Lawrence Wong
Singapore
“Sir, we will provide more information. I see the value of getting Ministries to put out more information, to share more about how their resources are being used and what outcomes they have achieved.”
“Sir, I agree fully with Mr Azhar that human capacity, human capital is critical. In fact, I would say the long-term potential of Singapore, how far we go really depends on us being able to maximise our human potential. That is key and that is why we have long invested in education. And it is not just about the investments.”
“Sir, we have been maintaining that commitment of 1% for some time now. I do not think it is about saying that we just have to do more and spend more. As many have highlighted, we want to ensure good outcomes from our R&D spending as well. So, we will continue if the outcomes are good.”
“This has never been the case. Temasek, when it started, was always very clear about its mandate from the very beginning – commercial, not doing national service, focused on commercial outcomes.”
“Sir, the MOF economists when they look at fiscal projections use Government's forecast of the economy, which is also published. We would typically use the mid-point of the range and then, of course, because these are in nominal terms, you have to factor for that. And the projections are done on those basis.”
“Sir, I was relieved that Mr Loh said he only has one question, but he asked the most difficult question. To answer the question, we will continue to monitor cost of living across all segments of society.”
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“We still have the time to do this work, as I have emphasised earlier but, for now, what is important is that we do not speculate, we do not spread misinformation which can impact the market. And this is critical. In fact, recently there was speculation that the Government would stop the use of CPF entirely for the purchase of HDB flats. It started from a media report highlighting a suggestion from an academic. He later clarified that the article did not fully reflect his views, yet, the information continued to circulate online and through WhatsApp groups. Just earlier this week, a resident came to me, showed me the phone with the screenshot of the article and said, "Is the Government going to stop the use of CPF?" So, let me be very clear about this. We are not stopping the use of CPF for HDB purchase. Even for older flats, CPF can still be used but under certain conditions to safeguard retirement adequacy of home-buyers. There has also been concern about the impact of lease expiry on HDB prices. But there is still value in older HDB flats – value which can be unlocked for retirement. We looked at real transaction data over the past year. An older 4-room flat with less than 60 years remaining would sell for around $300,000, median price; and a 5-room flat would sell for around $400,000. These are for non-mature estates. For flats in more popular locations, prices can be significantly higher – more than double the prices which I just mentioned earlier, more than double. So, a 4-room flat with less than 60 years remaining can sell for more than $600,000; a 5-room flat can sell for more than $800,000. Not pretend data, theoretical data; transaction data over the past year.”
“It sounds easy to do but it is not a straightforward matter. First, we should not assume everyone wants it. Second, as all of us who run Town Councils know, much more maintenance is needed for older flats. Imagine the flat beyond 99 years and how much more maintenance is needed and how costly it will be for residents. More importantly, despite our best efforts at planning, we are still severely constrained by space in Singapore. If there is no more land to recycle for future public housing, then what will happen to our children and grandchildren? How will they have access to subsidised housing in the future? So, this is a complex issue and I am glad many Members who spoke about this recognise this. Several Members have offered suggestions, including Miss Cheryl Chan and Mr Alex Yam. Mr Leon Perera also spoke about this and I look forward to the Workers' Party's suggestions on this matter because he said that the Workers' Party is studying this matter very seriously and I look forward to receiving your suggestions as well. In fact, we welcome views on this matter from all parties and all Singaporeans. We recognise that it is a matter that Singaporeans care about and we want to listen to your views and feedback. Ultimately, the Government must grapple with these difficult questions, study the matter and do the responsible thing. Our duty is not just to the current generation who already own homes, but also to the future generations – those not yet voting and those not yet born, those whose lives and future depend on us making the right decisions now, on their behalf. At the end of the day, we want to ensure that every generation will be able to have an affordable and quality home in Singapore.”
“All of these programmes are scoped carefully to ensure they are fiscally sustainable. SERS, as the name implies, is done only on a very selective basis. ROH is for town-wide enhancements; we have largely completed six towns and consultations are ongoing for three towns now. NRP which is for neighbourhood facilities, is ongoing for blocks built up to 1995. And HIP for enhancements or for retrofitting within the unit itself, is being completed for the flats that were built up to 1986. The selection of flats will be done as soon as possible so that we can complete this batch of HIP. Many Members have asked for extensions of these programmes. You would like to know when ROH can be done for your town; or when HIP can be extended to the newer flats. We do want to renew and rejuvenate our HDB towns in an orderly fashion. But as I have explained before, upgrading projects are expensive and span many years. So, we are studying this carefully to make sure that we have the resources to follow through on any future commitments. The need to maintain and renew our HDB towns is also linked to the issue of the end of lease. We have made clear from the outset that the HDB lease is 99 years. There is no doubt about that. Ninety-nine years is a long time – it covers two generations. The oldest HDB flat today is around 50 years and the vast majority have more than 60 years remaining. So, this is not an immediate issue at all. Yet, some have already called for automatic lease extensions or for HDB lease top-ups by private developers. It will be easy for me to give you a politically expedient answer now and try to wave away the problem. But there are serious trade-offs and ramifications to consider. Take the issue of lease extension.”
“MND will be working with MSF, SSOs and the VWOs to see how best we can support the families, help them solve their issues holistically and get back on their feet. Besides looking out for rental families, we must also take care of the elderly, especially those who are living on their own in studio and 2-room flexi apartments. We do not want them to feel isolated and disengaged, as Members have highlighted just now. So, we are putting a lot more emphasis in the way we design our HDB flats and estates. This means more shared public spaces, like civic plazas and community gardens, for them to stay active. It means more community services and amenities, all under one roof, for convenient access. And a good example of what we have done is Kampung Admiralty which was officially opened over the weekend. Kampung Admiralty is just one small kampung with just over a hundred units, but we will plan for more “kampungs” in other HDB towns. Another aspect of inclusive development is to continually renew our buildings and infrastructure, because we do not want a situation where certain parts of Singapore are left to degrade and we end up with deteriorated neighbourhoods or towns, inhabited largely by lower-income or elderly residents. This is not just a Government matter. It is a shared responsibility. It requires the Town Councils to do proper maintenance and upkeeping of the estate. It requires residents to take care of the neighbourhood. But the Government has and will continue to do its part. All Members are familiar with the programmes we have put in place for estate renewal. You know them by the acronyms. We have the Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS), Remaking our Heartlands (ROH), Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) and Home Improvement Programme (HIP).”
“And, personally, growing up in Marine Parade, I still have very fond memories of the dragon playground downstairs next to my block and the children from all around that block coming down to play together. All of us may not know one another very well. From different backgrounds, it does not matter, we all get together to play. The void decks used to always be animated with activities; it will be a real treat for us to see a magic show and then there will be potluck and the parents will cook and we all eat together. And this special quality of HDB living, I am sure all of you can attest to is still alive and well today. We have done well in the last 50 years, but more still needs to be done. Our housing and urban plans must continue to push back against the growing pressures of inequality and social stratification. We cannot just leave things to chance, but we must deliberately plan for a more equal and inclusive society. And that is why we have been building more rental flats with newer, better designs, alongside the sold flats in various HDB towns. This means that families grow up in the same neighbourhood and the residents share the same common areas and facilities. We are now going one step further to integrate rental and sold units within the same HDB block. We are also doing more to help families in our rental flats. Last year, almost 1,000 households moved out of rental flats to become homeowners. They are supported by significant housing grants as well as new programmes like the Fresh Start Housing Scheme. One thousand households from rental to homeownership. That is not bad but we must do even better than that.”
“This is a completely blank canvas for all of us to dream of exciting new possibilities for the future and to make these dreams come true. So, when we say that we are not done building Singapore, it is not a slogan. It is a single-minded commitment and mission to keep building and improving our city. And I can confidently say that, over the coming years and decades, Singapore will be undergoing its most extensive transformation yet. What is our goal? To make Singapore one of the great cities of the world. A truly outstanding city to live, work and play, the kind that people talk about and return to over and over again. A city where everyone belongs; where all of us are proud to call home. An outstanding city is not just economically vibrant but it also needs to be socially inclusive; a place that embraces diversity, where different groups mix easily and have equal opportunities to participate. Unfortunately, if you look around us, it is not always the case in many cities. Often, the downtown area looks good, but other areas in the city are left to deteriorate, resulting in urban slums. From time to time, you will see segregation of neighbourhoods: between rich and poor; between ethnic groups; between young and old. We have worked very hard to avoid these problems in Singapore. Every HDB town has a balanced mix of residents across different ethnic groups and backgrounds. Every town has a mix of public-private developments, as well as different HDB flat types catering to diverse needs. Every town has common spaces where residents of different backgrounds get together, socialise and forge shared memories together. We have neighbourhood shops and hawker centres. We have playgrounds and fields where the children grow up and play.”
“Look at what we have done in our HDB towns. Our newest town is Punggol. The blueprint was launched in 1996 and then we had to slow down due to the financial crisis. But we improved and upgraded the plan, relaunched it in 2007. Now, Punggol it is almost complete and it is a beautiful waterfront town where new flats are very popular with young couples. The next town is Tengah. It is a forest town which we have designed and the first batch of flats will be sold in November this year. We will improve on what we have done in Punggol so that Tengah will be even better, with new concepts of urban living, like smart home solutions, eco-friendly features and even autonomous vehicles (AVs) to provide shuttle services around the estate. And besides launching Tengah, we are now already looking at the next new site and, that is, Paya Lebar, after the air base relocates to Changi. The site is bigger than Ang Mo Kio or Bishan. So, there are huge opportunities for further urban innovation for a better quality of life for Singaporeans. In the same way, we have been constantly developing and improving our city centre. We started by renewing our CBD in the 1970s to create more office space. Then, we extended the CBD to Marina Bay. We started reclaiming the land in the 1970s. We launched the masterplan for Marina Bay in 1983 and, over the subsequent years and decades, worked hard at conceiving and developing the Marina Bay that we have today. Next, we will extend the city further to the Greater Southern Waterfront, after the ports move to Tuas. The space is three times the size of Marina Bay. But we want the impact to be much more than three times of Marina Bay.”
“It is also about the flow of people, talent, finance and other services. It is about being at the centre of action, the centre of research, knowledge-based and innovation activities across Asia and the world. And that is why, in his Budget speech this year, Minister Heng Swee Keat talked about anchoring Singapore as a Global-Asian node of innovation and enterprise. We are taking bold and decisive steps to realise this vision. We are all familiar with the plans for the new Changi Terminal 5 and Tuas Megaport. These are not just individual projects; they are the catalysts to transform major parts of our island. In the east, we are reviewing how the entire area around the expanded Changi Airport can be renewed and put to better use. For example, we can develop new industries, especially those related to the aviation sector. And these activities can also benefit from linkages with the nearby Changi Business Park and SUTD. Likewise, in the west, we are looking at new industry clusters that can be located next to the port and leverage on synergies with the port. These will also be connected to broader developments in the west, including the Jurong Innovation District and Jurong Lake District. In the north, we are stitching together multiple developments, from Woodlands to Sembawang and Seletar, as well as the upcoming Punggol Digital District. So, it is an entire northern corridor, which can anchor new businesses and investments. The point is that we are not just doing more of the same. Each new development will be better than the one before. Each new project will push the boundary and pilot innovative solutions to make our city more attractive and further enhance our quality of life. And this is what we have been doing all the while.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion of thanks to the President. The President's speech laid out the priorities of the Government and I will focus my remarks today on how we can build a better city, one that is more innovative, inclusive and resilient. We often think of cities as buildings, hardware and infrastructure. But cities can also be thought of as living organisms. In nature, it is survival of the fittest. Likewise, cities must evolve and adapt to survive in an ever-changing world. There is no such thing as status quo; we are either improving or we are declining and going backwards. And there are countless examples of cities that once were centres of economic activity, but are no longer relevant today. At the same time, many emerging cities are working hard to leap-frog the competition and get to the top. So, the choice for Singapore is simple: adapt or perish. We see that from our own history. Over the last 700 years, Singapore's fortune had waxed and waned. The ancient seaport of Singapura thrived in the late 13th century. In fact, it was described in the Malay annals as the first great Malay trading port. But by the 15th century, the port had declined and the city had been depopulated. Then, the arrival of the British in 1819 set Singapore on a different trajectory, which is why we are commemorating the bicentennial next year. Post-Independence, we have succeeded against tough odds and moved from third world to first. So, what is next for our city? In answering that question, I think we have to also reflect on our fundamental purpose. And as Mr Gan Thiam Poh said yesterday, Singapore's raison d’etre has been and will continue to be that of a trading hub serving the region and the world. But in today's world, it is not just about trading in goods.”
“We want to be an inclusive city for Singaporeans of all ages and abilities; a home where everyone has a place and everyone belongs. To achieve this, we must move beyond the status quo. That is why we have set out bold plans to transform our city. We want to partner all Singaporeans – the community, businesses and other stakeholders – to shape our future city together. Singapore is our home, where we raise our families, create shared memories and forge close bonds with one another. Together, we can build a better home and a better Singapore for our families and for future generations of Singaporeans.”
“We are building Changi Airport Terminal 5 and Tuas Port to expand our airport and seaport capacities, and to position ourselves for the future. We are also building two new connections to Malaysia – the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail and Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link. All these will strengthen our air, sea and land links with the world and enhance our status as a regional and international hub. Within Singapore, we are developing new regional centres in Jurong and Woodlands, as well as new clusters outside of the downtown core, for example, the Jurong Innovation District and Punggol Digital District. These will enable us to broaden our urban development, attract more investments and support the creation of jobs closer to home. Where possible, we will introduce district-level infrastructure, such as common services tunnel, district cooling, and pneumatic waste conveyance systems in these new developments for greater resource efficiencies. We will also see how best to deploy advanced technologies, such as real-time integrated facility management, autonomous vehicles and smart energy grids. We want to make full use of technologies to uplift our quality of life and to take Singapore’s sustainable development to the next level. At the same time, we are redoubling our efforts to green Singapore and enhance our City in a Garden. By 2030, 90% of Singaporeans will live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and our network of green corridors will be expanded from 310 km to 400 km. In this next phase of urban transformation, we must work even harder to distinguish ourselves from other global cities. We want Singapore to be a truly outstanding city for Asia and the world, where the human spirit flourishes.”
