I had the opportunity to experience this when I visited Sentosa last December.

I was at Sentosa's Imbiah carpark and circled it several rounds in vain looking for a parking lot. As a last resort, I decided to join a side row of cars, which were not within any authorised parking lots.

All this while, there was a ranger standing next to his vehicle under the shade who seemed like he was taking a break from his patrolling duties.

I thought nothing much about him and after making sure that I was not obstructing vehicle movement in the carpark, I parked my car and left to enjoy Sentosa. I was subsequently issued a Parking Offence Summons.

While I acknowledged that it was my mistake not to park within an authorised parking lot, I pointed out in my e-mail to Sentosa that if the ranger's role was indeed to 'ensure traffic flow is smooth and that vehicles do not obstruct our roads'', he should have requested me not to park my vehicle there. I would certainly have heeded his advice if he had done so.

In reply, a Quality Service Executive defended the ranger by alleging that he did not notice me as he was busy 'issuing summonses to two vehicles which were obstructing the entrance to the carpark'. That did not seem to match with what I saw and was a weak allegation since no reasonable driver would have parked at the carpark after witnessing two vehicles being issued summonses. Also, if the two vehicles had indeed been obstructing the entrance as alleged, I would not have been able to enter the carpark in the first place.

When this was brought to the attention of the Quality Service Manager, her advice to me was that 'besides the Imbiah car park, the Beach car park has ample parking facilities. Motorists are encouraged to park there'. If only there were clear signs at the Imbiah carpark and around Sentosa instructing guests to do so.

I will be visiting Sentosa again next week. Unfortunately not as a guest, but to make payment for my summons.

Dav Goh Leong Poon