CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORT PASSENGER TERMINAL II (Effects of repatriation of illegal Thai workers)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether the recent repatriation of a substantial number of illegal Thai workers has affected the construction works of Changi Airport's Passenger Terminal II and, if so, whether there will be a delay in its operation date scheduled for mid-1990.

The Minister for Communications and Information (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): Mr Speaker, Sir, Changi Airport's Second Passenger Terminal Building is scheduled for completion by the second half of 1990. The Public Works Department (PWD) is managing the construction project on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). They have informed CAAS that the construction works at Terminal II are presently still within schedule. It is true that a certain amount of time has been lost but this is still within the time allowed for in a construction project of this size, time allowed for exigencies such as labour and materials shortage, poor weather, and other factors. This period is slowly being used up but as of the latest report from PWD, we will still be able to complete Passenger Terminal Building II by the second half of next year.