Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng has paid a visit to the koi tank built into steps outside a ground floor Tampines Street 41 flat.

Baey posted about his visit in a Facebook post on Jan. 16, a day after news broke that HDB has requested for the tank to be removed as it poses a safety hazard:

https://mothership.sg/2019/01/tampines-hdb-flat-remove-fish-tank-outside-unit/

The owner was not home at the time of Baey's visit though.

But Tampines Town Council told media on the same day that the owner of the koi fish tank has said he will appeal.

Tank around for three years

The owner of the tank requested the Tampines Town Council for a permit only in August 2018, after the structure has been around for three years without incident -- until photos of it were uploaded online.

Baey also wrote about this point in his post, saying that "there have not been any concerns or problems the last few years and hoped that the tank could be retained".

Tampines Town Council confirmed with Channel News Asia on Wednesday that it is facilitating an appeal by the resident with "no immediate deadline at this juncture".

Baey said in his Facebook post that HDB sent a notice to the Tampines town council in end-2018, which was conveyed to the resident.

Support for remain

Last August, Baey had already noted that there has been no complaint from residents on the koi tank since its installation a few years ago.

Baey also said then that while it is obviously against the by-laws, the authorities should be open-minded to look at things on a "case-by-case basis where it warrants".

This time round, Baey reiterated his support for the tank to remain: "I asked the town council to help him address the concerns and got HDB to allow more time while we try to work something out."

 

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