KUALA SIMPANG (Land acquisition and resettlement of residents)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) for what purpose land is being acquired at Kuala Simpang in the Sembawang Constituency: (b) what plans have been made to resettle the residents: and (c) whether the Government will allocate land to every farmer affected by the acquisition, to enable him to carry on his livestock and poultry farming without interruption.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, sir, approximately 1,396 acres of land belonging to the Bukit Sembawang Rubber Company Limited, including those at Kuala Simpang in the Sembawang Constituency, are being acquired for the purpose of development by the Housing and Development Board as well as for resettlement and primary production purposes. The resettlement of the residents affected by this acquisition will be car ried out in accordance with the current resettlement policy of the Housing and Development Board. I can assure the Member that, wherever possible, arrangements will be made to resettle resident farmers in the area within which they were previously farming.