SINGAPORE — The temporary closure of a street soccer court at Block 422, Bedok North Road due to noise complaints has recently caught the attention of Singaporean online users, who bemoaned the loss of "kampung spirit" across the nation.

Just last month, Sembawang Town Council's decision to partially cordon off the void deck at Block 638, Woodlands Ring Road to prevent school children from playing soccer there drew similar criticism from the online community.

The decision to close the Block 422 street soccer court appears to have first been announced two weeks ago by Mr Tan Kiat How, vice-chairman of East Coast Town Council and Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast Group Representation Constituency, on his personal Facebook and Instagram accounts.

In his post on Dec 12, Mr Tan shared resident feedback about "groups of inconsiderate street soccer court users creating noise late into the night" and raised concerns of this disturbing nearby residents, especially seniors and shift workers.

"I have asked (the) police to step up their patrol in this area," he wrote. Mr Tan is the MP in charge of the Kampong Chai Chee division that oversees the area in question.

"I have also asked the East Coast Town Council to close the Block 422 street soccer court temporarily and to consider repurposing the space for other community uses that can benefit more residents living nearby, such as an exercise space for seniors.

"Please feel free to share your ideas with me."

These initial posts by Mr Tan went largely unnoticed until Tuesday (Dec 26), when alternative news platform Wake Up Singapore drew attention to the closure on its Instagram account.

Sharing photos of a physical notice put up by the East Coast Town Council, the account stated in the post: "And we wonder why our football cannot make it... Can't play at void deck. Can't play at street soccer court. Play where then?"

The notice said that during the closure, residents can make use of the courts and facilities at Heartbeat@Bedok, an integrated community centre nearby.

A check by TODAY on Tuesday morning found the gates of the street soccer court chained up, with notices put up around its perimeter.

'EXTREME' MOVE

In response to Wake Up Singapore's Instagram post, some people have questioned why the court cannot simply be locked up after 10pm.

One top comment on the post read: "Maybe, I don't know, turn off the lights or lock it up after 10pm instead of simply removing (it)."

Another agreed, writing: "The court at Bedok Reservoir has been doing this and (there are) rarely any noises. Of course, a few naughty kids once in a while, but they're just kids. A gentle reminder will do."

However, a sign on the gate of the soccer court stated that it is open for use only from 9am to 7pm. Current residents also pointed this out in the comments.

Mr Tan confirmed in follow-up Facebook comments that the gates are locked at fixed timings, writing: "Kids are kids. Some of them climb in after hours.

"Unfortunately some of them get scolded by residents and retaliate by hurling vulgarities back and damaging common property."

However, some online users still felt that the temporary closure was "extreme", with some suggesting that the town council could simply increase enforcement in the neighbourhood.

An Instagram user said: "Ministers could simply enforce curfews and restrictions. It's not rocket science."

MIXED REACTIONS FROM RESIDENTS

On the flipside, in the comment section of Mr Tan's Dec 12 post, people thanked the MP for "heeding the residents' feedback", including one who professed to be a Block 422 resident.

"About time something was done about this," the person commented. "Have called the police more than once, but because it was before 10pm, it was not considered a noise complaint.

"And the town council also refused to close off the court as they said kids playing there is 'normal', even though vulgarities and top-of-the-lungs screams are emitted nonstop by the kids there."

Wake Up Singapore's post also attracted similar comments, with one person arguing: "I don't see what's wrong. Imagine wanting to rest at home after a long day of work but you can't because of the noise.

"Same thing in my estate where kids are running, screaming at the void decks and across the car-park roads. At least this MP is doing something about it."

However, other purported residents maintained that "noise" from street soccer players at night is a non-issue.

Replying to a comment that declared that "it's the kids' fault", one Instagram user said: "I'm an actual resident there and the court is always locked up at 7.30pm to 8pm.

"The closing time is 7pm. I don't know where they get the 'late into the night' part.

"I understand the location is a bit inconvenient for those (who live near) the court itself, but never have the kids played beyond 7.45pm or 8pm."

The Instagram user also stated that "there are no functional lights at this court", so it is not possible for children to play beyond sunset since it is "pitch black".

Backing up the Instagram user, another person said: "I lived here from 2021-2022, futsal disruption (was) non-existent at night."

A previous resident pointed out that Heartbeat@Bedok does not have a futsal court that can serve as a substitute for the Block 422 court. Moreover, others said that its sports facilities — which are managed by ActiveSG — have booking quotas and cost money to book.

"Don't really see the problem," he continued. "(I) used to play at this court maybe 10 years ago and around 7pm to 7.30pm, one of the uncles would shout from the second floor telling us to pack it up and we would leave within 15 minutes."

NO 'KAMPUNG SPIRIT'

Some people simply bemoaned the perceived loss of Singapore's "kampung spirit" and consideration for neighbours. One top comment on Wake Up Singapore's post mused: "Sometimes, educating both parties will benefit the society more.

"I remember when coffee shops used to be so noisy during football (game) nights, we'd all (go) down and watch together, shouting 'Goal!' when our team scores. The community (kampung) spirit was so high, we were happier then.

"It's important we bring back (the) community spirit where we care about each other, are considerate towards one another. Perhaps then we wouldn't have to ban this and ban that, perhaps we'd also be living in a happier, better and more lively society."

Agreeing, another replied: "The kampung spirit is pretty much non-existent. My initial reaction to this news is that the heart and soul of Singapore culture (has been) stamped out because of intolerance and because it's bad for business."

One Instagram user who claimed to have family living in the area pointed to the importance of compromise, saying: "Residents in that area are long-suffering... At the same time, the players need a place to play and let off steam.

"If the two parties can be respectful and the players (are) considerate, then (there) shouldn't be a problem."

A follow-up Facebook post from Mr Tan on Tuesday noted that he "welcomes the opportunity to add colour to this decision" and the town council is "exploring alternatives to closing the court".

He added: "As the residents' profiles change, I can imagine that their needs may be different now, for example, wanting inter-generational space for them and their grandkids, exercise equipment for seniors, community garden.

"As People's Action Party MPs, we always try our best to meet the needs of different groups of residents, across different life stages."

In response to TODAY's queries on Tuesday, the East Coast Town Council confirmed that it had requested assistance from the police for more patrols in the area.

However, disagreements between residents and the football court's users have "significantly worsened" over the past few years, with "vulgarities hurled at residents, users of the court peeing in the void deck and damaging common properties", the town council said.

Before the temporary closure, Mr Tan had been "actively mediating these issues" and implementing measures such as getting volunteers to speak to the court's users, shortening the court's opening hours and locking the gates after stipulated hours.

While the court remains closed, Mr Tan and his volunteers will "use this time to engage different groups of Kampong Chai Chee residents living nearby and explore how best to use the space to benefit more residents," the town council added.

"For instance, Mr Tan is championing the repurposing of the former Kampong Chai Chee Community Centre as a youth hub. Community spaces closer to the blocks can then be repurposed for senior-friendly, inter-generational use."

It also reminded users of community facilities to be considerate as "being a kampung means that everyone would need to play their part in fostering an inclusive and caring neighbourhood".