SENNETT ESTATE (Upgrading)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong -

Mr Chiam See Tong: To ask the Minister for National Development whether the recent decision to upgrade Sennett Estate is based on the Estate's eligibility or is it a result of the promise made by the Prime Minister in the last General Election.

Mr Andy Gan Lai Chiang (Marine Parade): Question No. 2, Sir.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the decision to upgrade Sennett Estate is based on the eligibility of the estate as well as the Prime Minister's promise made at the last General Election. All private estates which apply for upgrading under the Estate Upgrading Programme will be ranked and selected based on factors such as the age and condition of the estate, the level of community bonding and the level of support for the programme. At the last General Election, the Prime Minister promised that Sennett Estate would be considered for upgrading if residents showed that they supported the programme offered by the PAP candidate for Potong Pasir. After the General Election, both candidates for Potong Pasir publicly affirmed that the majority of Sennett Estate residents had given their votes to the PAP.

Mr Andy Gan Lai Chiang: Can the Minister of State please elaborate on the extent of upgrading that is going to be provided?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Sir, the details of the upgrading for Sennett Estate are still being worked out. I think it would be premature for me to make any definitive statement to that effect.