RESETTLEMENT OF DISPLACED SQUATTERS

Mr Goh Tong Liang asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing with regard to the resettlement of displaced squatters -

(a) how many areas, occupied and or available, are there now in Singapore;

(b) where are they situated and the acreage of each area;

(c) what class of squatters is entitled to allotment;

(d) how many acres does one family get;

(e) what is the annual rent per acre or for the lot; and

(f) what are the terms and conditions of occupation.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are altogether six parts to this question, and I shall reply to them according to the form they are tabulated on the question paper.

(a) There are at the moment altogether nine areas available for resettlement, and of these, five are occupied. The other four areas are being prepared for allocation and should be ready for occupation next year.

(b) In Ama Keng we have 738 acres; Jurong, 14th milestone, 138 acres; Chua Chu Kang, 14th milestone, 140 acres; Jurong, 12½ milestone, 260 acres; Chua Chu Kang, 13½ milestone, 44 acres; Sungei Tengah, 373 acres; Tampenis, 10th milestone, 126 acres; Boon Lay Road, 14th milestone, 25 acres; Bedok, 325 acres.

(c) The class of people who have taken advantage of the allotments in resettlement areas are farmers, either full- or part-time, rural dwellers, and people engaged in cottage industries.

(d) There are actually two kinds of allotments. One, house lots. For these, settlers are being given between 6,000 and 10,000 square feet allotments; and the second one is farm lots. These usually range between one and three acres.

(e) Rentals. Rentals vary with the areas. For house lots in Jurong and in Boon Lay Road, they are being charged between $30 and $34 per annum. In Tampenis rentals are $54 per 10,000 square feet, and in Bedok $24 to $28 per lot. For farm lots, the rentals are as follows: In Ama Keng it is between $10 and $26 per annum; in Jurong and Boon Lay Road $16; in Tampenis $27, and in Bedok between $36 and $48. The rentals are based on the cost of acquisitions and development of the land.

(f) Occupation is on a Temporary Occupation Licence for the first two years of occupation at half the rental. After two years, if the land has been developed, a 30-year lease will be issued. No assignment or subletting of the land may be made without written permission from the Commissioner of Lands.

Mr Goh Tong Liang: I would like to ask the Minister what class of squatters are allowed to occupy the land, that is, squatters to be evicted from Crown land, or squatters to be evicted from privately-owned land?

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, within the meaning of the interpretation of the term, there is no such thing as a squatter in Singapore, but people who are allowed to use the resettlement areas in Singapore are actually people who have been compelled to evacuate from Government property.

Mr Goh Tong Liang: I just heard, Sir, the Minister say that each family or unit is only allowed a maximum of three acres or something to that effect. Has the Minister considered that some families may comprise a man and his wife, two or three stalwart sons and two or three tomboy daughters? In that case, I think three acres would not be sufficient for them.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of allotting farmland actually depends upon the acreage, which the farmer had at his old place of residence.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Does the Minister propose to do anything about people who are evicted, but not from Crown land?

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not in a position to answer the question.