Urban Redevelopment Authority Act 1989

Urban Redevelopment Authority
Act 1989

2020 REVISED EDITION

This revised edition incorporates all amendments up to and including 1 December 2021 and comes into operation on 31 December 2021

An Act to give effect to the merger of the existing Urban Redevelopment Authority established under the Urban Redevelopment Authority Act (Chapter 340 of the 1985 Revised Edition) and the Planning Department and the Research and Statistics Unit of the Ministry of National Development by the establishment and incorporation of the new Urban Redevelopment Authority and to provide for matters connected therewith.

[1 September 1989]

PART 1

PRELIMINARY

Short title

1.  This Act is the Urban Redevelopment Authority Act 1989.

Interpretation

2.  In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires —

“Authority” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority established by section 3;

“building” includes any house, flat, hut, shed, roofed enclosure or other accommodation, whether used for the purpose of human habitation or otherwise, and also any wall, fence, platform, staging gate, post, pillar, paling, frame, hoarding, slip, dock, wharf, pier, jetty, landing stage or bridge, or any structure or foundation connected to the foregoing;

“Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Authority and includes any temporary Chairperson of the Authority;

“chief executive” means the chief executive of the Authority, and includes any individual acting in that capacity;

“develop” has the meaning given by section 12 of the Planning Act (Cap. 232, 1990 Revised Edition);

“developed land” means land of the Authority upon which a building has been erected;

“flat” means a horizontal stratum of a building or part thereof, whether such stratum or part is on one or more levels or is partially or wholly below the surface of the ground;

“former Authority” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority established under the repealed Act;

“Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore” means the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore established under the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Act 1992;

“Jurong Town Corporation” means the Jurong Town Corporation established under the Jurong Town Corporation Act 1968;

“land” includes benefits to rise out of land and things attached to the earth or permanently fastened to anything attached to the earth;

“member” means a member of the Authority;

“monument” has the meaning given by the Preservation of Monuments Act 2009;

“Planning Department” means the Planning Department of the Ministry of National Development;

“property” includes houses, buildings, lands and tenements;

“repealed Act” means the Urban Redevelopment Authority Act (Cap. 340, 1985 Revised Edition) repealed by this Act;

“Research and Statistics Unit” means the Research and Statistics Unit of the Ministry of National Development;

“unit” includes a flat, a shop, an office or other tenement within an urban redevelopment area;

“urban redevelopment” includes the construction, reconstruction, extension, repair, alteration, change of use, aggregation and subdivision of a building and change of use, aggregation and subdivision of land;

“urban redevelopment area” means an area, with or without any building therein, declared by notification in the Gazette under section 8(1) to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.

[11/2003; 16/2009; 20/2013; 5/2018]

PART 2

ESTABLISHMENT, INCORPORATION AND CONSTITUTION OF AUTHORITY

Establishment of Authority

3.  A body called the Urban Redevelopment Authority is established, which is a body corporate with perpetual succession and with power to —

(a) sue and be sued in its corporate name;

(b) acquire and dispose of property, both movable and immovable;

(c) perform any other acts that bodies corporate may by law perform; and

(d) exercise any other powers that are conferred under or by virtue of this Act.

Constitution of Authority

4.—(1)  The Authority consists of —

(a) a Chairperson; and

(b) not less than 4 and not more than 12 other members.

[29/2003]

(2)  The First Schedule has effect with respect to the Authority, its members and proceedings.

Common seal and execution of documents

5.—(1)  The Authority must have a common seal that may be broken, changed, altered and made anew as the Authority thinks fit.

(2)  All deeds, documents and other instruments requiring the seal of the Authority must be sealed with the common seal of the Authority and every instrument to which the common seal is affixed must be —

(a) signed by an officer of the Authority; and

(b) countersigned by a member of the Authority or by some other person duly authorised in writing by the Authority for that purpose.

(3)  The signing in subsection (2)(a) and (b) is sufficient evidence that the common seal was duly and properly affixed and that the seal is the lawful seal of the Authority.

(4)  The Authority may by resolution or otherwise in writing appoint an officer of the Authority or any other agent either generally or in a particular case to execute or sign on behalf of the Authority an agreement or other instrument not under seal in relation to any matter coming within the powers of the Authority.

(5)  Section 11 of the Registration of Deeds Act 1988 does not apply to an instrument purporting to have been executed under subsection (2).

