SIT FLATS IN TIONG BAHRU (Improvements to roofs)

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) whether the Board proposes to carry out Improvements to the roofs of the former SIT flats in the Tiong Bahru Pre-War Estate to reduce excessive heat; or (b) alternatively, whether the Board will grant permission to those lessees who wish to carry out the improvements themselves.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the former Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) pre-war flats in Tiong Bahru were sold without restrictions and owners are free to rent or sell their flats at a profit to anyone. The Housing and Development Board is only acting as agent to provide services and conservancy.

The Board is prepared to install secondary roofs to these flats to reduce excessive heat, provided the owners agree to bear the cost. A survey will be conducted to ascertain from the owners of the top-most flats whether they are willing to bear the cost in proportion to the size of their flats. The owners will be allowed to pay the cost in instalments over a period of, say, three years. If the majority are not prepared to pay for the improvements, the Board will permit those owners who wish to carry out the improvements to do so individually. However, they must first submit their plans to the Board for approval before carrying Out the work in accordance with the directions of the HDB engineers.