HE MAY now be in charge of a new portfolio but National
Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan carries over the blogging
tradition set during his stint as Health Minister.
Housing Matters, officially launched on Thursday, is Mr Khaw's
new blog (mndsingapore.wordpress.com) where he voices his
'thoughts, considerations and suggestions on issues and policies
under the purview of the Ministry of National Development, which
could possibly range from housing, property market, land use, food
safety, urban greenery to the construction industry', according to
a statement from the ministry.
Here is an excerpt:
'I am not a masochist. Housing is hot politically and there are
genuine problems on the ground. At my MPS, 70 per cent of appeal
cases are on housing. I don't think I am the only MP who harasses
MND/HDB regularly.
I will be very comfortable staying back in MOH and I still have
meaningful programmes to launch or complete. But I thought in my
next five years I can be more useful in MND than in MOH.
Many have emailed, written, and facebooked me, offering advice,
suggestions, feedback. There were hundreds of them and many more
will come, I am sure. I thank them all. They have given me a feel
of the nature and the scale of the unhappiness and concerns.
Several wisely advised me 'not to try to please all, as that
will surely fail'. Indeed, this is also not possible, as the
demands are often contradictory. For example, many want me to bring
property prices down. Many also warn me NOT to bring prices
down.
I am therefore realistic about what is doable. The key is to
prioritise and set realistic goals, for short term, medium term and
long term. In the immediate, I will focus on the housing needs of
some groups like the young couples, divorcees with children, and
low income families as I appreciate the anxieties they are
currently experiencing.
As in MOH, I will consult widely, with experts, customers,
industry players and Singaporeans. I will use all communications
platforms available, on-line, off-line, closed door forums, open
forums, big groups, small groups. It will be time-consuming but I
am sure will be enriching and educational.'
-- ST
