Cheng Hsing Yao on public housing motions

What has been achieved in Singapore's public housing programme is unique, special and precious, said NMP Cheng Hsing Yao. It comes from generations of people who set enlightened policies, developed practical solutions and programmes and executed them systematically, he said. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Feb 6), he said that in the critique of Singapore's public housing programme, there is a need to be careful not to inadvertently undermine the system that works. He also believes that it makes sense to factor land price into the cost of public housing as it is not free simply because it is state land. He said the Government is only a "custodian" and not the owner of the land. Factoring in land value into the cost of public housing closes the loop of value creation and value capture, he said. It also prevents undue windfall for certain people only, he added.