“Second, we will partner stakeholders to create public and green spaces for all to enjoy. Fort Canning Park will be rejuvenated with enhanced heritage trails, new galleries and more family-friendly spaces. There will also be opportunities for communities along the 24-kilometre (km) Rail Corridor to shape its programming and development. By 2021, the Rail Corridor will be linked to parks, nature areas and trails, such as the Coast-to-Coast Trail and the 150-km Round Island Route, giving Singaporeans multiple options to explore green spaces all over our island. Third, we will support the local farming sector to boost productivity and enhance our food security. We released new farm land for the first time in over two decades, and the enhanced Agricultural Productivity Fund will help local farms adopt more productive technologies. We will also do more to strengthen the overall food ecosystem to keep our food supply safe and resilient. Fourth, we will work closely with the built environment industry on its transformation, to raise productivity and to develop innovative urban solutions. We target to double the adoption of productive construction methods from the current 20% to 40% of all new projects by 2020. Facility management and property transaction services will also be part of this industry transformation, with a strong push on Design for Maintainability and smart facility management to keep our built infrastructure in good shape. The work we do over the next few years is critical because it will set the foundation for longer-term major projects that are in the pipeline. Over the coming decade, Singapore will be undergoing its most extensive transformation yet. We have new and tremendous possibilities to make Singapore stand out as a leading city for Asia and the world.”
“Residents will also benefit from more seamless connectivity within the town, be it by public transport or dedicated cycling paths, as well as new forms of mobility, such as autonomous or driverless vehicles. Even as we do more to improve the design of new towns, we will continue to renew and rejuvenate our existing housing estates and flats through various initiatives, such as the Remaking our Heartland programme, Neighbourhood Renewal Programme and Home Improvement Programme. At the same time, we will pay special attention to the housing needs of particular groups of Singaporeans. First, for our seniors, we will pilot a new model of assisted living that combines housing with care services, to enable them to live independently and with dignity. We will review and update the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme with new items, such as accessibility solutions for flats with multi-step entrances. We will also do more to help seniors who wish to monetise the value of their flats for retirement. Second, we will continue with efforts to help vulnerable Singaporeans, especially those living in rental flats. The Fresh Start Housing Scheme has given second-timer public rental families a better chance to own a home again. We will study how to further support the home ownership aspirations of our tenants in public rental. Beyond our housing policies, we will plan and build a smarter, greener and more liveable city. First, we will continue with our master-planning efforts to shape a distinctive Singapore, one with the comforts of a modern city and with its own character, charm and identity. Our Civic District is a good example of what is possible, with its well-utilised public spaces and beautifully-restored heritage buildings adapted for arts and cultural uses.”
“Singapore will always be a work in progress. The Ministry of National Development (MND) seeks to plan and build a better Singapore for current and future generations of Singaporeans. Home ownership remains the key social pillar of our nation. It gives Singaporeans a tangible stake in our country and a critical sense of belonging. In the second half of this term of Government, we will build on the progress we have achieved so far to build a more inclusive home. We are tapering the building of new flats to a more sustainable level, but we will continue to maintain a sufficient supply to meet the housing needs of Singaporeans, from young families to seniors and singles. We will also ensure that public housing remains affordable for all Singaporeans. We have enhanced housing grants significantly for both new and resale flats in recent years and will continue to review our policies to keep Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats affordable. The new HDB flats will be spread across mature and non-mature estates. The waiting times for these flats are typically around four years. But we have brought forward the construction of some of these new flats so that the waiting times can be shortened to about two to three years. We will launch a total of 3,000 such flats with shorter waiting times in 2018 and 2019 and will explore doing more in the future. In the second half of 2018, we will launch the first batch of flats in the new HDB town of Tengah. Tengah will be designed as a “Forest Town”, surrounded by lush greenery and nature. Residents will have convenient access to a wide range of amenities and will enjoy quality living with homes equipped with smart and eco-friendly features.”
“Mr Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move, "That the proceedings on the item under discussion be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 48(8) to remove the time limit in respect of Minister Josephine Teo's speech."”
“The Parking app has been implemented for all coupon-based car parks, for cars on 1 October 2017, and all other vehicle types on 20 December 2017. Since its launch, more than two million parking sessions have been logged by about 250,000 vehicles. The Parking.sg app serves to complement the existing Electronic Parking System (EPS), rather than to replace it. The app offers greater convenience to motorists parking in areas where EPS is not feasible due to site constraints, for example, kerbside parking lots by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Housing and Development Board. We will continue to enhance the Parking.sg app for better user experience and improve its accessibility. Some of the enhancements that have already been incorporated include the addition of parking history, and the notification feature that alerts the user before the parking session expires. The Parking.sg app currently shows the motorist where the nearest car parks are located but does not display the availability of the parking lots. This is because the lots may be occupied by some motorists using coupons, which we are unable to ascertain today. However, we are continuing to encourage more motorists to switch from coupons to the Parking.sg app and, as more do so over time, it will be possible to incorporate this feature into future enhancements of the app.”
“Currently, there are about 800 flats under the Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS), of which about 650 are taken up. Since the rent reduction in March 2017, the average number of applications for and take-up of PPHS flats has increased by about 100% and 30% respectively.”
“But as significant capital investment is required for the CST, it would make more economic sense to do this in an area of sufficient size with major new developments that need to be serviced by multiple utilities. We can then bring together all the utility lines underground and then better optimise the use of space. Preliminarily, we see potential for CSTs in newer developments like Jurong Lake District and Changi Airport Terminal 5. But more detailed studies will be needed to determine the cost-benefits of such a project. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I believe I have addressed the points raised by the Member and I thank him for his support of the Bill. As I have mentioned earlier, this Bill clarifies and enhances the Government's regulatory practices to ensure the safe and efficient operation of CSTs in Singapore. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)] [(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr Lawrence Wong]. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)]”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank Mr Alex Yam for rising in support of the Bill and for his comments on the Bill. As Mr Alex Yam noted, most of the provisions of the Bill serve to formalise practices which are already in place today. We had taken some time to learn from the experience in Marina Bay, the operational experience, the regulatory experience, before we decided to put together and codify all of these into the Bill that we have today. Mr Alex Yam asked if the Government has faced challenges constructing, maintaining and operating the Marina Bay CST. Indeed, it is a long-term project. It took time for us to plan ahead and to make the investments in the project. So far, where maintenance and operations are concerned, we have enjoyed the cooperation of utility suppliers, developers and building owners. But if we have to do a new project, if we have to work with new parties, or if we are going to build a new CST elsewhere, we would want the legal and regulatory framework to be very clear, so that we can continue to provide utility services of the highest standards, without any hiccups. Hence, we are now putting these provisions into the Bill. When formulating the Bill, we had consulted the building owners at Marina Bay. They provided useful feedback, for instance, on the way the CST could be better designed and constructed and, where possible, we will take this feedback into account for future developments. Mr Alex Yam asked whether the Government sees the CSTs as a model to serve new development areas in the future, be it for commercial or residential areas. Indeed, there is potential for CSTs in new developments.”
