TODAY, 9 Jan 2013
Member of Parliament for East Coast Group Representation Constituency Lee Yi Shyan has given details of the personal circumstances of one of his constituents after claims by an online forum that she was unfairly treated by government bodies generated numerous negative comments.
Writing on his Facebook page yesterday, Mr Lee, who is Minister of State (Trade and Industry and National Development), questioned the forum's description of East Coast resident Koh Rei Jeng as "poor" and "homeless".
Among other things, the forum claimed that town council officials allegedly confiscated Ms Koh's possessions, and that she sleeps along the corridor and eats leftover scraps.
Mr Lee revealed that Ms Koh is the owner of a fully-paid-for three-room flat, adding that the 62-year-old rag-and-bone collector has rejected direct financial help because she "is able to earn enough to maintain herself and pay most of her bills most of the time".
He added that many agencies have helped her over the last four years. For example, the South East Community Development Council provides her with food vouchers monthly and has paid her utilities bill on a few occasions, he noted.
"The only problem Ms Koh has is that she ran out of place to store her collection of discarded items," wrote Mr Lee.
He pointed out that these items have spilled onto the common corridor because Ms Koh's flat has been piled full, causing concerns among her neighbours of fire safety and obstruction.
Mr Lee added that East Coast Town Council has spoken to Ms Koh about the matter "many times", even offering her a temporary storeroom for six months and buying some of the items. But the problem has not been resolved, he said.
"I thought these brief facts will perhaps help our readers establish a clear picture of what it is and what is not," said Mr Lee.
Noting that those concerned about the well-being of needy Singaporeans, like Ms Koh, can help this group "in a direct and tangible way" at Meet-the-People Sessions, he ended the post thus: "But I also need to convince her to clear out her clutter in her flat. She deserves no better place than her own home to shower, eat and sleep. Would you help?"
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