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 pedestrian overhead bridge across the Pan Island Expressway near Block 524, Bedok North Street 3 is expected to be ready by May 1986. It is estimated to cost $180,000. Tenders for the construction of the bridge will be called on 1 November 1985. RECREATIONAL PARK AT BEDOK RESERVOIR 10. Encik Zulkifli bin Mohammed asked the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to develop the immediate vicinity of Bedok Reservoir into a recreational park and, if so, when this project is expected to commence and be completed; and, if not, what other plans there are for the area.”
“PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGE NEAR BLOCK 524, BEDOK NORTH 9. Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for National Development (a) when the proposed pedestrian overhead bridge across the Pan-Island Expressway near Block 524, Bedok North Street 3 will be ready; and (b) what will be its cost.”
“The number of purchasers of Housing and Development Board flats who had been in arrears for two months or more in their payment of mortgage instalments are as follows: ____________________________________________ | | Mortgage Instalments In | | | Arrears for Two Months | | | Or More | | | (Inclusive of service | | Year | charge arrears) | | |_________________________________| | | | Percentage of dwelling | | | No. | units under management | |________|________|________________________| | | | | | 1978 | 4,922 | 2.9% | | | | | | 1979 | 4,965 | 2.5% | | | | | | 1980 | 8,006 | 3.7% | | | | | | 1981 | 7,683 | 3.4% | | | | | | 1982 | 9,990 | 3.8% | | | | | | 1983 | 10,449 | 3.5% | | | | | | 1984 | 17,838 | 4.7% | | | | | | 1985 | 21,236 | 5.1% | |(Up to | | | | Sep) | | | |________|________|________________________| The information requested by the Member for Potong Pasir on the number of mortgage loans in arrears before 1978 and the breakdown by loan amount are not available as the HDB does not keep these statistics. To extract these statistics from past records would cost the HDB not less than $200,000 in terms of manpower and computer costs. KAKI BUKIT CAR PARK 8. Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for National Development (a) when the proposed extension of Car Park No. 8 in Kaki Bukit Constituency bounded by Blocks 523, 524, 525, 526, 528 and 529 along Bedok North Street 3 will be completed; (b) what will be its cost; and (c) how many additional parking lots will be provided. Mr Teh Cheang Wan: The proposed extension to Car Park No. 8 in Kaki Bukit Constituency bounded by Blocks 523, 524, 525, 526, 528 and 529 along Bedok North Street 3 will be completed by June 1986. The cost of the extension is estimated to be $110,000. An additional 84 parking lots will be provided.”
“(a) The recreational park opposite Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 is being built in two phases. Phase 1 which covers 22 hectares is currently under construction and will be ready for public use by March 1987. Tenders for Phase 2 which covers 20 hectares will be called in April 1986. This phase is scheduled for completion by September 1987. (b) When completed, car-parking facilities will be provided in the park. Other facilities will include a lotus/water lily pond, a multi-purpose field, a bicycle track, a jogging track, a keep-fit corner, a children's playground, park shelters and pergolas. DEFAULTERS IN HDB MORTGAGE INSTALMENTS 7. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development how many purchasers of Housing and Development Board flats have defaulted in payment for 60 days and more of their mortgage instalments and interest thereon for each of the years from 1975 to 1985 in respect of loans (i) less than $20,000, (ii) $20,000-$40,000, (iii) $41,000-$60,000, (iv) $61,000-$80,000, (v) $81,000-$100,000, (vi) $101,000- -$120,000, (vii) $121,000-$140,000, (viii) $141,000-$160,000, and (ix)$161,000-$180,000.”
“Shop rentals for resettlement cases are already lower than those paid by public applicants. The resettlement rental is based on 90% of the rental payable by the lowest successful tenderer. Resettled shopkeepers need pay only 50% of the resettlement rental in the first year. The rental is increased by 10% each year. The full resettlement rental is paid only from the 6th year. Besides the lower rentals, concessions offered to HDB shopkeepers to help them tide over the current difficult conditions are also extended to resettlement cases. These include: (a) a 15% rent rebate from Apr 85 to Mar 86 for shops allocated between 1.1.80 and 27.3.85. (b) a 1-year deferment of the 3rd stage rental increase for shops affected by the 1983 Rental Increase Exercise. (c) a 30% property tax rebate from Jul 85 to Dec 86. The HDB also monitors the resettlement rentals for shops in its commercial complexes. Where the rentals are assessed to be too high,they are adjusted downward to reflect prevailing market conditions. Such adjustments have been made for the shops in Tanjong Katong Complex,Cheng Yan Court, Blk 55 Upper Changi Road and Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre. The rentals of shops allocated under the resettlement scheme are therefore already very reasonable. There is no need for the HDB to consider lowering the rentals further at present. ANG MO KIO RECREATIONAL PARK 6. Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) when the planned recreational park opposite Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 will be ready for public use; and (b) whether parking facilities will be provided within the park precincts.”
