DISPUTES among neighbors are rising in Singapore, sparking concerns the tiny southeast Asian nation's attempts at fostering neighbourliness may be failing, a newspaper said today.

The Community Mediation Centre (Regional East) said cases brought to its attention rose 42 percent to 115 disputes in 1999 from 81 in 1998, according to the Sunday Times.

Misundertandings often stemmed from loud music, dripping laundry and corridor problems, centre manager Rosalinda Heng told the newspaper.

"Neighbourliness is on the wane," the Times said.

It quoted a recent survey by the government Housing Board which showed that only 64.5 percent of flat owners knew five or more of their neighbors, down from 76.7 in 1987.

Most of Singapore's more than three million people live in high-rise flats, sharing corridors and facilities.

Psychologists said the pressures of work and high-rise living as well as culture have contributed to an increase in misunderstandings.

Tan Chue Tin, a psychiatrist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, said cultural differences may also account for the rise in disputes.

"Due to our Chinese culture, we tend to be more reserved. We are also more family-oriented, which is why you don't see neighbours going out together," Tan told the Times.

About 77 percent of Singapore's population is Chinese, with Malays and Indians other races comprising the rest.

Authorities have embarked on a campaign to persuade residents to settle disputes amicably before they reach the courts, the police or the housing board.

"We would advise them to settle it without a trial as it is not really worth the money and time to go to trial," lawyer Kertar Singh told the Times.