HDB has a ‘habit’ of obscuring information since 1984

[Confuseous]

It looks like HDB has this corporate “habit” of obscuring information when it comes to disseminating information to the public.

The following piece of news, forwarded to TRE by a reader, showed that as far back as 30 years ago, HDB already had this habit of “obscuring” information from its maps.

In 1984, a resident, Mr Fong, wrote to the Straits Times complaining that HDB did not inform applicants that a funeral parlour was planned opposite their flat during their flat selection exercise.

“It must be obvious and known to the HDB planners that the majority of the local population, namely, the Chinese, Malays and Indians, dread living near funeral parlours and cemeteries on religious, cultural, social and traditional grounds,” he wrote.

Further, he questioned HDB why they were not told about this during the June 1984 Jurong Zone selection exercise.

He added, “It is disappointing to note that proposed buildings such as dustbin compounds were drawn into the maps that were mailed to eligible applicants but not extremely relevant and deadly important institutions such as a funeral parlour. Isn’t this a breach of faith?”

Full letter here...http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/01/08/hdb-has-a-habit-of-obscuring-information-since-1984/

 

[eatshitndie]

it's not necessary to be fully transparent with info for sinkies, as they don't and won't bother to fully understand them. too much info with sinkies can kill sinkies' brain cells and backfire badly, and it would be worse than dishing out only need-to-know info.

 

[Seee3]

It is a lesson for their staff to note that what can be forced down in 1984 is no longer applicable today. Stop following precedences like how law is practiced.

 

[makapaaa]

HDB has a ‘habit’ of obscuring information since 1984. No Internet Then to Expose It!

[h=2]HDB has a ‘habit’ of obscuring information since 1984[/h]

January 8th, 2015 |

Author: Editorial


It looks like HDB has this corporate “habit” of obscuring information when it comes to disseminating information to the public.

The following piece of news, forwarded to TRE by a reader, showed that as far back as 30 years ago, HDB already had this habit of “obscuring” information from its maps.

In 1984, a resident, Mr Fong, wrote to the Straits Times complaining that HDB did not inform applicants that a funeral parlour was planned opposite their flat during their flat selection exercise.

“It must be obvious and known to the HDB planners that the majority of the local population, namely, the Chinese, Malays and Indians, dread living near funeral parlours and cemeteries on religious, cultural, social and traditional grounds,” he wrote.

Further, he questioned HDB why they were not told about this during the June 1984 Jurong Zone selection exercise.

He added, “It is disappointing to note that proposed buildings such as dustbin compounds were drawn into the maps that were mailed to eligible applicants but not extremely relevant and deadly important institutions such as a funeral parlour. Isn’t this a breach of faith?”

Similarly, in the recent Sengkang columbarium saga, HDB has been accused by residents of putting up dodgy information on its brochure [Link] for the Fernvale Lea BTO project:

On the brochure, it said the site is reserved for a Chinese temple to be built but it did not clearly label that it is, in fact, a Chinese temple cum columbarium.
Only at the bottom of page 4 of the brochure, one can find this:

In the highlighted part of the disclaimer, HDB says:

The proposed facilities, their locations and surrounding land-use shown in the maps and plans are indicative only and subject to change or review. These facilities may include other ancillary uses allowed under URA’s prevailing Development Control guidelines. (emphasis added)
​

Again, there is no further description of the “ancillary uses” in the brochure.
To find out more about “ancillary uses allowed under URA’s prevailing Development Control guidelines“, one will have to personally visit URA to get more information. Alternatively, he can also try searching through URA’s website for the guidelines.
TRE found a document containing URA’s guidelines after some time: www.ura.gov.sg/circulars/text/dchbnr/placeofworship-dchbnr.pdf, which did say ancillary uses include providing a columbarium service:

It’s not known if everyone can be net savvy enough to find the URA’s guidelines on Internet.
Why go about in an obscure manner to disclose the information? Why not just simply label “Site reserved for Chinese temple cum columbarium” on the said map location?
That way, information is clearer and buyers are truly buying their flats with their eyes opened.
What do you think?

 

[NoAnswer]

it's not necessary to be fully transparent with info for sinkies, as they don't and won't bother to fully understand them. too much info with sinkies can kill sinkies' brain cells and backfire badly, and it would be worse than dishing out only need-to-know info.

The answer is no answer

 

[ginfreely]

All the residents can come together and sue HDB for lacking disclosure of vital information. Read somewhere that the tender already awarded before the BTO selection.

 

[johnny333]

It is a lesson for their staff to note that what can be forced down in 1984 is no longer applicable today. Stop following precedences like how law is practiced.

30 years ago they had LKY to hide behind. No "lesser mortals" would dare challenge his brass knuckes It's different today LKY is waiting to rejoin his wife & no one respects junior Lee.

Never mind even if they lost Sengkang in the next GE, it is only a single seat.

 

[bloodycock]

it's not necessary to be fully transparent with info for sinkies, as they don't and won't bother to fully understand them. too much info with sinkies can kill sinkies' brain cells and backfire badly, and it would be worse than dishing out only need-to-know info.

HDB Hides Data Best.

 

[RobertGarcia]

that's true.

 

[greedy and cunning]

HDB Hides Data Best.

reason for giving very generous retrenchment benefit to its employees
yet these lucky ones still working and performing the same job after the so called gold handshake.
$ is bestest , betterest that angmo