The Problem is not just the Murder

RE: Indonesian maid's body found in Woodlands rooftop water tank

Apart from the murder, the most glaring problem in this incident is how a maintenance worker can gain access to the water tank without supervision, not to mention dump an entire human body in it.

FYI: Post 9-11, the Town Councils are to keep all water tanks locked to avoid possible terrorist attacks by poisoning/ contaminating the water tanks which households drink from. This highlights the importance of securing the water tanks and preventing it from being abused.

The standard of estate management in Singapore is especially low for a country that has churned out decades of hundreds estate management graduates each year in its top university. This low industry standard has discouraged estate management graduates from joining the industry upon graduation.

It is difficult to change the perception and image of a profession, not to mention an industry, overnight. But it's certainly not a solution to do nothing about it.

I attribute the low standards to the lack of licensing and enforcement of the relevant Acts by the relevant departments, e.g. BCA. This is in turn caused by lack of will of the relevant departments.

Without any kind of real and enforceable standards, this industry is basically a cowboy town, especially at the low to mid tier, where any Ah Beng Ah Lian with no relevant training or experience can set up a company to manage your estate for you.

Managing your estate means managing its finances, interpreting the Acts, complying with all government requirements, conducting general meetings, drafting minutes of meetings, managing day-to-day operations in the estate, coordinating contractors, advising you on how to maintain and enhance your property value etc.

You, as a home owner, ought to be concerned about the estate management industry because these people help to (i) maintain a safe and secure living environment and (ii) maintain and/or enhance the value of your real estate property.

The government has already licensed those who (a) build your homes (developers), and (b) help to buy/sell your home (agents). The next long-overdue step is to license those who manage your estate.

I have written a paper, stating the problem and proposed recommendations, to Minister of National Development last year, but only in vain. No change whatsoever.

Public agencies should not take feedback seriously only when it gets attention in mainstream media. They must shake off their sticky preconception that 'members of public like to make trouble for them', and realise that some members of public are genuinely highlighting problems and possible solutions. The act of not writing to the forum pages in mainstream media, but sending their letters to the agencies directly, is 'friendly' and sincere.

In addition, there are at least 3 Members of Parliament who are/were faculty members of the Department of Real Estate (previously known as Estate Management), and have been serving for more than 2 terms in Parliament. Amy Khor, Teo Ho Pin, Faishal etc. A couple of them are Mayors. They are well aware of this problem, but have they attempted to solve the problem at its root?