Singapore Government Press Release

Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,

MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

SPEECH BY GEORGE YEO, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MP FOR ALJUNIED GRC, AT THE UPGRADING LAUNCH CEREMONY FOR BEDOK RESERVOIR PRECINCT ON THURSDAY 14 APRIL 2005 AT 8.00 PM

Dear Residents of Bedok Reservoir Precinct, Ladies and Gentlemen.

1 Three and a half years ago, I announced that your precinct was selected for the Main Upgrading Programme or MUP. However, because of the poor economy, we delayed the implementation.

2 Tonight, I am happy to be here to launch the MUP for this precinct consisting of Blocks 709-715. But before we can make it a reality, we have to vote for it. We need a majority of at least 75% for the Standard Package. I hope all of you will vote for the MUP because it will increase the value of our flats and bring us many benefits.

3 These blocks were completed 25 years ago in 1980. After so many years, they have begun to show obvious signs of wear and tear. It is time to upgrade them. Many of us like the location. We have Bedok Reservoir nearby. Public transportation is reasonably convenient. There are good facilities. Over the years, we have also built up a warm kampong spirit. The MUP enables us to upgrade our flats and the surroundings while enjoying all the other advantages of living here.

4 The Members of our Working Committee have worked hard to come up with a good upgrading package. They have actively gathered feedback to find out what improvement items are practical and useful. They conducted surveys, house-to-house visits and interviewed many residents over many months. Many residents gave good feedback and suggestions. We have carefully considered and incorporated them into the upgrading package wherever feasible. Tonight, we are pleased to present the final upgrading package for your endorsement.

Standard Package

5 The Standard Package under MUP covers a wide range of improvement items that benefit us directly. We must make sure that at least 75% of the eligible households vote in favor of the Standard Package because it is a very good deal.

6 If the Standard Package proceeds, the Government will also pay for many improvement works, such as upgrading the electrical system and replacing the common waste pipe in our flats. These are works that residents cannot easily carry out on their own.

7 The Standard Package is heavily subsidized by the Government. What we have to pay is only a small fraction of the cost. If you are a Singapore citizen enjoying the benefits of upgrading for the first time, your share will not exceed $2,700 or 7% of the cost for 3-room flats; $4,000 or 11% for 4-room flats; and $5,300 or 14% for 5-room flats.

8 Some of us, especially the senior citizens, worry about paying for the owner’s share of the upgrading cost. They should not be too concerned. To begin with, payments need only be made after all the upgrading works are completed, which will be a few years from now. We can pay either in one lump sum or by monthly installments, over five or 10 years, in cash or with our CPF savings. Singapore citizens enjoying the benefits of upgrading for the first time can choose a 10-year repayment plan, with the monthly installments for the Standard Package ranging from $27 to $53 depending on the flat type.

9 If we still have financial problems, HDB is prepared to extend the repayment period or defer the payment completely until we are ready to sell our flats. All this means that the Standard Package should be affordable for all of us and we should therefore vote solidly for it.

Space-Adding Item

10 Now let me say something about the space-adding item. For those of you who need extra space and can afford it, there is a space-adding item or SAI you can vote for. The SAI for Blocks 709 to 715 is a utility room except for some flats in Block 709 where the SAI is a kitchen extension. The SAI will be provided if at least 75% of the eligible households in each block vote for it. If you do not think you need the space-adding item, don’t vote for it. You can vote for the Standard Package without having to vote for the SAI.

Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) for Blocks 710, 711, 714 and 715

11 Blocks 710, 711, 714 and 715 are segmented blocks. Most of the units are located on floors without common corridors and there is no direct lift access. The Government is now offering residents living in these blocks a special Lift Upgrading Programme or LUP. Under LUP, new lifts and lift shafts will be added. This is a costly programme which the Government will subsidize heavily. With Government subsidy and co-payment from our Town Council, we need to pay only $3,000 or less than 15% of the total cost. Under a 10-year repayment plan, the monthly installment is only $30 for Singapore citizens, or $1 a day.

12 To enjoy the benefits of lift upgrading, at least 75% of the eligible flat owners in each block without direct lift access must vote in favor of LUP. But this is only provided that at least 75% of the flat owners in our precinct first vote for the Standard Package.

13 For residents of Blocks 709, 712 and 713, the lift improvement works are part of the Standard Package. Residents of these blocks need not vote separately for lift upgrading. For them, the cost of the lift upgrading is already included in the cost of the Standard Package.

Time to Complete MUP

14 The upgrading project will take about two to three years to complete. There will be some inconvenience which HDB and the contractor will try to minimize. But please be patient because the improvement is well worth the wait and inconvenience. We will use special construction methods to reduce noise and dust. Moreover, the works are carried out outside the flat most of the time. When it comes to work inside your flat, the contractor will plan the work carefully to have them completed within a couple of weeks. When the toilet is being upgraded, HDB will provide a portable toilet inside your flat for your use during that period.

15 I know some of us are concerned with work delays. HDB has a comprehensive system for monitoring the progress of MUP projects. If the work is slowed down for whatever reason, actions will be taken to minimize the delay and bring the project back on track. Since the implementation of the upgrading programme some 15 years ago, HDB has carried out over 100 MUPs. So far, disruptions due to default of contractors happened only in eight precincts. These are isolated incidents due to the problems faced by individual contractors during the economic slowdown.

16 HDB has sent all residents an information package on MUP. Over the last few weeks, grassroots leaders have also visited many households to explain the benefits of upgrading. The exhibition, which is open from this evening, show models and pictures of the precinct after upgrading. Please visit the exhibition before casting your vote.

Vote for the MUP

17 I strongly urge all residents to support the MUP, especially the Standard Package. We have only one chance to vote. If less than 75% of the residents vote for the Standard Package, there will be no MUP for our precinct. We would have lost out. Those who do not vote are regarded as voting against the programme. So please vote. For those who have doubts or enquiries, please feel free to approach the Information Officer from HDB stationed at the exhibition. You can also contact any member of the Working Committee or Residents Committee.

18 It gives me great pleasure now to declare open the MUP exhibition and polling for Bedok Reservoir Precinct.