EMPTY LAND AT BOON LAY WAY (Development plans)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry intends to develop the empty plot of land opposite Jurong East Bus Terminus at Commonwealth Avenue West; and, if so, what projects it has in mind.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the empty plot of land is situated along Boon Lay Way which continues into Commonwealth Avenue West. It is reserved for future development by HDB. There are no immediate plans for the site.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): May I ask the Minister, if he says he has no project at the moment, then for what purpose was this land acquired, if it was acquired by the Government?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, this piece of land is part of the comprehensive development within the New Town. It is part of the New Town. In all new towns, HDB has reserved several pieces of land for future development because a new town is going to be there for 99 years. We must reserve land within the New Town so that in the next 99 years when any development is necessary, we have the land for development.

Maj Fong Sip Chee (Kampong Chai Chee): May I ask the Minister how many such pieces of land have been reserved throughout Singapore in the various new towns?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the figure available, but in every new town there is a large number of reserved sites.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask the Minister again, by way of supplementary question. Is it the practice then to over-estimate the land required for the new towns, and to hold some of it in reserve for years to come?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not the policy for HDB to over-estimate the requirement of land. As I have explained earlier, the HDB sold the flats for the duration of 99 years and the new town will be there for 99 years. During the next 99 years there would be a demand for development such as schools, hospital facilities, community buildings, religious buildings, and other institutions. So HDB must have a large number of reserved sites to meet this demand.