Matthias Yao Chih
Singapore
“Madam, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $247,297,100 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $43,646,300 for Head U ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head P – Ministry of Home Affairs”
“Individual neighbourhoods or large areas of Singapore may have to be cordoned off during the election time affecting the smooth movement of candidates, election agents, officials and voters, and the conduct of election activities.”
“South East CDC would work with the voluntary welfare organisations and grassroots bodies to develop and implement the building blocks that could help families from different parts of the needs spectrum become self-reliant. In designing new initiatives, our emphasis would be "maximum flexibility, minimum complexity�?.”
“Since its formation, NTUC Thrift has consistently given an interest rate on the small savings higher than what the banks give on their savings accounts.”
“In fact, in the new era of rapid changes in our global and domestic economies, workers need stronger social safety nets that will cushion them more effectively from adverse outcomes. This is a subject my NTUC colleagues have dealt with in the Budget debate and will continue to take up in the Committee of Supply.”
“While we should range freely to capture all good ideas, we must be extremely careful in choosing what to implement and how to do it. Like a good bus driver, we must not turn a corner too sharply as the passengers will surely be flung off their seats if we do so.”
The complete record
Every one of 220 lines we hold for Matthias Yao Chih, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 5.
“Sir, 96% of the shops which were offered for sale were taken up. Only 4% were not taken up for various reasons. In any case, we have not detected any escalation of prices. CASE has not detected an escalation of prices in the sold shops.”
“Sir, I do not agree that the problem is affordability. The problem is one of cash flow.”
“Sir, it does not make good business sense either for the HDB or the tenants to do so.”
“Sir, HDB officers keep in close touch with the shopkeepers who have already bought their shops as well as those who are about to buy their shops. Surely, we know about their anxieties and worries. Therefore, the financing scheme has been changed to allow the shopkeepers much easier repayments and this has been announced recently by the Minister.”
“Sir, it is not a question of HDB having to anticipate whether shop prices will increase or drop. HDB's job in selling these shops is to provide an accurate valuation for the tenants. Earlier on, the valuation was done en bloc according to the area. This was not satisfactory. The system has been changed. Valuations are now done on individual shops and this is much more satisfactory to the tenants.”
“Sir, in the past, the shops were valued according to the area and therefore a single valuation was applicable to many shops in the same area. This was found to be unsatisfactory by some of the tenants and they requested for HDB to make individual valuations. HDB has agreed to do so and therefore valuations of shops will be carried out individually. This takes a much longer time and therefore HDB can only process about 1,500 cases per year as compared to about 2,000 previously.”
“Thus, the objective of the Sale of Tenanted Shops Scheme has been met.”
“Sir, the HDB launched the Sale Of Tenanted Shops Scheme in July 1992 as part of the overall retail sector plan to improve the efficiency and productivity of the retail industry. By allowing shopkeepers to own their shops, it would insulate them against future rental revisions. With less uncertainty over their operating costs, the shopkeepers will be able to further invest in and upgrade their shops to improve their operations, thereby increasing productivity. Shopkeepers who own their shops now have a greater incentive to upgrade their shops, both internally and externally. So far, as compared to rental shops, HDB has received about 50% more requests from owners of sold shops for upgrading of their premises in the form of additions and alteration works. The scheme has also encouraged shopkeepers to group themselves together to upgrade their commercial centres. The first two retail centres that have completed their upgrading programmes are in Yishun Neighbourhood 1 Centre and Yishun Neighbourhood 2 Centre. Shopkeepers of another seven retail centres have also approached the Retail Promotion Centre for assistance to upgrade their retail centres. A few of these centres, of which one of them is Bedok Town Centre, have commenced the upgrading of the mall. The Sale of Tenanted Shops Scheme also provides an opportunity for shopkeepers who do not intend to continue their businesses to assign or sub-let their shops. In this way, more efficient retail operators can take over and thus contribute to the restructuring of the retail sector in HDB estates. Since the launch of the sale, there have been some 3,500 cases of assignment and sub-letting of shop tenancies. And of those already sold, only about 6% have been resold.”