“Indeed, Singaporeans have every reason to be proud of our achievements in public housing under the PAP Government. To date, the HDB has built half a million flats to house 82% of our population. This is a remarkable record, unmatched by any other country in the world. What is even more remarkable is that 76% of the residents living in HDB flats own their homes. Few countries in the world have achieved such a high percentage of home ownership in public housing. The achievement of the HDB is not just in quantity, that is, the construction of half a million flats, but also in the extremely high quality achieved in the construction of the flats and facilities. I believe a copy of the HDB publication, Design for Living, has been forwarded to all Members of this House. From this publication, we can see beyond any shadow of doubt the high quality of housing provided by the Singapore Government for the people. The high quality is evident in the physical design and layout of the flats and the housing estates and in the comprehensive range of facilities provided in each estate. These include shopping facilities, sports complexes, recreational areas, schools and clinics. To any reasonable Singaporean, I really do not have to request the Members in this House to praise the HDB. In fact, the HDB flats are all over Singapore. HDB flats are not something that is very small and is hidden somewhere and I have to ask the people to notice it, otherwise they will miss it. So it is totally unnecessary for me to request the House to praise the HDB ---”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to thank the Members for Chong Boon and Paya Lebar and other PAP Members of the House who spoke on this motion commending the HDB, its management, staff and workers who have contributed to the success of our public housing programme.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said just now, I do not have the exact information. If the Member is interested in this information, he can put in another question for the next Parliamentary sitting, either for an Oral Answer or a Written Answer. But today he has asked a question on the total amount of money paid by HDB for the land at Potong Pasir Estate, and I have given him the answer.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the exact information requested by the Member. However, I think the Member is more interested in whether the HDB flats at Potong Pasir Estate were subsidized by Government.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are 286 paying parking lots in Serangoon Garden Estate. These lots are in the vicinity of Serangoon Garden Circus where the shops, food establishments, a cinema, a market and a post office are located. My Ministry is aware that the demand for car parks has increased recently and, at times, drivers who are unable to find a proper parking lot are leaving their vehicles along Serangoon Garden Way. I have instructed URA and PWD to look into this problem more closely and in consultation with the Serangoon Garden Citizens' Consultative Committee. I have no doubt that together they would be able to resolve this problem soon. POTONG PASIR ESTATE (Compensation for land) 7. Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development how much compensation has been paid for the acquisition of all the land at the Potong Pasir Estate. Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Development Board paid a total of $181,147,432 for all the land at the Potong Pasir Estate.”
“The rental concessions enjoyed by a resettled shopkeeper are thus very substantial. Therefore, a resettled shopkeeper with normal business acumen will be able to conduct his business successfully. However, not everyone is endowed with business acumen, be he a resettled shopkeeper or a public applicant of HDB shops. No amount of rental concessions can help the person without the necessary business acumen to succeed in his business. SERANGOON GARDEN WAY (Parking problem) 6. Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for National Development whether he is aware of the parking problem along Serangoon Garden Way and what steps are being taken to solve the problem.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at present, there is already a separate system of HDB shop rentals for resettled shopkeepers. While the rental for public applicants is based on tendered amounts, the resettlement rental is pegged at 90% of the rental paid by the lowest successful tenderer. Furthermore, under this system, resettled shopkeepers pay only 50% of the resettlement rental for the first year. Thereafter, the rental is increased by 10% each year until it reaches the full resettlement rental in the sixth year. Resettled shopkeepers thus enjoy rental concessions for a number of years. Resettled farmers are normally paid a cash grant of $26,000 as part of the resettlement compensation. If they opt for shop premises in lieu of the cash grant, they are also given similar rental concessions for a period of five years. Generally, these concessions work out to be more than the $26,000 cash grant. The concessions enjoyed by the resettled shopkeepers are best illustrated by an example. Assuming the market rentals for shops in a neighbourhood centre range from $2,000 per month to $3,000 per month, the rentals for shops reserved for resettlement cases in the same neighbourhood would be pegged at 90% of the lowest market rental of $2,000 per month. The resettlement rental is therefore $1,800 per month. In the first year, a resettled shopkeeper would only be paying a monthly rental based on 50% of the resettlement rental, ie $900 per month. This works out to be only 36% of the mid-point of the rental range for public applicants in the neighbourhood. Although the rental for the resettled shopkeepers would be gradually increased to the full resettlement rental in the sixth year, the final rental of $1,800 per month still amounts to only 72% of the rental range for public applicants.”
