HAWKER CENTRE IN PUNGGOL

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for the Environment whether and when a hawker centre will be built in Punggol.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Chor Yeok Eng) (for the Minister for the Environment): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, our Ministry has no plans to build a hawker centre in the Punggol Constituency for the time being. However, the hon. Member for Punggol may be glad to know that the Housing and Development Board is planning the development of the Au Kang New Town along the junction of Upper Serangoon Road and Tampines which will eventually extend to Punggol Constituency. Perhaps, to satisfy the needs of the residents in Punggol, we may build a hawker centre in that estate.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether the Ministry of the Environment and the Housing and Development Board will cooperate closely in building a new hawker centre in the new Punggol estate.

Mr Chor Yeok Eng: ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, for the past few years, the Ministry of the Environment and the Housing and Development Board have been working very closely together in the building of hawker centres or markets.