While CASE has called on the Management of Sim Lim Square to do more to stop errant retailers at their mall, the management corporation of Strata Title (MCST) at Sim Lim has said that it does not have the power to change their own bylaws.
MCST explained that they can’t pass or amend their own rental rules. They also said that they can’t force their tenants to behave.
Their response comes after CASE attempted to pass responsibility on to the centre management for the large amount of complaints there.
Currently, CASE has said that they are unable to stop all errant retailers and they can only take action against individual retailers in a lengthy process after many complaints have been filed.
CASE has simply washed its hands of responsibility saying that they have already made it compulsory for landlords to tell retailers to conduct business in accordance to Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act guidelines.
MCST has clarified that it can also advise retailers but it can’t change its own bylaws to force them to conduct ethical businesses.
MCST also said that it can’t actually go to court to file an injuction against retailers like STB or CASE.
"Our concern is that to make a by-law allowing the MCST to impose penalties against retailers who have engaged in unfair practices would be contrary to Parliament’s intention in enacting the CPFTA," it said.
"We note that there is no easy solution to the problem of errant retailers and we hope to work closely with your association to devise ways to alleviate the problem," the MCST said to CASE.