I REFER to the recent case reported in the media where Mr Yuen Chow Hin and his wife, Madam Wong Wai Fan, were awarded $257,000 in a ruling against real-estate company ERA Realty Network.

It is good to note that ERA Realty Network has suspended the two agents involved in the case and has introduced measures to improve transparency and accountability to its clients. It will also be putting in place an amended code of ethics governing its agents within three months.

It is surprising that the Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) does not represent the interests of all property agents in Singapore. Perhaps the Government should make it mandatory for property agents to join the IEA.

The IEA should be vested with powers to regulate the conduct of all property agents.

It should also be empowered to punish agents who do not conduct themselves professionally or fall short of the high standards demanded of them through observance of the industry's professional codes.

It is high time that something was done to improve the professional image of property agents, so that public trust and confidence in them can be maintained.

Mr Nelson Quah

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