“It will help us to optimise the use of space, it will enable us to build a better city and, ultimately, improve the quality of life for Singaporeans. With that, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] 4.33 pm”
“If they fail to comply, officers or their contractors may carry out the required works and recover the costs. This provision is necessary because the integrated ancillary structures are physically part of the private building, built by the owner, and wear and tear generally results from the usage and occupancy of the building. It is the responsibility of the building owner to maintain the building, including the ancillary structures within it. Finally, to safeguard the CST against damage, the Bill introduces a "CST protection zone" of any land within six metres of the CST, and any construction works within this zone will require prior approval. This is similar to the "railway protection zone" under the Rapid Transit Systems Act, which safeguards MRT tunnels against damage. This is necessary as damage to the CST could cut off the power or water supply to buildings in these areas. In key areas like Marina Bay, this could have severe economic consequences. In issuing their approval, officers may impose conditions deemed necessary to prevent damage or adverse impact on the operation of the CST. If the works are carried out without approval, officers may order the works to be stopped or require rectification works to be carried out. I have described the key provisions in the Bill. The Bill also sets out the maximum penalties for violations of these provisions which are set at $20,000 and up to $1,000 a day for continuing offences. For obstructing officers in the course of duty, the penalty also includes a jail term of up to six months. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill provides for the operation of CSTs in Singapore. This is an underground infrastructure which will enable us to improve the way we lay and maintain utility networks and utility lines in Singapore.”
“Access to the CST is provided through ancillary structures located on private land, such as entrances, passageways connecting entrances, and ventilation shafts. These entrances and ventilation shafts are integrated with buildings adjacent to the CST. This was how we planned for the CST at Marina Bay. We did so consciously so that we would not have unsightly standalone structures spoiling the streetscape or taking up space. To operate and maintain the CST, various persons will need access to these ancillary structures to get into the CST. These will include technicians from utility companies to lay or maintain their lines, public officers to carry out inspections and contractors to operate the facilities in the tunnel and to perform routine functions like cleaning or security checks. Currently, access is secured administratively through agreements with individual building owners and occupiers, but these agreements will not automatically be passed on to subsequent owners and occupiers. So, this provision in the Bill ensures access to the CST through ancillary structures for operations and maintenance, regardless of building ownership and occupiers. Third, to ensure that access to and functioning of the CST are not impeded, the Bill also empowers officers to require persons to remove obstructions to entrances and ventilation shafts and to return these structures to their original condition. If the specified person fails to comply, the officer can rectify the situation and recover the costs from that person. In addition, the Bill requires building owners or their tenants to take reasonable measures to maintain the ancillary structures on their land. Officers may require such persons to carry out works reasonably deemed necessary to keep these structures in working order.”
“The tunnel also enhances the reliability of services as it provides robust protection for the utilities housed within it. By consolidating all utilities within the CST, we also optimise the use of underground space, leaving room for other infrastructure like pedestrian underpasses. The CST, therefore, improves the efficiency and reliability of utility services while raising the quality of our urban living environment. This way of planning and building infrastructure calls for new operational and administrative practices. So far, we have relied on contractual and administrative arrangements to facilitate the maintenance and operation of the CST in Marina Bay. Drawing on our experiences with the Marina Bay CST, we are introducing this new CST Bill to make these arrangements clear in the law, to clarify any grey areas and enhance our regulatory practices to ensure the safe and efficient operation of CSTs. The Bill will apply to any gazetted "CST area". For now, the only gazetted CST area will be Marina Bay and the intention is to gazette the area containing all developments which receive their utility supplies from the CST. If and when they build new CSTs in the future, we will also apply the provisions of the Bill to them. Let me now go through the key provisions of the Bill. First, the Bill makes clear that all utilities in the CST area are to be laid within the CST, unless approval is given to do otherwise. This is already the case at Marina Bay, where utility suppliers are not allowed to lay their lines directly into the ground. Second, to facilitate the efficient functioning of the CST, the Bill gives authorised persons power to enter any land or premises in the CST area for the purposes of operating and maintaining the CST.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time". With this Bill, we are introducing new legislation to ensure the safe and efficient operation of common services tunnels (CSTs). A CST is an underground tunnel which houses multiple utilities to serve an area. There is, currently, one CST in Singapore, located under the roads at Marina Bay. The tunnel was built in 2007 by the state and continues to be owned and operated by the state, working with utility suppliers and developments in the area. It contains the electricity cables, telecommunications cables, water pipes and district cooling pipes for the air-conditioning of buildings in the area. We decided to build the CST because it offers many advantages over the conventional way utility networks are laid. Traditionally, different utility lines are laid separately under the roads. This means that the road has to be opened whenever there is a need to lay a new utility line, or to maintain and repair existing lines, for example, when there is a burst pipe. This can lead to repeated traffic disruptions and diversions, as well as nuisance to pedestrians and other users. Furthermore, because the utility lines are spread out in an ad hoc manner as and when they are laid, there is a risk that subsequent construction or road works may lead to accidental damage to pipes and cables and potentially disrupt utility supplies in the area. The CST is intended to mitigate these risks and issues. Once the tunnel is built, utility lines can be installed and maintained in the tunnel without opening up the road again, thereby, eliminating lane closures and disruptive works. When there is a fault in any of the utility lines, repairs can be carried out simply by entering the tunnel.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think we have to go back to the history to understand why the translations are made specifically in Chinese. In the past, we had street names in English and Malay, but the various Chinese dialect groups had their own dialect versions of the names. There was confusion and it created inconvenience. That was why in 1968, the then-Ministry of Culture decided to set up a committee to standardise the Chinese names and this committee went about doing so, and that practice of providing official translations of street names in Chinese has continued till today. We do not do so for Malay and Tamil. We have not done so in the past and we still do not do so because the issue of different translations did not arise in these languages. For that matter, there are quite a number of streets where the names are transliterated from Malay and Tamil. For example, Jalan Bukit Merah which is in Malay, and Neythal Road which is in Tamil. So, the need for these different translations did not arise in the past and there was never a need to do an official translation in Malay and Tamil. But there was a necessity to do so in Mandarin for the reasons I have explained earlier. And as I have stated in my reply, the names in English and Mandarin are all available on the URA website.”
“Mr Speaker, to name a new street or building, the developing agency or private developer makes an application to the Street and Building Names Board (SBNB). For street names, applications are made in English. Chinese translations of the approved English street names are then proposed by the Ministry of Communications and Information, in consultation with the National Translation Committee's Chinese Resource Panel, as necessary. The approved English and translated names of new streets are then made available on the URA website. For building and estate names, no official translations are made.”