PART 3

FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND POWERS OF AUTHORITY

Functions and duties of Authority

6.  The functions and duties of the Authority are —

(a) to prepare or execute or prepare and execute proposals, plans and projects for —

(i) the clearance, development and redevelopment of such land as the Authority may think fit for the purpose of resettling persons displaced by operations of the Authority and other resettlement projects approved by the Minister or for any other purpose;

(ii) the erection, conversion, improvement and extension of any building for sale, lease, rental or other purpose; and

(iii) the provision and improvement of services and facilities for —

(A) the promotion of public safety, recreation and welfare; and

(B) the parking of vehicles;

(b) to superintend parking places;

(c) to sell, lease or grant licences to use or occupy such land belonging to the Authority for the purposes of the development and redevelopment of the land as the Authority may think fit;

(d) to sell, lease or grant licences to use or occupy land or other property as agent for the Government or any statutory authority when appointed to do so, for the purposes of the development and redevelopment of the land or property or for any other purpose that the Government or statutory authority may specify;

(e) to manage such lands, buildings or other property as the Authority may think fit;

(f) to submit or make recommendations or proposals to the Government or any person or statutory body for the preservation and protection of any monument and land of historic, traditional, archaeological, architectural or aesthetic interest;

(g) to provide information and advice to and act as agent and consultant for such Government department, person, company and corporation carrying on or intending to carry on a building project or scheme or urban redevelopment in Singapore or elsewhere as the Authority may think fit;

(h) to undertake land planning and to manage and control the development of land in Singapore;

(i) to inform and advise the Government on matters relating to land planning and the development of land in Singapore;

(j) to secure and promote publicity in any form in Singapore or elsewhere of the functions and activities of the Authority;

(k) to collect, compile and analyse information of a statistical nature relating to building, construction, land use, recreation or such other subject matter necessary for the performance of the functions and duties imposed upon the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law, and to publish and disseminate the results of any such compilation and analysis or abstracts of those results;

(l) to provide advisory and information services;

(m) to conduct, promote and encourage research in matters connected with one or more of the Authority’s purposes and functions; and

(n) to carry out such other functions and duties as are imposed upon the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law.

[29/2003]

Powers of Authority

7.—(1)  Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority may —

(a) carry on any activities that appear to the Authority to be advantageous, necessary or convenient for it to carry on for or in connection with the discharge of its duties and functions under this Act; and

(b) in particular, exercise one or more of the powers specified in the Second Schedule.

(2)  The Authority may, in addition to the powers vested in it by subsection (1), exercise such other powers as the Minister may in writing authorise the Authority to exercise.

(3)  The Authority, when it is exercising powers authorised by the Minister under subsection (2), is deemed to be exercising powers vested in it by subsection (1).

(4)  This section is not to be construed as limiting any power of the Authority conferred by or under any other written law.

Declaration of urban redevelopment areas

8.—(1)  The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, by notification in the Gazette declare an area, with or without any building in the area, to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.

(2)  A declaration made under subsection (1) must contain the following particulars:

(a) the town subdivision or mukim in which the area is situated;

(b) the lot number of the area, its approximate area and all other particulars necessary for identifying it;

(c) if a plan of the area has been made, the place and time where and when the plan may be inspected.

(3)  The declaration must state that such area may be acquired by the Government within 3 years from the date of the notification in the Gazette or within such extended period as the President may think fit.

(4)  Upon publication of the notification in the Gazette, such area is deemed to be an urban redevelopment area for the purposes of this Act.

Incorporated companies may be formed

9.  The Authority may, with the written approval of the Minister, form or participate in the formation of a company.

Gifts

10.  The Authority may accept gifts, legacies or donations and apply them for one or more of its functions or duties.

Authority may make ex gratia payments

11.  The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make an ex gratia payment to a person sustaining damage by reason of the exercise of one or more of the powers vested in the Authority or its employees under and by virtue of this Act.

Powers of Minister in relation to Authority

12.—(1)  The Minister may give to the Authority any direction under section 5 of the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018.

[5/2018]

(2)  The Authority must provide the Minister with such information or facilities for obtaining information with respect to its property and the exercise of its functions in such manner and at such times as the Minister may reasonably require.

Submission of projects by Authority

13.—(1)  The Authority must, from time to time, prepare and submit to the Minister proposals, plans and projects showing the nature of the work proposed to be executed and other steps proposed to be undertaken by the Authority under sections 6, 7 and 12.

(2)  The Minister may reject or approve any proposal, plan or project mentioned in subsection (1) or any part thereof either without modification or subject to such modification as the Minister may think fit.

(3)  Every proposal, plan or project submitted by the Authority under this section must be in such form and contain such particulars as the Minister may direct.

Appointment of committees and delegation of powers

14.—(1)  The Authority may appoint from among its own members or other persons who are not members, any number of committees consisting of members or other persons, or members and other persons, for purposes which, in the opinion of the Authority, would be better regulated and managed by means of those committees.

(2)  The Authority may, subject to any conditions or restrictions that it may impose, delegate to any such committee or the Chairperson or the chief executive one or more of the functions, duties and powers vested in the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law, except the power to borrow money; and any power, function or duty so delegated may be exercised or performed by such committee or the Chairperson or the chief executive (as the case may be) in the name and on behalf of the Authority.

