'Unusually low' water level at Yishun pond led to fish deaths, says HDB

SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has cleared the dead fish in a pond that was previously part of ORTO leisure park in Yishun. 

A video that was posted on Facebook on Sunday (Feb 4) showed fish struggling for air and a number of dead fish floating on the surface of the pond.  

In response to CNA queries, HDB said on Thursday they were made aware of "unusually low water level" at the pond last Friday, resulting "in the death of some fish".

"We have since removed the dead fish and have started moving the remaining live fish to a smaller holding pond at the same site," it added.

The ground previously occupied by ORTO leisure park was taken over by HDB for soil investigation and survey works last July. The site at 81 Lorong Chencharu sits in an area zoned for residential use.

"Since then, HDB has been maintaining the site, including the pond and its fish, which have been retained to prevent mosquito breeding pending the commencement of site clearance and earthworks in 1Q2024," it said.

As part of site maintenance, HDB added its contractor would "fill up the pond whenever the water level in the pond fell below the usual level" and this is typically done every two days.

"SIGNIFICANT DROP" IN WATER LEVEL 

The pond's water level was observed to be at its "usual" level on Jan 31.

The "significant drop" in water level two days later was the first time this happened, HDB said, adding that it is looking into the cause. 

"In the meantime, HDB has found a suitable commercial farm to relocate the remaining fish to, and is working towards relocating them to the farm by end-February, before site works commence."

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) also told CNA on Thursday it was alerted to a case involving dead fish in a pond at Yishun and is looking into the matter.

SINGAPORE: Three former directors linked to the Fullerton Healthcare brand were charged in court on Thursday (Feb 8) with offences of corruption and falsifying accounts.

Their alleged offences revolve around giving bribes to a fourth man – former Aon Risk Solutions chief executive officer Collin Chiew, who was also charged with corruption for taking bribes from the three ex-directors and money laundering.

The former directors linked to Fullerton Healthcare accused in the case are: Daniel Chan Pai Sheng, 50, Michael Tan Kim Song, 50, and David Sin, 44.

Chan formerly held the following roles: Director of the Fullerton Healthcare Group, director of Fullerton Health and president of Fullerton Health China.

Tan is also a former Fullerton Healthcare Group director, while Sin is the former president and chairman of the board of the Fullerton Healthcare Corporation.

Chiew was represented by Mr Andy Yeo from Eldan Law.