Teh Cheang Wan
Singapore
“The Board does not propose to reinstitute the procedure for the resale of flats at the respective Area Offices in Ang Mo Kio New Town. As a pilot project, the Board has centralised the resale of Ang Mo Kio flats at Sales Section, Maxwell Road.”
“At the contract price or whatever it is, and this is due to the mistake made by the HDB, the HDB has been quite generous. If the mistake made by the HDB staff has been to sell the flat at lower than the posted price, then the owner has the benefit of this mistake.”
“The Member for Potong Pasir is asking a question which I have to check for an answer. I do not carry with me the millions of accounts of HDB flat-owners with me. So I cannot give him an immediate answer. But I can assure the Member for Potong Pasir that those people will be refunded.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since the announcement by HDB on 4th July 1986, 49 HUDC lessees appealed to the Board to buy their flats. All were unsuccessful. As at 20th September 1986, 27 HUDC flat owners had sold their flats in the open market. Twelve of them sold their flats above their original purchase prices.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since the implementation of the policy, HDB has resold 13 HUDC flats from among those flats HDB bought back from the HUDC owners. In addition, HDB has sold 44 new HUDC flats. The slow sale of HUDC flats is due mainly to the depressed property market.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have no figures readily available as to how many of these 49 HUDC flat-owners who requested the Board to buy back the flats have committed themselves to buying other property.”
The complete record
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“The two vacant plots of land adjacent to Upper Serangoon Road at the Potong Pasir Estate are reserved sites intended for future development. Plans for these sites have not yet been finalized. VACANT FLATS IN YISHUN NEW TOWN 6. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development what is the number of flats built at the Yishun New Town and what is the number of flats which are currently vacant there.”
“The vacant land, between the Bukit Timah Community Centre and the Bukit Timah Plaza/Sherwood Towers, is earmarked for the development of the Bukit Timah bus interchange. Detailed plans for this interchange have not yet been finalised. DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR VACANT LAND AT POTONG PASIR ESTATE 5. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development what are the proposed development plans for the two vacant plots of land adjacent to Upper Serangoon Road at the Potong Pasir Estate.”
“Mr Teh Cheang Wan: (a) Contractors must build in accordance with architectural dimensions subject to tolerances of measurements for building works which are spelt out in detail in the building specifications. In practice, variations are minor; and they depend on the type of materials used and method of construction. (b) The HDB and other statutory boards do not keep records of floor area variations in buildings constructed by them since construction is in accordance with actual architectural dimensions subject to the tolerances allowed in building construction. (c) There are no guidelines governing the practices of construction contractors working on private sector projects. However, the Controller of Housing allows housing developers to have a 3% margin for any shortfall in area. In the standard Sale and Purchase Agreement, the developer is required to adjust the purchase price in favour of the purchaser for any shortfall in area in excess of the 3% margin. However, the developer is not entitled to claim any adjustment in the purchase price if the actual area exceeds the contracted area. DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR VACANT LAND BETWEEN BUKIT TIMAH COMMUNITY CENTRE AND BUKIT TIMAH PLAZA 4. Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for National Development what are the development plans for the piece of vacant land between the Bukit Timah Community Centre and Bukit Timah Plaza/Sherwood Towers and when the government proposes to carry them out.”
“Pig farming has to be phased out in Singapore because of its serious environmental pollution. The phasing out programme is being carried out in stages to ensure that there is no disruption to the supply of pigs and violent fluctuation in prices, and to allow adequate time for adjustment by industries that service the pig farming industry. There is no necessity to temporarily halt the phasing out programme. Agri-businesses such as feedmills that service the pig farming industry also serve other agricultural, fisheries and livestock industries. They can adjust to the phasing out of pig farms by providing more services to these other agricultural industries. Many of them are also exporting their products to the surrounding countries. This is in line with our plan to develop Singapore into a regional agro-business centre. We can supply agro-technology equipment, animal and fish feeds, pharmaceuticals, biologics and other agricultural services, including consultancy services, to other countries in the region. FLOOR AREA VARIATION IN PUBLIC FLATS, FACTORIES AND OFFICES 3. Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the allowances for floor area variation given to contractors for Housing and Development Board, HUDC and Jurong Town Corporation flats, HDB and JTC factories and other statutory board office buildings; (b) whether he will tabulate the actual floor area variations for these buildings built over the last five years, by type and by year; and (c) what are the guidelines governing the practices of construction contractors working on private sector projects.”
