WORK ON COMMUNITY CENTRE IN JALAN MEMBINA

Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister of Defence when work will commence on the proposed community centre at Jalan Membina.

Mr Wee Toon Boon (for the Minister of Defence): Mr Speaker. Sir, the usual procedure for establishing a Community Centre is for the Member of Parliament concerned to propose a site or premises for a Community Centre. The People's Association then commences negotiations with the landlord or house-owner to rent or acquire the place.

In this case the proposal for a Community Centre in Jalan Membina has not been raised until now and if the Member has any site or premises in view, he should immediately contact the Director, People's Association, who will then take the necessary action.

Mr Lee Teck Him (Tiong Bahru): (In Mandarin): At Jalan Membina in Tiong Bahru a community centre was planned as far back as two years ago. I also took the Director of the People's Association to the site to look at the place. Two years have passed. I am afraid the Minister is not aware of this fact. What I mean to say is that there are many new flats and houses there, and it is a heavily populated area.

Mr Speaker: Mr Lee, could you frame a supplementary question rather than make a speech or criticism of the Minister's answer?

Mr Lee Teck Him: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister concerned speed up the work of building a community centre in that area?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: There is nothing in my records to show that the Member had discussed this matter with the People's Association. However, since the Member has found a site which is suitable for the construction of a community centre, I would suggest that he take the necessary initial action; that is to say, he should propose to the People's Association for the construction of a community centre at that particular site.