SDA's Edmund Ng takes up PAP's challenge to build HDB flats
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SINGAPORE : Singapore Democratic Alliance's candidate for Tampines GRC, Edmund Ng says he is taking up the challenge by National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan to build HDB flats at lower cost.
Mr Ng says he has written to the Housing and Development Board requesting for costing information.
But Mr Mah, who is leading the PAP team in Tampines GRC, says the SDA candidate is just 'fishing' for figures and he has asked the HDB not to entertain him.
At a recent rally, Mr Ng had said it costs just $70,000 to $80,000 to build an HDB flat priced at $250,000.
In response, Mr Mah issued him a challenge, asking the HDB to subcontract building projects to Mr Ng.
When asked about Mr Ng's letter to HDB asking for cost details, Mr Mah says the onus is on the SDA candidate to back up his estimates.
Mr Mah says: "He is fishing for figures. He's got absolutely no clue what is going on. He just makes this allegation, just shooting from the hip. I've asked HDB not to entertain him."
He says HDB flats are heavily subsidised and that its prices are based on market value.
Mr Mah says: "The market value of the flat includes construction cost, land cost, infrastructure cost, providing lifts on every floor, and it varies from place to place."
So what is Mr Ng's next move?
Mr Ng "We have better things to do. We are currently very busy with the unemployment job portal. We don't run the HDB. It's up to them to disclose. It's up to them to be transparent."
As for the SDA employment website, Mr Ng says it has so far received 50 applications from Tampines residents since it was launched on Labour Day.
Mr Ng says it will kick start phase two of its employment initiative by linking up with companies situated in Tampines, Changi, Bedok and Loyang to help residents find jobs nearer to their homes. - CNA/de -
What right does Mah have to stop HDB from entertaining a perfectly legal request by a citizen. That shows we need the FOIA act.
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What the Hxll is this?Originally posted by seancannot:But Mr Mah, who is leading the PAP team in Tampines GRC, says the SDA candidate is just 'fishing' for figures and he has asked the HDB not to entertain him.
We want full transparency!!! -
He seems to be using the HDB as his own little toy.
"Ask HDB to subcontract projects to Mr Ng"? Wtf are you saying man? Bloody irresponsible remark. I would have imagined that the awarding of contracts would be done in a considered and measured manner and only after due consideration.
Here, he is basically, like a spoilt child, throwing his toys out of the pram. -
And seriously, even if HDB release any numbers,
can we TRUST that the numbers are being altered???
Look at NKF case?? -
I expected nothing less. It's a case of grabbing at straws.Originally posted by lwflee:He seems to be using the HDB as his own little toy.
"Ask HDB to subcontract projects to Mr Ng"? Wtf are you saying man? Bloody irresponsible remark. I would have imagined that the awarding of contracts would be done in a considered and measured manner and only after due consideration.
Here, he is basically, like a spoilt child, throwing his toys out of the pram. -
i thought in the first place,it was Mr Mah who challenged Mr Ng to build the flats with those cost that he mentioned and now Ng dared to take up the challenge, Mr mah does not allow?
What kinda intergity is Mr Mah showing? Cannot live up to what he himself said in front of National TV -
Originally posted by Aveme:i thought in the first place,it was Mr Mah who challenged Mr Ng to build the flats with those cost that he mentioned and now Ng dared to take up the challenge, Mr mah does not allow?
What kinda intergity is Mr Mah showing? Cannot live up to what he himself said in front of National TV
Goal 2010 anyone? -
Mah Bow Tan's reputation will certainly take a blow after this.Originally posted by LazerLordz:What right does Mah have to stop HDB from entertaining a perfectly legal request by a citizen. That shows we need the FOIA act.
Imagine a minister pouring cold water at an opposition MP for saying the cost of flats are to high.
To that he challenges Edmund to build cheaper flats.
Edmund takes up the challenge and requests for information on HDB costing and prices.
Now Mah Bow Tan performs what could only be interpreted as a political U-Turn and claims Edmund is merely 'fishing' for information and denies him access to that.
On what grounds can he forcefully restrict information? He has the audacity to throw down a challenge but no stomach to see it through?
Perhaps the cowardly change of heart never believed Edmund would rise to the occasion?
What a pathetic showing by Mah. This is clearly one of the reasons why he LOST to venerable CHIAM SEE TONG in the past election.
He gives President Scholar's a POOR NAME. -
edmund should press on.. carefully.
look like mah bow tan issue a challenge shot his mouth and slowly trying to siam. -
I'm Sorry Mr Mah...I LIVE IN TAMPINES....YOU WILL REGRET THE VOTE I CHOOSE
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wahahahh this is so hilarious.
i love GE, seems like a series of comedies to me. think can make into a TeeVee series liao -
It's a farce, and the mudslinging by the PAP is making fools out of us..
