FARMERS AT HOLLAND ROAD AND ULU PANDAN ROAD (Allocation of alternative farm land)

Mr Chow Chiok Hock asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he is aware that some farmers, residing at Holland Road and Ulu Pandan Road who were served with notices of removal by Government, are not satisfied with alternative accommodation of flats offered to them, and if he will consider allocating alternative farm land to them.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, under the resettlement policy of the Housing and Development Board, only bona fide farmers who are to be resettled by Government are eligible for alternative farm land up to a maximum of two acres in the resettlement areas. I understand that the cases referred to by the hon. Member for Ulu Pandan were not genuine farmers and as such were only offered alternative accommodation in flats.

Mr Chow Chiok Hock (Ulu Pandan): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, may I ask the Minister in charge how many families are affected in this area, and how many have been allocated land, and why?

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, of the total number of families to be cleared, it has been established that four are genuine farmers, and 25 do not depend entirely on farming for their livelihood as they have other sources of income, like driving taxis or working as labourers. Under the resettlement policy, these 25 families are not considered as genuine farming cases and do not qualify for land allocation in the resettlement areas. However, as I have stated, they have been offered alternative accommodation in Housing and Development Board flats. The four families who rely solely on farming for their livelihood have been given alternative farm land in the various resettlement areas according to their choice.