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Cleanliness • Shift in mindset needed to create community stewardship culture

The Straits Times

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September 09, 2025

We thank Etienne Neo for his thoughtful letter "Keeping Singapore clean is a collective responsibility" (Sept 3), highlighting the importance of moving beyond reliance on cleaners to embracing genuine community stewardship.

- Andrew Khng

The Public Hygiene Council (PHC) agrees that lasting behavioural change requires comprehensive education and cultivating shared ownership. As Etienne noted, public cleanliness should be a responsibility embraced by all, not merely a service provided. This shift in mindset is essential for creating the culture of community stewardship that Singapore needs.

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