ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE CEMETERIES

Mr E.W. Barker: Sir, land in Singapore is scarce and valuable. It is, therefore, vital for us that all land be put to maximum use. The needs and pace of development have necessitated the acquisition of private lands (including a number of private cemeteries) for various public projects.

Out of the 58,678 hectares of land in Singapore, 2,146 hectares are occupied by 213 burial grounds. 172 of these burial grounds covering 862 hectares (about 1.5% of the total area of our Island) have been closed for burial and will thus remain sterilised until redevelopment takes place. Over the next few years, all private cemeteries, including Chinese clan or privately owned cemeteries and Muslim cemeteries on wakaff lands, which have been closed for burials, will be acquired as and when required for development.

A number of cemetery sites which are required for development by 1980 will shortly be gazetted for acquisition. The remaining burial grounds will be gazetted nearer the date of redevelopment.

In all, a total of 324.55 hectares of cemetery lands will be acquired for public purposes -

294.32 hectares (90.69%) are Chinese cemeteries;

24.25 hectares (7.47%) are Muslim cemeteries; whilst

5.98 hectares (1.84%) are cemeteries belonging to other denominational groups.

Redevelopment of the Chinese burial grounds, which account for more than 90% of the total area, involves not only the exhumation of graves, but also, in some cases, the clearance of temples and squatter houses. Clearance of those affected by the acquisitions will be undertaken by the Resettlement Department in accordance with its current policy.

Compensation to owners of the land will be based on specific provisions in the Land Acquisition Act, which provides that the market value of the land shall be computed on the basis that the land is a burial ground, disregarding any potential value of the land for more intensive use.

The Government will continue to give time to those directly affected by these acquisitions especially to the relatives of those whose graves have to be exhumed, so that their wishes after exhumation of the remains can be met. The needs of Singapore's young population must require the use of sterilised land, for the economic and social good of all citizens of Singapore.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Sir, whilst I agree with the Ministerial Statement of the Hon. Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology, I have just one small question. Will his Ministry look into the question of assisting in the exhumation of these graves and finding proper places to keep the remains of the dead?

Mr Barker: Sir, I can certainly give that assurance.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Thank you.

Mr Ivan Baptist: Sir, how soon will the Government start acquiring these lands? I hope it is not too soon because Cheng Beng rites are on at the present moment.

Mr Barker: The lands will not be acquired immediately. I mentioned just now that a number of cemetery sites which are required for development by 1980 will shortly be gazetted for acquisition and the rest thereafter. But there is no immediate hurry. In fact, we have delayed this statement for some time already.