all, the pollution has threatened our health. My family suffers symptoms like sore throat and cough due to the poor air quality. I believe families with young children that have respiratory allergies would share the same sentiments and experience as me.
I’m deeply saddened to see the scene last night and remained very concerned should such incident could happen again. Singapore is already in the midst of having challenges with global climate change and the burning threat from neighboring country and yet such burning issue is happening within Singapore. This act is indeed going against our pledge to do our parts to bring up a clean and green living environment.
Very concerned Fernvale resident
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks for the feedback. We have investigated the matter and noted that there was an infringement of the permit condition. We will do the necessary to prevent this from happening again.
Regards.
Dear Dr Lam,
Being the residence of the Fernspring at Fernvale Lane, we had to thank you for improving the public transport services make available today compare to 8 yrs ago. It was such an improvement. However, the present public transport services seem to be lagging from the reality. With the present population, the bus services especially Bus no. 550 is still remaining as “ceteris paribus”? . We hope that the public tpt provider esp. SBS bus no. 550 to improved on the frequency by arranging more than 2 trips during the peak hours. Therefore no commuters will be left stranded or left standing on a premium services – which not suppose to- that is always jam packed. We hope that you can assist and address in this matter.
VBR
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Thanks for the feedback. SBST has also been informed of the higher demand for the premium bus service to the CBD area and I have requested for additional buses to cater to this rising demand. I will followup and push for early implementation. Regards.
Dear Dr Lam,
Even with the latest regulations regarding smoking at HDB public areas, we still encounter numerous irresponsible parties who continue to smoke in the lifts. Since there are security cameras installed at most, if not all the blocks, how are we able to use the video recordings to further deter these irresponsible acts?
It has been published recently that Tampines Town Council started putting up images of culprits caught in such acts. Can we not do the same?
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Pin Min’s Reply:
Yes, it will be through public education and enforcement of the no-smoking regulation. The Town Council will consider putting up images of people caught smoking in lifts and restricted areas to deter others as well as nab the culrpits.