I disagree with Mr Khoo Chun Yok that HDB void decks need to be fully occupied ('Why are void decks so, er, void?', last Saturday).

On the contrary, they are already very much used. Activities include:

• Weddings and funerals 
• A chance to give second-storey residents much-needed peace and quiet 
• A place for residents to sit and relax 
• An area for residents to meet and chat
• An area for parents and grandparents to take their young charges for a stroll 
• A place for students to study 
• A place for estate agents, residents and visitors to negotiate sale or purchase of a unit above 
• Newsstands which sell not only newspapers, but also tidbits 
• Provision shops with tables and chairs so residents can enjoy drinks and cakes 
• A place for recreational games such as table tennis and Chinese chess, or 
• Exercise and gym equipment, or 
• Drink vending machines, or 
• Karaoke lounges. 
• An office for residents' committees 
• Premises for childcare centres 
• Rooms for classes and tuition.

In an increasingly congested and noisy city, there are reasons why void decks should remain void.

There are shopping malls in each HDB housing precinct. Let the congestion and noise be confined there, not in HDB blocks where people come home to rest, relax and sleep.

Newsstands already exist in many void decks. Many have come and gone because it is hard to make a profit.

In addition, where there are food and drinks, there are also rats, cockroaches, cats and urine (human and animal). The stench in some of these places is unbearable.

The more a void deck is occupied, the more residents are deprived of peace and quiet.

For example, the racket from weddings, funerals, childcare centres and bad karaoke singing all produce an unwelcome level of noise in an otherwise-quiet HDB block.

Public spaces do not need to be occupied for them to belong to the public.

On the contrary, public spaces are meant to be just that - an open space where the public can simply enjoy the openness of space, to take in the quiet and serenity that comes with it.

Perhaps, this is one reason why some Singaporeans migrate - to find open space and quiet at long last.

Pearl Wong (Ms)

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 5 July 2008.