JURONG TOWN CORPORATION (Maintenance services to tenants and lessees)

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain from the Jurong Town Corporation whether the Corporation will look into the matter of providing prompt and efficient maintenance services to all its tenants and lessees.

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand from the Jurong Town Corporation that it has already taken necessary measures to improve its maintenance services in the residential, industrial and other areas of Jurong Town. Term maintenance contractors have been selected based not so much on the cheapest tender as on their capabilities of providing good, prompt and efficient services at a reasonable price. If the service rendered by any contractor is not satisfactory, his contract will he terminated.

I understand also that the Jurong Town Corporation has recently reorganised the personnel in its Estates Section to be more vigilant in its supervision of its maintenance and conservancy works and to provide a better service to its tenants and lessees. The technical staff of the Section have been instructed that, instead of waiting for complaints from the tenants, they should inspect their respective areas in the housing estate every day to ensure their cleanliness. I believe all these measures are beginning to show results and the situation should improve further.