LEGISLATION TO INCORPORATE

Mr Chuang Shaw Peng asked the Minister for National Development when he plans to introduce legislation to incorporate "buildability" into the construction industry.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: I have on a number of occasions spoken on the need for the construction industry to restructure. The industry cannot continue with its current construction practices which are labour intensive and unproductive. The current economic slowdown offers a good opportunity for change.

My Ministry is presently carrying out a review of the various practices in the industry. One of its main tasks is to identify the pre-requisites for the introduction of legislation on minimum buildability scores. The readiness of the industry for buildable design will be taken into consideration. The review is expected to be completed around the end of this year.