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Safety hazard concerns arise as elderly ‘Karung Guni’ collector accumulates items in HDB corridor

An elderly ‘karung guni’ collector is making headlines for hoarding items outside her HDB corridor, raising safety concerns.

Netizens recognize her right to earn a living but worry about fire hazards and hindrances during emergencies.

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SINGAPORE: An elderly ‘karung guni’ collector (a term derived from Malay, referring to rag-and-bone collectors in Singapore) has gained attention in local news headlines for hoarding items at corridor outside her unit, raising concerns among her neighbours due to safety and fire hazards.

The astonishing sight of a mountain of old items piled along the corridor has even deterred potential buyers from considering the nearby unit, as reported by a resident living in the vicinity.

The situation originated when a resident at Block 137 Potong Pasir Ave 3 lodged a complaint about loud crashing sounds emanating from the apartment above. Subsequent investigation revealed that the source of the noise was a hallway filled with a variety of old, second-hand items.

In an interview with Singaporean Chinese media outlet Shin Min Daily News, Mr Ye, a 56-year-old resident, shared that the unit in question is occupied by an elderly couple “in their 70s or 80s” and their son, who is estimated to be around 30 years old.

“Initially, I had a polite conversation with the elderly gentleman, and he apologized. Later, I learned that the noise was coming from his son, so I offered him some suggestions.”

Mr Ye emphasized that the noise significantly disrupted his sleep, and even the use of earplugs proved ineffective. He has subsequently reported the issue to the relevant authorities.

Another neighbour who has resided there for more than three decades elaborated that the elderly lady responsible for the items diligently tidies up the corridor every night and organizes the items.

“We usually find it acceptable, but sometimes the pile gets too large. In those cases, we remind them to tidy up, and they usually do.”

Mountain of discarded items deters potential home buyer

She disclosed that she is currently in the process of selling her unit. Over the listing period, several groups of prospective buyers have toured the property.

However, upon stepping out of the elevator and encountering the sight of old items strewn along the hallway, they were taken aback by the scene.

Though their words were limited, their visible hesitation is a cause of concern for her. She fears that this initial reaction might hinder her unit from being sold.

Another neighbour shared their perspective, stating that while the clutter is unsightly, it remains manageable. “Since the elderly don’t bring the items too close to my doorway, I refrain from commenting as well.”

Dedicated elderly scrap collector rises early to gather discarded items in the vicinity

In response to her neighbour’s complaint, the dedicated elderly scrap collector shared that she has been engaged in the practice of collecting old items for more than two decades, driven by her determination to be self-reliant. She expressed, “This is a matter of my dignity.”

She disclosed her routine of waking up between 4 am and 5 am each day to gather old items from the nearby vicinity. Often, she returns home around midnight at 12 am.

Her daily routine includes the task of pushing a cart to Toa Payoh Lorong 8 to buy and sell scrap paper, a journey that takes approximately an hour to complete.

Although her five children provide her with an allowance every month, and her husband also has a job, she mentioned that she has grown accustomed to being a “Karung Guni” collector as a way to pass the time.

“I’ve never relied on others. This is my pride. I earn money through this and have the means to feed myself.”

She elaborated that she sells scrap paper for S$7 per 100 kilograms, old clothes for 10 cents per piece, and for electrical appliances, she transports them to another location for resale. In the case of genuine interest and offers, the interested parties are welcome to take the items with them.

Jalan Besar Town Council’s response

A representative from Jalan Besar Town Council (TC) has reportedly addressed the situation.

According to the spokesperson, a TC officer visited the elderly individual’s unit last Friday (4 Aug) morning. However, despite their presence, there was no response when they knocked on the door.

They had left a note informing the owner of the visit and requesting the owner to get in touch with them.

The spokesperson added that they would continue to work with the residents and advise them to keep the corridors clear of objects.

The elderly collector mentioned that she tidies up the old items every evening and ensures that they do not obstruct the corridor.

She acknowledged that the town council members had reached out to her, and she agreed to clear the items along the corridor.

“I usually require about two weeks to a month to complete the task. I will have everything cleared before the upcoming Chinese New Year,” the elderly collector stated.

Netizens voice concerns over clutter and safety hazards

In response to the news published in Shin Min Daily News, numerous netizens expressed their opinions.

