A number of residents living off Marymount Road are disappointed over the way their homes are being acquired for the construction of the North-South Expressway (NSE).
They claim that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is putting pressure on them to withdraw their appeal regarding the compensation awarded from the state for their homes.
In a letter from the SLA dated 26 January, it informed homeowners that the goodwill payment from the government (an ex gratia sum over and above the statutory compensation amount) would be ‘deemed as lapsed’ if they did not withdraw their appeal by 9 February, which was further extended until last Thursday.
Meanwhile, SLA defended its decision in a statement, arguing that residents were given some time to think through the offer, which could not be kept open indefinitely.
The ex gratia payment was 30 percent of the compensation that the state offers.
A statutory compensation of about S$2 million was awarded to a typical three-storey terraced house with a 2,100 sq ft land area in Marymount Terrace (pictured). The total payout rises to S$ 2.6 million, adding the 30 percent ex gratia payment.
However, residents argue that their own valuations exceeded S$3 million.
Teng Tiong Yong, 52, said, “We were held to ransom with the ex gratia payment. We did not have a fair chance to appeal.”
It was in January last year when residents were informed of the acquisition. In July, they learned of the amount they would receive in statutory compensation plus the ex gratia payment which was 20 percent of the compensation, subsequently increased to 30 percent.
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