Green light for HDB resident's Christmas decor

SINGAPORE - A Toa Payoh resident will get to keep the makeshift Christmas lighting and decorations that he has put up outside his HDB ground-floor unit.

For the past three years, Mr Martin Silva's glittering patios had become a meeting point for residents during the festive season, with some queuing to have their pictures taken there. But they have also got him into trouble with the town council.

Mr Silva, 57, was fined several times by the Bishan-Toa Payoh town council for unauthorised use of public space and was told that the Christmas scene might have to be taken down.

An intervention by Mr Zainudin Nordin, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, has helped resolve the issue.

The MP said on his Facebook page yesterday that the makeshift Christmas structures and decorations can remain so long as Mr Silva agrees to keep the area open for community use.

Speaking to The Straits Times yesterday, Mr Silva said the decision was a step in the right direction to bring back the "kampung spirit".

"This is a fantastic breakthrough for families like mine who are just trying to bring people together, and opening their homes to everyone," he said.

Photo Gallery:

Spreading Christmas spirit in Toa Payoh

Click on thumbnail to view photos. Source:

Visit link:
Green light for HDB resident's Christmas decor