“The Central Expressway (CTE) will be extended to Yio Chu Kang Road and beyond. The extension north of Yio Chu Kang Road will be known as the Seletar Expressway (SLE). Work to extend the CTE from Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 to Avenue 5 is now in progress and is expected to complete by the end of 1986. Tenders for the construction of the CTE from Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 to Yio Chu Kang Road will be called in October 1985, work is expected to start in February 1986 and complete by April 1987. The construction of SLE is scheduled for 1987. AHMAD IBRAHIM SECONDARY SCHOOL (Conversion to Community Use) 5. Mr Leong Horn Kee asked the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education (a) what use is intended for the currently vacant Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School; (b) if no specific use has been decided, whether it could be used as a child care centre, a community centre or a centre for similar community or cultural activities; and (c) whether the existing facilities, such as the basketball court and football field, could be open to the residents.”
“In 1984, 349 industrial premises were returned to the HDB. For the period January to July 1985, 424 industrial premises were returned. However, over the period January 1984 to July 1985, a total of 2,196 new industrial tenancies commenced. Thus, there was an increase of 1,423 industrial tenancies under management over the period. CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY EXTENSION 4. Mr Heng Chiang Meng asked the Minister for National Development whether the Central Expressway will be extended to Yio Chu Kang Road and beyond and, if so, what is the schedule of work and expected completion date for such extension.”
“92% of the industrial and commercial tenancies under HDB's management. For the period January to July 1985, the numbers of tenants owing rent every month for three-six months and for more than six months were 687 and 321 respectively, or 3.55% and 1.66% of the industrial and commercial premises under management. FACTORIES RETURNED TO HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD 3. Dr Toh Chin Chye asked the Minister for National Development how many factories were returned to the Housing and Development Board for the year 1984 and for the period January-July 1985.”
“Tenders for the project were called on 16 August 1985 and will close on 14 November 1985. The Public Works Department expects to award the contract by February 1986. The project will take 20 months to complete and the flyover can, therefore, be expected to be operational by October 1987. In planning the alignment for the flyover, PWD has given due consideration to avoid existing structures as much as possible and to minimise acquisition of private lands. However, due to constraints imposed by the width and geometrics of the flyover and ground system, the drivers' quarters of the Little Sisters of the Poor and two temples, one along Upper Thomson Road, the other along Lornie Road, have to be demolished. The Little Sisters of the Poor will be appropriately compensated for the loss of the drivers' quarters. PWD is arranging with the Resettlement Department for the clearance and the resettlement of the two temples. In addition, lands on the slopes of the Mount Alvernia Hospital grounds abutting Braddell Road and the forecourt of the Shell Service Station at Lornie Road would be acquired, The operation of the Hospital and the Service Station should not be affected. COMPANIES IN ARREARS OF HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD RENTALS 2. Dr Toh Chin Chye asked the Minister or National Development what was the number of companies owing rents to the Housing and Development Board (i) for three to six months and (ii) for more than six months, for the year 1984 and for the period January-July 1985. Mr Teh Cheang Wan: In 1984, a monthly average of 366 tenants of HDB's industrial and commercial premises owed rents for three-six months. A further 164 tenants owed rents for more than six months. These figures represent 2.06% and 0.”