“Sir, the flats in the North Zone have the shortest queue. For a 4-room flat, the waiting time is one year. These numbers are all made known to applicants. If everyone wants to go to the same zone, it is not possible for the HDB to build flats for them all at the same time. I would say that the applicants should keep themselves aware of the queuing times for various zones and try to make their plans according to their needs. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD SHOPS (Sale to sitting tenants) 2. Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for National Development what is the objective of the Government in selling Housing and Development Board shops to sitting tenants and whether the policy has achieved its desired results.”
“Sir, my Ministry will try to keep the flats affordable. No doubt prices may increase following construction cost increases, but we will keep monitoring the situation and try to keep the prices as affordable as possible. On transitional rental housing, this is something we can review. I shall take this up with the Member further and find out what he has in mind.”
“CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONERS BILL "to provide for the registration of contact lens practitioners and for purposes connected therewith", presented by the Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Aline K. Wong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. LAND TITLES (STRATA) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Land Titles (Strata) Act (Chapter 158 of the 1988 Revised Edition) and to make related amendments to the State Lands Act (Chapter 314 of the 1985 Revised Edition) and the Central Provident Fund Act (Chapter 36 of the 1994 Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Lim Hng Kiang); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNALS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read.”
“30 pm BILLS INTRODUCED COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Companies Act (Chapter 50 of the 1994 Revised Edition)", presented by the Acting Minister for the Environment (RAdm Teo Chee Hean); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. JURONG TOWN CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Jurong Town Corporation Act (Chapter 150 of the 1985 Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. REGULATION OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS BILL "to provide for the regulation, registration and control of imports and exports and to make provisions for matters connected therewith and to repeal the Control of Imports and Exports Act (Chapter 56 of the 1985 Revised Edition) and the Registration of Imports and Exports Act (Chapter 270 of the 1985 Revised Edition), and to make consequential amendments to certain other Acts", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Yeo Cheow Tong; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PUBLIC UTILITIES BILL "to reconstitute the Public Utilities Board and to provide for the transfer of the property, rights and liabilities in respect of its electricity, gas and related undertakings to successor companies, and for matters connected therewith, and to repeal the Public Utilities Act (Chapter 261 of the 1992 Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Yeo Cheow Tong; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“Sir, pedestrians should have no difficulty in crossing Simei Street 3 near the Changi Neighbourhood Police Post. Traffic flow along the street is light and the traffic lights at its junction with Simei Street 4, which is about 100 metres away from the Police Post, create gaps in the traffic flow along Street 3 allowing pedestrians to cross easily. A push-button pedestrian crossing light is not necessary for the time being. However, the PWD will monitor the traffic situation and install one if traffic flow along Simei Street 3 increases. SIMEI STREET 3 AND UPPER CHANGI ROAD NORTH (Construction of pedestrian overhead bridge and installation of pedestrian crossing) 18. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development whether the Public Works Department will (i) construct a pedestrian overhead bridge in front of Changkat Primary School in Simei Street 3 and (ii) install a push-button pedestrian crossing in front of the new Japanese Association/School along Upper Changi Road North. Mr Matthias Yao Chih (for the Minister for National Development): Sir, on the first question, Simei Street 3 is a 4-lane road. The junction of Simei Street 3 with Simei Street 1, which is 60 metres from the school entrance, is signalised and there are pedestrian crossing facilities at this junction. School children from Changkat Primary School can safely use these pedestrian crossing facilities. On the second question, the PWD will install a signalised pedestrian crossing in front of the new Japanese Association and School along Upper Changi Road North. 1.”
