Connect with us

Singapore

Did Singapore Land Authority build a carpark shelter for the Minister of Law?

Questions are raised as it is revealed that Singapore Land Authority’s (SLA) assumed the role as the developer at Minister K Shanmugam’s rented property at 26 Ridout Road, including a sheltered car park and other renovations due to the typical expectation that tenants would handle such work.

Furthermore, there appears to be an absence of Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) written approval for certain constructions, such as a roundabout and a larger swimming pool.

As public demand for clarity grows, all eyes are on the upcoming July Parliamentary sitting for answers from both the SLA and the Ministers.

Published

1 year ago

on

Reform Party Secretary-General Kenneth Jeyaretnam’s recent social media posts have ignited a public debate surrounding the residences of Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan.

Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has confirmed that both ministers are indeed residing in  the colonial bungalows located along Ridout Road, which are managed by SLA. Notably, Mr. Shanmugam oversees SLA in his capacity as Minister for Law.

Responding to the controversy, SLA stated that the rentals of properties at No. 26 and No. 31 Ridout Road were carried out in accordance with the relevant SLA procedures.

However, Mr Jeyaretnam’s posts raised questions about the fairness of the auction process for these bungalows, specifically questioning whether the ministers were paying below market value. He called on SLA to provide clarification on the matter.

The ensuing controversy has prompted members of parliament from both the ruling party and the opposition to file questions that will be addressed in the upcoming parliamentary sitting scheduled for July.

The Workers’ Party has urged SLA to release all pertinent information, including the guide rent for the properties, ahead of the parliamentary session. Their aim is to facilitate a comprehensive and meaningful debate in Parliament.

However, SLA, in its press release on 12 May, indicated that further details would be revealed during the July parliamentary sitting. This suggests that no additional information will be disclosed until then.

Singapore Land Authority as developer for Mr Shanmugam

Data obtained from the Urban Development Authority (URA) indicates that the total size of 26 Ridout Road is approximately 28,497.67 square meters (306,930.38 square feet).

By comparing satellite photos from 2012 and 2022, notable changes are apparent, including the construction of additional structures and a reduction in greenery within the estate.

Regarding the additional structures, it is evident that a new structure was built at the main building. According to URA records, written approval was granted in October 2018 for the construction of an open-sided car park shelter.

It should be noted that this addition does not increase the gross floor area and is exclusively designated for car parking purposes.

Additional carpark shelter and roundabout built after Minister K Shanmugam moved in

Of particular interest is the fact that SLA is identified as the developer of the additional structure. This is noteworthy because Dr Balakrishnan had his own contractor listed as the developer for similar works carried out at 31 Ridout Road in September 2021.

As SLA states that the property was rented to Mr Shanmugam in June 2018, it then raises questions as to why SLA, instead of the Minister engaging his own contractor, assumed the role of developer for constructing the sheltered car park. The issue of who financed the construction works also remains unclear.

Similarly, it is perplexing that SLA, the purported developer, undertook partial replacement of damaged timber members and the restoration and replacement of existing doors and windows for 26 Ridout Road in 2022.

The terms and conditions of leasing such a property typically place the responsibility for all maintenance works on the tenant.

Terms and Conditions for tenants of black-and-white houses

Furthermore, the records on URA do not appear to show any written approval for the construction of the roundabout within the estate.

Additionally, the records do not indicate any written approval for the demolition of the smaller pool located at the back of the estate, nor for the construction of the larger pool that is visible on the satellite map.

Of course, we also have a question regarding the trees at 26 and 31 Ridout Road. If these trees, located within the ministers’ residences, have conservation status, was approval sought for their removal? If so, who granted this approval? Furthermore, were any given approvals supported by independent assessments?

In any case, answers from the Singapore Land Authority or the Ministers during the upcoming July Parliamentary sitting are eagerly anticipated as the public seeks clarity on these matters.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
73 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
73 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Singapore

Man arrested for alleged murder of 48-year-old woman at Maxwell Food Centre

A 41-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a 48-year-old woman at Kadayanallur St. He will be charged with murder, which carries the death penalty.

