HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD ESTATES (Role of community service groups and integration thereof)

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for National Development and Communications, since more than 70 per cent of Singapore's population will eventually reside in Housing and Development Board estates, (a) whether Government considers existing social, cultural, recreational, religious and other private associations as having an important role to play in the future Singapore societies in HDB estates; (b) if so, whether the HDB will adopt policies to allow for an orderly integration of such associations into the communities in HDB estates; and (c) what these policies are and what criteria will be used to ensure orderly integration.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the work of our cultural, recreational, religious and other charitable bodies is important to HDB and non-HDB residents.

In HDB estates, sites and premises are provided for such bodies to promote their activities. For example, sites are reserved for religious bodies to build their churches, mosques and temples and premises are offered at concessional rentals to associations affected by development programmes in the central area or elsewhere, to enable them to continue their work. Premises at concessional rentals are also offered to organisations of social value which are interested in extending their activities in HDB estates.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Sir, I would like to know whether all these facilities will be extended to all registered associations in the areas affected, or will this be done on a selective basis? If this is to be done on a selective basis, what will be the criteria?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, it is obvious that criteria must be exercised in the selection of these registered organisations. Since the number of premises is limited in any housing estates, consideration for priority will be based on the need or the urgency of resettlement cases, or on the requirements in terms of greater and better usage to a particular housing estate. I am in no position to give the Hon. Member the different criteria exercised. But each case goes before the Allocations Committee and finally it has to get the approval of the HDB.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi: Sir, in my question, I have also asked what criteria will be used to ensure orderly integration. I have received requests from a number of organisations, in particular, constituencies like Kampong Kembangan and Kampong Ubi, and they have been there for more than 20 years. But perhaps because of lack of clearcut policies, these organisations have not been told very clearly whether or not they will be given sites in HDB estates; if so, when will they be given and what will be the terms. I needed clarification on the criteria because should the representatives of these organisations see me again I would be in a better position to explain to them.

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already indicated that there are criteria but each case must be assessed on its own merits. Let me give Members a specific example. I have mentioned the availability of sites for religious organisations. That must be an indication to Members that there are difficulties in allocating sites for priority cases. If a site is available for religious bodies, then a non-resettlement case could tender for the site. The same system is also applicable to other social or cultural organisations.

As to exactly when a particular case could be resettled or to be considered for priority consideration, the details must be made known to the relevant authority. While it is easy to suggest that there must be clearcut criteria, in pragmatic terms it is difficult to exercise clearcut criteria. What we have is a general overall policy with certain general criteria for consideration. Each particular case is assessed according to its own merit and it goes before the Allocations Committee. If the Hon. Member is unhappy over a particular case in Kampong Kembangan, he could easily refer the case to the Allocations Committee and it will be given due consideration,

An hon. Member: Write to the Minister!