PASIR RIS COMMUNITY CLUB (Housing of Association of Muslim Professionals' new headquarters)

Mr Ahmad Mohd Magad asked the Minister for Community Development and Sports if he can provide an update on the latest status of plans for the Pasir Ris Central Community Club's co-shared facilities to house the Association of Muslim Professionals' new headquarters and services.

The Minister for Community Development and Sports (Mr Abdullah Tarmugi): Sir, the Government is providing space for the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) at the Pasir Ris Central Community Building to house its headquarters and for some of its approved core programmes. The premises currently occupied by AMP at Jalan Tembusu have been earmarked for development.

In February this year, the Government decided on a new policy on the terms and conditions applicable to all Government-assisted NGOs which provide community services at multi-service centres and community club premises. Under this policy, Government will fully fund the construction of the facilities and then rent out space to NGOs such as voluntary welfare organisations and community organisations. They in turn will be offered a 3+3 year tenancy, which can be renewed. They will also receive a rental subsidy and will be subject to stipulated terms and conditions governing the use of the premises. The premises should be used only for programmes approved by the Government.

In 1999, AMP was offered a Government grant of up to $6.75 million, to cover 90% of the construction cost of its new premises at the Pasir Ris Central Community Building. A gross floor area of 3,700 square metres, comprising 6 floors, was envisaged for the premises. With the change of policy, the Government has now reviewed the offer.

AMP will be offered space at the Pasir Ris Central Community Building under the terms of the new policy. It may use this space for approved programmes which support the core objectives of self-help groups. The Government has decided that these will include students' remedial and enrichment programmes, workers' training and certain types of social services. Approved programmes will not include AMPRO, AMP's business arm, and RIMA, which is AMP's subsidiary providing consultancy and research services. Neither will they include childcare centres and kindergartens which should not be core programmes of self help groups, as such facilities are already readily available, and provided by other groups catering to Singaporeans of all races and religions.

Based on the space requirements of the supportable programmes, MCDS has offered the AMP 1,470 square metres, comprising 2 1/2 floors of one wing of the Pasir Ris Central Community Building. Government will pay the full construction cost and will also give AMP a 90% rental subsidy, to pay for the 3+3 year tenancy. AMP is presently considering the offer.

The rest of the space at Pasir Ris Central Community Building will be used for a much-needed polyclinic, which will be ready by the end of this year.

AMP currently operates a kindergarten at its Jalan Tembusu premises. And to give the AMP time to make alternative arrangements for this kindergarten, the Land Office has agreed to allow AMP to continue to operate it at Jalan Tembusu until the current batch of children graduates.

Mr Ahmad Mohd Magad (Pasir Ris): Sir, there has been a perception that the measures that are put in place now are a result of the AMP mooting the collective leadership issue. Could the Minister clarify whether there is any linkage to that?

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Sir, I think that is a convenient tack to say. But AMP and others must also realise that the new policy applies to all NGOs which are co-located at community buildings, and not only to AMP.