“The project involves the construction of a 700 m dual 3-lane flyover to carry traffic between Lornie Road and Upper Thomson Road over the existing Thomson/Braddell and Thomson/Lornie Road junctions. The flyover would stretch from the vicinity of MacRitchie Reservoir car park at Lornie Road to the vicinity of the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Upper Thomson Road end. The existing roads around the area would also be realigned to accommodate the flyover structures. Two pedestrian overhead bridges would be constructed to replace the existing ones affected by the project. A new underpass with ramps would also be built to provide for pedestrians crossing near the Little Sisters of the Poor. Recent surveys carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) indicate that the peak hour traffic volumes at the junction of Thomson Road, Lornie Road and Braddell Road are well in excess of the designed capacities of these junctions. During the peak periods, the traffic flow is heaviest between Upper Thomson Road and Lornie Road. Traffic counts show that the morning and evening peak volumes between these two roads are 2,550 and 2,110 vehicles per hour respectively. The volume of traffic at the junction area is expected to increase much further with additional housing and industrial estate developments in the north eastern sector of Singapore. According to traffic forecast, the average morning and evening peak hour traffic through the junction area would increase by an average of 36% from the present 9,150 vehicles per hour to 12,920 per hour by 1990. Severe congestion can be expected if a flyover is not provided. The flyover, when constructed, will have a capacity of about 1,500 vehicles per hour per lane.”
“The number of pre-primary classes in Red Swastika School and Yu Neng Primary School cannot be further increased because there are no more classrooms to take in additional pre-primary children. My Ministry's priority at this time is to meet the demand for places of children seeking admission to Primary One. Red Swastika School and Yu Neng Primary School are both situated in Bedok. In 1984, 876 Primary 1 places out of a total of 4,050 places in the primary schools in Bedok were left for registration under Phase 3. This year, only 436 Primary 1 places were left for Phase 3. If we were to increase the number of pre-primary classes in the two schools concerned, we would have to correspondingly reduce the already tight supply of Primary 1 places in Bedok area.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the piece of vacant land at Pine Grove next to the Ulu Pandan Canal, facing Blocks 1C, 1D and 1E, is meant for residential use. There is, however, no plan at the moment to develop the piece of land. STADIUMS/ATHLETIC CENTRES IN HDB ESTATES (Floodlighting) 4. Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Community Development whether there are plans to floodlight some of the stadiums/athletic centres in Housing and Development Board estates. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development (Mr Teo Chong Tee) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Community Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. The Singapore Sports Council currently manages nine sports complexes/stadia. Of these, three, namely, the National Stadium, Jalan Besar Stadium and Jurong Stadium have floodlighting facilities. Another floodlit sports complex is currently under construction at the Hougang Housing Estate. The Singapore Sports Council will consider floodlighting sports complexes at HDB estates should there be a need to do so. RED SWASTIKA AND YU NENG PRIMARY SCHOOLS (Pre-primary classes) 5. Dr Arthur Beng Kian Lam asked the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education whether he will consider increasing the number of pre-primary classes in Red Swastika Primary School and Yu Neng Primary School in Bedok North Estate as there is a pressing need for more places. The Minister of State for Education and Communications and Information (Dr Tay Eng Soon) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister.”
“The letters issued by the Government to owners of properties with unsightly structures serve as an advice to them of Government's intention to clear unsightly temporary structures. They are not issued under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, neither are they an abuse of the Act. As long as the occupiers stay on private land, the Government cannot offer alternative accommodation to them. However, it should not be difficult for the occupiers to find alternative accommodation, With the compensation given to them by the owners, they can easily buy resale HDB flats from the free market. Only when the owners and the occupiers cannot reach an agreement will the Government consider acquiring the land. Once the land is acquired by the Government, the occupiers will be entitled to resettlement benefits. ELECTRICAL SURGE IN ANG MO KIO 5. Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education (a) what was the actual cause of the recent electrical surge at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Apartment Block 222, where a number of households suffered damage to their household electrical equipment; and (b) whether the households affected will receive assistance for the damages.”
“Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development whether it is not an abuse of the Land Acquisition Act to threaten owners of land with proceedings under the Act in order to compel them to clear occupiers on their land of "unsightly structures" and whether his Ministry offers alternative accommodation to the occupiers whom the Ministry wants the owner to evict.”
“Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development if he will state (a) why the land on which the Angullia Mosque stands was compulsorily acquired for the "comprehensive development of the Orchard Road area", explaining in what way the Mosque interfered with the "comprehensive development"; (b) how is the land proposed to be developed; (c) why was it not possible to allow the Mosque to remain on the land, if necessary, re-built; and (d) whether the Minister is aware that there will be no Mosque for Muslims residing in a substantial area when the Mosque is demolished. Mr Teh Cheang Wan: It is the Government's intention to maximise the use of land near MRT stations. Angullia Mosque stands on a piece of land near the Orchard Boulevard MRT Station. To allow the Mosque to continue will mean under-utilisation of valuable land. The site was therefore acquired to amalgamate with the adjoining parcels of land. The amalgamated site, bounded by Paterson Road, Orchard Boulevard, Anguilia Park and Liat Tower, will be developed into a commercial centre to take maximum advantage of the Orchard Boulevard MRT Station. URA has been working with MUIS to provide a prayer hall at the nearby URA Cairnhill Place project, to be completed by mid 1986. The 1100m prayer hall will serve the needs of Muslims in the Orchard Road area. The Angullia Mosque will not be demolished until the prayer hall is completed. CLEARANCE OF UNSIGHTLY STRUCTURES (Alternative Accommodation for Occupiers) 4. Mr J.B.”
