My parliamentary colleagues

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Singapore is facing some rough weather in recent times. Recession last year. Job losses. Retrenchments. We have reacted to these changes decisively. Two off-budget packages to assist businesses and Singaporeans at large. A high level Economic Review Committee to review economic fundamentals for our long-term survival and prosperity. Singaporeans responded by accepting wage cuts and retraining themselves to meet new challenges at work.

Latest growth figures indicate that we are climbing out of the recession and on the road to recovery. This is welcome news. But, there is usually a period of time before this translates into better economic conditions on the ground. We must continue to help Singaporeans ride out this difficult period. Longer term, we face some fundamental challenges – China, a more competitive neighbourhood, ageing population etc.

The future challenges and uncertainty facing Singapore have prompted us to re-examine our functions and responsibilities. Is there a larger role that MND can play to better serve Singaporeans in both good and bad times? How can MND help strengthen the sense of rootedness and identity among Singaporeans? What more can we do to help attract and retain talent and investment? How can MND contribute to the remaking of Singapore?

A city is not just a collection of concrete buildings. It is the people who give the city its character and identity. So people should play a part in deciding what kind of city they want to live in. That is why MND has decided to actively consult Singaporeans in matters of city planning and conservation of buildings and districts, as much as possible. URA did this for our Concept Plan 2001. BCA has done the same for the Barrier Free Accessibility Code and NParks for the development and preservation of parks around Singapore. The recently-established Conservation Advisory Panel also seeks to involve stakeholders in shaping the future of our built environment.

To ensure that development control guidelines are effective and business-friendly, URA held its first POWER (Public Officers Working to Eliminate Redtape) session this year. There was a good exchange of views on industrial, warehouse and business parks guidelines. The feedback from the participants, including property industry players, government agencies and end-users, was encouraging. They confirmed that such sessions are useful and effective. More will be held to review other DC guidelines, eg residential.

HDB has implemented a new planning process for existing and future towns to synergize more effectively the expertise, knowledge and strengths of all relevant departments. Multi-disciplinary teams have been formed to stimulate creativity and holistic thinking. Members come from architectural design, planning, construction, estate management, and other areas. A significant part of the process involves greater public consultation with residents and grassroots leaders so that local needs and identities are given expression.

HDB is also seeking comments and feedback from private sector professionals in their town planning process. In this way, alternative perspectives, fresh points of view and new ideas can be tapped to enrich the town plans. Such an approach has been used in the plans drawn up to further develop Jurong West.

Public involvement in city planning and conservation also helps to give people a sense of ownership. This in turn cultivates a sense of belonging for Singaporeans by helping to preserve familiar places. Some recent examples include the Heritage Road programme to conserve some of the more scenic and significant tree-lined roads in Singapore, and the public exhibitions on the Parks and Waterbodies Plan and the Identity Plan.

Another new initiative to promote public involvement and ownership is the Park Watch Scheme of the National Parks Board. Under this scheme, frequent users of our parks can play a role in making them more interesting and active places. It will also promote safe use of parks. Volunteers will give advice and feedback, assist in introducing interesting programs and activities, and encourage the public in caring for our parks and greenery.

To ensure Singapore’s long-term success, we need to create a pro-business environment and a city that is attractive to international businesses and talents. MND has already introduced more flexibility in our land sale programme through the Reserve List. URA is trying out a Home Office scheme to encourage enterprise. Recently, HDB made it faster and easier for shop owners to change their company name or their trade.

Yesterday, we announced plans to release a large site in the New Downtown next year through the Government Land Sales Programme. We will do so through a new approach that will give the developer the flexibility to create an integrated and purpose-built development for global business and financial tenants. Such a development will strengthen and expand our business district, make Singapore an even more attractive city for global business and finance, and create new business opportunities.

We are currently studying the sale of smaller parcels of land for commercial developments in shop house areas. In this way, the new will complement the existing, and strengthen the identity and character of the area. Creative and varied designs for the developments on these small parcels can also contribute to a more interesting streetscape while providing new premises for businesses.

On the leisure, arts and cultural scene, more new activity areas have popped up. These include the Kallang Waterfront, China Square, One Fullerton, the new Merlion Park, and the soon to be completed Esplanade.

To bring more colour and vibrancy into Singapore’s night scene, BCA will be relaxing the rules to allow the display of flickering and flashing signs in the Orchard Rd, Marina Centre and Chinatown areas. To reduce red-tape and business costs for owners and management of building complexes, BCA will also be revising the advertisement regulations to exempt indoor advertisements from licensing.

MND has come a long way, growing together with the development of our country. We have achieved much, but we must be prepared to do more to contribute towards our nation’s success. We therefore took a long, hard look at our vision and mission. After a series of brainstorming sessions, members of the MND family have come up with a new expression of our vision, viz. "A Home for Our People, A Global City of Distinction". To achieve this vision, our new mission statement is "To create the best physical and living environment for building a vibrant city, robust economy and cohesive communities."

The new vision and mission better captures the wider scope of MND in creating a Home within a City. Our core functions remain unchanged. MND is still committed to providing basic housing for all Singaporeans through the public housing programme. MND will continue to carry out the various upgrading programmes, where Government Budget permits. But, we are not just hardware people. I hope that every staff and partner of MND will increasingly be conscious of the heartware dimension of our work.

Our new vision and mission also calls for all of us to work closely together as an MND Family. Through regular staff seminars, management dialogues and project teams, I believe we can forge a stronger team spirit. At the same time, we must not be afraid to experiment and innovate. Sometimes, mistakes are made. If they are honest mistakes, so be it. Do not be discouraged. But don’t repeat the same mistakes.

This new vision and mission is the beginning of a new journey, a journey that I hope all of us will take together. Think about how you can add meaning to it. Give us your feedback. Together we can make Singapore a better place for all of us.

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