I refer to the article “Govt ‘faces challenge to keep up public trust”(Straits Times, Mar 27).
The people’s trust?
It states that “the Government’s challenge is to keep up people’s high levels of trust in it”.
In this connection, in the interest of maintaining the high level of trust, I would like to suggest that replies in Parliament be checked thoroughly, to ensure that they answer the questions asked substantively – especially if the questions come from PAP MPs.
Allow me to cite another example.
I refer to the recent Parliamentary proceedings on 17 February, reported in Hansard.
Replies not reported in media?
I found some interesting replies to questions that I do not remember reading in the media.
NUMBER OF SECOND-TIME HDB APPLICANTS WHO HAVE YET TO SECURE THEIR FLATS
12. Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development what is the current estimated number of second-time HDB applicants who have yet to secure their flats and what is the average waiting time for their requests to be fulfilled.
Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Between October 2012 and September 2013, there were 3,700 second-timer applicants who applied for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in the non-mature estates but did not have a chance to select a flat. We do not have the average waiting time for second-timer applicants, as this depends on various factors such as the applicants’ preferences and the popularity of their preferred project. In general, applicants should have a better chance of securing a flat if they apply for a project with lower application rates.
Over the last three years, we have ramped up the supply of BTO flats to meet the housing needs of Singaporeans. In March 2012, HDB tripled the allocation quota for BTO flats in the non-mature estates for second-timers from 5% to 15%. In May 2013, the allocation quota for two-room and three-room flats was further increased from 15% to 30%. Second-timer application rates have fallen from 14.9 times the supply in January 2013 to 2.7 times in November 2013. As we clear the backlog of first-timers, second-timers will have better chances of getting a flat.
Answer excludes so many applicants?
In my view, I don’t think MP Gan Thiam Poh’s question has been answered. The answer was 3,700 second-timer applicants between October 2012 to September 2013 in the non-mature estates, but did not have a chance to select a flat.
So, does it mean that those in the mature estates, those who were given a chance to select a flat but did not accept it and those who applied before or after October 2012 to September 2013, are not counted?
Let’s say you have the least desirable flat in a BTO that is offered to say a few hundred applicants – and they all do not accept it. Then, does it mean that these few hundred applicants will not be counted in the subject Parliamentary reply?
How many in total in the queue?
Why can’t the reply be a straight forward – how many second-timers who have ever applied have yet to be allotted a flat?
By the way, what is the figure for first-timer applicants, so that we know the total number in the queue, instead of piecemeal application subscription rates per BTO exercise?
It may also be good to breakdown the numbers in the queue for the different types of flats.
How many get $60,000 housing grant?
On a related matter – “2-room flat going for $10,000 with grants thrown in” (My Paper, Mar 27) – Can we have the statistics as to how many and what percentage of 2-room flat buyers were actually given the $60,000 housing grant?
Leong Sze Hian
Leong is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, has authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been host of a money radio show, a daily newspaper column, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for Malaysiakini, executive producer of the movie Ilo Ilo (26 international awards). He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors and 13 professional qualifications. He blogs at www.leongszehian.com