“It has always been the Housing and Development Board's policy to allow its flat dwellers to place potted plants along the corridors outside their flats, provided residents comply with safety and environmental requirements, e.g. (i) Not to place potted plants on parapet walls or other precarious positions as they could be toppled over accidentally, and kill someone below, (ii) Not to keep plants on top of racks such as to pose a danger to unwary children playing along the corridors, (iii) Not to give rise to breeding of mosquitoes or cause chokages to rainwater pipes, (iv) Not to cause obstructions or hinder conservancy works along the corridors. PHASING OUT OF PIG FARMING INDUSTRY 2. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry, in view of the present economic recession, will give due consideration to temporarily halting the complete phasing out of the pig farming industry as this will result in throwing out of business the businesses that service the pig farming industry.”
“Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development if he will request the Housing and Development Board to allow occupiers of HDB apartments to have potted plants displayed outside their premises along corridors where the plants pose no danger or obstruction to other residents or passers-by.”
“Again, I suggest to the Member for Chua Chu Kang to take it up with my Senior Parliamentary Secretary. On the delay in clearance, quite often in the development of the Chua Chu Kang area, the area for military training is very extensive. Again, the HDB new town is also very extensive. And this agro-technology farm, the new farm area, is also very extensive. The farmers do not see this - that because of the very extensive area, the clearance usually takes quite some time. Quite often, from the beginning to the end, development takes several years. Therefore, those people who have been cleared earlier feel that Government have cleared them too early. But, in fact, it is not so, because the development can only take place after the whole area has been cleared, and this takes several years. Therefore, those who have to move out earlier usually feel that the Government purposely chase them out and leave the land idle. That is not the case. Government actually requires the land. But the Resettlement Department can only hand the whole piece of land over to the Redevelopment Authority when the whole extent of the land area has been cleared. 6.00 pm The Question having been proposed at half-past Five o'clock pm and the Debate having continued for half an hour, Mr Deputy Speaker adjourned the House without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order. Adjourned accordingly at Six o'clock pm. WRITTEN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS POTTED PLANTS ALONG CORRIDORS OF HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS 1. Mr J.B.”
“And if it is not resolved to his satisfaction, I suggest he write to my Senior Parliamentary Secretary, and he will look into the case and have it satisfactorily resolved. On the delay in compensation, I can appreciate that because in Chua Chu Kang the number of resettlement cases involved is more than 4,000. And each case involves a lot of structures, a lot of improvements, a lot of plants, a lot of areas to be certified, to check and re-check. This takes a long time. I will not deny that there is some delay in awarding compensation. I have asked the Resettlement Department to send more people to Chua Chu Kang to help and hopefully it will speed up the compensation process. On the allocation of flats, I admit that if there is a delay in the allocation of the flats, certainly the right to purchase alternative flats will not be lost if the delay is due to a delay in the compensation. We do not expect the farmers to move out to the new area before they are compensated. If there is a case of a delay and the HDB threatening the squatters that their right to alternative accommodation will be cancelled, I suggest the Member for Chua Chu Kang take it up with the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. If the right to alternative accommodation has been cancelled, we will restore the right. On the allocation of flats to single persons, the Government's policy is this. We are very short of land in Singapore, so we cannot afford to allocate each individual person a separate flat. However, if the single person has no family at all, in other words, he is just by himself, he does not have brothers or sisters and is also not married, we can consider each case on its own merit. In certain situations, I think the Allocation Committee will be able to make a special concession.”
“This is because Government do not have to pay for the clearance cost of the squatters. Subsequently, some people come out and say, "No, no. The landowners do not own those improvements. I am the only one who really own the improvements." Therefore, there is a dispute. I would say that in cases of dispute of this type, the Resettlement Department is prepared to look into them. If a mistake has been made, and the squatters do, in fact, own those improvements, then compensation has to be paid to them. I think the Resettlement Department will pay the compensation to them. On the cut-off date, the Member for Chua Chu Kang has explained that in fact this matter has been resolved. However, what I would like to explain is this. Cut-off date is really the date of gazette notification. If the Government has gazetted the acquisition long ago, then the cut-off date is usually the date when the resettlement officers entered into the site to take measurements. In the example quoted, 1967 was the gazette date. We will however use 1985 as the cut-off date, that means, the date when the resettlement officers entered the site and do the measurements again. But as the Member for Chua Chu Kang has said, this problem has been resolved. On the dispute as to whether some structural improvements are authorized or unauthorized, whether the structure is built before the cut-off date or after the cut-off date, I think in every resettlement site there is this type of dispute. From our records, it takes a bit of time to resolve disputes but always the disputes have been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. I would like to assure the Member for Chua Chu Kang that this type of dispute will be resolved.”