Observing the images, many indicated that they considered the clutter to be excessive. If confronted with a similar issue in their own estate, they mentioned they would inform their town council or Member of Parliament.

While acknowledging the elderly collector’s right to earn a living, they also raised concerns about the clutter’s potential as a fire hazard and its potential to hinder life-saving efforts during emergencies.

A netizen commented, “If you keep complaining to the town council, they will post a notice. For example, if it’s not cleared by 11/8, the town council will enforce removal by 12/8. This is a safety hazard. ”

“If a fire occurs, how would we escape? In my block, this is how we maintain clean corridors and stairwells. There are still plants and laundry racks, but there’s ample space.”

“How to deal with such neighbours? It can only be said they are too selfish. Self-reliance is not wrong, but it shouldn’t hinder the neighbours.”

“The corridor is full of clutter. In case of a fire, how can the neighbours escape? Hope the relevant authorities pay more attention to these issues.”

An incident was cited where a cluttered corridor in Boon Lay obstructed paramedics responding to a cardiac arrest case in December of the previous year.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had difficulties navigating the congested corridor at Block 188 Boon Lay Drive with their stretcher. Cooperation between town council staff and SCDF was needed to clear a path.

Fortunately, the paramedics successfully transported the elderly patient after 45 minutes.

According to SCDF’s fire safety guidelines, a minimum clear escape passage of 1.2m clearance is to be maintained along HDB corridors.

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Malaysian man who recently reunited with family after 20 years dies in Kaki Bukit fire

On 19 September, a fire erupted in an industrial building at 25 Kaki Bukit Road 4, leading to the deaths of two men. During the firefighting operation, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) discovered the two carpentry foremen unconscious and rushed them to Changi General Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead. One of the victims, Luo Jiaqiang, had reconciled with his family just six months prior after a 20-year estrangement.

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SINGAPORE: On Thursday (19 September), a fire broke out in an industrial building at 25 Kaki Bukit Road 4, resulting in the deaths of two men.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to the incident at approximately 12:55pm, finding thick smoke enveloping the fifth floor.

During the operation, two unconscious individuals were located in a unit opposite the one ablaze and were immediately rushed to Changi General Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.

The victims were identified as 51-year-old Malaysian Luo Jiaqiang (罗家强) and 65-year-old Singaporean Vincent, as reported by Lianhe Zaobao.

Both were carpentry foremen who had scheduled a lunch meeting with He Shuxiang, the 63-year-old owner of a furniture company, at 12:30pm.

However, due to last-minute work issues, Mr He was delayed, and the two men went to rest in separate rooms on the mezzanine floor.

When the fire erupted, two employees working on a lower floor attempted to warn the men before evacuating.

Despite shouting to alert them, Mr Luo and Mr Vincent could not hear and were unable to escape.

The employees tried to rescue the pair but were thwarted by the thick smoke.

They managed to reach the men by phone, with Vincent reportedly saying, “It’s choking; I can’t breathe,” before the call cut off.

Mr Luo’s call also ended abruptly after about a minute, with only the sound of laboured breathing.

After failing to make further contact, the employees informed the firefighters and evacuated the building.

Mr He expressed deep regret over the tragedy, wondering if it could have been prevented had he arrived on time for the meeting.

The two men had been discussing a potential collaboration on a furniture project when the fire broke out.

Luo moved to Singapore two decades ago after a family dispute

On Friday, Mr Luo’s younger brother, Luo Jialong, visited the mortuary to claim his body.

In an interview with 8world News, he recounted how he had been notified of his brother’s death between 3pm and 4pm the previous day by one of Mr Luo’s colleagues.

Mr Luo had moved to Singapore 20 years earlier following a family dispute but had reconciled with his relatives just six months ago.

Since then, he had returned to Malaysia every weekend to spend time with his family, with his final visit occurring on Sunday (15 September).

His funeral will be held in Malaysia on 22 September.

The Singapore police confirmed that both men were found unconscious and later succumbed to their injuries.

Preliminary investigations have ruled out foul play, though inquiries are ongoing.

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Elderly men eating leftovers at People’s Park Food Centre spark concerns over rising living costs

A recent report revealed that elderly men have been seen eating leftovers at People’s Park Food Centre, raising concerns about their potential struggles amid rising living costs in Singapore. Online community are urging relevant agencies to reach out and understand their situations.

