Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap (Aljunied): Madam, in the recent Community Disputes Resolution (Amendment) Bill debate, I had cited an example of a long-standing conflict between a group of flat owners and a bakery located in a four-storey HDB block in my Kaki Bukit ward. The residents of three households are affected by the excessive noise and heat from the bakery located on the ground floor.
Madam, the issue was first brought to my attention in 2014 when a resident Mr A attended my Meet-the-People Session to seek assistance on the discomfort he faced caused by continuous release of unbearable heat, pungent smell and loud noises emitting from the bakery which he claimed happens daily from 5.00 am to 12.00 midnight. Back then, I made a representation to NEA and HDB Bedok Branch Office.
Nine years later, in 2023, Mr A, together with two other residents, Mr B and Mr C, came to see me with similar feedback and I escalated the matter to MND.
In October last year, 2024, Mr C returned to see me, citing the situation remains despite the numerous communications with the relevant agencies. He also told me that his two other neighbours have shifted out. This time around, I wrote to SFA to seek assistance. A recent update from SFA dated 27 February 2025 stated that SFA, in collaboration with relevant agencies, had conducted a thorough investigation into the reported disamenities at the mentioned premises. SFA had advised the operator to implement necessary measures to mitigate resultant noise and heat emissions from their food preparation activities.
Madam, I would like to seek a couple of clarifications from the Minister related to this issue and would like to put forth a proposal.
My clarifications are: how often does SFA receive similar feedback in a year? What are SFA’s requirements for bakeries to operate in a HDB residential block emitting the noise and heat levels resulting from their daily operations?
My proposal is for SFA to consider bakeries to be regulated with adequate noise control measures as well as sufficient ventilation systems, similar to features like those installed for bakeries located at HDB blocks, so as to be more effective in diffusing heat and vapour.
The Chairman: Mr Faisal Manap.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap: Sir, earlier in my speech, I have sought two clarifications on my cuts pertaining to ventilation systems for bakeries in order to better manage the disamenities caused by bakeries located in the HDB blocks. I really have not received a reply on this from the Ministry.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Chairman, I would like to maybe ask the Member to give me the background, because I think he is referring to a very specific case which I am afraid I am not very familiar with. It is a specific case of a bakery with a ventilation problem that affects the neighbours. Perhaps, the Member can describe the problem to me again, please, Sir, through you.
The Chairman: Mr Faisal Manap.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap: Sir, actually, I have written to SFA and they have actually replied to me recently. I just want to get a better clarification on the issues. What happened was that there is this issue that has been going on for about 10 years where the bakery located in the same block, a four-storey HDB block, has been emanating noise, heat and pungent smell. So, I have written to the relevant agencies, and the last round I wrote was to SFA. And then they did mention that they are working with other relevant agencies to look into the matter.
But my question is basically whether SFA has received similar feedback on such issues and how pieces of feedback are being received in a year, and also whether there is any requirement for bakeries that operate in an HDB residential block in managing the noise and heat level resulting from their daily operation. Is there any kind of regulation or requirement imposed by SFA?
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Thank you very much for the clarification. I do not think that this is a very major problem on the ground. I do not hear many such feedback coming from Members. But I will have to confirm again. So, I will very much appreciate if the Member could file a Parliamentary Question (PQ), so that we can give a fuller reply.
On the feedback about SFA imposing regulations on ventilation as well as on noise, I would very much consider the Member’s suggestions of perhaps having more regulations to regulate the businesses. We will definitely take that into consideration. But I will come back with a fuller reply to the Member’s PQ.
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment
4 March 2025
https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=budget-2595
Office of the Leader of the Opposition 