MAIN UPGRADING PROGRAMMES AT PANDAN GARDENS AND PAYA LEBAR WAY PRECINCTS

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MAIN UPGRADING PROGRAMMES AT PANDAN GARDENS AND PAYA LEBAR WAY PRECINCTS: 17.

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for National Development (a) what are the reasons for the Main Upgrading Programmes at Pandan Gardens and Paya Lebar Way precincts failing to attain 75% support from their residents; (b) whether there areplans to review the Programmes; and (c) how many flats are presently eligible for upgrading programmes.

Mr Speaker: You have about half a minute left, Mr Mah.

Mr Mah Bow Tan: Mr Speaker, Sir, last year, 68.8% of the residents in Pandan Gardens and this year, 71.4% of the residents in Paya Lebar Way voted in favour of the Main Upgrading Programme (MUP). As this falls short of the minimum 75% support required, HDB could not proceed with MUP for both precincts.

As for the reasons why some residents voted "No", feedback fromHDBsuggests that some residents in Pandan Gardens were worried about the uncertain economic environment and job securitylast year. In the case of Paya Lebar Way,

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the feedback was that some households had already renovated their flats, while others thought that they would have to pay for the additional space-adding item even if they vote for the MUP Standard Package.

Since MUP was introduced in 1990, 110 precincts have successfully polled for the programme. More than 110,000 households have benefited, or will be benefiting, from the programme. Two precincts out of the 110 did not vote for it. Thisdoes not suggest that the programme needs a fundamental overhaul.

HDB regularly reviews the scope of its upgrading programmes to ensure that they remain relevant. For instance, in 2002, the MUP was revised to focus on functional items that give tangible benefits.The MUP is heavily subsidised, and the Government pays up to 90% of the cost.Certain MUP improvement works such as the multi-storey carparks (MSCPs) are fully funded by Government.

There are about 230,000 flats that are still eligible for the various upgrading programmes. We will continue to review the programmes to ensure that they remain relevant to the needs of HDB residents.

3.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Written Answers to Question Nos. 24, 28, 33-34, 36, 41-42 and 44 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the Appendix*. Question Nos. 18-23, 25-27, 29-32, 35, 37-40 and 43 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 2nd September 2004.]

*Cols. 449-460.