(3)  The Authority may, subject to any conditions or restrictions that it may impose, delegate to an employee of the Authority one or more of the Authority’s functions and duties vested in the Authority by or under this Act or any other written law, except the power to borrow money or to raise or grant loans or advances to or subscribe to stocks, shares, bonds or debentures of a company or corporation; and any power, function or duty so delegated may be exercised or performed by such employee in the name and on behalf of the Authority.

Power to make standing orders

15.  The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make standing orders providing for every matter in regard to which standing orders may be made under this Act and, in particular, for the following:

(a) the method of entering into contracts by or on behalf of the Authority;

(b) the delegation of powers to officers of the Authority;

(c) the opening, keeping, closing and internal audit of accounts of the Authority;

(d) loans and allowances to officers of the Authority;

(e) housing accommodation for officers of the Authority; and

(f) the professional and technical training of officers of the Authority.

Power to enter upon lands

16.—(1)  The Authority may, for the purposes of this Act, by its employees, agents or contractors, enter at all reasonable hours in the day into and upon a building or land for the purpose of —

(a) making any survey or inspection; and

(b) executing work authorised by this Act to be executed by them,

without being liable to any legal proceedings or molestation on account of such entry or of anything done in a part of such building or land pursuant to this Act.

(2)  An employee, agent or contractor of the Authority, or a person acting on behalf of the Authority, must not enter into a building in actual occupation without the consent of the occupier of the building or without 6 hours’ previous notice to the occupier.

Regulations

17.—(1)  The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make such regulations as are necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

(2)  Without limiting subsection (1), the Authority may make regulations for one or more of the following purposes:

(a) the control and management of lands and buildings acquired by, vested in or belonging to, the Authority;

(b) the use and enjoyment of those lands, buildings and other property;

(c) the prevention of trespass upon or on any of those lands and buildings and the removal of trespassers or other persons causing annoyance or inconvenience upon or in those lands and buildings.

(3)  The Authority may, in making any regulations under this section, provide that a contravention of or failure to comply with the regulations shall be an offence and may prescribe as a penalty in respect of such offence —

(a) a fine not exceeding the sum of $2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or both; and

(b) in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding $500 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.

(4)  All regulations made under this section must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.

PART 4

PROVISIONS RELATING TO STAFF

Chief executive

18.—(1)  There must be a chief executive of the Authority, whose appointment, removal, discipline and promotion must be in accordance with the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018.

[5/2018]

(2)  The Authority may, subject to the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, appoint an individual to act temporarily as the chief executive during any period, or during all periods, when the chief executive —

(a) is absent from duty or Singapore; or

(b) is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

[5/2018]

Appointment of staff

19.—(1)  The Authority may, subject to the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, appoint and employ, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, such other officers, employees, consultants and agents as may be necessary for the effective performance of its functions.

[5/2018]

(2)  The termination of appointment, dismissal and disciplinary control of the employees of the Authority is vested in the Authority.

(3)  The Authority may make rules, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or of any other written law, for the appointment, promotion, dismissal, termination of service, disciplinary control and terms and conditions of service of all persons employed by the Authority.

Protective provisions

20.  No matter or thing done and no contract of any kind entered into by the Authority and no matter or thing done by a member or employee of the Authority or by any other person acting under the direction of the Authority shall, if the matter or thing was done or the contract was entered into in good faith for the purpose of executing the provisions of this Act, subject such member, employee or person acting under the direction of the Authority personally to any action, liability, claim or demand in respect thereof.

21.  [Repealed by Act 5 of 2018]

PART 5

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Borrowing powers

22.—(1)  The Authority may, for the purposes of this Act, raise loans from the Government or, with the approval of the Minister, from any other source, either by creation and issue of debentures, stocks or bonds, or otherwise, as the Minister may direct.

(2)  The Authority must pay interest on such loans at such rates and at such times, and make such provision for the mode and time or times of repayment of principal, as the Minister may approve.

(3)  The Authority may, with the consent of the Minister, from time to time borrow by way of a temporary loan or overdraft from a bank or otherwise, any sum which it may temporarily require —

(a) for the purpose of defraying expenses pending the receipt of revenues receivable by it in respect of the period of account in which those expenses are chargeable; or

(b) for the purpose of defraying, pending the receipt of money due in respect of a loan authorised to be raised under subsection (1), expenses intended to be defrayed by such loan.

Issue of shares, etc.

22A.  As a consequence of —

(a) the vesting of any property, rights or liabilities of the Government in the Authority under this Act; or

(b) any capital injection or other investment by the Government in the Authority in accordance with any written law,

the Authority must issue such shares or other securities to the Minister for Finance as that Minister may direct.

[5/2002]

Loans charged upon revenues of Authority

23.  All loans raised by the Authority under section 22, together with all interest and other sums payable in respect of those loans, must be charged indifferently upon all the revenues of the Authority and rank equally with one another, with priority over any other charge on the revenues of the Authority.

