Channel NewsAsia 12 Dec 14;
SINGAPORE: With the Municipal Services Office (MSO) app expected to be launched early next year - if you see a problem, you can snap a picture, geo-tag it and report the issue to a relevant Government agency. But you will not need to know which agency to route your feedback to, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Grace Fu, who oversees the MSO.
In a Facebook post on Friday (Dec 12) Ms Fu said the app will have categories on the nature of issues, such as pests, trees and greenery, and foot paths. The system will automatically route your feedback to the right agency, she added.
Ms Fu, who is also Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Foreign Affairs, said this backend work involved "extensive discussions and harmonisation of work practices" amongst the participating agencies.
These agencies have previously been identified as the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority, national water agency PUB, the National Parks Board, Housing and Development Board, the Land Transport Authority, the Singapore Police Force, People's Association and the National Environment Agency.
"The staff from the agencies have been most proactive and positive in the change process and we, in MSO are grateful for their cooperation," she wrote.
She added that the app is currently being tested with public officers, grassroots leaders and volunteers. Another 200 grassroots leaders and volunteers will be invited to extend the use of the app across a larger geographical area, so as to better test its geo-tagging function.
The MSO also plans to include other agencies and types of services on top of the ones currently covered, and additional categories and features in subsequent versions of the app will be based on users' needs, said Ms Fu.
- CNA/ly
