HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Purchase of commercial property by flat owners or lessees)

Dr Ang Kok Peng asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend subsection (1) of section 48A of the Housing and Development Act to allow an owner or lessee of a Housing and Development Board flat to purchase a commercial property solely for conducting his/her own business without having to surrender his/her HDB flat, provided that the value of such commercial property does not exceed a certain sum to be fixed by the Board.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the question of allowing owners or lessees of HDB flats to purchase commercial property for conducting their own businesses without having to surrender their HDB flats, is presently being considered by my Ministry. A decision will be made after carefully examining all the factors and implications.

Dr Ang Kok Peng (Buona Vista): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Senior Minister give an indication as to when a decision will be made?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am highly honoured to be called "Senior Minister". Let me correct the Member. I am just a Senior Minister of State. However, I have been told that the HDB will be submitting a paper but, like all Government machinery, perhaps it will take a few months.