“But for other fruit trees, I think $39,000 per hectare is very generous. If we look at it, in Malaysia, a hectare of palm oil or a rubber estate is only a few thousand dollars. Moreover, the owner has to own the land. However, in this case, the squatters do not own the land and Government compensate them. And Government compensate them for the trees at $39,000 per hectare. Therefore, I think the compensation is quite generous. On the different rates of compensation, I think there is a misunderstanding by the Member for Chua Chu Kang. In fact, compensation for all the approved structures is paid in accordance with the approved rates. In other words, for farming cases they are paid a higher rate; and for residential cases they are paid a lower rate. However, in 1975 the Primary Production Department came out with a specially designed farming structure with anti-pollution measures built in. For this type of structure they would get a higher compensation. These structures are more costly to build. All these structures are recent structures. This type of structures was only approved in 1975. I think the farmers are confused with this because a higher rate of compensation is paid for this specially designed farming structure with anti-pollution measures built in, prepared by PPD. But as far as rates go, they are unchanged. The farmers are not paid a lower rate at all. On the compensation of vacant possession, I think there are some disputes. Some landowners are claiming vacant possession. When Government acquire their land, they say, "I not only own the land but I am also the farmer here. I own all the structures and I own all the trees." Then the landowner is paid the vacant possession rate, that means, a higher rate.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I will briefly answer the points by the Member for Chua Chu Kang. On the matter of compensation to farmers, generally the compensation to farmers by the Government at present is quite generous. I just want to mention simply that in the 1960s the Singapore Government had very little money to spend. In the first five-year housing programme, that is, from 1960-1965, Government had allocated $195 million for construction of public housing, for acquisition of the land, for compensation, and for all other things. At that time we considered this as a very generous allocation because at that time the financial resources of the Singapore Government was very limited. Today, as all Members understand, in the last Budget Government's allocation for compensation to resettlement alone is more than $200 million a year. So you can see the amount of increase by the Government to spend on resettlement cases. So compensation for resettlement, I would say, is very generous. On farming cases this year, the record shows that an average farmer is getting a compensation of $120,000. If we look at the early 1960s, usually compensation to farmers was only a few thousand dollars. So Members can see that the amount of compensation to farmers has increased enormously. The compensation for the fruit trees at $39,000 per hectare as a cut-off point is quite generous. But the Member for Chua Chu Kang quite cleverly talked about durian trees. For durian trees, perhaps one hectare of a durian estate is worth more than $39,000, if they are mature and fruit-bearing trees. I will ask my Resettlement Committee to look into this matter and see whether a special rate can be paid for mature durian plantations under clearance.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have explained earlier, under the HDB rules HDB has no obligation to buy back any flat. In fact, anybody who looks at the HDB Sales lease will understand that. There is no provision for HDB to buy back the flat. HDB is only buying back the flat as an assistance to the HDB owners. As usual, this is the Government's policy to assist --- 12 noon Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time*, Mr Teh. *Pursuant to Standing Order 21(2), Questions Nos. 20 and 21 remaining on the Order Paper accordingly stood over to the next sitting of Parliament, as signified by the Members concerned. QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER DISALLOWED”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for all HDB dealings on the buying back of flats, if the owners go to the HDB Area Office to make enquiry about the procedures, the HDB officer will inform them about the procedure adopted by HDB. And if they want to sell their flats back to HDB, what they should do is to get a written undertaking by HDB to buy back their flats. And as I have mentioned earlier, there are 26 cases where HDB has given the written undertaking to buy back these flats, and HDB will abide by that written undertaking.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government's policy is based on the written undertaking. It is not possible for Government to ---”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB made a press release earlier to say that HDB will continue to buy back the HDB flats from those who want to give up HDB flats in the first five years after purchase. The reason is a rational one. HDB buys back HUDC flats because, as I have explained earlier, at that time HDB considered that there was a large waiting list of HUDC flats and the applicants were prepared to buy the old flats which are in a better locality. But at present owing to the large number of withdrawal of HUDC applicants, the waiting list has been reduced to a very small one, and also the people on the waiting list are not prepared to buy old HUDC flats. Therefore, HDB cannot assist the HUDC owners in buying back the old flats and selling them to the applicants on the waiting list. But, as far as HDB flats are concerned, that is, from 1-room flats to executive flats, HDB has a large waiting list of people who want to buy these flats. Therefore, HDB can continue to buy back HDB flats from owners who want to give up their HDB flats within the first five years of their purchase. In fact, this number is very very small, and the waiting list to buy HDB flats is very large. Therefore, this policy will not affect HDB flats from 1-room up to executive flats. Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, may I ask the Minister whether he personally was aware, before his announcement of the "no buy-back policy", that there were HUDC owners who had committed themselves to buying property in the private sector not based on written consent from the Ministry but based on verbal assurance, which was the standard practice before his announcement? If this is the case, would he not at least feel partly responsible for the plight that these people have found themselves in today?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB bought back 40 units of HUDC flats, and HDB has committed in writing to buy back another 26 units of HUDC flats. So HDB will abide by this undertaking. As for those people, ie, the 216 HUDC lessees less 66, that means the remaining 150 cases, HDB will not be able to buy back their flats. However, HDB has offered them various assistance. Under the HDB rules, anybody who purchases an HDB flat is not allowed to sell his flat in the first five years. In this instance, HDB has waived this restriction to allow these HUDC owners, who want to sell their HUDC flats, to sell their HUDC flats in the first five years of ownership. On top of that, HDB has also waived the levy. Under the HDB rules, HUDC owners who sell their flats to buyers of their own choice have to pay 30% of the selling price to HDB as a levy. But HDB has waived the levy. In other words, HDB has made it easier, very much easier, for these owners to sell their HUDC flats in the first five years.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not possible for HDB to buy back the flats. As I have explained quite clearly earlier, HDB only buys back those flats which HDB has committed in writing to buy back.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the past 11 months (July 85 to June 86) 216 HUDC lessees have either written in to sell their flats to the HDB or have made enquiries regarding the sale of their HUDC flats. Under the lease, the HDB is under no obligation to buy back the HUDC flats at their original sale prices. The HDB did buy back some flats in the past because it was then considered possible to find ready buyers from applicants on the waiting list to purchase the returned HUDC flats. Presently, this is no longer possible as the waiting list is very small, following the withdrawal of many HUDC applications. The HDB has decided not to buy back any more HUDC flats except those which the Board has committed in writing to buy back. HUDC lessees are now permitted to sell their flats to their own buyers approved by HDB. The resale levy would be waived in these instances.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is no. RESALE OF HUDC FLATS TO HDB 19. Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there is an increasing number of HUDC flat owners opting to return their flats to the Housing and Development Board; and (b) whether the HDB will commit itself to accepting the flats at their original purchase prices.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the quantum of rent rebate granted to shop tenants depends on the extent the business is affected by the MRT construction works. A 30% rent rebate is given to shop tenants whose premises are adversely affected by MRT works. In these instances, the MRT works and hoardings block the frontages or the access to the shops. Shop tenants whose premises are less adversely affected are granted a 15% rent rebate. In such instances, MRT works may cause some inconvenience, but they do not directly block the frontages or the access to the shops.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, usually after clearance is completed, the site will be handed over to the development authority. It is for this authority to maintain the site. SINGAPORE AS REGIONAL CENTRE FOR EDUCATION 7. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Education what steps the Government has taken so far, or proposes to take, to make Singapore the regional centre for education as recommended by the Services Sub-Committee of the Economic Committee.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are seven areas under active clearance within Changi Constituency. Parcel 1 at Koh Sek Lim Road and Siak Kuan Road and Parcel 2 at the junction of Bedok Road and Upper East Coast Road are earmarked for industrial and warehouse development by HDB. As there is currently low demand for such facilities, timing for the implementation of these developments has not been decided. Parcel 3 at Upper Changi Road and Tanah Merah Kechil Road is proposed for commercial and residential development by HDB. Development work will only commence after the Changi MRT Station is completed in 1989/90. Parcel 4 at Somapah Road and on both sides of the PIE and Parcel 5 between Upper Changi Road and New Upper Changi Road are being cleared for industrial development by JTC. Parcel 6 at Jalan Chempaka Kuning adjoining Sungei Bedok is being cleared for nursery development by the Parks and Recreation Department. Pulau Tekong will be used by the Ministry of Defence.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, any family with financial difficulties can go to the Area Office and discuss with my officers. And as usual, HDB will do its best to help. CHANGI RESETTLEMENT AREAS (Redevelopment projects) 6. