Point of Order

With reference to the Order Paper today, I noticed that the issue that has been talked about in our society in recent weeks, which is the Ang Mo Kio Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) case, all the questions – a total of seven of them – has been relegated to the last of the question list.

Which means that there would be limited or no airtime on it. There is a difference between oral questions and written questions. So, I would like to ask whether those questions can be moved forward because, indeed, there is a large number of questions being asked.

If not, will there be sufficient airtime for us to at least discuss the general principles about the compensation package of this SERS exercise which is quite different from the rest? There are 600 households out there, waiting for clearer answers on the general principles.

I know the Government and HDB have been engaging the residents. But many of them would still like to know what are the general principles behind some of the changes in the policies. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Leong. I have been briefed by the Clerks and I understand that 11.10 am, this morning, you sent a Petition in to the Clerk of Parliament – that is less than two hours ago. The Petition needs to be in accordance with the Standing Orders. Like any Member of this House, you are entitled to file a Petition, but the Clerk of Parliament needs to ensure the Petition is in accordance with the Standing Orders. In this case, a reasonable time is needed to ensure that whether or not your Petition does meet the requirements of the Standing Orders, in particular, Standing Order No 18.

The Standing Order in question is Standing Order No 18(5) and the Clerk needs time to verify whether your Petition meets those standards. Mr Leong, to be fair to you, in between the limited time between 11.10 am and 1.30 pm, the Staff and I had been working to ascertain whether your Petition accords with the Standing Orders; and presently, there are a few concerns that it does not. They will share them with you in due course, in fairness to you.

In relation to you saying that there is an important question of the Ang Mo Kio SERS project, I understand from Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin that, indeed, that issue is going to be covered in the very Adjournment Motion which is scheduled this evening. So, it will be ventilated and it will be answered. So, I hope we will all be able to carry on with Parliamentary business, with Question No 1. Mr Darryl David.