“Sir, with your indulgence, I agree with my PAP colleagues in their unanimous response to Mr Low. Please read the Act and then come back. Mr Chiam's point, if I can summarise it, is this. The Ministry of National Development should change the system because under the present system, the Opposition constituencies will never get any funding from CIPC. That is the point. The day the CIPC approves funding for any project in any Opposition constituency will prove his point wrong. When the day comes, I hope he withdraws all that he says. With that, Sir, at this point, it is not necessary to change the system. It has worked well and it will continue to work well.”
“It is not an easy way out. I have said this before, and I say this again. Public funds are involved. Here is the CIPC fund. What do we do with this fund? We want to let the constituencies enjoy the use of this fund. We go to a public body that can disburse this fund and coordinate the projects in a proper manner. The CCC exists for this purpose and we will continue to keep contact with the CCC, look at the recommendations and decide whether they should get the money or not. Mr Chiam's proposal does not get the support of the CCC of Potong Pasir. It is not the concern of the CIPC. The CIPC's job is to look at applications and make sure that the applications are reasonable, feasible and effective, and give the fund in support of these projects.”
“I suggest that he goes to the library outside, take a look at the Town Councils Act and see whether the town councillors are charged with the responsibility of looking after the entire constituency or looking after the common areas of the HDB estate. After that, he may wish to file another motion or Question and we can have another debate on it. As for Mr Chiam, his quarrel is really with his CCC in Potong Pasir. I do not hear this quarrel from the other Opposition Members with their own CCC. He has got an amendment under the CCC subhead and I suggest that he brings this up under that amendment.”
“May I suggest to Mr Low that he discontinues with his line of questioning because it makes no sense and he knows it, but he does not want to give up.”
“Thank you. On Mr Chiam's question, all I want to say is this. Mr Chiam does not want this money to be used in a politically motivated manner. So the best solution for all of us is, let us give this money to the CCC, as we have done since 1965 and let the CCC recommend and decide on its priorities. The money does not go to the PAP MP and it does not go to the Opposition MP. It is fair for all. So my position on Mr Chiam's and Mr Low's suggestion is that there is no need to change the present system.”
“Sir, the town council cannot put up a proposal and ask for money for improvement works outside of an HDB estate. That is the simple position, as provided by the law. Mr Chiam understands that.”
“Sir, Mr Low does not understand my answer. I shall repeat it. We cannot give the money to the town council because the town council can only spend money and work within the HDB estate. So if we give the money to the town council, none of this money can be used in private estates. Mr Low Thia Khiang: No, I am not saying that.”
“Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, on this point that in 1965 we had more Opposition MPs, I think if you read the history of the PAP there was a split at that time and the Barisan Sosialis MPs were no longer interested in being MPs. In that period, they were trying to work their way out and, in fact, they did. In 1965, they all walked out of Parliament. So they were not interested in any community projects. But we are. The present Opposition Members are keen to improve all their constituencies. 12.45 pm My quarrel is that under the present system it would appear that no Opposition MPs will get any taxpayers' fund through the CIPC. That is my contention. As long as you have this checkpoint at the CCC, none of the Opposition Members can get through this checkpoint. They will be blocked right from the start, and no funds will be disbursed to any of the Opposition MPs. That is really unfair, because those funds are not PAP funds. They are taxpayers' funds. I think there should be a new system. Probably you allocate the fund pro rata. For so many voters in your constituency they will give you this amount. I think that is the fairest system.”
“Sir, I have listened to the comments by both Opposition Members very carefully but they have not listened to my comments carefully. I have said why the money should not be given to the town council. By law, the town council is confined to working within the boundaries of an HDB estate. It cannot do work outside of the estate and it cannot spend money outside of the estate. So giving CIPC money to the town council does not help those who live outside of HDB estates. So that is out of the question. Mr Chiam's quarrel with PA and how the CCC is structured, I suggest he raise this under his cut on the CCC. But to suggest that because he is in Parliament, therefore, we must change a long lasting and long established practice which has worked very well is not necessary. The point is, from MND's position, we have got these funds to subsidize improvement projects. We look for a body within the constituency that can coordinate various requests and help disburse the funds. Where is this body? There is one, which is the CCC, and it was established a long time ago. The URSC had worked very well with the CCCs all this while. Mr Chiam says conditions have changed. It is not the same as 1965. I am glad conditions have changed. There were more Opposition Members in 1965 than there are now. So his suggestion about changing the rules is not based on sound arguments. All he wants is the control of the money. The CIPC and URSC have never given money direct to MPs. We do not give them to PAP MPs. We do not give them to Opposition MPs. I do not think we need to change the rules.”