Provision of working capital

24.  For the purpose of enabling the Authority to carry out its objects and to defray expenditure properly chargeable to capital account, including defraying initial expenses, and for the provision of working capital, the Minister may authorise payment to the Authority of such sums as the Minister may determine.

Annual estimates

25.—(1)  A copy of all annual estimates of revenue and expenditure and supplementary estimates must, upon their adoption by the Authority, be sent without delay to the Minister.

[5/2018]

(2)  The Minister may approve or disallow any item or portion of any item shown in the annual estimates or supplementary estimates.

[5/2018]

(3)  The Minister must return the annual estimates or supplementary estimates as amended under subsection (2) to the Authority, and the Authority is bound by the Minister’s decision.

[5/2018]

(4)  The Authority may transfer all or part of moneys assigned to one item of expenditure to another under the same head of expenditure in supplementary estimates approved by the Minister.

(5)  A summary of the annual estimates and supplementary estimates adopted by the Authority and approved by the Minister must be published in the Gazette.

26.  [Repealed by Act 5 of 2018]

Power of investment

27.  The Authority may invest its funds in accordance with the standard investment power of statutory bodies as defined in section 33A of the Interpretation Act 1965.

[45/2004]

Application of profits of Authority

28.  The Minister may, after consultation with the Authority, give directions to the Authority as to the manner in which its profits are to be applied.

Financial provisions

29.  The financial provisions set out in the Third Schedule have effect with respect to the Authority.

PART 6

TRANSFER OF ASSETS, LIABILITIES, FUNCTIONS AND EMPLOYEES

Dissolution of Planning Department and former Authority, etc.

30.  As from 1 September 1989, the Planning Department, the Research and Statistics Unit and the former Authority cease to exist.

Transfer of assets and liabilities

31.—(1)  Subject to subsection (2), as from 1 September 1989 —

(a) all movable property vested in the Government immediately before that date for the purposes of the Planning Department and the Research and Statistics Unit, and all assets, rights or interests vested in, and all outstanding debts, liabilities and obligations incurred by, the Government in connection therewith; and

(b) all the lands, buildings and other property movable and immovable, vested in the former Authority immediately before that date and all assets, rights and interests vested in, and all outstanding debts, liabilities and obligations incurred by, the former Authority in connection therewith,

are transferred to and vest in the Authority without further assurance.

(2)  Subsection (1) does not apply to any rights and interests vested in, and any outstanding liabilities and obligations incurred by, the former Authority immediately before 1 September 1989 in connection with all sums of moneys paid or payable by way of instalments to the former Authority, or the payment of which is secured to the satisfaction of the former Authority, pursuant to section 49(3)(b) of the repealed Act.

(3)  If any question arises as to whether any particular movable property vested in the Government, or whether any particular asset, right, interest, liability or obligation of the Government has been transferred to or vested in the Authority under subsection (1), a certificate under the hand of the Minister for Finance is conclusive evidence that the property, asset, right, interest, liability or obligation was or was not so transferred or vested.

(4)  No disclosure to the Authority under this section of information collected by the Research and Statistics Unit before 1 September 1989 shall be called in question on the ground that such disclosure is contrary to section 5 of the Statistics Act 1973 or in breach of confidence.

Existing agreements, etc.

32.  All deeds, bonds, agreements, instruments and working arrangements, subsisting immediately before 1 September 1989, affecting any of the property, rights, interests, liabilities and obligations transferred to or vested in the Authority under section 31(1) continue in force on and after that date and are enforceable by or against the Authority as if, instead of the Government or the former Authority or a person acting on behalf of either the Government or the former Authority, the Authority had been named therein or had been a party thereto.

33.  [Omitted as spent]

Transfer of employees

34.—(1)  As from 1 September 1989, every person who immediately before that date is employed by the Government in the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit, or by the former Authority, is transferred to the service of the Authority on terms not less favourable than those enjoyed by him or her immediately prior to his or her transfer.

(2)  Despite subsection (1), persons holding such grades in the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit as the Minister may determine must as soon as practicable be given the option of remaining in the service of the Government.

(3)  Nothing in this section precludes the secondment to the Authority of officers in the employment of the Government on such terms as may be agreed upon by the Government and the Authority.

Conditions of service

35.—(1)  Until such time as terms and conditions of service are drawn up by the Authority, the schemes and terms and conditions of service in the Government or the former Authority continue to apply to every person transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 as if the person were still in the service of the Government or the former Authority, as the case may be.

(2)  The terms and conditions to be drawn up by the Authority must take into account the salaries and terms and conditions of service, including any accrued rights to leave, enjoyed by the persons transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 while in the employment of the Government or former Authority and any such term or condition relating to the length of service with the Authority must provide for the recognition of service under the Government or former Authority by the person so transferred to be service by them under the Authority.

Pension benefits

36.—(1)  Nothing in the terms and conditions to be drawn up by the Authority is to adversely affect the conditions that would have been applicable to persons transferred to the service of the Authority as regards any pension, gratuity or allowance payable under the Pensions Act 1956.

