Monday, March 19, 2012

What's worse... a bureaucratic reply or no reply?

Last Thursday (15 March), TODAY published a letter from reader Mary Maloney, with a picture:


A tent across a boardwalk -- Letter from Mary Maloney


At about 11am on Feb 19, I came across a tent that had been pitched right across the boardwalk at Punggol Point. The pink and purple tent (picture) had white motorcycle helmets and belongings strewn outside it.

I called out to see if the campers could move the tent so that members of the public would be able to enjoy the boardwalk (old folks with walking sticks, baby in prams, etc.) but to no avail.

I did not look inside the tent and decided to walk towards Coney Island. I then made a U-turn towards the tent and called out again to those inside.

This time, a man with tattoos who smelt of alcohol crawled out and looked menacingly at me. There was a young woman in the tent, too.

I believe the couple had camped overnight.

Aren't there park rangers on patrol to ensure that such places are properly managed and enjoyed by everyone?

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Ms Maloney's question was about what she encountered and although she couched it obliquely, for all in tents (oops, intents) and purposes, it asked why were there no park rangers to clear this brazen couple and their tent out of the way. Now here is the official reply today (19 March):

Permit required to camp here, says National Parks Board -- Letter from Kartini Omar, General Manager, National Parks Board

We thank Ms Mary Maloney for her feedback on the tent that was pitched in the middle of the boardwalk near Punggol Point Park ("A tent across boardwalk", March 15).

We share Ms Maloney's concerns on the inconsiderate behaviour of some park users.

Our rangers are patrolling the North Eastern Riverine Park Connector Loop. And they have been advising campers to take down their tents as we do not allow camping here.

Enforcement action will be taken if the campers persist.

We would like to remind the public that there are designated camping sites at specific areas of Changi Beach Park, East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park and West Coast Park. A permit application is required to camp at these sites.

Application can be done through AXS machines. Those who camp without a permit or at non-designated sites can be fined up to S$2,000 under the Parks and Trees Act.
Our parks are meant for the enjoyment of all users. We urge users to be considerate when using our parks.

For feedback and enquiries, members of the public can call NParks Helpline at 1800-471-7300.

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Sheesh! This couple's tent was pitched right smack across the boardwalk, and the official reply failed to address this? Maybe NParks should deploy LTA officers or the carpark uncles and aunties to this place! As drivers well know, these guys (and the fierce-looking aunties) don't pang chan (give you a break) once a ticket is issued.

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But at least there was a reply in this case.

I have yet to note any reply from IRAS or DBS Bank with regard to this letter which I blogged about on 12 March:

Can banks pay Govt bodies without one's knowledge?
Letter from Ng Lee Koon (TODAY, 12 March)
When I returned to Singapore after being away for nine months, I found a note of demand from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
I called the IRAS and was told not to worry. The money had been transferred from my bank account to the IRAS to pay for my income tax.

I did not have any standing order for income tax payment to be made through GIRO, but a POSB service manager told me that DBS Bank is an acting agent for the IRAS and has the right to deduct from a customer's account when instructed by the authority.

I wish to clarify if it is not more appropriate for the bank to freeze the account so that the account holder is at least alerted. Can banks pay Government bodies directly on behalf of the account holder, without his/her knowledge or authorisation?

Is this standard practice for all banks here and worldwide, or is this an arrangement between certain banks and the IRAS? If it is the latter, which are the banks? Are their customers aware of such an arrangement?

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