“The area bounded by Belilios Road, Belilios Lane, Buffalo Road, Sungei Road, Perak Road and Cuff Road, as marked on the attached plan (Cols. 249 - 250), is generally known as "Little India". The Government's plan is to preserve as much as possible the Indian character of the area. plan - LITTLE INDIA (Cols. 249 - 250) Within the area, HDB owns most of the buildings west of Serangoon Road. These buildings can be grouped into 3 parcels (Parcels A, B and C in the attached plan) (Annex A) (Cols. 249 - 250). There are very few Indian related trades in Parcel A, where resettlement action is being carried out. After clearance, the buildings will be renovated to house the traditional Indian trades now operating in Parcel B. Parcel B will then be renovated to house the traditional trades now operating in Parcel C. Parcel C will in turn be redeveloped for commercial uses. Renovation of Parcel A should be completed by mid 1987 and Parcel B by end 1988. No date has been fixed for the redevelopment of Parcel C. Annex A - LITTLE INDIA (Cols. 249 - 250) The buildings east of Serangoon Road are mainly in private ownership. The intention is to allow the private owners to redevelop while at the same time preserving the present day characteristics. URA is working on the redevelopment guidelines and a comprehensive plan for the area is expected to be ready before the end of the year. ANGULLIA MOSQUE (Acquisition and Replacement) 3. Mr J.B.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, he will not. Ouestion put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Assistant Director of ) Deputy Director of Primary Production ) Primary Production (Veterinary) ) Senior Primary ) Production Officer ) (Veterinary) ) Senior Primary ) Production Officer Senior Primary ) Production Officer ) (Agriculture) ) REMARKS ON THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN (Motion)”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, these are departmental functions. For example, in the Public Works Department, we have senior architects. But some of the senior architects are in charge of building schools, some are in charge of building hospitals, and some are in charge of building libraries. But we do not call them Senior Architect (Hospitals), Senior Architect (Libraries) and Senior Architect (School Buildings). So those people who have dealings with the Senior Architect know who to approach. It is just like the legal officers. The legal officers are in charge of various functions. But we do not attach a title to every legal officer on the function that he is performing.”
“These are officers appointed on the same grade and they perform their respective functions. The change is to comply with the present designation of these posts.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion* *The Motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: Old Title or Name of Office New Title or Name of Office Assistant Director of ) Deputy Director of Primary Production ) Primary Production (Veterinary) ) Senior Primary Production ) Officer ) (Veterinary) ) Senior Primary ) Production Officer Senior Primary Production ) Officer ) (Agriculture) ) standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper. Currently, in the Animals and Birds Act, reference is made to the Assistant Director of Primary Production (Veterinary) and Senior Primary Production Officer (Veterinary). Similarly, in the Agricultural Pests Act and the Controlled Plants Act, reference is made to the Senior Primary Production Officer (Agriculture). These posts are now redesignated as Deputy Director of Primary Production and Senior Primary Production Officer respectively. The change in the titles is necessary to reflect the correct designations of these appointments. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 12.45 pm”
“Sir, it is the usual practice of the HDB to get the facilities ready, including car park facilities, when the residents move in. PRIME MINISTER'S REMARKS ABOUT LEADERS OF THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES (Reactions) 11. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Community Development if any protest was received by the Government from any Third World country over the remarks of the Prime Minister about the leaders of Third World countries when speaking in this House on the 22nd of March 1985 in the debate on Ministers' salaries.”
“Sir, the HDB is building 327 car parking lots and 44 motor- cycle lots for the five new blocks of apartments currently under construction at Lorong 6 Toa Payoh next to Beatty Secondary School. These parking facilities will be completed by the end of this year.”
