WHITE SANDS NEW MARKET

WHITE SANDS NEW MARKET: 13.

Mr Teo Siong Seng asked the Minister for National Development if he would explain why the approval process for the White Sands New Market to start operating business took such a long period of time, causing inconvenience to residents in Pasir Ris.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien:

(for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, when Sheng Siong bought the White Sands New Market from the previous operator on 1st March 2010, it knew that it had bought the premises as a wet market as this was stipulated in the lease agreement. It had also confirmed with

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HDB in writing that it would operate a wet market at White Sands.

However, until recently, Sheng Siong repeatedly submitted proposals which included supermarket features, suggesting that they were trying to operate the White Sands New Market as a supermarket. HDB had no choice but to reject these proposals as they were not in accordance with Sheng Siong’s commitment and did not meet the conditions for a wet market.

To expedite the re-opening of the wet market, HDB met with Sheng Siong over 10 times to discuss their proposals and impressed upon them the urgency to submit an acceptable wet market proposal. In the meantime, in consultation with the Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) and grassroots leaders, HDB had also introduced interim measures to meet residents' marketing needs. They include allowing the supermarket operator in Elias Mall to temporarily expand its fresh food section, securing a private wet market operator to set up some temporary marketing facilities nearby and offering free bus shuttle services to a nearby wet market.

On 28th October 2010, Sheng Siong finally submitted a proposal for a wet market. After confirming that it met the basic conditions required of a wet market, HDB approved the proposal on 12th November 2010. Sheng Siong started renovation works in early December 2010, and we understand they intend to re-open the market as soon as possible.

The terms of the White Sands New Market lease clearly stipulate that it is to be run as a wet market – it must have individual stalls operated by individual stallholders selling a variety of fresh produce. Lessees or tenants cannot unilaterally change the terms without the agreement of HDB and it is HDB’s

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responsibility to ensure that the terms of the tenancy are complied with. HDB recognises that the needs of residents change over time and will review the mix of the shops in HDB estates from time to time to ensure that the needs of residents are met.

Mr Teo Siong Seng (Nominated Member): I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. If knowing that the tenant has repeatedly submitted a tender proposal that was not up to the requirements of HDB, could HDB have gone to another tenderer and ask for an alternative proposal?

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: There are certain terms and conditions that HDB will also have to fulfil as lessor of the place, so we have to respect the terms to be fair to the operator.