CHINESE AND JAPANESE GARDENS (Free use by members of the public)

Mr R. Ravindran asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether his Ministry will consider opening up the Chinese and Japanese Gardens for free use by members of the public.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Tang Guan Seng) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): The Chinese and Japanese Gardens are managed as a business by Singapore Leisure Industries Pte Ltd (SLI), which is a subsidiary of JTC.

SLI has invested $12.5 million in the Gardens and incurs about $1 million a year in operating expenses. Despite the admission charges of $4.50 per adult and $2 per child, the revenue is insufficient to defray the operating expenses and SLI has incurred a deficit of $240,000 in FY 97/98.

To encourage the public to visit the Gardens more frequently, SLI introduced in August 1997 a scheme of unlimited entry, except during special functions, at a nominal rate of $20 per annum per person. SLI will continue to review the existing scheme and look into further measures to encourage public usage of the Gardens.

Mr R. Ravindran (Bukit Timah): Sir, the Senior Parliamentary Secretary would appreciate that over-26 hectares of land are grossly underutilised and that very few people use it other than on special occasions. So I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether, in view of the deficit, he will consider requesting for a grant from the National Parks Board and open these two Gardens to members of the public for free use.

Mr Tang Guan Seng: Sir, at the moment, the profits f from other areas of SLI's commercial operations, such as land use, land lease and landscape services, help to fund the Gardens' deficit. So there is no need to seek a grant from the National Parks Board.

As to another question raised by the Member, I would like to inform him that as the site has redevelopment potential, it is not advisable to turn it into a public park.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Sir, how many people visit the Chinese and the Japanese Gardens per month?

Mr Tang Guan Seng: I do not have the specific information with me now. But as I said, it has been running at a loss for the last few years.

Mr Shriniwas Rai (Nominated Member): Sir, I share the sentiment of Mr Ravindran. I have another supplementary question. JTC is a big organisation. Would it consider as a public service and community service, even if it is to cost a few million dollars, to reduce the entrance fees? I am not asking that we make it completely free but to look to other means such as leasing the property nearby to shops, food stalls, etc. I have been there quite a few times myself and I see that it is not well patronised.

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Rai, can you ask your question?

Mr Shriniwas Rai: The question is: would the Ministry consider reducing the charges further so that more people could enjoy the beautiful facilities of both these Gardens? JTC, being a Government organisation, should consider this.

Mr Tang Guan Seng: As I mentioned just now, SLI will continue to review the existing measures and look into further measures to encourage more public usage of the Gardens.