By Leong Sze Hian

I refer to the article “Authorities say no plans to evict households residing on Pulau Ubin” (Channel NewsAsia, Apr 12).

No plans to evict?

It states that “The authorities say there are no plans to evict the households currently residing on Pulau Ubin or develop an Adventure Park on the island.”

I find this statement to be rather odd, as the letter sent to the affected residents said “CLEARANCE SCHEME: CLEARANCE OF STRUCTURES PREVIOUSLY ACQUIRED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ADVENTURE PARK ON PULAU UBIN

SLA has sought HDB Land Clearance Section (LCS)’s assistance to clear the above squatter house.”

If “there are no plans to evict the households”, why say in the letter –  “to clear the above squatter house”?

No Adventure Park?

As to “or develop an Adventure Park on the island”, if there was no plans to build an adventure park then why was it mentioned in the letter – “FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ADVENTURE PARK ON PULAU UBIN”?

Media published the  story?

If “there are no plans to evict the households”, why was the “eviction” reported in the media? (“Letter informs Ubin residents of possible resettlement“, Straits Times, Apr 12)

Surely, the media would have verified the facts and sources before they ran the story.

Why suddenly need to pay fee?

With regard to “These households are currently residing on State land without a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL). They can continue to stay on State land if they obtain a TOL from SLA, and pay a fee for the use of the land, similar to any other use of State land”, how much is the fee?

Why decide to all of a sudden charge them a fee, when they have been staying there for 20 or more years?

Are these lower-income families?

What is the household income of these affected families?

What if they can’t pay?

What will happen if a family is unable to afford the “fee”? Would they be asked to evict the state land then?

How much resettlement benefits?

In respect of  “(to) determine the residents’ eligibility to receive resettlement benefits, and compute the resettlement benefit due to each resident”, how much are the typical “resettlement benefits”?

Some did not claim?

As to “During a recent review, it was noted that not all 22 households had claimed the resettlement benefits they were entitled to”, how many had not claimed  the resettlement benefits?

Since these are “resettlement benefits they were entitled to”, why didn’t they claim?

Why would anyone not claim what “they were entitled to”?

Is it because some were unable  “to produce documentary proof of ownership”? –  “Owners will be paid the resettlement benefits if they are able to produce documentary proof of ownership.”

What assistance, steps to take?

With regard to “The residents were also informed of the assistance which the government would render, if necessary, and the steps the residents should take if they wished to continue staying in Pulau Ubin”, what exactly is “the assistance which the government would render, if necessary” and “the steps the residents should take if they wished to continue staying”?

How to decide to stay or not to stay?

In respect of “ascertain whether these households had the intention to remain or relocate”, I wonder how these families can be expected to choose and decide now , when it would appear  that the exact details of the two options are yet unclear?

Squatters get HDB flats?

I understand that in the early years following Singapore’s independence, squatters on state land were resettled into HDB flats.

Will this be applied to these 22 families in Pulau Ubin too?

Land use for … ?

Finally, what exactly will the land that they are residing now be used for, if and when they are evicted?

 

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