SECURITY OF TENURE FOR FARMERS

Mr Lim Ching Siong asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will consider introducing legislation to obtain security of tenure for farmers who at present occupy Crown Land under temporary Occupation Licences, in order to put such land into more productive use.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Authority to issue leases for Crown land exists under the Crown Lands Ordinance and the rules made thereunder. The Master Plan for Singapore, which will be published on the 3rd of January next, will indicate what areas of the island are to be reserved for agriculture, and it is the intention to give security of tenure to all farmers occupying Crown land in these areas by issuing to them leases on such terms relating to development and proper cultivation as may be considered necessary.