Approvals for Rental of and Works to be Done at State-owned Bungalows
Ministry of LawSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns inquiries from Ms Hazel Poa, Mr Leong Mun Wai, Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis, and Mr Leon Perera regarding the management of state-owned bungalows, specifically tree felling at Ridout Road and SLA’s rental processes. The Members questioned the land area, rental income, and transparency of tender awards for black-and-white houses. Second Minister Edwin Tong Chun Fai replied that these queries were addressed in the Ministerial Statement on "Rentals of State Properties" delivered on 3 July 2023. He referred the Members to that Statement for the detailed policy and factual explanations.
Transcript
9 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Law (a) whether written approvals from the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation were sought and granted for the felling of mature trees at 26 and 31 Ridout Road; (b) if so, who requested and applied for the approvals; (c) when were the approvals granted; and (d) how many mature trees were felled at each Ridout Road property respectively.
10 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Law (a) whether SLA always rents out state properties to the highest bidders, or whether other factors, such as tenant profile, are considered; (b) whether the President's assent is required when not awarding state properties to the highest bidders as such properties are part of the reserves; and (c) whether SLA has considered other measures to improve the rental yield of state properties.
11 Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Law (a) what is the total land area occupied by black-and-white houses in Singapore; (b) what is the total built-in area of such houses; and (c) how many black-and-white houses are currently rented out and what is the Government's total annual rental income from such houses.
12 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Law (a) whether the list of tender awards available on the SLA website comprises all prior residential and commercial tender awards; and (b) if not, why not.
13 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Law (a) how many trees were cleared for redevelopment at 26 and 31 Ridout Road from 2018 onwards; (b) how many of these trees were rare or endangered trees; and (c) were the tree species that were removed documented.
Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai (The Second Minister for Law): These questions have been addressed in the Ministerial Statement at today's Parliament Sitting. [Please refer to "Rentals of State Properties", Official Report, 3 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 105, Ministerial Statements section.]