“Sir, allow me to continue. The Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) started life in 1965. Then, it was known as the Urban and Rural Services Committee (URSC). At that time, and since then, the Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs), on the ground, will determine what amenities are needed in the constituency and they will consult the PWD, Ministry of the Environment and other departments to request for improvements. If those works are within the budget and within the work plan of the departments, then those works will be carried out. If the requests are reasonable but the budget provided is not sufficient, then the CCC would apply to the CIPC for funding. The CCC does not decide what they can have. They put in an application and the CIPC will evaluate and consult the relevant departments whether these are feasible, whether they can serve the residents effectively and efficiently and based on the budget available, the CIPC will decide whether the constituency can have the money. This money is given to the CCC to be disbursed. The Opposition Members asked: why not give this money to the town councils? The answer is very simple. The town councils, by law, can only work within the boundaries of the HDB estates, in particular, within the common areas of the HDB estate and if we give the money to the town councils, then the private estates and privately-run commercial and industrial areas will never get this money. Why not give it to the MP? The answer is no again because CIPC funds are public funds and in disbursing public funds we have to give them to a public body to be disbursed. No money is given to any MP, Opposition or PAP, for such purposes.”
“He did say that. I am sorry. Sir, improvement works to the constituency, whether it is in an HDB estate or private estate, must take into consideration, not just the MP's opinion of what he wants to be done but, more importantly, what the residents, the shopkeepers, the hawkers and so on, think is best for themselves. So the Ministry of Community Development has got CCCs, RCs and various other committees to help decide these things for the entire constituency. Therefore, the best people to look after this aspect of development work will be the CCCs.”
“Thank you. Mr Chiam could not come out with a proposal.”
“Sir, I am sorry I did not make myself clear. I did not say that HDB will not make any plans for these two blocks. There are long-term plans and the plans are not just for these two blocks. When we decide on the plan for rental flats, we have to take into consideration other rental flats within the same locality and also the rest of Singapore, whether there are enough rental flats to cater to all the residents who are applying for them. And if we want to do any relocation, where can it be relocated, in what locality and whether they will be dispersed all over Singapore, some to Potong Pasir or wherever, or should we put them nearer to where they are used to living. Therefore, it is not a question of deciding on these two blocks of flats. Sir, I hope that Mr Low will understand this. I think Mr Chiam is not afraid of any PAP candidate there. Good for him. He still does not understand what he fails to understand. Never mind. He asked that we change the rules of CIPC. I would like to ask him: what changes does he propose?”
“Sir, I will take Mr Low Thia Khiang's question first. The water tanks in 13 blocks of flats in Hougang Constituency were changed under HDB's programme to replace the mild steel water tanks in those blocks constructed before 1982 with concrete or fibreglass reinforced polyester tanks. HDB did not replace the tanks in Blocks 3 and 4 because HDB is reviewing its long-term plans for these two blocks of rental flats. As these are long-term plans, they will take a bit longer to be finalised. Mr Chiam is very persistent with his questions about CIPC. I shall be consistent with my reply. As usual, he contradicts himself. He says that the CIPC procedure now benefits the adviser of the constituency who may not be the MP. In the case of Potong Pasir, he thinks that Mr Andy Gan who is now the adviser to the CCC benefits from the scheme. And yet in the same breath, he says that neither party can put up any projects because both parties will have to foot 30% of the funds. Therefore, how can it be beneficial to Mr Andy Gan and yet, at the same time, he cannot put up any projects? I think Mr Chiam ought to sort this out in his mind before he raises the point. Mr Chiam See Tong: Can I clarify? Mr Andy Gan is the prospective PAP candidate in Potong Pasir. An hon. Member: How do you know?”
