Apr 18, 2011
Two questions on preventing enclaves
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THE HDB website indicates that the resale of flats are subjected to the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) and Singapore permanent resident quota, which is applicable only to non-Malaysian PRs.
The maximum proportion for non- Malaysian PRs are 5 per cent for each neighbourhood and 8 per cent for each block.
The EIP was implemented to promote racial integration and harmony. The policy also aims to prevent the formation of racial enclaves by ensuring a balanced ethnic mix in public estates.
The PR quota ensures that non-Malaysian PR families can integrate for social cohesion and to prevent enclaves.
According to a Straits Times report last September on the 2010 census, the population doubled from 2.41 million in 1980 to 5.08 million in 2010. About a third of the 5.08 million are foreigners and among them, 541,000 are PRs and 1.31 million non-residents.
With the increase in the number of foreigners, demand for rental flats will also increase. So, these are my questions:
An HDB flat can be sublet for as long as three years each time, or for the duration of a flat owner's sojourn abroad if the reason for subletting is due to employment or studies abroad.
In such cases, is subletting of flats or rooms subject to any policy or quota similar to that of the EIP and non-Malaysian PR quota? If it is not, how does the Government ensure a balanced ethnic mix and prevent enclaves forming in public estates?
As the EIP and non-Malaysian PR quota are important, are private housing estates subject to similar restrictions? If they are not, how does the Government ensure a balanced ethnic mix and prevent enclaves from forming in private estates?
Ang Hak Heng
Two questions on preventing enclaves
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
THE HDB website indicates that the resale of flats are subjected to the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) and Singapore permanent resident quota, which is applicable only to non-Malaysian PRs.
The maximum proportion for non- Malaysian PRs are 5 per cent for each neighbourhood and 8 per cent for each block.
The EIP was implemented to promote racial integration and harmony. The policy also aims to prevent the formation of racial enclaves by ensuring a balanced ethnic mix in public estates.
The PR quota ensures that non-Malaysian PR families can integrate for social cohesion and to prevent enclaves.
According to a Straits Times report last September on the 2010 census, the population doubled from 2.41 million in 1980 to 5.08 million in 2010. About a third of the 5.08 million are foreigners and among them, 541,000 are PRs and 1.31 million non-residents.
With the increase in the number of foreigners, demand for rental flats will also increase. So, these are my questions:
An HDB flat can be sublet for as long as three years each time, or for the duration of a flat owner's sojourn abroad if the reason for subletting is due to employment or studies abroad.
In such cases, is subletting of flats or rooms subject to any policy or quota similar to that of the EIP and non-Malaysian PR quota? If it is not, how does the Government ensure a balanced ethnic mix and prevent enclaves forming in public estates?
As the EIP and non-Malaysian PR quota are important, are private housing estates subject to similar restrictions? If they are not, how does the Government ensure a balanced ethnic mix and prevent enclaves from forming in private estates?
Ang Hak Heng
