Sengkang temple site not meant for commercial columbarium: MND

Sengkang temple site not meant for commercial columbarium: MND

The Ministry of National Development is in discussions with Eternal Pure Land to see how the land can be restored to the original plan of a Chinese temple, Minister Khaw Boon Wan says.

SINGAPORE: The decision to award a site designated as Place of Worship to a company not affiliated to a religious organisation is a first for the Government, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 29).

Mr Khaw said the Ministry of National Development is "in discussion" with Eternal Pure Land to "ensure that the land is restored to the original plan of a Chinese temple". He was responding to questions posed by MPs Seng Han Thong, Lee Li Lian and Lee Bee Wah.

"We now understand that the winning tenderer for this site, Eternal Pure Land, is actually a private company without any religious affiliation. From what we know, the plan of the company is to run a commercial columbarium on the site," the minister said. "This is not in line with our plan for the Places of Worship site."

He added that many temples provide an incidental columbarium service for their members and devotees, and whether the eventual temple in Sengkang will provide such a service is a decision for the temple trustees to make.

Mr Khaw said a review to improve land tender process for Places of Worship was launched late last year, for example by tightening eligibility requirements for tenderers.

"We have been engaging religious groups on the review. The Sengkang temple case has highlighted the necessity for such a review. I will provide more information when the review is completed," he stated.

The current tender process allows for religious organisations and companies to participate. This is because some of the religious organisations form companies to enable and facilitate their ownership and development of such sites.

"This has been the practice since 1991 when State Lands were put up for tenders for Places of Worship use. The assumption is that only companies affiliated to religious organisations would participate in such tenders," he added. Since 1991, seven sites have been won by companies, all affiliated to religious organisations.

Previously, property owners in Sengkang were up in arms over plans to build a Buddhist temple with columbarium services near their new homes, despite measures to mitigate possible inconveniences for residents being put in place.

The Housing and Development Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority indicated that plans for a columbarium at a Chinese temple planned in Sengkang can go ahead, despite objections from residents.

- CNA/kk


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