“No, it is not a matter of calculating whether the number of flats is correct or not. It is that in the course of redevelopment, some flats are torn down, some flats are put up, and the actual date of completion may be before or after the financial year. When the contractors hand over the flats and they happen to be before the financial year, whereas the estimation was just after or the other way round, there will be some discrepancies. It has got nothing to do with us not knowing what the numbers are. We know exactly the numbers.”
“No, there is no implication of that. It is that in estimating the numbers based on the available data, an initial grant was given and when the town councils made their calculation, these were reconciled with HDB's numbers and where there was discrepancy, we would give the extra grant. Mr Low Thia Khiang( In Mandarin): Sir, according to my understanding, HDB has based the grant on the number of units managed by the town council. Does it mean that HDB had made a mistake in their calculation? 5.15 pm”
“Not at all, Sir. These were left over from FY93. Mr Low Thia Khiang( In Mandarin): Sir, does it mean that in HDB's calculation, every town council manages a certain number of dwelling units? Were there some mistakes in their calculation and now they are giving some sort of supplementary grant to make up for the difference?”
“The claim is based on how many dwelling units in that estate are run by the town council. For example, HDB assesses that there are 6,000 units there, so the grant was given for 6,000 units. But in the course of the building programme, in the redevelopment, some rental flats were knocked down, new flats were put in, so the number might be different from the 6,000 by 100 or 200 units. At the end of the day, when we consolidated all the numbers, supplementary claims were made and they said, "Look, we have got 6,200 units whereas the grant was initially given for 6,000 units." So based on the formula, we give the extra grant if they are correctly calculated. Mr Low Thia Khiang( In Mandarin): From what the Senior Parliamentary Secretary has said it means that the HDB will also give a cyclical works grant to those new flats which have just been completed.”
“This sum of $82,500 is a very small sum compared to, for example, what was given out in FY93 which was $106.7 million. In the course of building flats, some flats were put up before the financial year ended while some were put up after the financial year ended. And in the calculation for certain particular units, some were left out of the calculation while some were added in later. So in reconciling the numbers, there were supplementary grants to be given to the town councils which made those claims. And if the claims were correct, we would give the money. Mr Low Thia Khiang( In Mandarin): Sir, the impression given to me is that some town councils can still claim from the Ministry of National Development for this cyclical works grant. Is that correct?”
“Sir, may I point out first that he has moved this cut under the wrong subhead but, be that as it may, I shall try to respond. Sir, it is referred in the item which Mr Low has talked about that the full sum of the cyclical works grant had been disbursed to all the town councils by FY93. But, in the process, there were other claims from the town councils and these were evaluated according to the formulas which we have promulgated right from the start and, in evaluating them, some additional claims were made and these were found to be correct and the funds were disbursed. Mr Low Thia Khiang( In Mandarin): Sir, can I clarify? Does it mean that, having received this grant, and the town councils find that it is not enough, they can claim for more funds from MND? Or is there a wrong calculation somewhere?”
“Sir, the sum of $82,500 is given to the town councils as part of the Government's grant to top up the sinking funds of the town councils. I do not know which particular town council is involved. But the sum is very small, and it must be the tail-end of the programme. In previous years, the sum was much larger and we have distributed the money in phases and this is the tail-end.”