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development what are the redevelopment projects being planned for all the resettlement areas in Changi Constituency which are currently under active clearance by the Housing and Development Board and the Jurong Town Corporation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, following the announcement in Parliament on 7th March, 1986, 778 HDB flat owners have requested to extend their loan repayment period. Of these, 552 and 161 flat owners requested to extend their loan repayment to 25 years and 20 years respectively. The Area Offices will follow up by referring HDB households with family problems to the Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Labour, or voluntary social organizations for appropriate assistance as follows: (1) families in financial difficulties are referred to the Public Assistance Section, Ministry of Community Development, or voluntary social agencies; (2) families whose breadwinners have lost employment are referred to the Employment Services Department, Ministry of Labour; (3) families with domestic problems and requiring counselling and advice are referred to the Ministry of Community Development. The HDB Area Offices also maintain close liaison with the departments and agencies concerned on the outcome of the cases referred to them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the URA acts as the agent for the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore in operating the car parks at Changi Airport. The car park fees are set in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Both authorities have agreed to reduce the season parking fee at Car Park B to $50 per month. EXTENSION OF HDB LOAN REPAYMENTS 5. Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many Housing and Development Board flat owners have requested to extend their loan repayments as at the latest available date; and (b) what follow-up actions are taken by the HDB Area Offices to refer those households with problems for assistance.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for the year 1985, the percentage of shopkeepers who gave up their shop premises was 3.69%. The number of shopkeepers who applied to re-tender for shop premises after having occupied the premises for less than a year was seven. MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR WIFE OF DECEASED PENSIONER (Policy) 2. Mr Leong Horn Kee asked the Minister for Finance whether he will reconsider the policy of terminating the medical benefits extended to the wife of a pensioner after he is deceased.”
“PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERS (Participation of Government-owned companies) 5. Dr Ow Chin Hock asked the Minister for Finance, since the issue of guidelines for the participation of government-owned companies in public sector tenders, (a) how many public sector contracts have been awarded so far, and what is their total value; and (b) how many of these contracts have been awarded to government-owned companies and what is their total value.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the URA plan for the Singapore River, the two main objectives are to bring back new activities into the area and to preserve some of the riverside architecture and history. To achieve these objectives, the URA has to set guidelines and time-frame for implementation. The guidelines require the owner to: (a) preserve the building facade; (b) use the groundfloor for a purpose which will generate riverside activity such as shops, cafeteria, restaurant; and (c) amalgamate and make joint development proposals in three parcels. The requirement for owners to develop jointly and amalgamate the different lots into larger parcels for conservation is to ensure that the project has a greater chance of success. The land ownership in this area is very fragmented. A long time will be needed for the project if the owners are allowed to develop individually. There will also be many implementation difficulties. For example, encroachment by existing tenants are choking many parts of the backlanes. By amalgamation, accessibility and safety features like fire escapes for the renovated buildings can be further improved. A time-frame has to be imposed to ensure that results can be achieved quickly before the existing buildings deteriorate further. Some of the buildings are already in a very bad condition. Owners are required to submit their plans within a year and start work within three years. If developments are allowed to take place sporadically, it is unlikely that the riverside will be revitalized for a long time to come. With a time-frame, it is far more likely that we will see a new Singapore River in the near future. This will benefit not only the owners of the Boat Quay shophouses but also help to build up a potentially significant tourist attraction quickly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Government will not act illegally. If the Government acts illegally, then the owner is at liberty to challenge the Government in court.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the policy of the Government is to make Singaporeans live in the most healthy environment possible. Temporary huts without modern sanitation are, as I have explained earlier, a health and fire hazard and they also cause environmental pollution. To allow the huts to remain is against Government policy of building public housing to enable the Singaporeans to enjoy living in a healthier environment. This is the objective of the Government.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think most squatters would like to move out if they can get a reasonable compensation from the land owners. The Government is therefore giving sufficient time for the squatters and land owners to come to an agreement. Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister refer us to the provision in any Act of Parliament which gives his Ministry the power to tell owners of land to clear persons on their land, and to threaten them with acquisition if they fail to comply with his Ministry's demand?