12 rubbish bins filled in cleaning up Whampoa flat

A flat on the 12th storey of Block 93 Whampoa Drive was so cluttered that foul-smelling water dripped from the ceiling of the unit below and sparked mosquito breeding fears.

Ms Zhang, 60, who runs a stir-fry stall and lives in the flat on the 11th storey, said she first noticed water dripping from her ceiling last November.

"I was eating in the dining room when I saw the leak. I checked and found the drain pipe leaking," she told Shin Min Daily News.

"By February, my kitchen ceiling was mouldy. In March, paint started peeling from the living room ceiling. The water smelt bad."

For safety, she removed her ceiling light and placed a bucket to collect the dripping water.

"I sniffed the water and it really stank."

Ms Zhang reported the issue, suspected her neighbour in the unit above had a burst pipe. But when she went up to the flat, she was shocked to see the amount of clutter.

"I've lived here for 17 years and never realised it there was a hoarder living above me," she said.

Her neighbour denied responsibility, claiming she hadn't turned on the tap, so the leak couldn't have come from her unit.

Ms Zhang spotted a notice issued by the authorities on April 25 to inform the flat's occupant that officers would be entering the unit four days later to check for mosquito breeding.

Ms Chen, a woman in her 70s, said the items in her flat had been collected over the years - some during her working life, others given to her by friends.

"They're all useful things," she told Shin Min Daily News.

"If others complain, I'll clean it up slowly. But the authorities can't clean it directly - I'm afraid I'll lose valuable items."

When asked if she was worried about mosquitoes, she replied: "I believe in Buddhism, so mosquitoes won't bite me."

The situation drew attention after a resident raised the issue with newly elected Jalan Besar GRC MP Shawn Loh during a meet-the-people session.

Mr Loh shared in a Facebook post on May 10 that his team had recently visited the unit.

He noted that resolving such cases takes time and multiple rounds of engagement, as it is important to respect the resident while looking after the well-being of neighbours.

When reporters visited the block the following morning, several volunteers were already at work. Mr Loh arrived at around 10.30am to speak with residents and coordinate with the authorities.

The clean-up operation lasted six hours and 12 green rubbish bins were filled. Volunteers also purchased a new mattress for Ms Chen.

Mr Loh thanked community volunteers, the town council, government agencies and other partners for their support.

He said neighbours were understanding and had been patient throughout the process.

According to him, agencies had previously attempted to resolve the hoarding issue last year, but Ms Chen either did not open the door or was not home during inspections.

After repeated efforts from neighbours, grassroots leaders and volunteers, she eventually agreed to let them in.

It remains unclear whether the water leakage and mosquito issues have been fully resolved, but residents hope that the clean-up marks the beginning of a permanent solution.