The Ministry of National Development submitted a written reply to the Parliamentary Public Petition Committee on behalf of the petition filed by the Singapore Forward Party's non-constituency MP Leung Man Fai on behalf of the SERS-affected Ang Mo Kio homeowners, making the above statement.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) pointed out that the HDB estimates that only about 5% of HDB flats are suitable for SERS, and most HDB projects with high redevelopment potential have now been selected for addition to the scheme.

In light of this, there is no need for a major review of SERS. The Parliamentary Committee on Public Petitions said in a release Friday (Nov. 17) that it had completed its review and had submitted the petition and the Ministry of National Development's response to Parliament.

The petition to review SERS was submitted to the National Assembly on August 1, and the petition requested that any work on SERS be suspended until the review report is available.

The petition was signed by five residents of HDB blocks 562 to 565 on Ang Mo Kio Road 3 after news of the Ang Mo Kio SERS program was announced.

Some homeowners were dissatisfied with the estimated compensation and complained that they had to pay the difference with their own cash money in order to buy a replacement HDB flat of similar size to the existing ones.

In response to the petitioners' request for a transparent and independent assessment of redevelopment and replacement HDB flats, the Ministry of National Development pointed out that there is already a transparent and independent assessment mechanism for HDB flats affected by SERS.

Valuation is done by appraisers in accordance with accepted valuation principles and market practice.

Homeowners who disagree can bring in their own valuers to do the valuation.

If they are no longer satisfied, they can also appeal to the authorities. The appeals committee will determine the price of the HDB flats from CK's perspective. The petitioners also requested a review of SERS' relocation and compensation options.

The Ministry of National Development said that the authorities have provided a variety of relocation options for affected homeowners, including the purchase of replacement HDB flats at subsidized prices, or priority applications for pre-purchased HDB flats and surplus HDB flats, with those eligible receiving a SERS subsidy of $30,000.

In addition, the authorities have also provided additional options to affected Ang Mo Kio SERS homeowners HDB announced in July that homeowners and spouses who are 45 years old or older at the time of SERS Yibu can purchase a three-bedroom or larger replacement unit with a deed of only 50 years.

SERS homeowners aged 65 and older can join the deed buy-back program and purchase an alternative HDB flat with a shorter lease.

In response to the petitioner's suggestion to review compensation options, the Ministry of National Development said it was unclear what the petitioner was referring to and that compensation for SERS HDB flats is the market value of the HDB flats.

The National Assembly Public Petition Committee is chaired by Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan Jen, and its members include Transport Minister Yee Wah Yan, Health Minister Ong Ee Hong, Culture, Community and Youth Minister and Second Minister of Law Tang Chen Hui, Health Ministry and Senior Parliamentary Secretary of Law Rahayu, and Masi Leng I Oil Pond constituency MP Soe Fai Min.