DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE LAND (Deferment of deadline)

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry will consider deferring the deadline given to property owners to develop their land until the Singapore economy and the property market pick up.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, private owners were originally given up to 1986 to clear squatters on their land. However, this has been extended to 1988 in view of the present unfavourable economic conditions.

Encik Yatiman Yusof (Kampong Kembangan): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister consider alternatives other than the two: clearing the site and planting trees to beautify it or redeveloping the site?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, any temporary premises unsewered by modern sanitation usually poses some hazard and creates some pollution. As at present, it is easier for squatters, who wish to apply for the HDB flats, to do so as they can get their flats quickly. I therefore consider that this is the most opportune time for the squatters to move out. This is also an opportune time for land owners to come up with some agreement with the squatters and pay compensation to them to help them buy their HDB flats so that they can move to HDB estates.

Encik Yatiman Yusof: Will the Minister allow such land owners to beautify the existing buildings and surrounding area so that they will not appear as unsightly?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think most squatters would like to move out if they can get a reasonable compensation from the land owners. The Government is therefore giving sufficient time for the squatters and land owners to come to an agreement.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister refer us to the provision in any Act of Parliament which gives his Ministry the power to tell owners of land to clear persons on their land, and to threaten them with acquisition if they fail to comply with his Ministry's demand?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the policy of the Government is to make Singaporeans live in the most healthy environment possible. Temporary huts without modern sanitation are, as I have explained earlier, a health and fire hazard and they also cause environmental pollution. To allow the huts to remain is against Government policy of building public housing to enable the Singaporeans to enjoy living in a healthier environment. This is the objective of the Government.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Will the Minister please refer the House to the power or to the section in any Act of Parliament which says, "The Ministry of National Development may send out notices to owners to clear squatters within 12 months, or the Ministry may take over." Could the Minister please refer us to the section?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, Government will not act illegally. If the Government acts illegally, then the owner is at liberty to challenge the Government in court.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Does the Minister know that I have told some of these people just to forget about the Government notice?