I read with disappointment and discomfort the letter by American tourist L.R. Erickson ("What happened to clean Singapore?"; Feb 15).

Mr Erickson highlighted the sorry state of Changi Beach, Changi Village and the boardwalk from Changi Point. The amount of rubbish he saw was appalling.

The letter, written by a visitor to our country, reflects poorly on us and is an indication that our "clean and green" reputation no longer holds.

His offer of help to clean up the place is magnanimous, yet, at the same time, it creates a feeling of humiliation and embarrassment for Singaporeans.

As Changi is a place with high human traffic (more so during the weekends), more plain-clothes enforcement officers should be deployed to deter littering. Rubbish should not be strewn all over the grounds and waterways.

For offenders, there should be heavier penalties.

Bennie Cheok