1. 241 out of 243 (99.2%) owners have accepted the Government’s compensation package for the acquisition of Pearls Centre. The compensation package comprises the statutory compensation and an ex-gratia payment. In response to the requests by the two remaining owners, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has extended the time given for them to respond.

2. As for the tenants, 174 out of 175 (99.4%) eligible tenants have accepted the Government’s offer of ex-gratia payment. One tenant has not replied but if he has a valid reason, SLA is prepared to similarly extend the time given for him to respond.

3. Owners and eligible tenants had the legal right to file appeals within 14 days from the date of the Collector’s Award on 27 March 2013, if they were dissatisfied with the statutory compensation offered. Two appeals were filed but were subsequently withdrawn on 24 April 2013. This means that there are no longer any appeals from the Pearls Centre owners and tenants.

4. The units at Pearls Centre will be handed over to the State in August 2014.

5. Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Ms Indranee Rajah, said, “We are glad that the owners and tenants have accepted the compensation packages. Together with SLA, my grassroots leaders and I met the owners and tenants on several occasions to discuss and address their concerns to the best of our abilities. They were appreciative of the increase in ex-gratia payments, which help to offset their relocation expenses.”

6. Pearls Centre was gazetted for compulsory acquisition on 29 August 2012 for the construction of the Thomson MRT line and comprehensive redevelopment. On 27 March 2013, the Government informed eligible owners and tenants of the statutory compensation and ex-gratia payment amounts for the compulsory acquisition of Pearls Centre. On 8 April 2013, in response to feedback, the Government increased the ex-gratia payment amounts to further mitigate the financial impact of the acquisition exercise.

7. SLA will continue to stay in touch with affected owners and tenants and provide the necessary assistance.

-End-

Issued by:
The Singapore Land Authority
25 April 2013

About SLA
Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is a statutory board with the Ministry of Law. Its mission is to optimise land resources for the economic and social development of Singapore. SLA is responsible for the direct management of some 14,000 hectares of State land and about 5,000 buildings. It is also in charge of land sales, leases, acquisitions and allocation, developing and marketing land-related information, and maintaining the national land information database through digitised land information services. SLA is also the national land registration authority for property transactions, and the issuance and guarantee of land titles in Singapore. It also manages and maintains the national land survey system, including the defining of boundaries or legal limits of properties based on a coordinated cadastre survey system. For more details, visit www.sla.gov.sg.