“HDB has received 25 appeals involving 732 shops against the high prices of shops being sold. Some shop tenants, particularly those who are already 50 or 60 years old, feel that the current sale price of shops is beyond their affordability level. HDB is thus reviewing the programme as it is appropriate, after three years, to study the problems and develop solutions. The review will take into consideration feedback from the Advisors to the CCCs who are in a good position to assess what is best for the residents and shopkeepers. Dr Chen has raised the issue of valuation of the shops under the programme. At present, the selling prices of shops are assessed individually by HDB based on market values of comparable shops. In the valuation, HDB takes into account relevant factors, such as shop size, shop type, location, age, tenure, layout, accessibility and the catchment area. For the purpose of consistency and fairness, HDB also engages private valuation firms to assess the market values of some representative units for comparison. In response to the request to review the prices, HDB will consider changing the procedure such that HDB will prepare valuation reports individually and give the reports to the tenants. This will, of course, entail much more work in each sale cycle for HDB and its valuers to cope. Four months, or more, may be required in between sale batches. But the tenants will benefit in getting more accurate valuations individual to their shops. The details will be announced in one or two months' time.”
“Sir, before I go into the details raised by Dr Chen, I would like to brief the House on the progress of the programme to sell tenanted shops to the tenants. As at December 1994, 4,550 shops were put up for sale to sitting tenants. Of these, 4,400 were sold. This represents 97%. The remaining 3% of the shops were not sold due to infringements of tenancy conditions, incompatibility of trades or financial problems faced by the shopkeepers. I am happy to report that the response to this scheme has been overwhelmingly good. Furthermore, to-date, only 245 units, or 6%, of all the shops sold have been put up for resale. In other words, 94% have kept the shops. The programme has contributed to the restructuring of the retail sector in HDB estates. The shops are operated more efficiently. From July 1992 to December 1994, there were a total of 3,449 assignments and sublettings of shop tenancy. The programme has also encouraged more shopkeepers to upgrade their own shops. 15% of sold shops requested for approval to upgrade their shops compared with the usual figure of 10% for tenanted shops. In addition, owners of sold shops have also grouped themselves together to upgrade their commercial centres. Two retail centres in Yishun have completed their upgrading programme. Another seven retail centres have approached the Retail Promotion Centre for assistance in upgrading their retail centres. It is thus evident that the objectives of the Sale of Tenanted Shops programme and the intention of insulating shopkeepers from future rental revisions and encouraging them to further invest and upgrade their operations have been achieved. The booming property market in recent years has resulted in increases in prices of both new and resale shops.”
“Adding in the informal discussions which usually take place between landlord and tenant, the tenant has more than a year's advance notice which is sufficient for him to relocate. On priority housing, tenants who are aged and single can apply for priority to rent an HDB flat. Families who have been living in the premises since 27th December 1991 or before can also apply to rent or buy an HDB flat. Sir, Mr Cheo Chai Chen asked about the open space at Woodlands Avenue 9. The 62 plots of open storage land along Woodlands Avenue 9 are let out under monthly TOLs, except for two plots where the 10-year leases will be expiring on 31st March 1995. It has been clear to the tenants and the licensees from the start that these open sites are intended for temporary use. The issue of providing alternative site therefore does not arise. On the use of the site, the 62 plots along Woodlands Avenue 9 are located on industrial land. HDB plans to build flatted factories on this site to meet the demand for industrial premises. This will also benefit the residents who live nearby as they will provide more employment opportunities for them. HDB will announce the details when they are ready.”
“Sir, Mr Choo Wee Khiang asked about compensation. I presume he was talking about tenants from rent-controlled premises. Sir, under the Controlled Premises (Special Provisions) Act, the Tenants' Compensation Board is required to award such amount of compensation as the Board considers fair and reasonable. Factors such as loss of income and goodwill arising from the recovery of the premises, annual rent paid and the cost of re-location are taken into consideration when deciding the amount of compensation. The Board will make every effort to ensure that a fair amount of compensation is awarded. The compensation sum is only intended to provide a reasonable amount to tide the tenant over the interim period as he relocates. It is not intended to be sufficient for him to buy alternative premises. The compensation should also be viewed in the light that claimants do not hold any proprietary right in the controlled premises and have in fact used the premises for a long time at low rents. On the time given for relocation, the Controlled Premises (Special Provisions) Act stipulates that the Tenants' Compensation Board must grant the claimants a period of at least 90 days to vacate the premises. The Board will grant a longer period if valid reasons are given. In addition, before a matter is fixed for a Board hearing, the landlord is required to give two to three months' notice to the tenant. This will give advance notice to the tenants to look for alternative premises for relocation. The formal process takes more than half a year from the date when the tenant is formally notified of the landlord's intention to recover the premises to the date when he is required to move out.”
