Good morning,

Distinguished guests,

Residents of Tampines ,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very glad to be here this morning to witness the IUP polling and exhibition for your precinct.

Residents in Tampines GRC are very fortunate. Although Tampines is a relatively young town, we have managed to get at least one IUP precinct every year for the last four years. Last year, two precincts in our GRC, including this precinct, were selected for the Interim Upgrading Programme, bringing the total number to 5 IUP precincts. This was despite the slowdown in the upgrading programme. Now that the economy has picked up, the Government has stepped up the upgrading programme. It has also reviewed the scope and budget for the Interim and Main Upgrading Programmes and as a result, more precincts can be selected for upgrading earlier. This year, it will announce 12 MUP precincts and 20 IUP precincts, up from 5 MUP and 18 IUP precincts in 1999.

This morning, I have good news for you.

I am pleased to announce that another 3 precincts in Tampines GRC have been identified for IUP this year. They are: Blks 249 to 254, Blks 801, 811 to 820, and Blks 802 to 810. With this latest announcement, altogether 8 IUP precincts involving 6,500 flats will be undergoing IUP in Tampines GRC.

Because we are a relatively young town, it will take many years before our flats here qualify for the Main Upgrading Programme. IUP therefore allows us to enjoy the benefits of upgrading earlier. You can now enjoy new facilities and a better environment. So will your friends and neighbours. In this way, we hope that you will continue to stay together, and community ties which have been built over the years can be retained.

Since this precinct was announced for IUP last year, the town council has been working hard to draw up the plans for your precinct. They asked you what type of facilities you would like to have, and wherever possible, your feedback and suggestions have been incorporated.

The plan covers the common areas in your block and within the precinct. It includes many new features that will directly benefit the residents here. For example, a sheltered playground for children, a cycling track and fitness station for residents who wish to keep fit, and covered walkways to shelter you from the rain and sun. There will also be new lift lobbies, anti-junk mail letterboxes and rainwater breakers to prevent rain from splashing onto the common corridors. All these improvements will cost the government about $3.3 million. The IUP works for this precinct are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2001 and will take about one year to complete.

In line with the garden city planning concept, the theme for this precinct is "Back to Nature". The emphasis in the design is to provide more greenery. I hope that you will come out of your flat to enjoy the new facilities and to interact with your neighbours. Such neighbourliness will definitely make HDB living more satisfying and enjoyable.

With the improved facilities and a better environment, I hope there will also be a greater sense of identity and belonging for this precinct. While I encourage you to make use of the new facilities, I hope that you will also take good care of them. No one benefits when the facilities are damaged or broken. You only deprive your neighbours and your family members from making use of them. If you see others abusing the facilities, do not be afraid to inform your Neighbourhood Police Post or give the town council a call if necessary. The facilities are yours. The cost of repair will come out of your pockets in the form of higher service and conservancy charges. So do not allow vandals to have fun at your expense!

The objective of today's Polling-cum-Exhibition is to let you gain a better understanding of the upgrading package that the town council has planned for you. Do feel free to view the model and the exhibits, and approach any of the town council staff if you have any queries. They will be glad to assist you.

Although the cost of the IUP is fully borne by the government, the IUP can proceed only if at least 75% of you vote for it. I therefore strongly urge you to show your support for IUP.

All you need to do is to tick in the box next to "Yes! I support the IUP" on the polling form found in the polling booklet. The vote from each and everyone of you counts. Please give us a firm indication of your support.

Thank you and have a good day.

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