“Mr Chairman, again, it is a very local specific issue in this new BTO estate. I am not familiar with it, but I will ask HDB to look at that particular issue and see whether there is any way to address Mr Png's concerns. As I have mentioned earlier, in the HDB team, there is an inhouse architecture design team, but they also work with private architects. They are continuously seeing how we can improve our designs. They may not always get it perfect because each time they do something in a particular new estate, there are site constraints and they have to work within all these constraints to put in place the BTO units as well as the amenities and facilities, sometimes in a quite constrained manner, especially if the site is not big enough. So, for this particular area, let me ask HDB to check and see if there is anything that can be done to address Mr Png's concerns.”
“Chairman, on LUP, we gave an update not so long ago in a PQ. I do not have the information with me now but we gave an update on those that have already been implemented. For the outstanding ones, we have tried out a few options, they have not been effective. So, we will continue to study these options, whether there are newer technologies that will help. There are not that many blocks left and these are more difficult designs which are very hard for us to put in the list in a cost-effective manner. We have already said if there is anyone living in these sorts of blocks who need help, particularly with medical needs or mobility needs, then we can look at this and see how best to assist them. On the second question, for those who have applied for a BTO flat and need rental, there is PPHS to help them. That provides them with rental in the interim while they wait for their new flats to be ready. And as the Member would recall, we reduced PPHS rental rates last year, and that would make it even more affordable.”
“Thank you, Mr Louis Ng. The implementation details will be put up by HDB. The timelines and who will be eligible will be all made clear. So, I do not want to dwell on that now in terms of the time bar. But we do want to do it soon and we want to make sure that as many people will benefit from this lifting of the time bar as possible. The third question is on AVA's resources, whether more will be given to AVA. We manage with the allocated resources that MND has. AVA is given a budget like all of the agencies under MND. We spoke earlier in the Ministry of Finance's (MOF's) COS, that every Ministry is striving to do more with less. So is MND. Just because I am the Second Minister for Finance does not mean that I get special pass. We do the same across the board. All Ministries are trying to manage with more limited resources and the same applies to us and to our agencies within MND's purview. Within the resources that we have, we encourage all agencies to do more. If there is a need, a new function or new value that is created, new projects that they deem are worthy, then there is a central pool within our Ministry which we can re-allocate from, so that these meritorious projects are funded. And that is what we will continue to do.”
“Mr Chairman, just to reply to Er Dr Lee Bee Wah's question, we will continue to roll out EUP as we had previously announced. Whether we can do more, it is something we would have to study. Again, it would be based on various considerations, including availability of funding. On HIP, our commitment was to complete selection by the end of the year. That is consistent across various Ministers' speeches, I am sure. We have kept to that commitment; we will finish the selection by then. I have given an estimate on when these projects will be fully implemented because the implementation varies. It depends on so many different factors. Sometimes, you need more time for consultation and so on. So, that is an estimate. It may be 2021, it may be 2022. But that is really an implementation process rather than selection. The selection, we have committed to doing it this year, and we will do it by the end of the year.”
“Last year, a group of stakeholders in Kampong Glam had an idea to spruce up a small park at Sultan Gate. With URA’s support, they installed park benches, picnic tables, lighting and even a giant swing. Now, there is a cosy spot for the public to gather and interact. These are just two examples of the wonderful things that can happen when everybody takes ownership of the places we live and work in and we shape our urban landscape together. There is tremendous potential for all of us to do more together. As a nation of home owners, all of us have a part to play in shaping our future city and home. In the last 50 years, we have transformed from mudflats to a metropolis. Let us now work together on our next lap of urban transformation to be a green, smart and liveable city, and to be a vibrant global city that is inclusive and that is distinctively Singaporean, a place we are all proud to call home. [Applause.]”
“But I agree with Mr Darryl David that the Government needs to partner the community, interest groups, businesses and industries in building our future city. We can start with our neighbourhoods. There are many opportunities to co-create the common spaces in our HDB towns. Recently, we launched a pilot in Sembawang called Build-a-Playground. We build new playgrounds all the time. All of us see this in our estates but this one was different. We spent time engaging the residents. They worked together on the project from conceptualisation to design, to even the final assembly of the playground onsite. It took longer than usual – about two years to build this playground. This is much longer than the normal time it would take to build a playground. But the end result was worth it. Residents shared that they love the project, they take pride in it. Because they take ownership of the playground, they were involved in it, they appreciate and enjoy it much more. This is a meaningful way to shape our common spaces together and we hope to do more of this in other estates, too. We want to enable such ground-up initiatives to shape our neighbours. HDB already provides support for residents to activate their community spaces and we hope that more would take up the funding support from HDB. 5.15 pm One example is a project titled "Welcome to our Backyard" led by residents and volunteers in Aljunied Crescent. So, Members can see the before and after pictures. What was before was an empty grass patch and, because of the community involvement, they took ownership of it, they transformed it into a warm welcoming backyard with swings and mini gardens. Besides our neighbourhoods, we have also supported many community-initiated projects in our public spaces all over Singapore.”
“We will transform the conserved Bukit Timah Railway Station into a vibrant community node with amenities, open spaces as well as a heritage gallery. As enhancement works for this central four-km stretch commence later this year, we will also improve accessibility to the Rail Corridor from adjacent developments like homes, schools, workplaces and transport nodes, including having new access paths in the nearby Hillview neighbourhood. In parallel, we will implement trail improvement works along other stretches of the Rail Corridor this year, so that virtually the entire stretch of the Rail Corridor will be connected seamlessly. You can walk, run and cycle along the entire 24-km stretch by 2021. The Rail Corridor will also serve as a gateway to parks and trails island-wide. It will intersect with the upcoming Coast-to-Coast Trail, which will span across Singapore from Jurong Lake Gardens in the West to Coney Island in the Northeast. It will have convenient access to nature parks around the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves. It will connect to the Round Island Route, which is a 150-km continuous green trail which loops around the entire island. Mr Chairman, even as we embark on our next phase of development, we are committed to enhancing our City in a Garden and making Singapore an even greener and more beautiful home for all to enjoy. I have shared our plans for our future city and home. To achieve these bold plans, we need to work together. The Government cannot do this alone. We are building up capabilities, not just within the Government but also, as Mr Alex Yam said, amongst our architects, engineers, consultants and builders.”
“So, we are, indeed, paying more attention to heritage elements in our planning process, as highlighted by Mr Alex Yam. Buildings with historical significance will be preserved or conserved and repurposed for other uses, as we have done with some of the buildings like the former Supreme Court and City Hall. Some old buildings may have to go but, even in doing so, we can find ways to preserve the memories of the place. This is the approach we took for Dakota Crescent. We have heard the many calls for the place to be kept. There was a ground-up initiative by several architects to do this. Mr Lim Biow Chuan spoke about this in Parliament. We have considered the feedback and, in December last year, we announced that the central cluster of six buildings around the courtyard will be kept and repurposed, and that includes the dove playground which I think many have fond memories of. Such efforts demonstrate that it is possible for us to combine both old and new to bring out what is distinctively Singaporean, and this is what we will do also for the Rail Corridor. It is a unique space where we can celebrate our heritage, culture and biodiversity, and it will connect close to one million Singaporeans. So, we are reviewing our plans around the Corridor, as Ms Low Yen Ling has suggested, to see how we can best make use of this unique space. I agree with Ms Low’s suggestion that it is important that the Rail Corridor is accessible to all Singaporeans. We have been working closely on this project with the community, anchored by the Friends of the Rail Corridor comprising residents, students and nature and heritage groups. For a start, we are working on the central four-km stretch of the Rail Corridor based on public feedback.”
