Ridout Road: What Is The Problem?

Kenneth Jeyaretnam raised a number of issues about Ministers Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan’s tenancy of colonial mansions. As an average Singaporean, I must say that the part of the rental issue that bothers me the most is the potential lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the ministers’ affordability and the process by which they obtained these properties. The concerns raised by Kenneth Jeyaretnam and The Online Citizen shed light on important questions that warrant thorough investigation.

Firstly, the question of whether the ministers are paying market rental rates through an open bidding process needs to be addressed.

Although Kenneth Jeyaretnam tried to sensationalize his content by talking about how the rent could be $1.65m a year (the rent has been historically about $20–50k/month i.e. $240k-600k a year), his allegations still raises concerns. As citizens, we expect our leaders to set an example and be transparent in their financial dealings. We deserve clarity and assurance that our ministers are accountable to the people.

Secondly, the claims of possible abuse of power is concerning.

For example, allegations that residents were forced to make way for the ministers and the cutting down of trees without proper approval raise questions about abuse of power and lack of consideration for heritage and conservation efforts. These actions, if true, reflect poorly on the ministers and their commitment to responsible governance.

Ultimately, what concerns me the most is the apparent conflict of interest.

Given that the ministers are essentially the bosses of the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), this situation raises doubts about the impartiality and fairness of decision-making processes within the SLA. It was even highlighted that SLA built a carpark for them. The need for an independent committee of inquiry to address this conflict and provide answers.

As a Singaporean, I believe in the importance of transparency, accountability, and fairness in our government. It is crucial that these concerns are thoroughly investigated and addressed to uphold the integrity of our public institutions and ensure that our leaders serve the best interests of all Singaporeans.