I REFER to Mr Tan Juay Leng's letter, 'Lift for 8 units but none for HDB block with 50 units' (ST, Oct 19). He mentioned he had seen former and current MPs about having lifts installed at Block 113, Bukit Merah View, but had not heard any news.
I am the current MP for the Bukit Merah View area. There are three low-rise residential blocks there: Blocks 113, 114 and 116. I fully empathise with Mr Tan's parents and the other elderly residents who live in those blocks. I visit the area frequently and I know how much of a challenge it is for them to climb the stairs.
Both the former MP, Dr S. Vasoo, and I had raised the issue of lifts for these low-rise blocks with HDB on many occasions. Prior to 2005, the main obstacle to our appeals was the then prevailing HDB policy that low-rise blocks with five floors or fewer were not eligible for the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP).
Many MPs, including Dr Vasoo and myself, called for a review of this policy. Consequently, there was a policy change in 2005 which extended the LUP to blocks with four and five floors. After this policy change, I continued to raise the issue of lifts for the three low-rise blocks with HDB.
As these blocks are part of a precinct which includes the neighbouring Blocks 110-112, the needs of these other blocks have to be considered as well. I have, during my walkabouts, obtained feedback from residents on their preferences and the options that they would like to have considered for their respective blocks. I have provided their feedback to HDB and asked that something be done for the precinct as a whole.
HDB is studying the matter with a view to finding an optimal and comprehensive plan for the area, taking into account the feedback provided.
Let me reassure Mr Tan's parents and the other residents in the precinct that their needs and feedback have not been overlooked or forgotten. The matter is under active consideration and I will do my best for them.
Indranee Rajah (Miss)
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC
