HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Tender system for shop premises)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether and what steps have been taken for the improvement of the existing tender system for Housing and Development Board shop premises and when the improved system will be implemented.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member is extremely persistent. The question of the existing tender system for HDB shop premises was raised by the hon. Member at the last Parliamentary Session. My reply then was and is still the same - that the present tender system provides a means for gauging the market rental of shophouses in the locality as well as attracting only shops which have sound management and can cater to the needs of the area. It should also be noted that the majority of shopkeepers are operating successfully in HDB estates under the present system.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, on 22nd March this year the Minister of State said that he would improve the tender system. But after four months, there still seems to have been no improvement.

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, if I remember correctly, in my reply to the hon. Member at the last Parliamentary Session I did say that we were monitoring the situation. We are still monitoring it and we are quite happy with the present system.