“I say this from personal experience because my HDB apartment was on the 21st floor on a lift landing, just next to the lift. So, the neighbours come and we get to meet them all the time, and you can have a chance to talk to them. Today, lift landings are on every floor, so you do not have as many opportunities for interaction. It is meant for barrier-free access. I think it is a good thing, but you do not have that many opportunities to meet. So, we have to use other design methods to encourage neighbourly interaction. That is why in some of the new BTO flats, for example, in Dawson, HDB has tried out more seating areas in the common spaces near lift lobbies. We are trying out more greenery and rooftop spaces for residents to get together. These are different designs that are being piloted, that we are trying out. Again, it is something that we have to learn by doing, and from the experiences and feedback that we get, we can improve for each new project that we embark on. So, one major thrust in how we want to build our future Singapore is to make sure that we are more inclusive. Another major emphasis in the way we build for the future is to make sure we have a more Distinctive Singapore. We cannot just be another modern city, one amongst many in the world. We have to be a city that stands out – stand out not by having the biggest, tallest or fanciest building but through our distinctive character and culture, our heritage and identity. This means capitalising on our strengths – our city in a garden, our clean and safe environment and our multicultural diversity and heritage. [Deputy Speaker (Mr Charles Chong) in the Chair] Part of our shared memories is captured in our buildings.”
“So, we are studying this very carefully. Eventually, when the proposals are put forward, I hope Members will support more resources for MND to do upgrading in existing estates as well. That is our second area where we want to make sure that our estates have common spaces, parks, greenery that all can access and enjoy. Thirdly, we can also facilitate more social interactions within the block itself. We already have the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) to ensure a better racial mix. We also try to mix different unit types within the same block, something which several Members spoke about. For example, in the past, we would build standalone blocks of studio apartments. Now, all 2-room flexi flats launched are integrated with other flat types within the same block. For rental flats, likewise, these are the same considerations when we build rental flats. We try not to cluster too many rental flats together, and try to build them together with sold flats in the same neighbourhood so that residents can share and access the same communal facilities and amenities. More recently, we have also launched three BTO projects with rental and sold flats within the same block itself. This is in Woodlands, Bukit Batok and Sengkang. The flats are still under construction but we will learn from this experience, get feedback about the lived experience in these flats and, if it is positive, we will certainly want to do more. Importantly, it is also about how you design the block to maximise opportunities for social interaction. Some of these things, I would acknowledge, happen more through serendipity than deliberate design. I give an example of how, in the past, we did not have lifts on every floor. So, the lift landing somehow became a place where neighbours get to meet one another.”
“They may not get everything perfectly right but we take in feedback, as many have shared, and we will continue to improve our designs for new estates. For existing estates, we also have programmes to rejuvenate our estates, existing ones, to keep them vibrant and liveable. At the town level, our Remaking our Heartland (ROH) initiative has covered nine HDB towns and estates. We recently unveiled plans for Toa Payoh, Woodlands and Pasir Ris for public consultation, and we will finalise the plans later this year and start works thereafter. At the precinct level, we have the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) for our older estates built up to 1995. We typically select about 14 NRP projects a year, and I am happy to announce that, this year, we will increase the number and launch 20 NRP projects across the island. It is part of our efforts to provide support for the construction industry. So, we are bringing forward projects, particularly to help the industry during this period. At the flat level, we have HIP, which several Members highlighted. This is for flats built up to 1986. We will finish selection of the existing eligible flats by the end of this year and expect works to be progressively completed around 2022. Several Members have asked about expanding the scope of HIP and extending it to flats built after the existing cohort. As I have shared in this House previously, any upgrading programme is a major commitment that spans many years and would cost billions of dollars. We had just had a major debate on the Budget about fiscal sustainability and how Government spending is rising sharply, and how we need to raise revenues to meet these future needs. Any future upgrading programme has to be studied very carefully in this context.”
“For example, within one block or even on the same floor, you can have individual apartment units together with shared communal facilities for dining, social activities and a range of eldercare services. HDB will be working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to pilot assisted living in public housing. We envisage a collaborative model where HDB will design and build the flat, and we will have to tap on private expertise to provide the services. We will pilot this in HDB flats and we will also study ways in which this can be done in private developments. That is our first point on making the future Singapore more inclusive, in the way we design our buildings. The second area is to ensure that our housing estates continue to have common spaces, public parks and greenery for all to enjoy. Several Members also spoke about this. It is critical, especially in our compact high-rise living environment. Mr Lee Kuan Yew started this with the push to make Singapore a Garden City. When we spoke with him in 2012 and asked him what more should we do to take Singapore forward, this is what he said: "Singapore must retain the sense of space. We're going to build taller buildings but we can’t build them closely together. There must be a sense of playing fields and recreational areas for children and old people – a sense that this is a full country with all the facilities which you expect of a large country but in a confined space." This is the challenge that our planners have and they are very conscious of this. It is reflected in the way we design our HDB estates. The planners have a difficult job. They do not always have a large green field site to work with. Some sites come with constraints and they have to work around these constraints.”
“BCA is looking at raising the bar further as part of our review of the Accessibility Master Plan and Accessibility Code. We will be engaging stakeholders, including public users, in this process. We will pay special attention to the elderly, given our rapidly ageing population. All HDB estates are now barrier-free and we will see how we can further improve. We have been upgrading lifts in HDB blocks to provide direct lift access to households and incorporating elderly-friendly designs in our flats and estates. We also have the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme to provide subsidised installation of fittings for our seniors, be it grab bars or anti-slip treatment to their bathroom tiles. Mr Darryl David asked about the Government’s plans for the EASE programme. We are studying what more we can do under EASE. One particular item that we are looking at is to include assistance for those living in flats with multi-step entrances, and we will provide an update on this later this year. Several Members also asked if we can enhance the designs of our flats to support our elderly. We have been looking at this and have introduced better designs for elderly-friendly estates and flats. One recent example is Kampung Admiralty. Within this area, HDB flats for seniors are integrated with a continuum of social and health services, so that the residents have easy access to all the services "under one roof". The feedback from the residents who have moved into Kampung Admiralty is very positive and we will study how this can be implemented in other areas as well. Beyond better integration, we will go further by exploring assisted living. Assisted living is a model of living that integrates home and care.”
