Absence of Piped Gas in HDB Rental Flats

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for National Development what are the reasons piped gas is not made available in HDB rental flats.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Khaw Boon Wan): Madam, it is to minimise the cost of providing and maintaining HDB rental flats. Having piped gas will increase both construction and maintenance costs, and not all tenants cook. For those who cook, there are alternatives to piped gas, such as bottled gas, electric or induction stoves.

Mdm Speaker: Mr Baey.

Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines): Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister this: the topic of providing window grilles for rental flats was raised at the last session, but unlike window grilles, there are more families who do cook at home. Yes, the Minister has mentioned that other heating options are available to residents, but I think for the LPG cylinders, there is often cost in terms of the deposit and people do have to pay in full upfront. For low-income families which the rented flats are targeted at, this could be an unnecessary burden that we could help to relieve them of. I hope that the Ministry could re-consider its decision and to install gas pipes for new rental flats.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The latest study that I read suggests that among HDB households where there is already access to the gas pipes, about one quarter do not make use of it. Twenty-five percent is quite a high percentage. That is why we try to avoid any additional cost for this particular group of clientele.

In terms of bottled gas – I use bottled gas. It is a common option. That is why we do not consider piped gas as essential. The deposit that you would have to pay for bottled gas is, in fact, lower than if you have to switch on the piped gas.