Tenant Diversity and Rent Affordability Conditions in Government Land Sales Programme for Private Malls in New HDB Estates

70 Mr Alex Yeo asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry considers the long-term tenant diversity and rent affordability of private malls in new HDB estates, such as Woodleigh Mall, when awarding sites under the Government Land Sales programme; and (b) if not, whether the Ministry will consider incorporating such conditions into future land sales, particularly where malls are planned as the primary retail anchor for new estates.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Private retail developments sold through the Government Land Sales Programme are intended to complement the commercial offerings in public developments undertaken by agencies, such as the Housing and Development Board. The Government may impose requirements for these private retail developments to provide essential uses, such as supermarkets.

Beyond such requirements, the selection of tenants and leasing terms are commercial decisions between private mall operators and their tenants, taking into consideration consumer demand preferences as well as competition with other malls and retail offerings.