DRY MARKETS IN HDB ESTATES

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for National Development whether it is the Government's intention to phase out all neighbourhood dry markets in Housing and Development Board estates.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, HDB does not have plans to phase out all the existing dry markets in HDB housing estates. These dry markets were built from 1982 to 1992 to replace the wet markets which at that time were found to be messy and unhygienic, caused primarily by poultry slaughtering.

What we commonly refer to as dry markets are actually market-produce shops, meant to be operated within the shop in a dry and clean manner, in accordance with the standards set by the Ministry of the Environment.

However, over the years, many market-produce shops have become wet, messy and dirty. These shop tenants have been operating their market-produce shops like wet markets, which the shops are not designed for. Some of them have even extended their stalls onto the common passageway, causing serious obstruction. Residents have complained about the environment created by these tenants and the obstruction caused to the common passageway.

The Government reverted to building wet markets in new HDB estates after the phasing out of poultry slaughtering in wet markets in 1992. These new wet markets have better drainage facilities to make them less wet and less messy. They are also sold en bloc to commercial operators so that they will be well managed.

As for existing HDB estates, the decision to replace the existing market-produce shops with wet markets will depend on the feedback HDB gets from residents and the CCC Advisors. These premises can continue to serve as market-produce shops so long as they are kept clean and hygienic to safeguard the interests of consumers and residents.