SIMEI HOUSING ESTATE (Inadequate shopping/marketing facilities)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development why is there an inadequate planning of shopping/ marketing facilities for Simei Housing Estate which has more than 6,000 Housing and Development dwelling units; and whether these facilities will be provided soon.

Dr Lee Boon Yang (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are presently four lock-up shops serving the residents of Simei housing estate. More facilities are being constructed and will be completed by April 1989. These include 11 lock-up shops, 6 market produce lock-up shops, 1 eating house and a mini-market. These facilities when completed will be sufficient to meet the basic marketing and shopping needs of the residents. As Simei is a small housing estate, the full facilities normally provided in the new towns such as town centre, town parks, sports complex, will not be built. The full range of such facilities are already provided in the nearby Tampines New Town, whose town centre has been planned to cater to the requirements of both Tampines New Town and Simei Estate. Moreover, Simei has an MRT station which is within walking distance from all its dwelling units. Residents of Simei can easily take the MRT to other town centres for shopping and other needs.

Mr Speaker: The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the Day.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, can I follow up on Question 4? You were a bit too quick for me.

Mr Speaker: I am sorry. We have already finished with Question Time.