(2)  In every case where a person employed by the Government in the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit has been transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34, the Government shall be liable to pay to the Authority such portion of any gratuity, pension or allowance payable to such person on his or her retirement or otherwise leaving the service of the Authority as the same bears to the proportion which the aggregate amount of the person’s pensionable emoluments during his or her service with the Government bears to the aggregate amount of the person’s pensionable emoluments during his or her service under both the Government and the Authority.

(3)  Where any person in the service of the Authority whose case does not come within the scope and effect of any pension or other schemes mentioned in this section, retires or dies in the service of the Authority or is discharged from such service, the Authority may grant to the person or to such other person or persons wholly or partly dependent on him or her, as the Authority may think fit, such allowance or gratuity as the Authority may determine.

(4)  Where any person who is transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 is a contributor under the Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Act 1904, the person must for the purposes of that Act continue to make contributions under that Act as if he or she had not been transferred to the service of the Authority, and for the purposes of that Act the person’s service with the Authority is deemed to be service with the Government.

No benefits in respect of abolition or reorganisation of office

37.  Despite the provisions of the Pensions Act 1956, no person who is transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34 is entitled to claim any benefit under the Pensions Act 1956 on the ground that the person has been retired from the service of the Government on account of abolition or reorganisation of office in consequence of the establishment and incorporation of the Authority.

38.  [Repealed by Act 11 of 2003]

Continuation and completion of disciplinary proceedings

39.—(1)  Where on 1 September 1989 any disciplinary proceedings were pending against any employee of the Government or the former Authority who has been transferred to the service of the Authority under section 34, the proceedings are to be carried on and completed by the Authority under and in conformity with this Act as far as practicable; but where on that date any matter was in the course of being heard or investigated or had been heard or investigated by the Government, the former Authority or a committee acting under due authority and no order or decision had been rendered thereon, the Government, the former Authority or committee continues to exist, despite this Act, for the purpose of completing the hearing or investigation and the making of an order or rendering a decision, as the case may be.

(2)  For the purposes of completing a hearing or investigation before it, or making an order or rendering a decision on a matter heard or investigated before 1 September 1989, the Government, the former Authority or committee must complete the hearing or investigation in accordance with the authority vested in the Government, the former Authority or committee immediately before that date and make such order, rule or direction as the Government, the former Authority or committee could have made under the authority vested in it immediately before that date.

(3)  Any order, rule or direction made or given by the Government, the former Authority or committee pursuant to this section is treated as an order, rule or direction of the Authority and has the same force or effect as if it had been made or given by the Authority pursuant to the authority vested in the Authority under this Act.

Misconduct or neglect of duty by employee before transfer

40.  The Authority may reprimand, reduce in rank, retire, dismiss or punish in some other manner a person who had, while the person was in the employment of the Planning Department, the Research and Statistics Unit or the former Authority, been guilty of any misconduct or neglect of duty which would have rendered the person liable to be reprimanded, reduced in rank, retired, dismissed or punished in some other manner by the Government or the former Authority or any other person acting under its authority or direction or otherwise, as if this Act had not been enacted.

PART 7

SALE OF UNITS

Power to sell

41.  The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, sell any developed land or part thereof.

Special provisions

42.  For the purposes of the registration of an assurance pertaining to the sale by the Authority of any unit, the mortgage of such unit in favour of the Authority or the reconveyance or discharge of such mortgage —

(a) in the case of land registered under the provisions of the Registration of Deeds Act 1988, section 11 of that Act does not apply; and

(b) in the case of land registered under the provisions of the Land Titles Act 1993, where a solicitor is not employed by the party acquiring title under an instrument relating to the transactions mentioned in this section, a certificate of an officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Authority, is sufficient for the purposes of section 59(3) of that Act.

[20/2013]

PART 8

MISCELLANEOUS

Authority’s symbol

43.—(1)  The Authority has the exclusive right to the use of such symbol or representation as it may select or devise (called in this section the Authority’s symbol) and display or exhibit the Authority’s symbol in connection with its activities or affairs.

(2)  A person who without the permission of the Authority uses a symbol or representation identical with that of the Authority’s symbol, or which so resembles the Authority’s symbol as to or be likely to deceive or cause confusion, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Furnishing of information

44.—(1)  The Authority or any employee of the Authority authorised by the Authority in that behalf may, for the purpose of obtaining statistical information, by notice require any person to furnish to the Authority or the employee so authorised, within such period as is specified in the notice, all such particulars or information relating to all such matters as the Authority may require and as are within the person’s knowledge or in the person’s custody or under the person’s control.

(2)  Subject to subsection (6), a notice issued under subsection (1) may be served in the following manner:

(a) in the case of an individual —

(i) by delivering it to the individual personally;

(ii) by leaving it with an adult person apparently resident at, or by sending it by prepaid registered post to, the usual or last known address of the individual’s place of residence;

(iii) by leaving it with an adult person apparently employed at, or by sending it by prepaid registered post to, the usual or last known address of the individual’s place of business;

(iv) by affixing a copy of the notice in a conspicuous place at the usual or last known address of the individual’s place of residence or place of business; or

(v) by sending an electronic communication of the notice to the last email address given to the Authority by the individual as the email address for the service of documents on the individual;

(b) in the case of a partnership other than a limited liability partnership —

(i) by delivering it to any one of the partners or the secretary or other like officer of the partnership;

(ii) by leaving it at, or by sending it by prepaid registered post to, the principal or last known place of business of the partnership in Singapore;

(iii) by sending it by fax to the fax number operated at the principal or last known place of business of the partnership in Singapore; or

(iv) by sending an electronic communication of the notice to the last email address given to the Authority by the partnership as the email address for the service of documents on the partnership;

(c) in the case of any limited liability partnership or any other body corporate —

(i) by delivering it to the secretary or other like officer of the body corporate or, in the case of a limited liability partnership, the manager thereof, or to any person having, on behalf of the limited liability partnership or other body corporate, powers of control or management over the business, occupation, work or matter to which the notice relates;

(ii) by leaving it at, or by sending it by prepaid registered post to, the registered office or principal place of business of the limited liability partnership or other body corporate in Singapore;

(iii) by sending it by fax to the fax number operated at the registered office or principal place of business of the limited liability partnership or other body corporate in Singapore or elsewhere; or

(iv) by sending an electronic communication of the notice to the last email address given to the Authority by the limited liability partnership or other body corporate as the email address for the service of documents on the limited liability partnership or body corporate.

[20/2013]

(3)  If the person on whom service is to be effected has an agent within Singapore, the notice may be delivered to the agent.

[20/2013]

(4)  Any notice issued under subsection (1) which is to be served on the occupier of any premises —

(a) may be served by delivering it to an adult person on the premises or, if there is no such person on the premises to whom it can with reasonable diligence be delivered, by affixing the notice to a conspicuous part of the premises; and

(b) is deemed to be properly addressed if addressed by the description of the occupier of the premises without further name or description.

[20/2013]

(5)  Where any notice issued under subsection (1) and required to be served on any person is —

(a) sent by registered post to any person in accordance with subsection (2) — it is deemed to be duly served on the person at the time it would, in the ordinary course of post, be delivered, whether or not it is returned undelivered, and in proving service of the notice, it is sufficient to prove that the envelope containing the same was properly addressed, stamped and posted by registered post;

(b) sent by ordinary post to any person in accordance with subsection (2) — it is deemed to be duly served on the person to whom it is addressed on the day after the day on which it would, in the ordinary course of post, be delivered;

(c) sent by fax to the fax number operated at the last known place of residence or business or registered office or principal place of business in accordance with subsection (2) — it is deemed to be duly served on the person to whom it is addressed on the day of transmission, if a notification (by electronic or other means) of a successful transmission to that fax number is received; and

(d) sent by electronic communication to an email address in accordance with subsection (2) — it is deemed to be duly served on the person to whom it is addressed at the time of entering the information system addressed to the email address.

[20/2013]

(6)  Service of any notice under this section on a person by electronic communication may be effected only if the person gives as part of the person’s address for service an email address.

[20/2013]

(7)  Any person who on being required by notice under this section to furnish any particulars or information —

(a) wilfully refuses or without lawful excuse (the proof of which lies on the person) neglects to furnish the particulars or information within the time specified in the notice; or

(b) wilfully furnishes or causes to be furnished any false particulars or information in respect of any matter specified in the notice requiring particulars or information to be furnished,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(8)  Nothing in this section authorises the Authority, or any employee authorised by the Authority in that behalf, to require the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore or the Jurong Town Corporation to furnish to the Authority or the employee so authorised —

(a) any particulars or information in the possession of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore obtained in the performance of any of its functions; or

(b) any particulars or information in the possession of the Jurong Town Corporation obtained pursuant to any notice under section 35A of the Jurong Town Corporation Act 1968.

[20/2013]

Request for information from Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and Jurong Town Corporation

44A.—(1)  For the purpose of obtaining data for statistical purposes relating to property in Singapore, the Authority may in writing require —

(a) the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore to supply to the Authority any particulars or information in the possession of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore that it obtained in the performance of its function as an agent of the Government in administering, assessing, collecting and enforcing payment of property tax or stamp duties; or

(b) the Jurong Town Corporation to supply to the Authority any particulars or information in the possession of the Jurong Town Corporation obtained pursuant to any notice under section 35A of the Jurong Town Corporation Act 1968.

[20/2013]

(2)  Despite the provisions of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Act 1992 and the Jurong Town Corporation Act 1968, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and the Jurong Town Corporation, respectively, must provide the particulars and information required under subsection (1) within such time as may be agreed to between the Authority and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore or the Jurong Town Corporation, as the case may be.

