ST journalist: Khaw is correct that HDB flat sizes has not shrunk over past 15 years
Posted by temasektimes on May 4, 2012
A recent statement made by National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan that HDB flats have not shrunk in size in the past 15 years has caused some confusion among Singaporeans.
Speaking at a forum recently, Mr Khaw said:
“There has been this misunderstanding that HDB has shrunk its units in recent years. We have not but we continue to build smaller units and larger units and it is the choice of the consumers.”
Mr Khaw’s statement appeared to contradict that of HDB CEO Dr Cheong Koon Hean who admitted that the size of HDB flats has shrunk by five to 10 per cent over the last 20 to 30 years.
The Straits Times journalist Jessica Cheam who wrote both articles has since clarified that both reports are right. In a posting on Facebook, she wrote:
“I’ve doublechecked with HDB and both reports are right – Minister Khaw is accurate in saying the flat size hasn’t changed in the past 15 years because the mid-90s was the last time that HDB changed flat sizes.”
She explained that while HDB flat sizes have shrunk in the past 3 decades, it has not shrunk over the past 15 years.
“So, more accurately – The size of a four-room flat, for example, has been 90 sq m since the mid-90s. It was 100 sq m prior to that, and 105 sq m in the 1980s, according to HDB figures. The table given to us by HDB in the Nov report used a more generic timeframe (1980s, 1990s, 2000s) to show the sizes over the decades.”
THE TEMASEK TIMES 
singaporeans said
Let that also can? If there is not model answer, might as well just don’t say anything.
SingaPOORean said
I’ve not shitted in my life……………………………………my life in 4th May 2012, please don’t consider 3rd May or 2nd May or before…………nonsense from a ST journalist, not sure which country you from?
fxxkyoualltwice@gmail.com said
stupid bitch. does she even know what the fxxk she is saying, thinking and writing? (1980s, 1990s, 2000s) rite? So has the size of the flat shrunk since 2001? this is a timefrane of 11 years and not 15 years that was mentioned by Khaw the idiot. if he does not know how to count, 15 years would mean 2012 – 15 = 1997, and this happens to be in the 1990s. So, what we need to know is the flat size since 2000s. 11 YEARS. If you cannot read it, in terms of spelling, it is ELEVEN YEARS. In Chinese,十一年！！One more for you fxxkers, in Japanese, 十一年！！！（じゅういちねん) Fxxking ST reporter. Dick sxxker. I guess she was laid by Khaw smakk dick last nite?
It is too late to hide the truth. Don’t confused the 40%. We all know the sizes of HDB flat have shrunk. Don’t even need to calculate the average or take a mean deviation. WE KNOW IT.
Fxxk the 60% You can live in your pigoen hole and complain all you want. Come GE2016, you will REPENT.
theminoritydude said
Actual words.
it's so typical.. said
Why is the quantum 15 years, not 25 or 30 years? I’m sure KBW checked out the stats before making that declaration. Very crafty old fox.. Not surprising cos the MIWs are experts in the dark art of half truths, technically correct but realistically impossible ideas and tactical ommission of information..
maddog2020 said
Maybe people were not clear in stating that HDB flats have shrunk since it’s first inception. Maybe the question to him was put rightly but he side stepped and said that it didn’t in the “last 15 years”. In which case he did not answer the question put to him correctly.He maybe abit hard of hearing or his brain has been programmed to answer questions to make the govt look good. It goes for the rest of the cabinet.
Well trained they are!!!!
Helmi said
Many of the new BTO 4 room HDB flats are only 85 sq m. Down from the recent 90 sq m.
HDB flats are still shrinking.
These people are totally clueless.
This is why we need change in 2016.
Jaded said
what rubbish! shrinkage is shrinkage! Why not say prices of HDB flats have not increased in the past 1 year?
Stirrer said
Pinocchio with a fork tongue within a CB mouth,
not shrunk past 15 years, but did shrunk past 30 years.
Henry said
Wow! Now I get it … it takes a talented statistician to understand what is being communicated to the public. Wished Mr Khaw can talk about HDB trends to HDB dwellers in the language that HDB residents can understand … whew!
SB said
Now is damage control
liarKBW said
Just like all Truly Asians! Always lie!
wake up said
untrue
Gilbert Chua Yang Kai said
Your first statement is a mistake, please check WHO is the minister now!
lol said
The more you try to cover up the more own goals you score.
Theminoritydude said
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I just viewed the video clip of the actual declaration of the statement by Khaw, and he DID NOT mention 15 years. Did anyone else detect this
Snoopy Says said
Have u ppl up there even realized why Singaporean family size shrunk over the past 30 years? Who will be willing to overcrowd a mini home with growing kids??? I said KIDS, aka CHILDREN, NOT ANIMALS. Of cos u build a unit that can only allow 2, 3, 4 kids, dun expect your citizens to have more! Use your $8 brain.
Snoopy Says said
Have u ppl up there even realized why Singaporean family size shrunk over the past 30 years? Who will be willing to overcrowd a mini home with growing kids??? I said KIDS, aka CHILDREN, NOT ANIMALS. Of cos u build a unit that can only allow 2, 3, 4 kids, dun expect your citizens to have more! Use your $8 brain.
Jenny said
This is another reason we need to vote PAP out, their clown media is always delivering wrong statistics and news.
singaporeson said
These pap bastard ministers think we Singaporeans are that stupid ? Come on u motherfucking ministers !!! Go to a flat that is 30 years old and compare that to the newest flat. U bastard ministers are so arrogant !!! Hope GOD really give u a nice lesson soon !
龙的传人 said
This yr I want to buy more pte house , 2016 I not work can take rental .
Agriculture said
Agriculture…
ST journalist: Khaw is correct that HDB flat sizes has not shrunk over past 15 years « THE TEMASEK TIMES…