Gov: We'll cover your $1,200 water bill
Wed, Dec 31, 2008
The New Paper
By Amanda Yong
HE stood his ground over a water issue and refused to budge.
Mr Francis Tan (Chen Guowei) had wanted government agencies to foot a $1,200 water bill he felt he was not responsible for.
And that is exactly what the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) have agreed to do, even if they do not admit liability.
Mr Tan had come home from a two-month trip to find himself with a damaged toilet cistern and a $1,200 water bill.
But on Christmas eve, Mr Tan got a letter from NEA informing him that NEA and PUB had decided to foot the bill on his behalf.
The New Paper had reported on 12 Dec that Mr Tan discovered a leak in his toilet after NEA officers entered his flat to do a check for mosquito breeding while he was in Malaysia.
The 71-year-old retiree said that his toilet cistern was damaged while he was away on holiday in Malaysia.
He added that water was gushing out when he returned from his break.
As a result, he ended up with a $1,200 water bill.
On 16 Dec, four days after The New Paper report was published, an NEA officer visited him at his home to find out what happened.
On 24 Dec, he received a letter which said that the government agencies would pay for the bill.
The statement added: 'While there is no evidence to suggest that NEA officers were responsible for the leak on 26 Jun 2008, NEA and PUB have decided to assist you with the bill in consideration that you were away and the unit was vacant during the period concerned.
'NEA will pay half the amount on compassionate grounds and PUB will waive the remainder as the leak has already been repaired promptly.'
Mr Tan described this turn of events as 'a Christmas bonus'.
An NEA spokesman had said in an earlier statement that its inspection officers were not to blame for Mr Tan's high water bill.
The team had entered the flat 'with the assistance of a locksmith and in the presence of police officers and grassroots leaders'.
The spokesman added that the officers had only lifted the cover of the cistern to check for mosquito breeding, then added insecticide to the cistern.
They had not done any damage to MrTan's property.
While it is still not clear how the leak in his toilet came about, Mr Tan is satisfied with how events played out.
He said: 'The important thing is that I don't have to pay. All along, the bone of contention was the bill, so I'll let the thing rest.
'I really appreciate what the press has done - it has helped me a lot in getting the matter resolved.'
Wed, Dec 31, 2008
The New Paper
By Amanda Yong
HE stood his ground over a water issue and refused to budge.
Mr Francis Tan (Chen Guowei) had wanted government agencies to foot a $1,200 water bill he felt he was not responsible for.
And that is exactly what the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) have agreed to do, even if they do not admit liability.
Mr Tan had come home from a two-month trip to find himself with a damaged toilet cistern and a $1,200 water bill.
But on Christmas eve, Mr Tan got a letter from NEA informing him that NEA and PUB had decided to foot the bill on his behalf.
The New Paper had reported on 12 Dec that Mr Tan discovered a leak in his toilet after NEA officers entered his flat to do a check for mosquito breeding while he was in Malaysia.
The 71-year-old retiree said that his toilet cistern was damaged while he was away on holiday in Malaysia.
He added that water was gushing out when he returned from his break.
As a result, he ended up with a $1,200 water bill.
On 16 Dec, four days after The New Paper report was published, an NEA officer visited him at his home to find out what happened.
On 24 Dec, he received a letter which said that the government agencies would pay for the bill.
The statement added: 'While there is no evidence to suggest that NEA officers were responsible for the leak on 26 Jun 2008, NEA and PUB have decided to assist you with the bill in consideration that you were away and the unit was vacant during the period concerned.
'NEA will pay half the amount on compassionate grounds and PUB will waive the remainder as the leak has already been repaired promptly.'
Mr Tan described this turn of events as 'a Christmas bonus'.
An NEA spokesman had said in an earlier statement that its inspection officers were not to blame for Mr Tan's high water bill.
The team had entered the flat 'with the assistance of a locksmith and in the presence of police officers and grassroots leaders'.
The spokesman added that the officers had only lifted the cover of the cistern to check for mosquito breeding, then added insecticide to the cistern.
They had not done any damage to MrTan's property.
While it is still not clear how the leak in his toilet came about, Mr Tan is satisfied with how events played out.
He said: 'The important thing is that I don't have to pay. All along, the bone of contention was the bill, so I'll let the thing rest.
'I really appreciate what the press has done - it has helped me a lot in getting the matter resolved.'
