MND explains delay in approving Pasir Ris wet market
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By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 11 January 2011 1913 hrs
SINGAPORE : The National Development Ministry has said there was a delay in approving a wet market in Pasir Ris because proposals submitted by the operator, Sheng Siong, were unacceptable.
The operator had taken over the lease last March.
Senior Minister of State for National Development, Grace Fu, explained: "It knew that it had bought the premises as a wet market as this was stipulated in the lease agreement.
"Until recently, Sheng Siong repeatedly submitted proposals which included supermarket features, suggesting that they were trying to operate White Sands as a supermarket. HDB had no choice but to reject these proposals as they were not in accordance with Sheng Siong's commitment and did not meet the conditions for a wet market."
Ms Fu said authorities met with Sheng Siong "over 10 times" to discuss the situation.
She added that the lease clearly states that the market must have individual stalls operated by individual stallholders.
In response to MediaCorp, Sheng Siong would only say that the old market had been making losses for 15 years, and it needed to introduce "new features" to cater to residents' needs.
A new proposal, which included air-conditioning for the new market, was submitted on October 28, and it was approved on November 12.
Sheng Siong said it may not open in time for the Lunar New Year, and has applied to set up a temporary bazaar outside the market.
- CNA -
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