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NATIONAL Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has told Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong there is no question of an $80-million upgrading package being made available to him.

In a letter sent to Mr Chiam yesterday, Mr Mah noted that the $80-million package had been proposed by the PAP candidate Sitoh Yih Pin as his plan if he was elected.

'It was on this basis that I promised to help Mr Sitoh secure the funds for the upgrading programme,' he said in the letter.

'As the majority of Potong Pasir voters rejected Mr Sitoh and his plan, the issue of funding no longer arises.'

Still, Mr Mah reminded Mr Chiam that the Government had announced that all eligible HDB blocks will have lift upgrading by 2014 - and this includes those in Potong Pasir.

Mr Mah was responding to a letter sent to him by Mr Chiam last Wednesday.

In it, the opposition MP asked for access to $80 million in funds that he believed had been earmarked for upgrading in the constituency.

Mr Chiam said his Potong Pasir Town Council was planning various improvement works and wanted to apply for the amount, especially to help with lift upgrading.

He also told The Straits Times at the time that he was asking for the money on behalf of his constituents, especially the 45 per cent of residents who voted for the PAP during the election.

Although Mr Mah has turned down Mr Chiam's request, he told the opposition MP that he could proceed with lift upgrading plans using the funds which he said his town council had.

In the letter, Mr Mah noted that Mr Chiam had said during the General Election campaign that Potong Pasir Town Council had enough funds for lift upgrading for all blocks in the constituency over the next five years.

'You should proceed to do so,' he said, reminding Mr Chiam the town council's sinking fund could be used subject to various guidelines that had been laid down.

When contacted by The Straits Times yesterday, Mr Chiam said he was not put off by the rejection, and would write to Mr Mah again to press the minister for the funds.

'It would appear from Mr Mah's letter that the PAP is only interested in helping Potong Pasir residents if they win the election. This is a problem and I will write to the minister again to highlight the issue,' he said.

The PAP candidate, Mr Sitoh, could not be reached for comment as he is overseas.

kenkwek@sph.com.sg