[20/2013]

Preservation of secrecy

45.—(1)  Any member, officer or employee of the Authority must not disclose any particulars or information which has been obtained by the member, officer or employee in the performance of his or her duties or the exercise of his or her function under section 44 or 44A unless —

(a) the disclosure is with the previous consent in writing of the person who furnished the particulars or information under section 44 or the person to whom the particulars or information relate;

(b) the disclosure is as statistics which do not identify the person who furnished the particulars or information under section 44 or the person to whom the particulars or information relate;

(c) the disclosure is to the Jurong Town Corporation pursuant to its request made under section 35B of the Jurong Town Corporation Act 1968;

(d) the disclosure is to the Chief Statistician pursuant to his direction under section 6 of the Statistics Act 1973 where the particulars or information are not exempted under section 6(2) of that Act from being so furnished;

(e) the disclosure is for the purpose of another member, officer or employee of the Authority carrying into effect the provisions of this Act;

(f) the disclosure is for the purposes of any proceedings for an offence under section 44(7) or this section or any report of those proceedings; or

(g) the particulars or information are already in the public domain at the time of its disclosure.

[20/2013]

(2)  Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.

Obstructing officers of Authority

46.  Any person who obstructs or hinders an officer or agent of the Authority acting in the discharge of his or her duty under this Act or any regulations made under this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.

Proceedings conducted by officers of Authority

47.  Any proceedings in respect of an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act may, with the authorisation of the Public Prosecutor, be conducted by an officer of the Authority or an officer of the Government authorised in writing in that behalf by the chief executive.

[15/2010]

Consent of Public Prosecutor

48.  No court is to try an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act except with the consent of the Public Prosecutor.

[15/2010]

Exclusion of liability for errors or omissions in information supplied

49.  Where the Authority provides a service to the public whereby information is supplied to the public on payment of a prescribed fee, neither the Authority nor any of its employees involved in the supply of such information shall be liable for any loss or damage suffered by members of the public by reason of any error or omission of whatever nature appearing therein or however caused if made in good faith and in the ordinary course of the discharge of the duties of such employees.

Offence by body corporate

50.  Where an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to an act or default on the part of —

(a) a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or

(b) a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,

he or she, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

Fines to be paid to Authority

51.  All fines imposed for an offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act must be paid into the funds of the Authority.

Composition of offences

51A.—(1)  The Authority may compound any offence under this Act or any regulations made under this Act that is prescribed as a compoundable offence by collecting from a person reasonably suspected of having committed the offence a sum not exceeding $1,000.

[29/2003]

(2)  On payment of the sum of money, no further proceedings are to be taken against that person in respect of the offence.

[29/2003]

(3)  The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, make regulations to prescribe the offences which may be compounded.

[29/2003]

(4)  All sums collected under this section must be paid to the Authority.

[29/2003]

Exemption

52.—(1)  Despite the provisions of this Act, the Minister may by order exempt any person or class of persons from all or any of the provisions of this Act.

(2)  Any order made under this section must be presented to Parliament as soon as possible after publication in the Gazette.

Saving and transitional provisions

53.—(1)  The saving and transitional provisions in the Fourth Schedule have effect.

(2)  Except as provided in the Fourth Schedule, nothing in that Schedule affects any saving provided by the Interpretation Act 1965.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Section 4(2)

Constitution and Proceedings of the Authority

Appointment of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and other members

1.—(1)  The Chairperson and other members are to be appointed by the Minister.

(2)  The Minister may appoint one of the members to be the Deputy Chairperson; and the Deputy Chairperson may, subject to any directions that the Chairperson may give, exercise all or any of the powers exercisable by the Chairperson under this Act.

(3)  The Minister may appoint the chief executive to be a member.

Tenure of office of members

2.  The Chairperson and every other member hold office for a term of 3 years or such shorter period as the Minister may determine, unless their appointment is revoked under paragraph 5 or they resign during their term of office.

Temporary Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson

3.  The Minister may appoint any member to be a temporary Chairperson or temporary Deputy Chairperson during the temporary incapacity from illness or otherwise, or during the temporary absence from Singapore of the Chairperson or the Deputy Chairperson, as the case may be.

Temporary members

4.  The Minister may appoint any person to be a temporary member during the temporary incapacity from illness or otherwise, or during the temporary absence from Singapore, of any member.

Revocation of appointment

5.  The Minister may, at any time, revoke the appointment of the Chairperson or the Deputy Chairperson or any member; and in exercising his or her power under this paragraph, the Minister is not required to give any reason for the revocation.

Resignation

6.  Any member may resign from his or her appointment at any time by giving written notice to the Minister.

Vacation of office of member

7.  The office of a member is vacated if the member —

(a) becomes in any manner disqualified for membership of the Authority;

(b) has been absent, without leave of the Authority, from 3 consecutive meetings of the Authority; or

(c) resigns from his or her office.

