Indiscriminate Pasting of Advertisements at Public Places

Mr Darryl David asked the Minister for National Development whether the Government can prohibit the indiscriminate pasting of bills, flyers, advertisements and other similar materials at public places in HDB estates, such as lifts, lift landings, doors, gates, circuit-boxes and other areas, in line with that taken by agencies, such as LTA in respect of the sticking of materials on lamp posts, traffic light posts, railings and other public areas under its jurisdiction.

The Town Councils Act empowers Town Councils to set by-laws to regulate the use of common property and impose fines for any contravention. Hence, Town Councils can take action under their by-laws against any person found pasting flyers and advertisements without the Town Councils' authorisation.

If stickers are pasted on residents' doors or gates, the affected residents may seek help from their respective Town Councils. In practice, Town Councils would typically warn the advertisers against such actions. Town Councils may also remove the stickers or ask the advertisers to do so.