Yip Hon Weng on State Lands Protection Bill

Land is a precious commodity in land-scarce Singapore, and the new laws highlight the severity of misuse and encroachment of state land, said MP Yip Hon Weng. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 30), he said they reflect the Government’s resolve to use land prudently. He said the higher penalties against land encroachment and misuse would serve as deterrence. He also urged the Government to put residents at the heart of what it does. Clarity is critical for the quick resolution of problems pertaining to state land, he said. He pointed out that in a densely populated country, residents will often find themselves being in close proximity to state lands. When these lands are not properly managed, and issues simply take too long or even years to get settled by the Government, residents are inconvenienced. "The Government must be resident-centric. We must ensure that we have strong enforcement, as well as streamlined measures, to manage state lands in the most effective and efficient way," he said.