RESETTLEMENT POLICY

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development what his Ministry proposes that persons allegedly "not eligible for resettlement under the resettlement policy" should do when the premises they are living in are acquired and they are required to leave the premises.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, under the present resettlement policy, the majority of persons living in premises acquired by the Government are eligible for alternative accommodation. Those who are not eligible are small in number. They include persons who moved into the clearance site after the area has been gazetted for acquisition, non-citizens, persons who already own or rent HDB flats, or own private residential properties, and persons living in premises which are surrendered to the Government on a vacant possession basis.

These people can either find alternative accommodation on their own or move back to their own residences. Those who need to find alternative accommodation are given ample time by the Resettlement Department to make the necessary arrangements before they are required to leave the acquired premises.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister realize that this was the question that I raised on the estimates for the Ministry two days ago? I am talking about people who should be permanent residents, even citizens, people who have been living there long before the cut-off date, and they are told that they are not eligible for any alternative accommodation. What does the Minister expect people in this category to do?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Resettlement Department of HDB has always been very considerate in handling cases of people who are not qualified for resettlement benefits, ie, people who are not qualified for alternative accommodation. For example, an HDB flat will be rented out to the permanent resident family because HDB flats are only meant for citizens who are entitled to the privilege of subsidized housing. Non-citizens are not entitled to the subsidy. So HDB will offer flats to non-citizen families, if they are permanent residents, on a rental basis but they have to pay unsubsidized rent.