Published

15 hours ago

on

7 September 2024

By

A 41-year-old man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of a 48-year-old woman.

The incident is said to have occurred in the early hours of 7 September 2024 at Maxwell Food Centre along Kadayanallur Street.

According to the Singapore Police Force, the man turned himself in at Bukit Merah East Neighbourhood Police Centre at 1.36am, informing officers that he had stabbed the woman.

Police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they found the woman lying motionless. Paramedics later pronounced her dead on-site.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man and the victim were known to each other. However, further details about their relationship have not been disclosed.

The man will be charged with murder under Section 302(1) of the Penal Code 1871, an offence that carries the death penalty.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Continue Reading

Singapore

Singapore’s tycoons see wealth rise in 2024, but still below 2021 peak

Singapore’s wealthiest saw their collective fortune rise over 10 per cent to US$195 billion in 2024, driven by economic growth and stock market gains. Eduardo Saverin, Meta co-founder, led the list with US$29 billion, while real estate and tech tycoons also saw significant gains.

Published

2 days ago

on

6 September 2024

By

Singapore’s wealthiest individuals saw a collective increase in their fortunes by over 10 per cent, reaching US$195 billion (S$253 billion) in 2024, up from US$177 billion in 2023, according to Forbes’ 2024 list of Singapore’s 50 Richest. However, their total wealth remains below the peak in 2021, when their net worth reached US$208 billion.

Nearly two-thirds of those listed saw their wealth grow this year, benefiting from Singapore’s robust economic performance and buoyant stock market.

Forbes credited part of the wealth boost to optimism following the swearing-in of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in May 2024 and a surge in tourism driven by major concerts from global pop star Taylor Swift and rock band Coldplay.

At the top of the list, Brazilian billionaire entrepreneur and angel investor Eduardo Saverin, co-founder of Meta Platforms and based in Singapore, maintained his position as Singapore’s richest person for the second year in a row. His net worth surged by US$13 billion, reaching US$29 billion in 2024, spurred by Meta’s stock price gains, as the tech giant deepens its investments in artificial intelligence.

Siblings Robert and Philip Ng of Far East Organization held on to second place, despite a slight dip in their fortune from US$14.8 billion in 2023 to US$14.4 billion in 2024. The property magnates continued to oversee one of Singapore’s largest real estate empires.

In third place, Mr Li Xiting, chairman of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics, saw his wealth decline slightly from US$14 billion to US$13.4 billion.

Real estate mogul Kwek Leng Beng climbed to fourth place with a net worth of US$11.5 billion. His high-profile acquisition of the Hilton Paris Opera hotel in 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, made headlines and solidified his family’s standing.

One significant change in the top 10 was the entry of the Wee family at No. 7, with a net worth of US$7.8 billion. The family, heirs of banking tycoon Wee Cho Yaw who passed away in February at the age of 95, now holds a key position in UOB, one of Singapore’s major banks. Mr Wee Ee Cheong, the eldest son, is deputy chairman and chief executive of UOB, while his siblings oversee other family businesses, including UOL Group and UOB Kay Hian.

Meanwhile, the founders of the Haidilao hotpot chain, Mr Zhang Yong and Ms Shu Ping, experienced a sharp drop in their ranking, falling from sixth place in 2023 to 10th in 2024. The couple’s combined wealth declined to US$6.5 billion, driven by a steep fall in Haidilao’s stock due to weaker consumer spending in China.

Another significant development was the sharp rise in wealth of three individuals tied to United States-listed Sea Ltd. The internet company, co-founded by Mr Forrest Li, turned profitable for the first time in 2023, causing its stock to more than double. Mr Li’s wealth soared, elevating him to No. 12 with a net worth of US$5 billion, while Sea’s chief operating officer Ye Gang rose to No. 16 with US$3.1 billion.

As Singapore’s tycoons continue to navigate global economic fluctuations, their fortunes reflect a mixed bag of success stories and challenges, with technology, real estate, and tourism emerging as key drivers of wealth growth in 2024.

Continue Reading

Trending