I was in Parliament today to hear Mrs Lina Chiam's Speech on the Bill on Community Disputes. An MP who spoke in support of the Bill recounted a case where there was a dispute among neighbours in his constituency.
On the higher floor was a family with little children. They were just being children, running around and knocking some furniture around while doing that. Unfortunately the noise created by the moving furniture was intolerable to the neighbour who lived just below. This neighbour is an older woman who is on a ventilator.
The MP expressed how it has been difficult to get one of the neighbours to come to the mediation table to resolve this case. He was glad that they now have this new Bill where the Tribunal could compel parties who are unwilling to comply.
I whispered jokingly to Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss who was seated next to me, "and then what? The Tribunal could either order the children to not run about and knock furniture around their house. Or order the older woman to get off her ventilator."
And Jeannette quipped, "And if they still failed to comply, fine them or send them to jail!" It was quite hilarious!
A good number of MPs who spoke up on the Bill mentioned how the Bill will be useful for the development of a 'kampung spirit'. I mean, never mind that they have destroyed all the kampungs but are now on a relentless search for the spirit of something that has been obliterated; but I am not convinced that more legislation will bring about the 'kampung spirit'.
Ravi Philemon
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