By MP for Aljunied GRC, Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap
[Delivered in Committee of Supply on 11 March 2013]
Mdm, many members in this house have written countless letters to the HDB on behalf of their respective constituents on many related issues such as rental housing, waiver of housing levy or the lowering of rental fees.
During the course of my work as a Member of Parliament, I have familiarise myself with the generic responses offered by the HDB to my residents. Allow me to cite two examples. In situations where an appeal by elderly Singaporeans for a rental flat is not successful, HDB would cite the support of his children whilst advising him to stay with his children as the basis for the rejection. In the event of soured relations in the family, HDB would refer the family to seek counseling to resolve their outstanding issues. Under circumstances where an owner has just sold his flat due to outstanding arrears or a broken marriage, the 30-months long debarment period would be cited as the basis for not granting a HDB rental flat. HDB would also remind the residents of the proceeds from the sale of his previous flat. Such responses itself are not wrong, but I urge the ministry to exercise more care, greater due diligence and demonstrate a greater level of compassion for each individual appeal.
Each appeal letter represents a hope and a bond of trust that the resident has placed in the judgment and abilities of the ministry and its officials to alleviate their most immediate problems. More care should be given and more time should be spent in assessing cases and the nature of the appeal. Each family is different and the situation of members in each family is unique and hence more time and flexibility need to be exercised when assessing the eligibility and merits of each appeal. Under such a circumstance, voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and family service centres (FSCs) on the ground, equipped with the relevant resources and human expertise can work with the ministry to better assess the needs of each resident. This can add a human face and a compassionate touch to the lives of our people when they deal with agencies and bureaucracies.
I call upon the ministry to enhance their collaboration and engagement between the HDB, VWOs and FSC and seek their advice and professional assessment during the process of determining the validity of a particular appeal.