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Ng should just get the design from HDB and build a same flat with his own money Or build a similar in design if he cannot get the design
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think pm mm sm all kicking themselves about mah bow tan. frankly he is one mp i disrespect and its showing again.
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We see that PAP is trying all means to prevent oppositions from gain a foothold....
All means...and if people of Singapore can't see the obvious fact, it's sad then. -
If PAP or HDB got nothing to hide, why don't release the costing? Many citizens would be interested to know the real cost of a HDB flat, or the amount of subsidy ?
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In response, Mr Mah issued him a challenge, asking the HDB to subcontract building projects to Mr Ng.
I agree that the onus is with Mr Ng to prove that he can get a better pricing WITHOUT having any undue advantage of knowing beforehand the other opponent cost as estimate figures or benchmark. This is fair play at works.
When asked about Mr Ng's letter to HDB asking for cost details, Mr Mah says the onus is on the SDA candidate to back up his estimates.
Mr Mah says: "He is fishing for figures. He's got absolutely no clue what is going on. He just makes this allegation, just shooting from the hip. I've asked HDB not to entertain him."
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Challenge him, then ask HDB not to entertain him? Huh? WTF?!?!?! Tell you go jump into the river, but don't come out of it wet.
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Question ? is Ng build a flat at a cheaper cost - is it safe to stay ? will it collaspe like hotel new world ?Originally posted by maggot:Ng should just get the design from HDB and build a same flat with his own money Or build a similar in design if he cannot get the design
I too say I can build cheaper flat !!! - Yep paper one , burn it for Ng ! then he will have a sample and design !!! haha -
The answer is that he can build a flat at the same cost, but sell it at a cheaper price.Originally posted by storywolf:Question ? is Ng build a flat at a cheaper cost - is it safe to stay ? will it collaspe like hotel new world ? -
HDB is not a private developer in the first place so when Minister Mah said that HDB is selling the HDB flat as private developer at market value including land, construction and all other costs, it is already a shock to citizens.
Citizens can ask him a question: was the HDB wrong in its pricing formula in selling the first batch of HDB flats built in the early 1970s in Toa Payon or Bendemeer.
If HDB had made a mistake in charging the earlier buyers the wrong price or under-valued price, should he not try to recover the losses from those earlier buyers.
Minister Mah and the new MP who was previously CEO of HDB could verify honestly whether the above-stated HDB selling prices for Toa Payoh e.g. Block 33 Lorong 6 Toa Payon were sold at market prices?
He could with the help of Mr. Lui verify whether HDB relied on the Land Acquisition Act to acquire land cheaply below market price and when HDB compulsorily acquire those land, what did HDB tell the private land owners whose land were taken away about the purpose of the lands being acquired - was it to build HDB flats.
What did Housing and Development Act say was the role of HDB? Did it not say that HDB was constituted as a statutory board to provide low-cost housing or "Homeownership" flat for the people?
So if HDB uses the Land Acquisition Act to acquire lands with compulsory powers should not HDB use the acquired land provide low-cost housing. Should not HDB then charge the HDB flat at total development costs minus the land costs since such lands were acquired using the public funds belonging to the citizens.
Furthermore, once a piece of land was acquired compulsorily using the power under the Land Acquisition Act, is it legal for the HDB not to build the flat on it using the original acquisition land costs but instead hand over to the State Land Office and let the State Land Office sell it back to HDB at market price or near market price so as to entitle HDB to sell the flat at market price.
Then what happened to the acquired land which was supposed to be acquired using the compulsory power for citizens' low cost housing and paid for using the citizens' monies. So isn't it double-charging the citizens when HDB charged citizens the land cost again a second time when selling the flat at market value. -
Mr Mah simply a loser lah.
he lost to chiam see tong in potong pasir thus next election PAP transfer him to another area. is he a quitter?
he say goal 2010? next year 2007 we are not even gold medalist of SEA games. something wrong with his planning?
the cost of HDB flats issues. everyone in the TV can tell he is dogging the question about cost of HDB. giving some lame excuses like lift, land, area. in that case please answer to our robert teh question on land purchase.
robert teh, could you consider yourself for next WP candidate next election?
you are good -
Sorry to disappoint you as I am apolitical. I think quite a number of forumers here have the passion and will make good candidates in the next election.Originally posted by reyes:Mr Mah simply a loser lah.
he lost to chiam see tong in potong pasir thus next election PAP transfer him to another area. is he a quitter?
he say goal 2010? next year 2007 we are not even gold medalist of SEA games. something wrong with his planning?
the cost of HDB flats issues. everyone in the TV can tell he is dogging the question about cost of HDB. giving some lame excuses like lift, land, area. in that case please answer to our robert teh question on land purchase.
robert teh, could you consider yourself for next WP candidate next election?
you are good -
But your analytical views will definitely come in handy, perhaps you could assist them in policy researchOriginally posted by robertteh:Sorry to disappoint you as I am apolitical. I think quite a number of forumers here have the passion and will make good candidates in the next election.
.