VACANT HDB UNITS IN POTONG PASIR ESTATE (Reasons for)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development why nearly all the units in the upper floors of Blocks 146, 147 and 148 in Potong Pasir Estate have been left vacant from the time they were ready for occupation to the present date.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Blocks 146 and 148 are low-rise blocks located in the Neighbourhood Centre of Potong Pasir Estate. These comprise 10 offices and 89 3- and 4-room flats on the upper floors. The 20 offices have all been let since 1985. Block 147 is a shop and office block and has no dwelling units.

It is the HDB's policy to rent and not sell flats in low-rise blocks in Neighbourhood Centres. This is to ensure that, if necessary, the site can be redeveloped in future.

In February 1987, the HDB will be relocating non-citizen middle level executives currently housed in high-rise flats in Ang Mo Kio and Hougang to these low-rise flats in Potong Pasir as well as to some other areas. This relocation will enable the flats in the high-rise blocks to be renovated and offered for sale under the Home Ownership Scheme. The flats in the low-rise blocks in Potong Pasir will therefore be occupied very shortly.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, does the Minister realize that as a result of this long delay in the occupation of these flats above the shops, the shops have suffered by way of business? And I believe the normal concessionary rates have not been given to them.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have said that these blocks are at the Neighbourhood Centre. Obviously the shops in the Neighbourhood Centre do not just depend upon the flats above the shops. There are only 89 flats and if these shops are going to depend upon 89 flats to generate business to keep them going, they will become bankrupt very soon. They depend upon the whole neighbourhood which is already occupied. I do not think the fact that because 89 flats above the shops are empty, there should be grounds for some concession.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, does the Minister realize that, in fact, what I am saying is the complaint of the shopkeepers there when I go on my rounds? They are asking me: Why are the flats above them not occupied? So every little bit of business does help them and they are paying high rentals at the moment.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, people complain about all kinds of things. Surely, we should be able to sift these complaints and determine what is serious and what is frivolous. On the rentals that these shops pay, well, that is what they offered to pay. So they should not complain.