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THE CHWEE KANG BED ASSOCIATION'S TEMPLE in Upper Boon Keng Road is located next to a HDB block. -- ST PHOTOS: DESMOND WEE
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AN HDB resident in Upper Boon Keng Road is upset at a temple located next to her block. She claims the temple creates a ruckus with its activities even late into the night.
Ms Kaw Jik Hoon, who lives on the seventh storey, made a police report on Dec 4 and wrote to The Straits Times Forum detailing her grouses.
The 41-year-old and two other neighbours also discussed the problem with their Member of Parliament, Dr Lee Boon Yang, when he visited the block last year.
The human resource manager, who moved in four years ago, said: 'My elderly mother has dementia and is woken up in the middle of the night by the noise. In the morning, she is lethargic and listless.'
The temple of the Chwee Kang Beo Association holds regular celebrations that often last three to six days, residents told The Sunday Times. The celebrations are held at least three times a year.
While most residents do not mind the events, many are opposed to the loud ceremonies which they say often last till 2am, past the permitted time of 11pm.
Mr Oh Chia Siang's second-storey unit bedroom window faces the temple. 'The devotees sometimes have dinner till 11.30pm,' the 26-year-old desktop support officer said. 'They talk and sometimes shout.'
Ms Kweng Yoong May, a 51-year-old stallholder living on the sixth floor, said she can hear the noise even when she closes the window.
Store assistant Soh Eng Soon, 46, said he stays out late when the temple holds a celebration.
The temple's deputy person-in-charge, Mr Si Ren Da, said the temple has kept the noise level down since receiving complaints.
He explained that the drums and chanting were part of a celebration of the gods' birthdays. 'We stop our activities by 10pm except during Chinese New Year, when we play music till midnight.'
He also said the temple writes to the residents to let them know the dates of the celebrations.
When The Sunday Times visited the area last night, devotees started beating drums, singing and chanting at about 8pm.
This went on for about 20 minutes followed by prayers and processions around the temple. By 8.30pm, things had largely quietened down.
Dr Lee said he had spoken to the temple officials who have agreed to tone down their celebrations. He added: 'I have not received further complaints. If there are new complaints, we will conduct further investigation and seek the temple's cooperation for harmonious coexistence.'
Some HDB dwellers feel all this is much ado about nothing.
Miss Irene Ng, 32, a business planner who has two young children and lives on the eighth floor, said: 'I hear the noise occasionally but there's no big problem. I feel we should be more tolerant.'
shulis@sph.com.sg
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