by MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap
Chairman Sir,
1. The number of divorces and annulments has been inching up since 2005. In 2010 alone, there were over 7,000 divorces recorded under the Women’s Charter and the Administration of Muslim Law Act.
2. Most divorces end up with the sale of the matrimonial homes. I have come across cases where spouses given custody of children were left starring at the prospect of becoming homeless in the process.
3. While young divorcees may find it a little easier to pick up their lives again, older divorcees especially those with children may need some help to do so. The largest group of divorcees in 2010 was aged 35-44 years. (1)
4. Some of these divorcees may have no option but to sell their matrimonial homes. If the homes are bought directly from HDB, they face a debarment period of 30 months for a rental flat and a 5-year wait period if they want to buy another flat direct from HDB or be listed as an occupier. For older divorcees with custody of children, time is something they do not have on their side.
5. Take the case of a 35-year old resident. She is a divorcee with custody of 3 children and no alimony from her ex-husband. She earns less than $900 a month. The sales proceeds from the disposal of her matrimonial home, if any, would be gone in 30 months if her family is forced to rent from the open market. And by the time she is eligible to buy another HDB flat, age would have caught up, loan eligibility would have diminished and job security would be an issue.
6. I do understand that HDB will review applications for rental or purchase of new flat for divorcees on a case by case basis.
7. My take on an inclusive society means everyone will not be left behind. That would include singles, divorcees, bankrupts, and those who may have been overlooked in our society.
8. This government may want the society to take a pro-family stand. There is nothing wrong with that. We are Asians. We are pro-family. But how we look after the less fortunate, needy and vulnerable sections of our society will set us apart from the rest of the pack.
9. I urge the ministry to look into reducing or to do away with the debarment period for rental flat for divorcees with children as a start in our resolve to build a truly inclusive society.