PKMS also thinks that STR article is an unfair write-up of Dr Koh's speech

Pic: Shut Down TRS

I wonder how much money Alex Tan makes off his STR website by spewling out half-truths and out-right lies to gain notoriety and readership. 

There's no doubt that he is simply copying the business model of the now-defunct, The Real Singapore.  Such a sad little asshole of a person.

Anyway, here is what Dr Koh actually said in Parliament with respect to the issue of "assistance for flat-owners who have fallen on hard times."

Here's the TL;DR version which shows what Alex Tan/STR twisted for their article: 

 "In general, HDB will assist flat owners who are in difficulties to seek help from social support agencies by recommending that they get the job, if they are out of a job, or to provide them with temporary financial support through the SSOs.

HDB, however, is not a bank and is not able to offer personal loans to flat owners, although we can help them with restructuring their HDB mortgage loans."

Here's the full version (emphasis mine):

"Yesterday, Ms Joan Pereira asked: what assistance plans does HDB have in place with regard to mortgage payments by those in their late 40s or 50s who have been retrenched, particularly where the husband and wife both lose their jobs at the same time. 

My full reply to her are as follows: 

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Minister for National Development):  

Mdm Speaker, HDB has various assistance measures to help families who have fallen on hard times.  

As a first step, Housing Counsellors in HDB Branches provide financial counselling and explore sustainable housing options with the flat owners, for example by subletting their spare bedrooms.  

The Housing Counsellors in the Branches may also refer them to social support agencies for job placements, financial aid, for example at the Employment & Employability Institute (e2i), Social Service Offices (SSOs), and Family Service Centres (FSCs). 

Flat owners who face short-term difficulties in servicing their mortgage instalments may be offered a temporary reduction or deferment of their mortgage instalments to help them with their cash flow situation. 

For those who face longer term difficulties and hardship, HDB will advise them on measures such as including their working adult children as joint owners to help with the mortgage instalments.  

Another long-term measure is to right-size to a flat within their means. In this situation, HDB may offer them another loan and/or interim rental housing to help with their move. 

For low-income households who are unable to afford another flat, have no family support and no other housing options, HDB may offer them a public rental flat. 

Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar): Mdm Speaker, I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I have one supplementary question. Would HDB consider providing such financial help to HDB owners who have taken loans from the banks? 

Dr Koh Poh Koon: Mdm Speaker, for flat owners who have financial difficulties, the banks would usually alert HDB when the flat owners start to default on their payments.  

In general, HDB will assist flat owners who are in difficulties to seek help from social support agencies by recommending that they get the job, if they are out of a job, or to provide them with temporary financial support through the SSOs. 

HDB, however, is not a bank and is not able to offer personal loans to flat owners, although we can help them with restructuring their HDB mortgage loans."

Source : Dr Koh's Facebook post

CNA Video of Dr Koh's response: Koh Poh Koon speaks in Parliament on Apr 6

Notes:
The Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura (PKMS, or Singapore Malay National Organisation, is a political party in Singapore. Read more about them here.