“Sir, two car parks at Toa Payoh North and Lorong 1 are affected by the MRT work, Of the 1,109 lots in these two car parks, only 92 lots are taken up by the MRT work. According to the HDB, there are sufficient car parking lots to meet the needs of residents. Nevertheless, the HDB is monitoring the sale of season tickets closely. If the existing parking lots prove to be insufficient, the Board will provide temporary parking facilities. The MRT work is expected to be completed by mid-1987 when the 92 affected lots will be restored for parking use. APARTMENTS NEAR BEATTY SECONDARY SCHOOL (Car parking facilities) 10. Dr Ho Tat Kin asked the Minister for National Development what parking facilities are being planned for the five new blocks of apartments which are being built next to Beatty Secondary School.”
“Sir, the allocation of hawker stalls is under the Hawkers Co-ordinating and Licensing Committee of the Ministry of the Environment. So the hon. Member's request should be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. TOA PAYOH NORTH/LORONG 1 (Alternative car parking facilities) 9. Dr Ho Tat Kin asked the Minister for National Development what alternative car parking facilities are being planned for residents at Toa Payoh North and Lorong 1 where Mass Rapid Transit work has taken up much of the existing car park areas.”
“Sir, under the current Hawkers Policy formulated by the Hawkers Co-ordinating and Licensing Committee of the Ministry of the Environment, all vacant cooked food stalls are reserved for the resiting of licensed street hawkers and resettlement cases affected by public development schemes. There are at present 420 vacant cooked food stalls in HDB hawker centres. The time taken for vacant stalls to be occupied varies considerably, depending on the pace of specific clearance programmes. On average, a vacant stall is occupied within six months.”
“Sir, there is no plan to construct a pedestrian overhead bridge across Sembawang Road near Yishun Avenue 5, Blocks 101 and 106, due to the narrowness of this stretch of road. Instead, the PWD will be installing a pedestrian signal crossing there. The work is expected to be completed by October 1985. HAWKER STALLS FOR RESETTLEMENT CASES (Filling of vacancies) 8. Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for National Development how many existing vacant stalls in Housing and Development Board hawker centres are reserved for resettlement cases; and what is the average time taken before a vacant stall is occupied.”
“Sir, presently, season parking tickets are sold to residents according to the following priority: (a) First private vehicle registered in personal name of resident; (b) First company vehicle used by resident; (c) Second or third vehicles used by resident; (d) Others (eg, vehicles belonging to employees of shop tenants, etc). The present system is a fair way of allocating the limited car parking space in HDB estates, ensuring that the first vehicle owned by an HDB household gets a season parking lot before others. However, the HDB will review the present allocation policy as part of its continuing efforts to improve car park operations and management in housing estates. SEMBAWANG ROAD/YISHUN AVENUE 5 (Pedestrian overhead bridge) 7. Dr Koh Lip Lin asked the Minister for National Development whether there is any plan to construct a pedestrian overhead bridge across Sembawang Road near Yishun Avenue 5, Blocks 101 and 106, in view of the increasing number of residents crossing the road daily.”
“Sir, the HDB has finalized the programme to replace all external galvanized iron distribution pipes in residential blocks built before 1982. Non-corrodible pipes have been used in apartment blocks built since 1982. The replacement programme, which affects 3,200 blocks and is estimated to cost $51.7 million, will be completed by December 1988. So far, nine contracts covering 829 blocks have been called and replacement works in 240 blocks have been completed. Details of the replacement programme for the remaining 2,371 blocks will be announced by the HDB before the end of August 1985. HDB'S POLICY ON SEASON CAR PARK TICKETS (Review) 6. Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will review its policy on the allocation of seasonal car park tickets so as to accord a company registered car the same priority as the first owner registered car so long as it can be proven that the company car is the only or first car in the household.”
“Sir, not exactly because, as I have stated earlier, anybody who is not asking the HDB to provide a second flat will be allowed to retain all the profits. HDB HOUSING ESTATES (Rusty water problem) 5. Mr Chew Heng Ching asked the Minister for National Development what progress the Housing and Development Board has made in drawing up the programme to combat the rusty water problem in existing HDB housing estates and when this programme will be made known to the public.”
“Sir, I do not think so. This resale levy is not a capital gains tax. In fact, I have stated in my answer quite clearly that anybody who moves into private housing is allowed to retain all the profits. So there is no tax imposed on him. It is only when a flat owner asks for a second flat, which means that he is asking the Government to provide a second subsidy, then a levy or a premium is imposed.”
“Sir, I think the possibility is there but the HDB would not know.”
