MASJID HAJI MOHD SALLEH (Renovations)

Encik Abbas Abu Amin asked the Minister for the Environment whether there are plans to repair and renovate the mosque at Palmer Road.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the mosque at Palmer Road referred to by the Member for Pasir Panjang is known as the Masjid Haji Mohd Salleh. There are plans to repair the mosque. In fact, it is part of the renovation programme of the adjacent Keramat Habib Noh. The Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) has appointed an architect for the project.

The Member may be pleased to know that the Chief Planner has given approval for the renovation plans subject to compliance with the requirements by certain authorities such as the URA, the Land Office, the Preservation of Monuments Board, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Roads Division of PWD and the Sewerage and Drainage Departments of the Ministry of the Environment. The architect is presently working towards complying with these requirements, after which tenders will be called for the renovation works to begin.

Encik Abbas Abu Amin (Pasir Panjang): ( In Malay): This mosque is one of the mosques located in our city, and it is also the focal point of not only local Muslims but also Muslims who visit our city. The question I wish to ask is: can these renovation works be expedited because the mosque is now in a bad state of disrepair?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Sir, as I have said, the architect is presently working towards complying with requirements prescribed by the various authorities, after which tenders will be called. The duration of the renovation works after tenders have been called will be about eight months.