Town Councils' Enforcement Actions against Unlawful Parking in Common Areas by Foreign-registered Vehicles
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the authority of Town Councils to take enforcement actions against foreign-registered vehicles parked unlawfully in common areas compared to local vehicles. Mr Yip Hon Weng inquired about enforcement methods, and Senior Minister of State for National Development Ms Sim Ann replied that the Town Councils Act does not differentiate between foreign and local vehicles. She explained that Town Councils can issue notices or detain vehicles under their by-laws and may seek assistance from HDB and LTA for vehicle information. In response to concerns about obtaining foreign owner details, Senior Minister of State for National Development Ms Sim Ann noted that agencies provide available data to assist enforcement efforts. She highlighted that Town Councils can also employ wheel-clamping to require fine payments before releasing detained vehicles if empowered by their specific by-laws.
Transcript
5 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether Town Councils are authorised and has the powers to conduct enforcement actions against unlawful parking in common areas by foreign-registered vehicles similar to local registered vehicles; (b) if so, how are such enforcement actions conducted against foreign-registered vehicles; and (c) whether there is a difference in enforcement actions conducted against foreign-registered and local registered vehicles.
The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Ms Sim Ann) (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, Town Councils may prohibit or regulate the parking of vehicles on common property within HDB estates under their own by-laws. A breach of any of a Town Council’s by-laws is an offence. The Town Councils Act does not differentiate between foreign- and local-registered vehicles.
Town Councils have the autonomy to decide how they wish to enforce their by-laws, including those pertaining to unlawful parking in common areas. Enforcement actions against vehicles found parked illegally on common property can include issuing notices of offence, removing, or detaining the vehicles, if the Town Council is empowered to do so under its by-laws. Town Councils can approach HDB and LTA for assistance if they require information about foreign-registered vehicles for their enforcement efforts.
Mr Speaker: Mr Yip Hon Weng.
Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang): Mr Speaker, I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. Before the Town Council can issue a summon for the foreign-registered vehicle, the Town Council needs the owner's details. My understanding is that as foreign vehicles are not registered LTA, it would not be able to provide the Town Council with the foreign owners' details and so the Town Council cannot proceed with summons. Will the Ministry consider working with ICA and LTA on this matter so that the Town Council can issue summons as part of its enforcement actions?
Ms Sim Ann: Sir, currently what is being done is that HDB and LTA will look at the information that they have available if the Town Council approaches them and they will try to assist to the best of their ability. My understanding is that some Town Councils, if their by-laws allow, also detain the vehicle by clamping and require the vehicle owner to pay the fine at the Town Council's office before the vehicle is released back to them. That is also another way in which enforcement can be done.