PEOPLE LIVING IN UNAUTHORISED HUTS

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for National Development what steps does the Government propose to take with regard to people who have lived in unauthorised huts for more than two years.

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Mr Speaker, Sir, unauthorised houses are dealt with according to the law. Even though they may have been lived in for more than two years, it is provided by the Local Government Ordinance that court action is instituted if an unauthorised building comes to the notice of the authority. Initially a notice is served on the person responsible, requiring him to demolish the structure within 14 days. It is only when he fails to do so that court action is taken. A mandatory order may be obtained either to demolish or to require that the structure should comply with the law. In the latter case, no further action is taken as soon as the requirements are complied with.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, as this affects over 2,000 families in Singapore, I wonder whether or not the Government would consider formulating some scheme to assist the occu pants of houses that do not meet the requirements of the law. After all, I do not think Government will turn 2,000 families on to the streets.

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government is aware that hundreds of families are living in unauthorised houses, and for humanitarian reasons, the Government has not evicted these people from such unauthorised buildings. However, the Government has been looking into the possibility of legislation to control the building of such unauthorised huts. In considering such legislation, we have also thought of a possible scheme that will meet the processes of law as well as the welfare of the people.

Mr Tee Kim Leng: (In Mandarin): May I ask the Minister for National Development whether he is aware that the P.A.P. has built branch premises that are not according to the law?

Mr Tan Kia Gan: I challenge the Member who has asked that question to prove that it is unauthorised.