RESETTLEMENT OF FARMERS LIVING IN CHOA CHU KANG ROAD

Mr Chio Cheng Thun asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the farmers living in the area between 14½ milestone and 17 milestone, Choa Chu Kang Road, have been given notice by the Government to vacate the land they occupy; for what purpose is the vacated land intended to be used; where will these farmers be resettled; and what compensation, if any, will they get from the Government.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Inche Yaacob bin Mohamed Al-Haj) (for the Prime Minister): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Choa Chu Kang is presumably referring to the land situated between 14¾ and 15¼ mile, Choa Chu Kang Road, which forms part of some 1,500 acres of State land set aside for use as a public burial ground and burial reserve. Fifteen families - of whom only six are families of farmers - on this site were served notices to quit in October. They were warned as early as May this year that they would be required to vacate the land.

The land is urgently required, as all available burial plots in Bidadari are expected to be taken up by the middle of next year.

The farmers have been offered land in the resettlement areas at 19½ mile Lim Chu Kang Road and 17½ mile Lim Chu Kang Road. Both these areas are well suited for cultivation.

The compensation which will be awarded to these farmers will vary according to the size and construction of the houses which they now occupy. The total amount which will be paid to them has been assessed at approximately $22,000.

Mr Chio Cheng Thun (Choa Chu Kang): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary did not give his answer in detail ---

The Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member should not make any comment on the answer. All he can do is to ask further questions.

Mr Speaker: The Member for Choa Chu Kang cannot make comments on the answer or lead to a debate. What he can do is to ask a supplementary question to elucidate any information on which he is not clear.

Mr Chio Cheng Thun: (In Mandarin): I would like to ask, to what use will the vacated land be put?

Mr Speaker: That answer has been given. It is in the main question: "for what purpose is the vacated land intended to be used;". And I believe that question has been answered. We will proceed to Question No. 2 - Mr Ong Lian Teng.