Sentosa State Assemblyman, Wilfred Yap services his constituency

suppadmin | April 29, 2025

State Assemblyman Sentosa, Wilfred Yap today demonstrated his unwavering commitment to fairness and justice for constituents by intervening in a pressing land access issue affecting Mr Chong, a local landowner whose property has been left without legal road access following the construction of a new highway.

Yap arranged a critical site visit with officers from the Public Works Department (PWD) and their consultant to assess the challenges faced by Mr Chong this morning.

The landowner, whose property (Lot 2556) is now isolated due to the highway’s development, currently relies on an informal access road crossing two neighboring plots (Lots 1089 & 1090). However, this arrangement is tenuous, as the neighboring landowners could withdraw consent at any time, leaving him stranded.

Despite repeated appeals to the PWD for a permanent solution, Mr Chong received no resolution, prompting Yap to step in as no one in his constituency should be left in legal limbo by infrastructure meant to serve the public.

As a GPS government backbencher, Yap fully supports the government’s efforts to build vital highways..

However he reckoned government authorities must equally prioritize the rights and livelihoods of those impacted. It is also the duty and responsibility of relevant government authorities to listen, understand, and act.

He added that the PWD and consultant previously denied direct highway access on safety grounds, yet failed to propose viable alternatives, leaving Mr Chong without a lawful route/access to his property.

During the inspection, Yap urged government officials to adopt a more empathetic and proactive approach. SAFETY is paramount, but so is FAIRNESS. We must collaborate to find innovative solutions that respect both principles.

He stressed that affected landowners deserve legal clarity and infrastructure progress should not come at the cost of leaving citizens short changed. The PWD must engage all stakeholders compassionately and with fairness.

During meeting, he said it was agreed that the current temporary access to Mr Chong’s land be maintained until a permanent solution through construction of a slip road.