“So, we must innovate and explore new ways of building to achieve even better results. One important shift is to push for higher quality and higher productivity in construction. It is especially crucial, given the major pipeline of projects that are coming up in the decade. We have embarked on many programmes and we have rolled out an ITM. Second Minister Desmond Lee will share about this in his speech later. For my part, I would like to touch on two important areas. First, how can we build a more inclusive Singapore? Earlier in the Budget Debate, several Members talked about the importance of addressing inequality, bridging social divides and enhancing social integration. I think everyone here recognises that it is a complex issue that involves multiple strategies on the economic and social fronts. Our urban and living environment also has a part to play to bring residents of diverse backgrounds together, promote social integration, and uplift the lower-income. So, how can our built environment help to foster a more inclusive Singapore? I have a few suggestions and these are areas that we are working on. First, we must improve the way we design our buildings and public facilities. We are going for Universal Design, that means, designing for people of all ages and all abilities, both young and old, expectant mothers, as well as persons with special needs. BCA publishes guidebooks and develops standards for Universal Design and disseminates them to the industry. In fact, our efforts have received recognition from outside parties, like the United Nations (UN), which praised Singapore for our "user-friendly built environment". 5.00 pm We will continue to do more.”
“This is what we call the "mutual consent" agreement or requirement. The time bar was set at five years initially, and we have reduced it to three years. Since 2012, we have waived the mutual consent requirement for the parent with sole care and control of young children to buy a subsidised flat, in order to prioritise their housing needs. This has helped the majority of divorced couples with children, but there are others still subject to the time bar. We have reviewed the matter and we have decided to remove the time bar completely. We hope that this will help divorced persons provide a more conducive living environment for their children and go some way to help families through an already difficult period of transition. We will continue to do our best to help these and other groups, including single unwed parents with children. We already exercise considerable flexibility for such appeals, as I have elaborated upon in previous sessions, and we will continue to do so. We look at each case carefully and consider what is in the best interest of the child and, if necessary, we will assist the parents, or the parent and child, in purchasing a flat. Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon will elaborate on how else MND is helping families in transition and various vulnerable groups. Besides upholding home ownership, we must continuously look at ways to improve the way we build our future Singapore. Poorly designed cities can easily become a high-rise concrete jungle. We get all the problems associated with rapid urbanisation – crowding and social fragmentation. The city becomes a stressful and alienating place to live and work in. But, at their best, modern cities with well-designed buildings and neighbourhoods can connect people and improve our well-being.”
“Again, taken together with all the other housing grants, singles may now receive up to $60,000 in grants to buy a resale flat. Mr Alex Yam asked about the minimum age of 35 for singles to buy HDB flats. He mentioned that Singaporeans are marrying later, but the marriage rates are still high among singles under the age of 35. So, I think the age of 35 is still valid today. In any case, as I have mentioned earlier, we still have a backlog to clear, and we should focus on that and make sure that for those who are in the queue, we will build enough 2-room flats to help them get their 2-room flats first. Another group that many Members talked about are divorcees. Several Members asked whether we can help them make a smoother housing transition, especially for the benefit of their children. Mr Chairman, we recognise that divorce can be a stressful and emotional period, and a complex process with many decisions to be made. HDB provides advice to families on their post-divorce housing options to make their housing transition smoother. We help them purchase a BTO flat through the Assistance Scheme for Second-Timers (ASSIST), where they get priority when applying for a 2- or 3-room BTO flat in the non-mature estates. In the interim, before their flat is ready, they can rent a subsidised flat from HDB under PPHS. HDB also offers rental housing to those in need, including those who need help to tide over a protracted or acrimonious divorce. One issue that divorcees may face is the time bar for purchase of subsidised flats. I think Mr Louis Ng mentioned this just now. This is a rule put in place in 1997 whereby, during the time bar, a divorced couple can only own one subsidised flat between them. So, both sides have to agree on who should be allowed to buy the subsidised flat.”
“We have built 2-room flexi flats for them. Again, they are priced with a significant subsidy to make sure that they are affordable. For first-timers, they, too, are eligible for grants, which will make the 2-room flexi flat very affordable for them. For second-timers, there is a levy to be paid, but we have capped the levy amount and adjusted it for the shorter lease. So, the maximum levy that would be paid on a 2-room flexi on a 45-year lease is $18,000, much lower than what a normal resale levy would be. We have also made other enhancements last year, including deferring the downpayment until key collection for the elderly, when they right-size, providing a temporary loan, one-to-one counselling and an elderly priority queue at the HDB Hub. All these measures have helped, and we will continue to see what more we can do to support our elderly. For the singles, that is another group that many Members talked about – Er Dr Lee Bee Wah, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Alex Yam. So far, more than 12,000 singles have bought new 2-room flats. The application rates are still high, I recognise that and we are doing our best to build more 2-room flats to clear the backlog. Singles can also consider resale flats. Over the last five years, 27,000 have bought resale flats, more than the ones who have bought new flats. Again, the enhancements to PHG will make this a more attractive option. Because with the changes to PHG, as Members here have recognised, we are giving a higher grant of $15,000 for singles who buy a resale flat to live with their parents and now they are eligible also for a $10,000 grant to buy a resale flat near their parents. I hope this will provide more options to singles in the resale market.”
“Besides enhancing the grant quantum this year, we have also simplified the proximity condition to a distance-based one, within four kilometres (km). This will apply to both the PHG for resale flats as well as the proximity-based schemes for new flats like MCPS and SPS, which I have mentioned earlier, from the May 2018 sales exercise. This will give home buyers more choices of flats in neighbouring towns. I am very glad to see very strong support from Members for our efforts to encourage families to live closer together and, through all the schemes that we have, we look forward to seeing more families buy flats to live together or near one another for mutual support. While we help couples and families to settle down, we are also mindful that there is a diverse range of home buyers. There are second-timers, elderly looking to right-size, singles, divorcees and single unmarried, unwed parents. These are groups that various Members have talked about. For second-timers, some face difficulties paying the resale levy. For those with difficulties, we are prepared to look at them and consider incorporating the levy into the purchase price. Many of them who are second-timers are also looking to get the flat urgently. In fact, for them, the better option is really to consider the resale market. PHG can help in this respect because that grant is available to second-timers, too. So, even if you are a second-timer, you buy from the market, first of all, there is no resale levy to pay. Secondly, they may get to purchase the resale flat with PHG. For those in rental, we have put in place a new Fresh Start scheme to support them in their home ownership journey. For the elderly, I touched on this in last year's COS, we have many schemes to help them.”
“It was simple, it was possible, because the number of flats and applicants were much smaller. Today, HDB serves more than 50,000 flat applicants annually, it has to manage across different priority schemes with ethnic quotas to administer. As a result, it takes about six weeks to work through the entire balloting process. HDB has to check applicants' eligibility, sort out the requirements of the various schemes and quotas and, ultimately, ensure that the ballot is fair. Still, I think, the time taken can be reduced. So, I have challenged the HDB team to see if they can halve the balloting time to three weeks. HDB has taken on this challenge and they are working through the processes and I hope they will be able to announce some good news before too long. We are also very mindful that children and parents would like to live near each other to provide mutual care and support and that is something that we want to encourage. HDB offers various priority schemes, for example, the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS), Multi-Generation Priority Scheme (MGPS) and Senior Priority Scheme (SPS). These all help give priority to families to live closer together. Mr Gan Thiam Poh also suggested building larger flats so that families with more children can stay together. That is, indeed, why we introduced 3Gen flats in 2013, and they had been well-received by home buyers. Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Chong Kee Hiong suggested increasing the supply of 3Gen flats. So far, there is sufficient supply to meet demand, but we are monitoring the application rates closely and, if need be, we are prepared to build more. There is also PHG, which I mentioned earlier, to help families to stay together and live near one another.”
