HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Policy on applications for flats by non-citizen permanent residents)

Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development if the Housing and Development Board will adopt a new policy to allow non-citizens, who are permanently resident in Singapore, to apply for flats after the untimely death of their citizen-spouses, in view of the fact that their children, if born in Singapore, should enjoy the same rights and privileges as any citizen.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, if a non-citizen is the surviving spouse of a Singapore citizen and is a permanent resident of Singapore, his or her application for a Housing Board flat will be favourably considered.