Enhancing Community Relations Through Mediation and Communication

How Singapore intends to settle noise disputes more effectively.

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Settling noise disputes will be easier with mandatory mediation as the Community Disputes Management Framework (CDMF) is enhanced, under the Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill. 

Involved with how the framework can be enhanced is grassroots leader Raymond Poh.

In this episode, Lynda Hong and co-host Christie Chiu speak with him to hear about his 14 years of experience in dealing with noise disputes, and how mediation has been effective in resolving disputes between neighbours (with an 80 per cent success rate with voluntary mediation cases).

Mr Poh also shares how the Community Advisory Panel’s (CAP) recommendations, along with the proposed CDMF enhancements, may help neighbours better understand one another and find middle ground. 

If the dispute remains unresolved after mediation with the Community Mediation Centre (CMC), neighbours may consider approaching the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT) to file a claim as a last resort. This is equivalent to taking legal action against your neighbour, and parties involved are required to attempt mediation before filing a CDRT claim.

The new laws will also mean that officers under the new Community Relations Unit (CRU) have powers to investigate and take action in disputes where a neighbour severely disrupts the peace, such as cases where the neighbour deliberately makes loud noise throughout the day.

Officers can investigate, such as taking statements from neighbours, and with the resident’s consent, install noise sensors in homes to collect evidence.

The authorities also intend to allow the Housing Board to consider compulsory acquisition of flats as a deterrent and “the absolute last resort for severe, recalcitrant nuisance-making”.

This measure will be considered only when all other levers have failed, and acquisition is needed to protect the interests of other residents, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Law and Ministry of National Development said in a joint statement in August, adding that this will be similar to how HDB can consider compulsory acquisition of flats for those convicted of throwing killer litter under the Penal Code.

This podcast is brought to you by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY): https://www.mccy.gov.sg

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:25 CCTVs, house visits and detective work - a memorable dispute that Mr Poh had mediated 

7:38 Different forms of mediation

8:17 The difference between the Community Mediation Centre (CMC) and the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT)

11:37 Why settling neighbour disputes amicably is still a priority over mandatory mediation

12:40 How simple 'give and take' neighbourly acts can help avoid mediation as much as possible

More on the Community Disputes Management Framework: https://go.gov.sg/cdmf-enhancements

Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Read Christie Chiu’s articles: https://str.sg/3ESxU

Hosts: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg) and Christie Chiu (christiec@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producer: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

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