Khaw Boon Wan admits he is a fool, to close stable doors after horses run

[Confuseous]

URA to stop developers from profitting off supersized luxury ECs: Khaw

By rachel chang

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said Monday that he has directed the Urban Redevelopment Agency (URA) to tighten the rules on the developers of executive condominium (EC) projects to prevent them from launching luxury, super-sized units.

These million-dollar ECs, like a 4,349 sq ft "presidential suite" at the recent CityLife @ Tampines development that cost over $2 million, have created understandable public indignation, wrote Mr Khaw on his blog. This is because they are "deviations" from the EC scheme's original mission of providing housing for the sandwiched class - those over the income limit for an HDB flat, but who cannot afford private property.

Mr Khaw said that he was originally "baffled" that developers were "short-changing" themselves by launching such massive units, as they could have made more money by using the space for two or three normal-sized apartments.

After looking into the matter, he realised that developers were using a loophole in the rules to profit from the super-sized units. Currently, they do not have to pay development charges on outdoor roof terraces, as URA wants to encourage developers to build more communal outdoor space for residents to enjoy.

 

[Semaj2357]

Really surprised that he knows of this only now Not only the roof-tops but the big-sized balconies were around years ago....

 

[RamNew]

Really surprised that he knows of this only now Not only the roof-tops but the big-sized balconies were around years ago....

Got "Kelong" or not ?


Sound fishy .

 

[g3abc]

..also lotsss of loopholes and hidden hands pushing Khaw,..to close all eyes on churches, retail shops (disguised as showrooms) in cheeeep industrial spaces,....

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there


1. aiyoh!
2. isn't this :stupidity comes lately or what?
3. paid millions and yet dafter than some sheep.

 

[YanDao]

Maybe he stays in landed housing all his life, so does not know about condos.

Really surprised that he knows of this only now Not only the roof-tops but the big-sized balconies were around years ago....

 

[Semaj2357]

Here's a minister who's paid highly, and a patient who paid lowly for his medical ailment and he doesn't know how the developers abused this loophole all this while?

Went to a condo showroom showing 1200 and after factoring the useable space, less both the svc and front balconies plus the planter/aircon ledge, it was about the size of a 3 rm flat .

 

[lianbeng]

Really surprised that he knows of this only now Not only the roof-tops but the big-sized balconies were around years ago....

lianbeng remembers his colleague Mr Tan CJ said he donno got PRC bus drivers on strike mah!they always say when things happened: i donno lah!

 

[SongBoh]

After looking into the matter, he realised that developers were using a loophole in the rules to profit from the super-sized units. Currently, they do not have to pay development charges on outdoor roof terraces, as URA wants to encourage developers to build more communal outdoor space for residents to enjoy.

Drawing millions of $, one is expected to deliver.

Not only for him but those top dogs at HDB - Cut their pay by 50% for 1 years.

The savings will then used to reduced all HDB flat dwellers town council charges. Like that song boh?

 

[magical]

He is no better than Mah Bow Tan, blaming the loopholes is not the solutions. Sim Lian should be kicked in the butt and the property agents are simply scumbags.

 

[batman1]

He is no better than Mah Bow Tan, blaming the loopholes is not the solutions. Sim Lian should be kicked in the butt and the property agents are simply scumbags.

Cannot anyhow kick Sim Lian .Do u know who is the director of Sim Lian ?

 

[jubilee1919]

All the top brains with honours degree and Phd cannot outfox a contractor who most probably has little education.:(

 

[Confuseous]

Here's a minister who's paid highly, and a patient who paid lowly for his medical ailment and he doesn't know how the developers abused this loophole all this while?

Went to a condo showroom showing 1200 and after factoring the useable space, less both the svc and front balconies plus the planter/aircon ledge, it was about the size of a 3 rm flat .

This is just another example that high salaries do not get you smart/capable ministers NOT civil serpents.
Khaw has been concerned with the private condo sector which accounts for less than 15% of total housing consumption and forget his main priorities of providing homes for the 80% HDB dwellers. He took his eyes off the balll and got gamed by the developers. They must be laughing behind his back all this while.

 

[Brightkid]

When one is being paid out-of-this-world salary, and supposedly the brightest from the nation, this person is EXPECTED to ANTICIPATE and nib the problem BEFORE it happens.

Name me one, just one, million-dollar salary minister who does the above!

Alas, taxpayers would have better returns by giving the millions saved to the poor. At least a happier nation of citizens (I hope).

Won der what these million-dollar minister si doing every day in their office, if they are in, in the first place.

 

[shctaw]

Rich will find loophole to buy....

I remember one uncle say he will pay the condo for his son, as he is only 25.

It defeat the purpose if rich man son buy....$470 psf damn cheap as it is similar to condo after 10 years.
Same area selling $1100 psf.

Rich get richer again...

 

[po2wq]

y dose burgerz @ ura never discover ze loop hole n close it? ... dey haf 2 b told 2 do it? ...

 

[Capano2121]

Cannot anyhow kick Sim Lian .Do u know who is the director of Sim Lian ?

Sim Lian director? Pls. enlighten, preferably with a family tree!