More to be done to help residents settle community disputes

A framework to settle community disputes is needed, as current laws do not deal with the issue, and residents do not have an alternative when such issues arise.

There is a need to set up a system to settle disagreements between neighbours, Law Minister K. Shanmugam reiterated yesterday.

"In Singapore, 80 per cent of the population live in public housing, and the day-to-day living with neighbours is throwing up a lot of issues," said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Foreign Affairs.

As community disputes are usually not criminal in nature, the police are often unable to step in to resolve the issue, explained Mr Shanmugam, who was speaking on the sidelines of a community event at The Jelutung Hardcourt at Sembawang Crescent.