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Singapore: A group of elderly men has reportedly been eating leftovers at in People’s Park Food Centre, as reported by Shin Min Daily News on Wednesday (18 September).

According to tips from readers, these elderly men have been spotted scavenging for food at the bustling food centre in Chinatown.

Witnesses noted that they not only take unfinished meals from tables but also search the dish return area for additional leftovers.

Several hawkers reported seeing multiple elderly individuals, including one specific man, frequently visiting the food centre to collect leftovers, although they were unaware of their identities and living situations.

A Chinese food hawker, who has worked there for over ten years, noted that at least three or four scavengers come daily, usually around 8 or 9 PM, and sometimes kind customers buy food for them.

Another stall assistant, Ms Ma, observed that diners often leave their tables, allowing the older man to sit down and eat the leftovers directly.

Cleaner Mr Quan mentioned that while he has seen the man taking food left by others, he has also witnessed him buying his own meals, suggesting he is not in dire financial need.

Additionally, Quan noted that these scavengers typically arrive around 10 AM and leave in the afternoon.

One Elderly Man Interviewed Attributes Leftover Eating Habit to Waste Prevention, Not Financial Struggles

Among the scavengers is Mr Wang, an 84-year-old resident of Bedok, who emphasised that he doesn’t want to waste food.

He told reporter, “I have a home and children, but it’s very lively here, so I come every day and go home in the evening.”

He acknowledged his habit of eating leftovers, stating, “It’s not because I lack money; I simply don’t want to waste food.”

He explained, “Some people order a lot and can’t finish it; sometimes a whole fish is left uneaten. ”

“When I see large plates of leftover food, I think it’s a waste, so I take it to eat, and it’s still warm,” he said, adding that other scavengers respect each other’s space and enjoy their own finds.

Not everyone supports the practice of scavenging for leftovers. Daniel Tay, a retired financial advisor and advocate for freeganism, expressed concerns about the potential dangers of consuming discarded food.

He pointed out that it’s often unclear how long the food has been left out or if it has been contaminated by animals or pests, which could lead to food poisoning.

“It’s extremely unhygienic. Diners might throw away food or toss used napkins into it, contaminating it further. If a diner gets sick, such as with the flu or COVID-19, they could pass the virus to someone eating the leftovers,” he warned.

Tay suggested a more proactive approach, encouraging people to ask diners if they can take home any uneaten food, which would help ensure the food is clean and raise awareness about food waste.

Netizens Urge Agencies to Address Challenges Faced by Elderly Amid Rising Living Costs

Comments on Shin Min’s Facebook page reveal that many netizens suspect the elderly men scavenging for food may be facing significant challenges and are urging relevant agencies to reach out to understand their situations.

Some are questioning whether the rising cost of living in Singapore is prompting individuals to resort to drastic measures to save money.

One netizen commented, “Every family has its own difficulties; who hasn’t faced storms and hardships? If you see an elderly person, please invite him to a meal. After all, we will all grow old one day. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, only heaven and earth know. I believe that Singaporeans who see him will definitely invite him to a meal.”

Discussion on Singapore’s Hardwarezone forum also highlighted that many have witnessed similar situations, indicating that this issue is not new.

One netizen speculated that some elderly individuals might be facing mental health challenges. The user shared observation of an elderly woman in Little India who regularly collects cardboard and sells 4D lottery tickets. Despite receiving money from passersby, she continues her activities.

Another user recounted an experience of seeing an elderly woman eating directly from leftover plates and offered to buy her a plate of duck rice.

However, the hawker advised that it would be pointless, as the woman allegedly prefers eating leftovers to fresh food. The netizen expressed pity for her situation, noting that other customers had also tried to buy her a meal.

Not the First Time Elderly Individuals Spotted Scavenging for Leftovers at People’s Park Food Centre

This is not the first time elderly individuals have been spotted eating leftover food at People’s Park Food Centre.

In November 2022, 8World News reported that at least seven elderly people allegedly engage in such practice regularly at the hawker centre. These individuals typically search for unfinished food left on tables or at the tray return area.

At that time, in response to inquiries from 8World News, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) stated that they were collaborating with grassroots volunteers and hawkers to identify these elderly individuals and provide assistance if needed.

MSF encourages the public to report any elderly individuals in need of help by calling 1800-222-0000 or connecting them with local social service agencies through the OneService App.

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