How did the retiree attempt to resolve his concerns before resorting to arson?

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A Retiree's Escalation from Complaint to Arson Over Cat Shelters

A 68-year-old retiree, Koh Teng Boo, sought to address his concerns regarding the hygiene of cardboard cat houses by communicating with his Member of Parliament. He believed these makeshift shelters were unsanitary and attracted pests, leading him to repeatedly set them on fire after his attempts to resolve the issue through official channels appeared unsuccessful. Koh was ultimately sentenced to three months' jail for mischief by fire.
Repeatedly Raised Concerns with Member of Parliament

Koh Teng Boo first attempted to resolve his grievances by approaching his Member of Parliament to voice his dissatisfaction with the cat shelters. He informed investigators that he had raised the issue multiple times, expressing a belief that "no visible action" was taken to address his concerns about hygiene and pest attraction. This perceived lack of response contributed to his decision to take matters into his own hands.
Escalation of Arson Incidents

Following his unsuccessful attempts to have the shelters removed through official complaints, Koh resorted to arson. In October 2025, he initiated the series of fires by burning three cat houses, throwing them into an incense burner bin and igniting them. Two days later, upon observing that more shelters had been erected, he again approached his MP. His destructive actions continued on November 19, 2025, when he set fire to another shelter after consuming alcohol.
Further Incidents and Consequences

Koh's pattern of behaviour persisted into the early hours of November 20, 2025, when he returned to the void deck with the intent to burn more shelters. However, his actions were interrupted when passers-by managed to extinguish the fire. The town council subsequently incurred S$913 in repair costs for damaged flooring and walls, a sum that Koh later fully repaid, demonstrating some level of restitution for the damages caused.

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How did the retiree attempt to resolve his concerns before resorting to arson?

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