An outdoor kitchen located beside a Bukit Panjang flat has been removed, following a report from a Stomper and requests for removal by the town council.<\/p>\n
Stomper Catwoman<\/strong> previously reported that a couple residing at Block 245 Bukit Panjang Ring Road regularly cooked outside their unit. <\/p>\n Photos of the \u201coutdoor kitchen<\/a>\u201d show a makeshift cooking station consisting of a long table, wooden chairs, metal pots, and a stove under a large parasol. <\/p>\n The Stomper claimed that after the couple cooked pots of gravy and rice at the cooking station, a stench emanated from nearby drains for days. <\/p>\n When Lianhe Zaobao<\/a> visited the location on April 18, Haji, the resident who set up the outdoor kitchen, said his family has occasionally cooked outside since they moved in 26 years ago.<\/p>\n Usually, the cookouts involved barbecues or grilling satays.<\/p>\n \u201cI have eight grandchildren. Sometimes they would request to have some barbecue and I\u2019d cook it outside for them,\u201d the 73-year-old said.<\/p>\n During the interview, Haji was observed tearing down the parasol covering the outdoor kitchen area. The long table and big metal pots were moved to the corridor outside his flat, while the gas cylinder and stove were not seen.<\/p>\n Regarding the complaint that Stomp received, Haji suspected that it was submitted by a resident who feeds cats daily on a grass patch near the outdoor kitchen. He revealed that he had previously told the feeder to place the cat food farther away, claiming it would attract birds and insects.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cat feeder moved to this area about two years ago. Maybe she was unhappy we asked her to feed the cats somewhere else, so she complained about my outdoor kitchen,\u201d Haji claimed.<\/p>\n Nora, Haji\u2019s daughter-in-law, said the gas cylinder was usually kept in the storeroom, and would only be taken out before cooking. <\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t cook outside every day. Only on festive occasions like Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji, or during long weekends when we have the time, do we cook outside,\u201d the 32-year-old said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I moved in 10 years ago after my marriage, the outdoor kitchen already existed. Our neighbours also didn\u2019t have a problem and would occasionally come to eat.\u201d <\/p>\n Mr Wen (transliteration), a resident who lives on the second floor of the same block, told Shin Min that he maintained an amicable relationship with Haji\u2019s family throughout the 30 years that he has been staying there.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we are of different religions, I have never attended their gatherings. But they cook outside only occasionally and clean up after themselves, so I don\u2019t have an issue with it,\u201d the 67-year-old driver said.<\/p>\n Another resident who did not wish to be named also defended Haji, saying it might be necessary for the family to cook outside given its large size, especially during festive periods: \u201cThey\u2019re very kind. They often invite neighbours from our block to dine together when they cook.\u201d<\/p>\n The anonymous neighbour also pointed out that only a long table and parasol were usually placed in the outdoor kitchen area, and that the stove and gas cylinder were usually kept away. He also recalled helping Haji move the long table a few days ago.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel sad seeing the \u2018kitchen\u2019 removed. After all, it\u2019s 20 years\u2019 worth of memories,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n According to Nora, Holland\u2013Bukit Panjang Town Council had issued a letter to them two years ago, requesting them to move away items placed in the corridor and grass patch. <\/p>\n Another letter was issued on Feb 14 this year, giving the family until the end of the month to remove the items.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve lived here for over 20 years, and we\u2019ve been cooking outside for at least ten years. The town council had never approached us, and only began sending us letters in the past two years, asking us to remove our outdoor kitchen.\u201d<\/p>\n In a previous statement to Stomp, the town council said the notices were issued in light of \u201csafety, hygiene and accessibility concerns\u201d. The family were also previously advised against cooking in common areas.<\/p>\n A conservancy team was also deployed to carry out necessary cleaning of the area, and the town council will continue to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nComplaint allegedly originated from displeased cat feeder<\/h2>\n
Neighbours defend outdoor kitchen<\/h2>\n
Only began receiving requests for removal recently<\/h2>\n
\n![\"Stomp](\"https:\/\/www.stomp.sg\/assets\/stomp-comment-COLiWNMD.png\")
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