Joint Statement on the Government’s Approach to Community Disputes

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