How neighbour disputes are handled to be improved: Murali

He says agencies will expand application of enhanced framework as soon as practicable

- Isabelle Liew

The top three types of disputes handled by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals over the past five years related to excessive noise, excessive vibration and littering. These tribunals are specialised courts that handle persistent disputes between neighbours after other resolution attempts fail.

(ST FILE PHOTO)

Some Singaporeans are "understandably concerned" after a recent confrontation between neighbours in Yishun turned deadly, and the Government will continue its efforts to strengthen processes to manage neighbour disputes, said Senior Minister of State for Law Murali Pillai.

A woman died after a violent attack over a noise dispute between neighbours in Yishun Central on Sept 24.

"However, no framework will be able to address all manner of neighbour disputes or curb specific individual behaviour, especially violence. No one should resort to violence to deal with a neighbour dispute. That's a personal responsibility," Mr Murali added.

He was responding to questions in Parliament relating to neighbour disputes on Oct 14.

He said the top three types of disputes handled by the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRTs) over the past five years related to excessive noise, excessive vibration and littering.

CDRTs are specialised courts that handle persistent disputes between neighbours after other resolution attempts, such as mediation, fail.

A total of 1,031 CDRT claims were filed between 2020 and 2024, and about 65 per cent of these involved excessive noise.

The CDRTs issued 233 orders and dismissed 145 cases, while another 651 claims were withdrawn or discontinued, Mr Murali added, in response to Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC).