# Joint Statement on the Government’s Approach to Community Disputes

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2025-09-26T16:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/joint-statement-on-the-government-s-approach-to-community-disputes
- **Topics:** Private Residential, Government & Policy

## Featured rationale

The high settlement rate signals mediation could improve residential liveability, while mandatory attendance trials may help address disputes that otherwise affect residents’ housing experience.

## AI summary

Only 166 of 1,106 voluntary neighbour-dispute cases registered from January to August 2025 reached mediation, although 129 cases, or 78%, settled successfully.

## Original article

We are saddened by the recent incident that occurred in Yishun Central on the morning of 24 September 2025. We extend our deepest condolences to the family.

Following earlier media reports, we would like to clarify that mediation at the Community Mediation Centre did not take place. The deceased, Ms Nguyen Phuong Tra, applied for mediation on 12 June. However, mediation could not proceed as Mr Koh Ah Hwee did not respond to the invitation to mediate. As the matter is the subject of ongoing Police investigations, we will not be able to comment further on the particulars of the case.

Overall, the average monthly volume of neighbour noise feedback in 1H 2025 has held steady at 2,500. The Government’s approach to community disputes is to facilitate dialogue and communication between neighbours as far as possible. We wish to underscore that neighbour disputes are best addressed through amicable channels such as mediation. Violence, harassment or verbal abuse have no place in our communities. In this regard, we encourage residents who have disputes with their neighbours to discuss the issues with their neighbours amicably, and if necessary, seek help from their grassroots leaders through their nearest Community Club or apply for mediation at the Community Mediation Centre (CMC).

Mediation at the CMC offers disputing neighbours an opportunity to hear each other's perspectives and work out acceptable solutions, with the help of CMC's trained mediators. Today, about 80% of voluntary mediation cases mediated by the CMC are successfully settled. Many neighbours who attempted mediation with the assistance of trained mediators, were able to find a mutual compromise beneficial to all parties. However, despite its effectiveness, many parties in dispute are unwilling to attempt mediation. Less than 30% of the total cases registered at the CMC proceed to mediation because one party did not wish to participate.

From Jan to Aug 2025, the CMC registered 1,106 voluntary neighbour dispute cases, averaging 138 cases monthly. Of this, 166 neighbour dispute cases were mediated and 129 cases (78%) resulted in a settlement.

Together with the pilot of the Community Relations Unit (CRU), we are currently piloting a new Mediation Direction framework in Tampines town. Under this framework, authorised agencies such as the CRU, the HDB and the CMC may issue directions that require disputing parties to attend mediation at the CMC.

There is an ongoing case, which involves a direction to both parties to attend mediation at the CMC.

In another case involving the deliberate use of noise to disturb neighbours, the nuisance has ceased following intervention by the CRU and partner agencies.

For three cases involving mental health issues, the CRU has been actively working with the persons concerned, their families and partner agencies to provide support through the facilitation of assessment and treatment.

None of the cases so far have required the deployment of noise sensors.

None of the cases so far have required the deployment of noise sensors.

With regard to the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunal (CDRT), the recent enhancements are intended to help affected residents obtain quicker relief (for example, through interim orders) and to empower the CDRT to better address specific case archetypes such as those involving hoarding or underlying mental health conditions. We intend to operationalise the enhancements in the coming months.

Ministry of Law and Ministry of National Development

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 关于政府处理社区纠纷方针的联合声明

我们对2025年9月24日上午在义顺中心发生的近期事件深感痛心。我们向死者家属致以最深切的慰问。

继早前媒体报道后，我们希望澄清：社区调解中心并未进行调解。死者Nguyen Phuong Tra女士于6月12日申请调解。然而，由于Koh Ah Hwee先生未回应调解邀请，调解无法进行。由于此事正由警方调查中，我们无法就案件细节作进一步评论。

总体而言，2025年上半年邻里噪音反馈的月均量维持在2,500宗。政府处理社区纠纷的方针是尽可能促进邻里之间的对话与沟通。我们要强调，邻里纠纷最好通过调解等友好渠道解决。暴力、骚扰或言语辱骂在我们的社区中绝无立足之地。为此，我们鼓励与邻居发生纠纷的居民友好地与邻居讨论问题，必要时可通过最近的民众俱乐部向基层领袖寻求协助，或向社区调解中心（CMC）申请调解。

在社区调解中心进行调解，让纠纷双方有机会听取彼此观点，并在CMC受训调解员协助下制定双方可接受的解决方案。目前，由CMC调解的自愿调解案件中，约80%成功达成和解。许多在受训调解员协助下尝试调解的邻居，都能找到对各方有利的相互妥协。然而，尽管调解有效，许多纠纷当事人仍不愿尝试调解。在CMC登记的案件中，不到30%进入调解程序，原因是一方不愿参与。

2025年1月至8月，CMC登记了1,106宗自愿邻里纠纷案件，月均138宗。其中，166宗邻里纠纷案件进行了调解，129宗（78%）达成和解。

连同社区关系组（CRU）试点，我们目前正在淡滨尼市镇试点新的调解指示框架。在该框架下，获授权机构如CRU、建屋发展局（HDB）和CMC可发出指示，要求纠纷双方到CMC参加调解。

目前有一宗案件，涉及指示双方到CMC参加调解。

在另一宗涉及故意用噪音骚扰邻居的案件中，在CRU及合作机构介入后，滋扰行为已停止。

针对三宗涉及心理健康问题的案件，CRU一直积极与当事人、其家属及合作机构合作，通过协助评估与治疗提供支持。

迄今为止，没有任何案件需要部署噪音传感器。

迄今为止，没有任何案件需要部署噪音传感器。

关于社区纠纷解决法庭（CDRT），近期加强措施旨在帮助受影响居民更快获得救济（例如通过临时命令），并赋权CDRT更好地处理特定类型案件，例如涉及囤积或潜在心理健康状况的案件。我们打算在未来数月落实这些加强措施。

律政部与国家发展部