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, any temporary premises unsewered by modern sanitation usually poses some hazard and creates some pollution. As at present, it is easier for squatters, who wish to apply for the HDB flats, to do so as they can get their flats quickly. I therefore consider that this is the most opportune time for the squatters to move out. This is also an opportune time for land owners to come up with some agreement with the squatters and pay compensation to them to help them buy their HDB flats so that they can move to HDB estates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, private owners were originally given up to 1986 to clear squatters on their land. However, this has been extended to 1988 in view of the present unfavourable economic conditions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB is in the process of computerizing the sale of season parking tickets. Once the system has been computerized, residents will be able to purchase season parking tickets direct from the cashiers at HDB Area Offices. They will not have to queue up at the Car Park Section for their vehicle registration numbers and residential status to be verified. Furthermore, they will be permitted to purchase season tickets for any number of months up to 12 months, instead of in multiples of three months under the existing scheme. The new season ticket will also feature a tear-off slip to remind motorists of their next renewal date. The computerized system will be tried out at Ang Mo Kio South, Chin Swee and Tampines South Area Offices next month before the full implementation at all HDB Area Offices in August 1986. Apart from computerization, the HDB is also looking into other improvements, such as the renewal of season parking tickets by post and the payment of charges through cashless means. DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE LAND (Deferment of deadline) 14. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry will consider deferring the deadline given to property owners to develop their land until the Singapore economy and the property market pick up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the private sector is allowed to operate paid parking schemes inside as well as outside the Central Business District (CBD) on their land. However, in the case of some private housing estates outside the CBD, like Serangoon Gardens, the URA has to move in to introduce paid parking in order to weed out indiscriminate parking. This action is only taken at the request of residents. The car parking lots introduced are all kerbside parking lots on public roads. By this means, URA as the car parking authority is able to eliminate disorderly kerbside parking and clear the roads of obstruction. CONTACTS WITH MEMBER COUNTRIES OF ASEAN 4. Encik Zulkifli bin Mohammed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) what is the range of regular official contacts so far established with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia; (b) whether existing contacts are adequate and are working satisfactorily; and (c) what steps are being contemplated to sustain and increase such contacts.”
“No, I am not aware of it. I suggest that the Member for Anson write to me and I will look into it.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think that I was not answering the Question. In fact, what I have answered is that housing forms a very important part of the physical, social and recreational needs of the senior citizens. Without housing, then these needs will not be met. On the request by the Member for Anson for a room for senior citizens, is it a room?”
“For existing estates, a similar lounge will be provided if there is sufficient space at the void decks.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has always been concerned about the housing needs of the aged. Various schemes have already been implemented by the HDB to provide accommodation for our senior citizens. They are: (a) Joint Ballotting Scheme. Implemented in 1976, this scheme allows married children and their parents to be allocated two or more units of adjoining flats. As at December 1985, 16,471 families have been allocated flats under this scheme. (b) Multi-tier Family Housing Scheme. This scheme encourages two or three generations of the same family to stay together in the same flat. Applicants under the scheme are granted three years' priority in allocation. Since its implementation in 1982, a total of 9,885 units have been allocated under the scheme. Another 1,874 applicants are on the waiting list, pending allocation as at December 1985. (c) Aged/Senior Citizen Scheme. Implemented in 1978, the objective of this scheme is to provide housing for the senior citizens who are single. Two or more single senior citizens can apply to purchase HDB flats jointly. As at December 1985, 405 units have been allocated under the scheme. The HDB will continue to monitor the demographic trends of Singapore. Adjustments will be made to existing schemes and new schemes will be introduced, if necessary, to respond to the changing needs of society. Our senior citizens can now make use of the void decks and bird-singing corners provided by the HDB. They can also use the recreational facilities at the community centres. In addition to these facilities, the HDB has been providing a residents' lounge at the void decks of all new apartment blocks since late 1985. The lounge, with an area of 60 sq metres, is provided with stone tables for chess games.