Most HDB residents say there is room for improvement in estate management, but are quick to add that it should not involve higher service and conservancy charges.

Out of 30 residents interviewed yesterday, almost all said they would not be willing to pay more, or pitch in, to perk up their estates.

Said administrative executive Miskiah Roslan, 38, who lives in Sembawang: 'There is a lot of rubbish at the void deck, but why should I put in more effort when others don't care?'

The strongest views came from residents living in Potong Pasir and Hougang, who said they were not surprised by the results.

Their town councils fared the worst in an assessment of the 16 town councils by the Ministry of National Development.

Said teacher Al Mazlan, 27, who lives in Toa Payoh Lorong 8: 'When I compare my block - which falls within the Potong Pasir ward - to the surrounding blocks in the neighbouring PAP ward, it's a world of difference. The other blocks are much cleaner and better maintained.'

Hougang resident Edwin Tan, who is in his early 40s, called his estate 'a rubbish dump'.

'Rubbish in the lift and staircases can be there for weeks. And nobody does anything when residents dump their old washing machines in the corridors,' said the lecturer.

Town councils which scored well in the report were, however, not spared criticism either. Some residents even questioned the report's glowing assessment of their town councils.

An Ang Mo Kio resident and businesswoman who wanted to be known only as Mrs Chew wondered how her town council had scored top marks for cleanliness.

‘It's common to find dog pee and poo on the ground. Sometimes, people drink and litter everywhere. Kids from the nearby schools also leave their litter lying around,' said the 57-year-old.

Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar town councils had the overall best scores in the report.

Over in Jurong, sales executive Adeline Chua, too, did not agree with the report's findings.

Said the 43-year-old: 'Every day when I enter the lift, there is a very bad smell. The smell has been around for so long that most of the residents have gotten used to it.'

Those who are happy with their estates' upkeep still expect further improvement from their town councils.

Madam Alice Ng, 45, an insurance agent and Bukit Panjang resident, was satisfied with her town council because it had solved a rat problem about which she had complained.

However, she found the lifts in her block too slow.

While residents demanded improvement from their town councils, they stressed that they would not want to pay higher service and conservancy charges.

Madam Chan Poh Hoon, a 54-year-old designer who lives in Sengkang, argued: 'They will always get the cheapest cleaners. So why would they need to raise fees?'

Hougang resident Edwin Tan thinks his town council should catch up on collecting arrears before raising fees.

'It's very unfair that some residents get away with not paying their service and conservancy fees. In the end, everybody suffers, including those of us who faithfully pay our monthly fees,' he said.

None of the residents interviewed felt that they themselves were to blame for the mess they complained about, invariably pointing to their neighbours.

Housewife Noreen Azhar, 29, said: 'I keep my flat clean and I sweep the corridor once in a while. I think that's good enough.'

Ang Mo Kio resident Kabirdas Perumal, 53, however, felt that simple acts like passing the word around to neighbours could go a long way towards keeping the estate clean.

'We can work closely with the town council on, for instance, how to improve signs, or have nicer dustbins,' he suggested.

Source : The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Reprinted with permission.