TENANTS OF ALSAGOFF ESTATE (Protection against eviction)

Dato Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat asked the Prime Minister, in view of the impending break up of the Alsagoff Trust, which includes the Alsagoff Estate, what steps will the Government take to ensure the protection of the tenants of the Estate against eviction.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr Chan Sun Wing) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Prime Minister to reply to the question.

The Alsagoff Estate is a private Estate and the Government has no information on any impending hypothetical situation.

Dato Abdul Hamid: (In Malay): If the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister has further information, could he enlighten us on this matter? Could the Government use its legislative power under the Land Acquisition Ordinance to purchase the Estate, divide it into lots and later on sell the lots to the present tenants?

Mr Chan Sun Wing: Sir, I require further notice of that question. All I can say is that it does not seem likely that the situation of wholesale eviction of the tenants will arise. Like the other tenants, in Singapore, the Control of Rent Ordinance will afford them some protection.