“This benefit is not taken away from them. In absolute terms, owners of smaller flats pay a smaller sum when upgrading to bigger flats as compared with owners of bigger flats. For example, a 3-room flat owner pays a levy of $3,000-$4,000 as against the $12,000-$15,000 premium a 5-room flat owner has to pay when both are upgrading to Executive flats. Owners of smaller flats therefore have not lost out after the revision. In all policy revisions since 1979, there has been one underlying principle, that is, people are allowed to enjoy the full subsidy only once. This explains why flat owners who move into private housing are permitted to retain their profits, while those who buy a subsequent flat must pay either a levy on the first flat or a premium for the subsequent flat. In reviewing the resale policy, the HDB had considered the possibility of reducing the rates of levy as suggested by the Member for Bo Wen. However, the revised policy just implemented was found to be the better one, in that lessees are allowed to choose the option that is more advantageous to them. Had the HDB decided to reduce rates, it is likely that only the rates for bigger flats would be decreased. No adjustment would have been made to the rates for smaller flats since the present levy for these flats is already small.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as at 31 March 1985, 17,573 existing 3-, 4- and 5-room HDB flat owners have applied to upgrade to bigger flats. To answer question (b), Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me first remind the House of the objective of the Government's public housing programme. It is to provide decent homes for Singaporeans. The Government never intended HDB flats to be bought and sold purely for business gains. Thus, when resale of flats was first permitted, those who upgraded to bigger flats had to sell their first flats back to the HDB at the original selling prices. Nobody was allowed to profit from the resale of HDB flats. This policy was in force for 15 years from 1964 to 1979. When the policy was relaxed in August 1979 to allow HDB owners to re-sell their flats to buyers of their own choice, a cream-off rate of 5% was levied to prevent excessive profits. This rate, however, proved to be inadequate, resulting in excessive profiteering in some cases. A graded levy based on flat type was consequently imposed from September 1982. While the graded levy has been successful in curbing excessive profits, it has had the undesirable side-effect of preventing owners of bigger flats from upgrading to Executive and HUDC flats or moving into private housing. To correct this anomaly, the resale policy was recently revised by the HDB. The revised policy is fair to all HDB and HUDC lessees. Owners of bigger flats will benefit from the revision as they can now pay 10% more for their second flats instead of paying a 20-30% levy on the resale price of their first flat. At the same time, owners of smaller flats who could previously pay a small levy of 10-15% of the resale price can continue to pay the same levy when they upgrade to bigger flats.”
“For its Sec 3(Express)/Sec 4(Normal) and GCE 'O' Level Tuition Classes in Mathematics and English, the fee charged is $20 per pupil per subject per three months or approximately $6.65 per subject per month. For GCE 'A' Level Tuition Classes in Economics and Mathematics, the fee is $30 per subject per three months or $10 per subject per month. MENDAKI Tuition Classes are heavily subsidized. The subsidies for 1983 and 1984 were $65,592 and $128,645 respectively. DETENTIONS (Particulars) 6. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Law (a) whether he will give the number of persons detained as of 1st May 1985 under (i) The Internal Security Act; (ii) The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act; (iii) The Misuse of Drugs Act; and (iv) The Immigration Act, giving in each case the length of the detention grouped under five year intervals; and (b) the justification for the continued detention of persons under the Internal Security Act.”
“The plot of land on which the Angullia Mosque stands was acquired by the Government from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). A compensation of $616,512.00 was paid to MUIS. The land, together with other adjacent land, is required by the URA for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Orchard Road Area. MENDAKI CLASSES (Fees) 5. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for the Environment why is it necessary for Mendaki to charge $20.00 per pupil per subject in classes conducted by Mendaki when Mendaki is financed by compulsory contributions. Dr Ahmad Mattar: The Member for Anson makes a habit of stating inaccurate information in the form of a question. Firstly, contributions to MENDAKI through the Mosque Building and Mendaki Fund (MBMF) are not compulsory. Any Muslim who does not wish to contribute to MENDAKI or to mosque building or to both may exercise his wish by obtaining a Certificate of Option which he presents to his employer instructing the latter not to pay contribution to the Fund on his behalf during any period not exceeding 12 months. In other words any Muslim can opt out. Similarly if a Muslim employee feels that he can afford to give more to MENDAKI or for mosque building or both he can do so by opting for more. He can complete an authorization form to present to his employer so that the appropriate increased deduction from his salary can be made by the employer. Secondly, MENDAKI has different charges for its Tuition classes. For its PSLE Tuition Classes, MENDAKI is charging $20 per pupil per two subjects (English and Mathematics) per three months or approximately $3.30 per subject per month.”
