UPGRADING PACKAGE FOR POTONG PASIR

UPGRADING PACKAGE FOR POTONG PASIR:

(Offer by PAP candidate): 1.

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development what is the Government going to do with the budgeted sum of $80 million promised to be given to the residents of Potong Pasir in the last election, now that the Government is not releasing it to upgrade that constituency.

The Minister of State for National Development (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe Mr Chiam is

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referring to the $80 million upgrading package offered by the PAP candidate. As the majority of voters in Potong Pasir did not support this plan, the PAP candidate did not have the mandate to pursue his proposal with the Government. Hence, there was no need for the Government to set aside any budget for it. I believe the Potong Pasir voters agreed with Mr Chiam See Tong's statement that "over a five-year term, he would be able to upgrade all 40 blocks" using his Town Council funds.

Nevertheless, let me reiterate that the Government is committed to provide lift upgrading to all eligible blocks by 2014, including those in Potong Pasir. As part of this plan, Town Councils are allowed to use up to 10% of its sinking fund to carry out lift upgrading in blocks where the upgrading cost does not exceed $5,000 per benefiting unit. Many Town Councils have submitted proposals to do so. I note that to date, my Ministry has not received any such proposals from the Potong Pasir Town Council. This is in spite of Mr Chiam's electoral promise to carry out lift upgrading in Potong Pasir using his Town Council funds.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, there are two supplementary questions. The first one is a direct one: why was the sum not released to the residents of Potong Pasir for upgrading? The second question is: does it mean that if we submit an amount for upgrading of Potong Pasir, the Government is willing to pay out that money?

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Mr Speaker, Sir, Mr Chiam has asked the reason for the fund not released to the Potong Pasir Town Council. I would just reiterate my point earlier on that the package was proposed by the PAP candidate and it was on the premise that, if he were elected, he would solicit Government's support for the $80 million. Since his proposal was

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not supported by the residents of Potong Pasir, that package no longer exists. So there is no ground for the $80 million to be released to Potong Pasir residents.

Mr Chiam asked if he were to submit a plan, whether the funds would be allocated. As I have said, the Government will provide lift upgrading to all the blocks by 2014. That is a promise. If the fund that Mr Chiam is going to ask for falls into this group of flats, that is what the Government is prepared to look at.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I think it is not fair to give a vague answer. She said "by 2014". Does it mean that Potong Pasir will only get its share of upgrading by 2014?

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Mr Speaker, Sir, the deadline of 2014 cannot be more explicit, and I do not think you can consider that vague. All HDB estates, including those under the PAP, have the deadline of 2014. I think none of us has any deadlines more specific than that.

Mr Chiam See Tong: It has already been said that the Opposition wards will always be last in the queue. So I am assuming that only in 2014, the money will be released to us. But, more specifically, I would like to ask whether the amount of $80 million is really an incentive for the residents to vote the PAP candidate, not for upgrading.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The $80 million is an electoral promise made by the PAP candidate, just like some of us have made our promise during the election to our residents as well, including Mr Chiam's promise to upgrade his 40 blocks with his Town Council's funds, it is in the same nature.