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB residents are responsible for bringing down their bulky household refuse such as furniture, refrigerators, washing machines, etc, from their flats to the nearest bin compound for final disposal at the dumping grounds. Instead, many residents are discarding their bulky refuse at lift entrances, staircase landings and other common areas within the blocks. The indiscriminate dumping not only causes inconvenience but also poses a danger to other residents. In order to prevent any mishap to residents, arrangement is being made by HDB to cart them away whenever they are found by HDB field staff in their routine rounds. To completely eradicate the problem of bulky refuse being discarded in the common areas, the HDB will need the full cooperation of residents. The Board has therefore organized "Junk Removal Days" jointly with the grassroots organizations to encourage residents to dispose of their bulky refuse in an orderly manner. Articles are also published in "Our Home" magazine and the mass media to raise residents' awareness of the dangers posed by the bulky refuse. Apart from these measures, the Board is also looking into the possibility of providing a service to the residents to remove their bulky refuse from homes at a charge. HOUSING NEEDS OF THE AGED IN HDB ESTATES 2. Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for National Development, in view of the projected increase in the number of senior citizens residing in Housing and Development Board estates, what steps are being taken by the HDB to cater to the physical, social and recreational needs of these citizens.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Yishun bus interchange is scheduled for completion in April 1987. The HDB will now expedite its construction and will complete the interchange earlier, if possible. In the meantime, the HDB has provided a temporary bus interchange at the junction of Yishun Central and Yishun Avenue 2 to serve the residents. BILL INTRODUCED COPYRIGHT BILL "to make new provision in respect of copyright and related matters, and to repeal the United Kingdom Copyright Act 1911, the Copyright Act (Chapter 187 of the Revised Edition) and the Copyright (Gramophone Records and Government Broadcasting) Act (Chapter 188 of the Revised Edition) and to make a consequential amendment to the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation Act 1979 (No. 33 of 1979); and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid", presented by the Second Minister for Law (Prof. S. Jayakumar); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1986 TO 31ST MARCH, 1987 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [5th Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY (Disposal of Amendments) Announcement by Mr Speaker 11.54 am”
“IPOs are offices of multinational companies, large chain stores and professional purchasing agents, established here for the sole purpose of buying from Singapore and the region to meet their world-wide or headquarters' needs. They also include foreign companies which, in addition to their manufacturing and sales activities in Singapore, source for their headquarters from Singapore. There are currently about 43 such IPOs in Singapore, 10 of which were set up in 1984 and three in 1985. Their purchases range from electronic components to metal and plastic parts, garments and general merchandise. The Trade Development Board (TDB) has been actively attracting such IPOs to Singapore. Through its overseas offices, TDB will continue to identify large companies and buying organizations in the US, Europe, Japan, India and China. TDB will send missions overseas to demonstrate the range of goods and services available in Singapore. Potential IPOs will be encouraged to visit Singapore and introduced to local suppliers. TDB will also organize regular workshops where IPOs can explore business opportunities with local companies. YISHUN NEW TOWN (Bus interchange) 14. Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the Minister for National Development whether the planning and construction of Yishun New Town bus interchange can be expedited in view of the fast increase in the population of the New Town.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the design of new public buildings, the Public Works Department incorporates amenities for the accessibility of the disabled, where feasible and practical. Ramps, handrails and toilet facilities are provided. These facilities also serve children and the aged. Changi Airport is an example of a complex in which handi- capped people have access. New public libraries also provide accessibility. The HDB has also given consideration to the handicapped. Where physical conditions and cost-effectiveness permit, barrier-free features are provided in HDB estates, such as ramps leading to the lift lobby from footpaths. Recently, additional features have been incorporated for new HDB blocks where physically possible, such as linkages from a block of flats to other parts of the HDB estate. The HDB has also taken administrative measures to assist the disabled. For example, priority is given to them in the selection of ground-floor or lower-floor flats or flats on lift landing floors. Approval is also given for the construction of a ramp outside flats occupied by disabled persons. Flexibility is also exercised in granting ad hoc requests to aid mobility. INTERNATIONAL PURCHASING OFFICES (Setting up of) 13. Encik Zulkifli bin Mohammed asked the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry how many International Purchasing Offices (IPOs) were set up in Singapore in 1984 and 1985, and what steps the government will take to encourage more IPOs to be set up in Singapore. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Acting Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, many foreign trading companies export and import from Singapore. But international purchasing offices, or IPOs, are a special category.”
“Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development what actions are being taken by the government to make buildings more accessible to the disabled.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB has implemented a comprehensive maintenance programme for its lifts to minimize the inconvenience to residents caused by lift breakdowns. All lifts are being serviced by the lift companies once every fortnight. The servicing programme includes checking for malfunctioning of all major parts and repairs or replacement of parts where needed. To ensure that the lifts are safe for public use, every lift is tested and certified fit for use annually. In the event that any of the safety devices is found to be faulty, the lift is switched off until the fault is rectified. In addition, a thorough full load test is carried out every five years to ensure that the safety gear is functional and has not deteriorated with age. Old and problematic lifts are either refurbished with new component parts or replaced entirely with new lifts. The lifts are also inspected by HDB Housing and Maintenance Inspectors daily who will report any breakdown or defects to the lift companies. In addition, the Board has successfully developed a telemonitoring system to monitor the performance of the lifts continuously. This system alerts the Board's Lift Maintenance Unit when passengers are trapped in the lift or when the lift is tampered with. However, no amount of improvement would help if the residents do not play their part in the upkeep of the lifts. Every year, thousands of dollars are wasted as a result of acts of vandalism, such as urinating in lift cars, burning of push buttons with cigarette lighter, defacing of car and door panels, etc. I would therefore urge residents to cooperate fully with the Board in observing the proper use of lifts. THE DISABLED (Access to buildings) 12. Mr S.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for those who apply for rental flats who are above 29 years old, they will be allocated a rental flat. I did not say HDB will keep all the rental flats vacant - I said HDB has a redevelopment programme for the rental flats and that does not cover all the rental flats. In other words, rental flats will continue to be available to those who are qualified to apply for rental flats. HDB LIFT BREAKDOWNS (Measures to minimize inconvenience) 11. Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development what improvements are being undertaken by the Housing and Development Board to minimize the inconvenience caused to residents as a result of lift breakdowns.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have stated in the House earlier, young people between the age of 21 and 28, have another 20, 30 or even more years of working life. So this group of Singaporeans should be encouraged to become home owners and not be easily provided with rental flats and become entrenched in the rental flats. This will be bad for them and bad for the family.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the imposition of the age requirement of 29 years should reduce the demand for rental flats. However, it will not create problems for those who need them, such as those affected by resettlement or facing genuine hardship. These cases are exempted from the age requirement. The HDB has a programme to redevelop the rental blocks which have been vacated by existing tenants. Under this programme, flats which are vacated by existing tenants will not be reallocated. When more than half of the flats have been vacated, the remaining tenants will be decanted to either home ownership flats or other rental flats. The blocks will then be demolished and the site subsequently redeveloped. Because of the redevelopment programme, many of the vacated flats will not be available for rental. Hence the waiting period for rental flats is not expected to be shortened.”
“Sir, I am pleased to inform the Member for Nee Soon that a temporary post office, beside Block 293 Yishun Street 22, will be opened by May 1986 to provide postal service to the residents in Yishun. A new post office will be opened in Yishun when office facilities are available by the end of this year. This post office will be situated in Yishun Neighbourhood Centre 2, at Block 293 Yishun Street 22. As more housing blocks are completed, additional post offices will be set up. It is envisaged that by 1989/90 there will be a total of four post offices serving all the residents of Yishun New Town.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the policy of allowing an applicant three offers of selection of flats before his application is cancelled is not implemented to force applicants to buy flats in unpopular areas. It is, in fact, similar to the policy of allowing an applicant three balloting chances when flats were allocated through the balloting system. With the acceleration of the building programme, more flats are being completed for sale. Applicants on the waiting list have become more choosy. In spite of repeated invitations by the HDB to select their flats, some of the applicants have not responded, while others simply reject the flats after their selection. This has delayed the allocation of flats to applicants who are lower down on the waiting list. The HDB therefore has to bring back the 3-offer policy to speed up the allocation. Under this policy, applicants are still given ample opportunities to select a flat of their own choice. An invitation to select is deemed as an offer, only if the applicant's position in the selection queue is within 50% of the number of new flats available for selection. Invitations to select reserved flats are not counted as offers. The HDB is aware that under the present economic conditions in Yishun New Town, there are some applicants who are not ready to purchase flats. Such applicants can request the HDB to defer allocation of their flats for one year. YISHUN NEW TOWN (Post office) 4. Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether there are plans to set up a post office in Yishun New Town. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister.”