Forum: Singapore’s cleanliness not just a result of policy, but a reflection of its people
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During a recent trip to the United States, I was struck by the stark contrast between its public transport systems and ours in Singapore.
On trains in Los Angeles and New York City, empty drink cans and soiled tissues were left on seats, while food remnants and litter were scattered across the carriage floors.
The station toilets were wet and grimy, with rubbish strewn about like fallen leaves after a storm. The neglect seemed so ingrained that untidiness had become a norm rather than an exception – a far cry from the well-maintained MRT system we often take for granted here.
My observation is not about comparing nationalities, but about the culture of civic responsibility that has taken root in Singapore.
Our cleanliness is no accident. It is the result of decades of sustained effort – from the pioneering Keep Singapore Clean campaign launched in 1968 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, to consistent public education, firm law enforcement, and community discipline that have shaped our collective behaviour over generations.
Cleanliness in Singapore is a shared duty. It is heartening to see citizens taking responsibility for keeping public spaces tidy – a reflection of our values as a society that prizes order, respect and pride in our shared environment.
Travelling abroad reminded me that Singapore’s cleanliness is not merely the result of policy, but a reflection of who we are as a people. It takes only one step outside our borders to realise how exceptional our MRT system truly is – and how much effort and discipline it takes to keep it that way. Let us never take that for granted, but continue to uphold the civic pride that keeps our city shining.
Henry Koh Chiew Phor
