PULAU UBIN AND PULAU TEKONG (Development into agricultural areas)

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Law and National Development what steps have been or are being taken to develop Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong into agricultural areas.

Mr Ho Cheng Choon (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, a detailed survey of the islands of Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong has been completed. From information gathered, the two islands appear to be suitable for agricultural purposes. However, because of the need to provide infrastructure, such as roads, electricity and water, which requires considerable expenditure of public funds, it is necessary to give more careful consideration to the proposal to develop these two islands for agricultural purposes. Furthermore, large parts of these two islands are in private ownership. These aspects are being carefully studied before a decision can be made on whether or not the two islands should be developed extensively for agricultural purposes.