TERRACE HOUSES ALONG PHENG GECK AVENUE (Nuisance caused by foreign workers)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Law whether he is aware that the row of terrace houses that has been compulsorily acquired for the Mass Rapid Transit project along Pheng Geck Avenue, Sennett Estate is overcrowded with foreign workers and cause environmental nuisance to the residents living opposite them; and whether he will take immediate action to solve the problem.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Law): Sir, there are 48 residential properties at Pheng Geck Avenue acquired by Land Office (LO) for the North-East MRT Line (NEL) project and comprehensive redevelopment. Pending redevelopment, these properties are let out to ex-owners and other tenants by the Land Office's managing agent on Tenancy Agreements (TAs) and Temporary Occupation Licences (TOLs) for residential use.

Land Office had earlier received a complaint about the unauthorised use of these properties for housing foreign workers and the nuisance they caused to the neighbourhood. Following up on the complaint, Land Office's managing agent had on 5th October this year, served notices on 23 tenants who had breached the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement, requiring them to vacate and return the premises by 4th November this year. Another 4 licensees were informed that their licences would not be renewed when they expire on 14th November 2000 (3 licences) and 31st December 2000 (1 licence).

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, were the authorities aware that the tenants were in fact foreigners?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, these properties were rented out to companies for the use of their employees but there was a limit on the numbers. The nuisance which was caused by them subsequently was serious enough for residents to lodge complaints and therefore Land Office has done what is right, which is to terminate the Tenancy Agreements of the companies so that the foreigners would leave.