“They are not sorted out by flat types or by towns. So, applicants are put on a single queue and based on their queue number, they can choose any ROF unit that is available. By doing so, we have been able to shorten the flat selection process. A typical SBF exercise, as Er Dr Lee mentioned, takes about eight months. It sounds very long, I can understand, but please understand that in a typical SBF exercise, there could be more than 100 different flat type and estate combinations. So, you have more than 100 different queues to manage. But with ROF, we have one single queue because all of the balance flats are pooled together. So, because of that, we were able to shorten the flat selection process from eight months to six months. Our inaugural ROF exercise in August last year was a success, with more than 90% of the flats on offer being taken up. And just six months after the launch, about 400 families have already collected the keys to their new homes. So, we will continue to learn from this experience to see how we can improve. Another area that we are looking at is the balloting process for BTO flats. This used to be much simpler and faster in the past. The applicants would attend a balloting ceremony. There were two bowls in front. The Member of Parliament would draw out two pieces of paper – one with the applicant's sales registration number, the other with a house number, and they match and this is it. After they get this, sometimes behind the scenes, they swap. Because if you did not like it, you can go and swap, but that happened without our knowledge. This was a simple process that used to happen in the past. This was Mr Phua Bah Lee doing the balloting in the past. And that was how we used to do it.”
“I think that is a bit too long a wait. Buying a flat is a serious commitment. But for young couples who have considered it carefully, I think we can exercise some flexibility to support them in their marriage and parenthood journey. So, we will now allow such couples to apply for the flat first and defer the assessment of income for housing loans and grants till just before key collection. For example, if a young couple wants to settle down early and are confident they can finance the purchase of the flat, they can apply for the flat first. They only need to pay half of the downpayment. This is already possible today. We allow them to pay half the downpayment. The remaining half is paid at key collection. The flat will typically take up to four years to build. So, during that period, the couple can have time to build up their finances and, just before key collection, we will assess their income for purposes of determining the loan quantum and housing grants that they are eligible for. This deferred assessment of income will apply to eligible couples from the May 2018 BTO/Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercise. We are also studying how we can further streamline processes to make buying an HDB flat much quicker and easier – I think the comments that Er Dr Lee Bee Wah made. In fact, we have already made several moves on this front. HDB has revamped the Resale Portal. All the eligibility checks are now done on one single platform. We cut down the appointment from two to one and, as a result, the application time is reduced from 16 weeks to eight weeks. We have also made changes to our sales process and we started with the Re-Offer of Balance Flats (ROF) last year. Under ROF, all the unselected balance flats are pooled together in one common pool.”
“We will do our best and study how to do this, but please understand that it is not possible for us to do this for all flats, as some sites are just not ready for us to bring forward the construction. It is physically not possible for HDB to produce instant flats to meet all of the demand. So, one way for those with more urgent needs is to buy from the resale market. And that is why we have taken steps to enhance the grants for resale flats. We enhanced the CPF Housing Grant for resale flats last year. We introduced PHG in 2015 to help families live closer together and, this year, we enhanced the PHG. Taken together with all the different grants, when you take all the different grants together, first-timer families can now receive up to $120,000 in grants when buying a resale flat, and that is a 50% increase, compared to three years ago. And so, not surprisingly, we are seeing more first-timer families purchasing from the resale market, and I expect this to continue. There are also some young couples who decide to settle down early, sometimes when they are still completing their studies, perhaps when the males are still performing their National Service (NS). 4.45 pm Take the example of Mr Gerald Sim and Ms Stefanie Mok. Stefanie has just graduated; Gerald is still studying because he had to do his NS, so he is still studying. They are a young couple who have decided to settle down and would like to get married. In fact, they had been planning to buy a BTO flat since last year, but because Stefanie only started working in August last year, she did not have a sufficient period of employment to apply for grants. Young couples like them may find themselves delaying their flat application for one or two years and then waiting another four years for the flat to be ready.”
“Besides ensuring adequate supply, we remain committed to keeping prices affordable by pricing new flats below the market rate and having a generous subsidy in them. One couple who have benefited are Mr Muhammad Fadli Bin Nordin and his wife Mdm Siti Diyana. They applied for a 4-room BTO flat in Woodlands, received $15,000 in grants ‒ this is on top of the subsidised price ‒ and the monthly instalments for the loan are fully paid for using the Central Provident Fund (CPF). So, no out-of-pocket cash, zero. Everything paid for in CPF. While waiting for their flat to be completed, they moved into a Parenthood Provisional Housing Scheme (PPHS) flat. They benefited from the reduced PPHS rents last year, paying $900 instead of $1,100 per month. They gave birth to a baby girl in the PPHS flat, they moved into their home in July last year, their new flat, and we are very happy that they have just welcomed their second daughter last week! We want to do more to help young couples like them with their first home. This is why we launched BTO flats with a shortened waiting time, not by compressing the construction, but by bringing it forward. So, we build ahead and, therefore, the waiting time for the couples is shorter. HDB will launch the first batch of 1,100 such flats in Sembawang, Sengkang and Yishun this year. I am happy to announce that we will double the number of such flats in 2019 ‒ another 2,000 flats. The waiting time for these flats is around two to three years, as opposed to the normal waiting time of about three to four years. Mr Gan Thiam Poh suggested to further reduce the waiting time.”
“We have projects all over Singapore ‒ Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) in the East, Tuas Megaport in the West, we have the Jurong Lake District and the High Speed Rail, Woodlands, and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link with Johor, and the Punggol Digital District. All of these projects would be coming on stream over the coming decade and they will help to strengthen our air, sea and land links. They will also help to strengthen our digital connections so that Singapore can be a more connected hub for the region, so that our city can be more vibrant and more attractive to investments and talent. More importantly, they will make Singapore a better home for our children and our future generations. To achieve these goals, our first priority is home ownership for Singaporeans because when you own a home, you have a stronger stake in the nation, and a greater sense of belonging. This is why home ownership remains a key pillar of our nation-building efforts, as Mr Alex Yam highlighted. The Government remains firmly committed to providing affordable and quality homes for Singaporeans. Members will recall how we had ramped up HDB flat supply in 2011. We launched almost 25,000 BTO flats per year and cleared the backlog at that time and, since then, we have been tapering the supply of new HDB flats. But we have tapered in a gentle way to ensure that there is sufficient supply. So, we offered over 17,000 BTO flats last year and we will continue to maintain a steady supply this year. At the same time, we are watching the numbers carefully to ensure a balance in demand and supply for the longer term to maintain a stable and sustainable property market.”