MANAGEMENT OF JTC APARTMENTS

[Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many apartments have been built by the Jurong Town Corporation to date; (b) whether the JTC plans to build more apartments; (c) whether the JTC will let the Housing and Development Board take over and manage all its apartments; and (d) whether the JTC will be renamed appropriately to reflect its role as the sole factory and industry building authority in Singapore.

BG Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, to date, JTC has built 24,003 units of public housing flats, and 728 units of middle-income housing which comprises 304 condominium and 424 executive apartments.

JTC does not plan to build any more apartments as this task will in future be undertaken by HDB or the private sector.

JTC handed over all its 24,003 units of public housing to HDB in May 1982. The management of the 304 condominium units was also handed over to the Management Corporation formed under the Land Titles (Strata) Act. JTC intends to hand over the management of the remaining 424 executive flats to a Management Corporation to be formed by the lessees/residents so that they can manage their own estate.

Over the years, JTC has gained wide recognition, both locally and internationally. Any proposal to change its name has to be weighed carefully as it must affect JTC's established goodwill. Until such time when a more compelling reason and a better name are found, JTC's name will remain as such.

However, JTC does intend to change its logo to reflect more accurately its role as an industrial authority in Singapore.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): Sir, does the Minister agree with me that there is a strong possibility that JTC will be confused with another JTC, ie, Jurong Town Council, if there is one in the future?

BG Lee Hsien Loong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not know what municipal development may take place in Jurong. When it occurs, we will weigh it carefully to see whether it constitutes a compelling reason for change.