En bloc sales: Adopt HK’s 50-year limit

I APPLAUD Monday’s well-argued commentary, ‘En bloc debate, HK style’, which highlighted the disparity between Hong Kong’s code of practice for collective property sales and that in Singapore where the rights of minority secondary proprietors are plainly prejudiced in comparison.

I particularly admire that quotation from a South China Morning Post correspondent: ‘The powers to compulsorily take away private homes are a draconian statutory provision that should be vested only in government – and used only for a defined purpose. Making a profit for developers is not a public purpose.’

I also endorse the environmental concerns of Hong Kong over the needless destruction of good architecture with perhaps decades of useful longevity ahead, and the subsequent costly redevelopment of any such site. For example, I would welcome the introduction of a 50-year age limit before any development could be considered for collective sale; that would at least relieve me of the incessant worry of enforced eviction from my treasured dwelling for the rest of my anticipated lifespan.

I would probably be categorised as one of the ‘eccentric seniors unduly attached to their property’ which I have occupied contentedly since August 1986, but I earnestly hope the Singapore Government will review legislation relating to collective sales without the unanimous consent of all secondary proprietors to alleviate the disadvantages they face compared to owners of both landed property and HDB flats.

Dennis Butler