PAP, opposition MPs file questions on Ridout Road state properties; WP urges SLA to release more info in advance
A view of the entrance to 31 Ridout Road taken on May 13, 2023
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Mr Singh also asked whether there are any rules or conventions to ensure that Cabinet ministers do not take advantage of privileged information received in the course of their duties in regard to the lease of government properties.
The party added that it will still continue studying the matter and other MPs from the party may also file questions on the matter as more information becomes available.
“As questions continue to be asked in the public domain about the circumstances behind the leasing of both properties to Cabinet ministers, we call on the Singapore Land Authority to release all relevant and material facts in advance, such as the guide rent for both properties, so as to make for a fuller and more meaningful debate in Parliament,” the statement read.
The three PAP Members of Parliament (MPs) who said that they have filed questions for Parliament on the matter are Bukit Batok MP Murali Pillai, Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, MP for Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency.
Mr Murali on Thursday said that he has filed four questions regarding the properties earlier this week on May 16.
Among others, he asked whether Mr Shanmugam was "involved in his official capacity" in any decisions relating to the rental of these properties, and what measures have been put in place to ensure that any bidder is not provided with any advantage over other bidders.
Mr Sitoh asked for the rental rates for the properties, SLA's standard tenancy operating procedures and whether the statutory board has followed the procedures.
Mr Zhulkarnain asked for the circumstances under which the properties came to be rented to the ministers and how had SLA marketed the bungalows.In response to TODAY's queries on WP's request, SLA reiterated that more details will be announced in July.
In its statement on May 13, the statutory board said that "more details on this issue" would be provided during the next parliamentary session in July.
It added that 26 Ridout Road had been vacant for more than four years before it was tenanted to Mr Shanmugam in 2018, and that the minister had notified a "senior Cabinet colleague" that he was making a bid for the property.
It also said that Mr Shanmugam was the only bidder and his offer, made through an agent, was higher than the guide rent — which was not disclosed to him.
Mr Shanmugam renewed the tenancy for another three years in June 2021, it added.
As for 31 Ridout Road, SLA said that the property had been vacant for more than six years before it was tenanted to Dr Balakrishnan.
He put in a bid in November 2018 that was above the guide rent, which was also not disclosed to him.SLA said that Dr Balakrishnan was the highest bidder. His tenancy was granted with effect from October 2019, and renewed three years later.
Ridout Road is off Holland Road and near the Dempsey Hill lifestyle and entertainment area.
According to SLA data, the property at 31 Ridout Road has a land area of 136,101sqft.
Information on the property at 26 Ridout Road could only be found within a lot that included 24 and 31 Ridout Road, with a total land area of 525,171sqft.
