Temporary Centre for Hawkers Affected by Fire at Jurong West Market and Coffeeshop
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Ang Wei Neng’s inquiry on whether the Housing and Development Board (HDB) could fund a temporary market for stallholders affected by the Jurong West fire. Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong stated that HDB bears the full cost of rebuilding the permanent replacement premises while providing interim support through waived rental and land license fees. The National Environment Agency has offered alternative stalls to affected hawkers, and other agencies have facilitated job fairs to assist those seeking alternative employment. These state measures complement community fundraising efforts for the temporary market’s construction and provide a coordinated response to minimize business disruption. The Government remains committed to monitoring the situation and extending further assistance to the affected stallholders as needed to facilitate their recovery.
Transcript
87 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for National Development with regard to the Jurong West market and coffee shop which have been affected by a recent fire, whether HDB can consider funding, fully or partially, the building of a temporary market/hawker centre while waiting for the completion of the permanent building.
Mr Lawrence Wong: In the event of a fire to Housing and Development Board (HDB) markets and eating houses which renders the premises unfit for use, HDB’s priority is to rebuild the replacement premises as soon as possible. This is to minimise the impact on the affected stallholders, and facilitate the return to normalcy for their business operations as soon as possible. HDB will bear the full cost of building the replacement premises.
In the interim, HDB and other Government agencies have provided immediate assistance and coordinated for help to be extended to the affected stallholders of Jurong West market. For instance, HDB has waived the rental for the operator of the market during the interim period when the replacement premises are being built. The Temporary Occupation Licence fees for the State Land on which the temporary market will be built will also be waived.
In addition, the National Environment Agency has offered the affected stallholders available market and food stalls where they can conduct their businesses in the interim. More recently, the People’s Association and the Employment and Employability Institute have held a job fair to assist the stallholders in finding alternative employment.
These measures complement the commendable efforts of the Adviser, grassroots leaders and community in raising funds for the construction of the temporary market. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide further assistance to the stallholders where needed.