“In Ang Mo Kio New Town, the HDB has provided a centralized lorry and bus park at Industrial Park 2 with 303 lots. Another 442 lorry/bus parking lots are also available at the neighbourhood centre carparks. Of these, only 12 lots at the centralized lorry and bus park and 259 lots at the neighbourhood centre carparks were taken up in April 1985. Since the existing parking facilities are already more than sufficient to meet the demand, the HDB has no plan to provide additional parking facilities for lorries and private buses in the New Town. SALE OF SITE OF ANGULLIA MOSQUE 4. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development (a) in what circumstances was the site on which the Angullia Mosque stands sold to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) by Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS); (b) was the land sold directly from MUIS to the URA and, if so, at what price; (c) what was the compelling reason for the sale to URA.”
“Non-profit-making and charitable organizations are currently eligible to apply for waiver of development charge for developments directly related to their activities. All voluntary and welfare organizations falling under this category may therefore apply for such waiver. Each case will be considered on its own merits. ADDITIONAL PARKING FACILITIES FOR HEAVY VEHICLES 3. Mr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development if the Housing and Development Board will provide additional parking facilities for lorries and private buses in Ang Mo Kio New Town.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has lifted totally the control of private car parking charges from 1st May 1985. Private car park operators are now able to set their rates in accordance with supply and demand for car parks. The URA will monitor the new rates that will emerge through the working of market forces and carry out a review in six months' time on the parking rates of URA and HDB car parks. The question of issuing half-hourly parking coupons for use outside the Restricted Zone will then be considered. COMPANY CLOSURES (Figures) 7. Dr Toh Chin Chye asked the Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education how many companies have closed, liquidated or are in the process of liquidation or are under receivership for the period January to April for the years 1984 and 1985. The Minister for Trade and Industry and Minister for Education (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the first four months of this year, 74 companies were liquidated, 237 companies were in the process of liquidation, and 19 companies were placed under receivership. During the same period of last year, the figures were as follows: 101 companies liquidated, 169 companies in liquidation, and 2 companies placed under receivership.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government is reviewing the levy for HDB and HUDC resale flats and an announcement will be made in due course. HALF-HOURLY PARKING COUPONS (For use outside Restricted Zone) 6. Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for National Development whether the Urban Redevelopment Authority will issue half-hourly parking coupons for use outside the Restricted Zone.”
“Since the Member has some accountants, if I remember correctly reading it in the papers, assisting him on the preparation of the 19 conditions which he sent to me, they would be able to enlighten the Member for Potong Pasir how that subsidy has been arrived at. Very simply, the housing subsidy granted by the Government is the difference between the income and the expenditure in the HDB's accounts.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it appears that the Member for Potong Pasir has not read or does not understand the accounts. The Annual Report shows quite clearly how this grant or Government subsidy is arrived at. In the old accounting system, the HDB usually incurs a deficit. In other words, the HDB's income is less than its expenditure and the deficit is being subsidized by Government in the form of a grant. This is the grant given annually by the Government when the HDB suffers a deficit in its income and expenditure. If the Member for Potong Pasir does not quite understand this grant, I would suggest that he goes back and read the HDB's accounts.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the answer to the Member for Whampoa is yes. Mr Chiam See Tong: The Minister has said in this House that the construction cost of the HDB flat is in fact higher than the selling prices of the flats. If I remember correctly, during the Budget debate, there was an allocation of $5.149 billion for the HDB and, out of that, $149 million was given as grants to the HDB. In other words it is a gift to the HDB. If this grant is given other than for development, can the Minister tell this House what is this grant for? Is it not for professional fee, for the infrastructural cost and for other expenses in running the HDB? Therefore, can he take into account all these other costs? The second question is: can he define exactly what is construction cost?”
“The second point is about the unit cost. I can apportion the unit cost for the Member for Potong Pasir. Or he can work it out himself. It is the total cost divided by the number of units. If he wants the cost of each individual unit, I can apportion it out and I can send it to him. Sir, on the point about whether or not HDB's accounts are audited by the Auditor-General, the answer is yes. Every Annual Report of the HDB must be audited by the Auditor-General. In fact, all the Members in this House have received a copy of HDB's Annual Report. In the Report there is a statement of accounts which is properly audited and certified by the Auditor-General. My answer to his third question is yes.”