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Condominium in Hougang bans dog-walking, sparking petition from over 90 dog owners

Riverfront Residences in Hougang has imposed a ban on dog-walking following complaints of uncleared faeces. The decision, which forces pet owners to use an underground parking lot, has sparked a petition signed by over 90 dog owners calling for a more targeted solution.

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Photo of the notice from ShinMin Daily

Riverfront Residences, a condominium in Hougang, has banned dog-walking on its premises following complaints about uncleared dog faeces damaging the lawns and public amenities.

The decision, communicated via a notice issued at the end of August 2024, has drawn significant backlash from dog owners living in the estate, who have since submitted a petition to reverse the ban, according to a report by Shin Min Daily News.

The management’s decision was prompted by repeated incidents of faeces and urine left on the property grounds, which reportedly led to damage to the landscaping and complaints from residents.

In response, a rule was introduced that forbids dog-walking on the condominium’s ground floor areas, forcing pet owners to use an underground parking lot to exit the compound with their pets.

The alternative route, however, has been met with concerns from the condominium’s residents. Ms Liu, a 46-year-old resident, highlighted that the dimly lit and busy parking lot lacks a designated pathway, making it an unsafe environment for walking dogs. “It’s not a good place to walk your dog,” she said.

Other dog owners echoed her sentiments. One resident, Ms Liang (41), shared that she had specifically moved from public housing to the condominium in order to provide a better environment for her golden retriever. She expressed frustration at the sudden imposition of the rule, stating that she would not have chosen the property had she known about its pet-unfriendly policies.

Another dog owner, Ms Huang, raised concerns about her elderly dog, who struggles with mobility and can only manage short walks. “It’s been very inconvenient,” she said, adding that the management should target irresponsible pet owners instead of punishing all residents. Liu agreed, noting that most dog owners in the condominium were responsible and only a few “bad apples” failed to clean up after their pets.

Riverfront Residences, located along Hougang Avenue 7, was completed in 2023 and has since attracted a significant number of pet-owning residents.

However, the recent ban has left many feeling that their concerns are not being adequately addressed. According to the Shin Min report, over 90 dog owners have submitted a petition urging the management to reconsider the rule and address the issue through stricter enforcement on individual offenders rather than a blanket prohibition.

Residents are now awaiting the management’s response to the petition, with many hoping for a more balanced approach that addresses the problem without unduly inconveniencing responsible pet owners.

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Civil Society

Three women to contest charges over pro-Palestinian procession outside Istana

Three Singaporean women, charged under the Public Order Act for organizing a pro-Palestinian procession on 2 February, will contest their charges at trial, a court heard on 18 September. About 70 people participated in the February event, carrying watermelon-adorned umbrellas as a symbol of Palestinian resistance while delivering letters to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

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SINGAPORE: Three Singaporean women charged in connection with a pro-Palestinian procession to the Istana will contest their charges at trial, a court heard on Wednesday (18 September).

The defendants are Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 35, an activist with the Transformative Justice Collective (TJC); Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 29, a social media influencer; and Mossamad Sobikun Nahar, 25, a community worker.

They were charged in June under the Public Order Act for organizing an unpermitted procession on 2 February.

During the court hearing on Wednesday, the trio, through their lawyer, indicated their intention to contest the charges and claim trial.

Siti Amirah and Mossamad are accused of organizing the procession that occurred between 2pm and 3pm along the perimeter of the Istana, a restricted area.

Kokila is charged with abetting the conspiracy by collaborating with Siti, Mossamad, Alysha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, Anystasha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, and other unnamed individuals to organize the event.

According to a previous police statement, around 70 people gathered outside a mall on Orchard Road at about 2pm on 2 February before marching towards the Istana.

They carried umbrellas painted with watermelon images, symbolizing support for Palestinians amidst the ongoing Israel- Palestinian conflict.

The watermelon, reflecting the colors of the Palestinian flag, has become a symbol of solidarity.

Social media posts indicate that participants of the Letters for Palestine event walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana to deliver letters addressed to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The cases have been adjourned to October for pre-trial conferences.

If convicted under the Public Order Act, the women face a potential penalty of up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.

The police have reiterated their call for the public to avoid actions that could disrupt peace, public order, and social harmony in Singapore.

They advised that while strong feelings about the Israel-Hamas conflict are understandable, lawful means of expression, such as participating in organized forums, dialogues, and donation drives, are preferable to illegal protests.

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Singapore

COE prices surge across most categories, Open Category hits S$113,104

COE premiums rose on 18 September, with the Open Category hitting S$113,104, the highest since December 2023. Category A and B premiums also saw increases, while commercial vehicle COEs remained stable.

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Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums surged across most categories on 18 September, with the Open Category recording the steepest increase, reaching S$113,104.

This marks the highest price since December 2023, when the premium for an Open Category COE peaked at S$118,388.

The Category A COE, designated for smaller and less powerful cars as well as electric vehicles (EVs), rose by 2.1% to S$98,524 from S$96,490 at the previous tender on 4 September. This is the highest price recorded for Category A COEs in 2024.

Category B COEs, which apply to larger and more powerful cars and EVs, saw a 3.5% increase, with premiums rising to S$110,001 from the previous S$106,300.

Meanwhile, the Open Category, or Category E, which can be used to register any vehicle except motorcycles but is often applied to larger vehicles, rose by 5.8% to S$113,104, compared to S$106,901 from the earlier tender.

In contrast, the COE premium for commercial vehicles (Category C) remained largely unchanged at S$74,000, only S$1 below the figure from the previous exercise.

The premium for motorcycle COEs (Category D) saw a modest 1% increase, reaching S$9,900, up from S$9,801 in the last round.

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