1) Why did the government leased flats that are earmarked for redevelopment to EM Services, which in turn rented them out to RWS foreign workers at below market rates?
2) Isn't EM Services founded as a joint venture between HDB and Keppel Land?
The Real Singapore, 13 Nov 2012In the Parliamentary sitting on 12 Nov, NCMP Lina Chiam asked the Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan:
Why Blocks 31-33 at Lorong 6 Toa Payoh are leased by HDB, through its managing agent EM Services, to Resorts World Sentosa at below market rates to house the latter’s foreign employees;In a written reply, Minister Khaw said that the arrangement between EM Services and RWS is a commercial one. In other words, it has nothing to do with the Govt.
What are the criteria set by HDB/EM Services in awarding the contract agreement to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS); and
Why these blocks of flats are not put under the Interim Housing Scheme for the benefit of needy Singaporean families.
He also said that of the 3 blocks, Block 31 is managed by HDB for needy Singaporeans and is not leased to foreigners.
Blocks 32 and 33, he said, are vacated Selective En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) flats. However, in 2009, HDB leased these two blocks to EM Services at market rates as an interim arrangement.
EM Services then leased these 2 blocks to RWS to house its employees in 2009. Full story
