Thoughts of a young public officer.
Whenever people hear I’m in the enforcement department, dealing with
unauthorised structures and uses, they would exclaim, “So exciting! Have you
banged down any doors?” After six months on the job, the only thing I’ve banged
is my head against the table, at seeing the mountain of feedback and appeals. It
is a fine balance, juggling the sensitivities and circumstances of parties involved.
There are many types of cases and we have to communicate with people from
all walks of life. I have a Post-it on my monitor with “subletting” and “tenancy
agreements” translated in four other languages. It can be difficult saying no, but
rules are rules, and sometimes, the best way to get people to come around is to
remind them to do unto others as you’d have them do unto you (something oftforgotten
in the cosmopolitan rush).
– Audrey Cheong, Planner, Development Control, Urban Redevelopment Authority