DISPOSAL OF PRIVATE PROPERTY TO PURCHASE HDB FLAT (Waiver of debarment for retirees)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development if he will ask the Housing and Development Board to exempt those retirees, who are above 55 years of age and who wish to dispose of their only residential property and purchase an HDB flat at market price, from the 30-month restriction.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Speaker, Sir, if the owner of an HDB flat wishes to dispose of it in order to buy another HDB flat, the 30-month debarment would not apply. He would be able to register a new application immediately or even before he sells his present HDB flat. On the other hand, if the residential property to be disposed of is a private property, the 30-month debarment would apply.

Nevertheless, the HDB is not rigid and inflexible. In instances where elderly people or retirees wish to dispose of their private residential property to purchase an HDB flat, they may appeal for waiver of the 30-month debarment. The Leases Committee would consider each appeal on its own merits and grant waiver of debarment if there are valid reasons for the resale of the private property.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister enlighten the House as to whether there have been such cases referred to the Committee concerned?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, yes, there have been cases referred w the Leases Committee.