Clarification by Minister for National Development

The following statement was made in a reply by the Minister for National Development (Mr Chee Hong Tat) during the Second Reading of the Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill at the Sitting of 7 May 2026:

The Minister for National Development (Mr Chee Hong Tat): Because they were treated as administrative fees in the past – not that they were illegal or inappropriate or wrongly collected, as a few Members have used those terms. That is not the case. [Please refer to ​"Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill", Official Report, 7 May 2026, Vol 96, Issue 31, Second Reading Bills section.]

Written statement by Mr Chee Hong Tat circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):

I wish to make the following factual correction to my reply given during the Sitting of 7 May 2026. My statement should read as follows:

The Minister for National Development (Mr Chee Hong Tat): Because they were treated as administrative fees in the past. The Government’s position is not that they were illegal or inappropriate or wrongly collected, as a few Members have used those terms. That is not the case.