“Sir, all the various pieces of land mentioned by Mr Yeo have been earmarked for various purposes, for example, schools. But in view of his vigorous demands and requests for more public housing to be built in Ang Mo Kio, I shall ask HDB to work closely with the various departments to see if they can give up the pieces of land for public housing. HALFWAY HOUSES SET UP BY VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS (Provision of financial assistance) 5. Encik Harun bin A. Ghani asked the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs whether the Muslim Religious Council of Singapore will provide financial assistance to Muslim halfway houses set up by the volunteer organisations.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the last balloting exercise for mature estates in the first quarter of 1995, HDB offered a total of 399 5-room and Executive flats in Ang Mo Kio. The vacant plots of land in Ang Mo Kio are earmarked for various purposes. HDB has no plans at present to build any more new flats in Ang Mo Kio unless it is able to secure more sites for public housing.”
“Sir, the PWD has studied this very carefully and for the bus bays to be built there are certain setbacks. If we want to make the bus bays in a correct manner then private land has to be acquired for all these bus bays. ANG MO KIO ESTATE (Building of more 5-room and executive flats) 4. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Acting Minister for National Development, in view of the relatively low percentage of 5-room and executive flats in Ang Mo Kio Housing Estate, if his Ministry will consider building more such flats on some of the vacant plots of land in Ang Mo Kio Estate.”
“Sir, on overseas travel, Mindef will continue to look for ways to make it easier for NSmen to travel overseas. But I would like to emphasise that those who work overseas cannot pass the burden of national service squarely on to those who work within Singapore. The burden must be shared equally by all.”
“On Dr Lee Tsao Yuan's proposal, Sir, Mindef recognises that there are positive social benefits to be derived from such a programme. But I am afraid to say that the suggestion does not fit into SAF's or Mindef's mission and I shall encourage all women to perhaps volunteer for the civil defence volunteer group activities which are available in every constituency.”
“That depends on what he means by "control". Anyway, the Ministry of National Development has no control - if he calls it "control" - over CCCs. It is the Ministry of Community Development that is in charge of CCCs. BANNING OF TEENAGERS FROM SMOKING 3. Mr Imram bin Mohamed asked the Minister for Health how successful has the ban from smoking for the under eighteen-year-old been in curtailing young teenagers from taking up the habit and whether enforcement measures taken have been adequate.”
“I do not think he can make such an assumption. Anyway, I cannot answer this because the CCCs will decide on the merits of each application. Mr Chiam See Tong: I do not believe that the Senior Parliamentary Secretary has no control ---”
“Sir, if he heard my answer, the nine members are Advisers to the CCCs. They are in charge of CCC projects and whatever the CCCs wish to do for the residents. They happen to be PAP Members of Parliament. This question has been asked many times by Mr Chiam about him being an Adviser. The answer is that he is not an Adviser.”
“First, I do not know why and, second, if he wants to know why a CCC makes a certain decision, the Ministry of National Development is the wrong ministry to ask.”
“Let me repeat the procedure. If the Potong Pasir Town Council or a resident or a RC or the Civil Defence Coordinating Committee or somebody in the constituency says, "Why not do this?", the CCC will evaluate. If the CCC supports this proposal, it will draw up specifications, state the budget and submit it to the CIPC. The CIPC will refer it to the officials for initial evaluation. The Potong Pasir Town Council's project never surfaced, so we are not aware of it.”
“The secretariat comprises civil servants and Ministry officials who will process the applications and advise the CIPC on whether the guidelines have been followed.”
“That is correct if the CCC makes the application to the CIPC.”