'No' To Ring Fencing Residential Areas In Geylang: Mah

Source : The Straits Times, Feb 18, 2008

After dark, Geylang becomes a one-stop location for vice activities such as gambling. -- ST FILE PHOTOLet Geylang stay the way it is.

National Development Minister Mah Bah Tan said there is no need to 'ring fence' the residential areas in Geyland as there is vigilant enforcement to control vice activities.

An illegal gambling operation in the back alleys of Geylang. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

In his written response to a question from Marine Parade GRC MP Fatimah Lateef, who had asked on Friday if there are concrete plans to ring fence Geylang Lorongs 22 to 44 which are mainly residential areas, such as reviewing the mixed zoning in the area, Mr Mah said, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has no such intention.

Sex workers plying their trade in Geylang, a one-stop location for vice activities like prostitution, gambling and piracy. -- PHOTO: NP

He said that in the 2003 Master Plan, the majority of the sites (60 per cent) in the area between Lor 22 and Lor 44 Geylang is zoned Residential. Many of the other sites are either zoned 'residential' or 'residential and institution', with a number of sites fronting Geylang Road zoned 'commercial'.

For sites zoned Residential in the master plan, the change of use to non-residential uses, such as for public entertainment uses, would in principle not be supported.

Teenaged girls hanging around Geylang's 'red light district' waiting for customers. -- PHOTO: BH

'This is to retain the residential nature of these areas and helps in 'ring-fencing' the area,' said Mr Mah.

He added that the 'ring-fencing' of the area is also achieved through vigilant enforcement to control vice activities.

The Police have and will continue to undertake regular enforcement action in both the odd and even lorongs in Geylang.

Among all the vice activities, Geylang still holds many gems, like this popular eateries serving delicious local food. -- ST PHOTO: TAN HOWE YANG

The Anti-Vice Branch (AVB) conducts frequent checks at the red-light areas and regular enforcement against vice, and the police imposes stringent licensing conditions for entertainment outlets and massage establishments in the area, and also conducts regular checks on the public entertainment outlets.

'Although there has not been any serious problem associated with these outlets, police will continue to monitor these outlets and would not hesitate to suspend or revoke the licence of errant operators,' said Mr Mah, adding that the Ministry of Home Affairs and police also work closely with agencies such as the Hotel Licensing Board and URA to regulate the operations and development of budget hotels and lodging houses there.

Hidden steals like 24-hour stalls selling durians at 50 cents each in Geylang. -- ST FILE PHOTO

In addition, a multi-agency effort has been set up, led by Dr Fatimah, to coordinate efforts by various government agencies, as well as the grassroots, to improve the conditions in Geylang.

New initiatives, such as enhanced street lightings and installation of CCTVs, have been implemented. Mr Mah said these multi-agency efforts are aimed at curbing crime and vice through better lighting and monitoring, enhancing the sense of security among residents by reducing the number of streetwalkers venturing into the residential areas, and reducing dis-amenity to residents arising from public entertainment outlets in the area.

A proposed plan for a ring fence around residential area has been rejected. -- PHOTO: BH