Filling of vacancy in the office of a member

8.  If a member dies or has his or her appointment revoked or otherwise vacates his or her office before the expiry of the term for which he or she has been appointed, another person may be appointed by the Minister for the remainder of the term for which the vacating member was appointed.

Disqualification from membership

9.  A person must not be appointed or continue to hold office as a member if the person —

(a) has a mental disorder and is incapable of managing himself or herself or his or her affairs;

(b) is an undischarged bankrupt or has made any arrangement or composition with his or her creditors; or

(c) is convicted of an offence involving dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude and has not received a free pardon.

Salaries, fees and allowances payable to members

10.  There are to be paid to the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and other members out of the funds of the Authority such salaries, fees and allowances as the Minister may determine.

Meetings of Authority

11.—(1)  The Chairperson must hold meetings as often as may be required but not less than once in 3 months.

(2)  The quorum at every meeting of the Authority is one‑third of the total number of members or 3 members, whichever is the higher.

(3)  Decisions at meetings of the Authority are to be adopted by a simple majority of the votes of the members present and voting and, in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson or in the Chairperson’s absence the Deputy Chairperson or the member presiding has a casting vote.

(4)  The Chairperson or in the Chairperson’s absence the Deputy Chairperson presides at meetings of the Authority.

(5)  Where both the Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson are absent at a meeting, such member as the members present may elect presides at the meeting.

(6)  The Authority may act despite any vacancy in its membership.

(7)  Subject to the provisions of this Act and the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018, the Authority may make standing orders to regulate its own procedure and, in particular, the holding of meetings, the notice to be given of the meetings, the proceedings at the meetings, the keeping of minutes and the custody, production and inspection of the minutes.

Validity of acts of members

12.  The acts of a member are valid despite any defect that may afterwards be discovered in the member’s appointment or qualifications.

[21/2008; 25/2009; 5/2018]

SECOND SCHEDULE

Section 7

Powers of the Authority

1.  With the approval of the Minister, to carry out or assist in carrying out any project in connection with urban redevelopment.

2.  With the written approval of the Minister, to grant loans or advances to a company or corporation carrying on or intending to carry on urban redevelopment in Singapore or having one or more of its objects connected with or related to one or more of the functions or duties imposed on the Authority under this Act.

3.  To manage, control or supervise such company or corporation by nominating directors or advisers or otherwise collaborating with them or entering into partnerships or any other arrangement for jointly working with them.

4.  With the written approval of the Minister, to establish and manage such company or corporation.

5.  To enter into any joint venture or arrangement with the Government for the sharing of profits or otherwise for the purposes of this Act.

6.  With the written approval of the Minister, to subscribe to stocks, shares, bonds or debentures of a company or corporation.

7.  To acquire, hire, procure, construct, erect, manufacture, provide, operate, maintain or repair anything, whether movable or immovable, required by the Authority for the purposes of this Act.

8.  To enter into contracts, covenants, bonds, deeds or agreements or prepare documents of every kind for the purposes of this Act.

9.  Subject to rules which may be made by the Minister under this Act, to impose such charges or fees as the Authority may determine for the provision of accommodation, services or works, or the use of buildings, recreational grounds, equipment, amenities or facilities provided, maintained, controlled or operated by the Authority.

10.  To do anything for the purpose of advancing the skill of persons employed by the Authority, or the efficiency of the equipment of the Authority, or the manner in which that equipment is operated, including the provision by the Authority and the assistance of the provision by orders or facilities for training, education and research.

11.  To provide houses, hostels and other like accommodation, including convalescent or holiday houses, club houses and playing fields, for persons employed by the Authority.

12.  To make or guarantee loans to any person employed by the Authority for the purpose of purchasing a vehicle, building a house, purchasing a plot of land on which to build a house or purchasing a house for the use of that person or for the residential use of that person’s family.

13.  To award scholarships or to give loans to any employee of the Authority or any member of the employee’s family for purposes specifically approved by the Authority.

THIRD SCHEDULE

Section 29

Financial Provisions

1.  The financial year of the Authority begins on 1 April of each year and ends on 31 March of the succeeding year.

2.  The auditor of the Authority must, as soon as practicable but not later than 30 September every year, send the report of the auditor’s audit of the financial statements in respect of the preceding financial year.

3.  The Authority must send the audited annual financial statements of the Authority, signed by the Chairperson, to the Minister no later than 31 October in each year, together with a copy of any report made by the auditor of the Authority.

[5/2018]

FOURTH SCHEDULE

Section 53

Saving AND TRANSITIONAL Provisions

Continuation of office of members of former Authority

1.  Every person who, immediately before 1 September 1989, held office as a member of the former Authority, subject to the provisions of this Act, continues to be a member of the Authority as if the person had been appointed under this Act on the same terms and conditions for a term expiring on the day on which the appointment under the repealed Act would expire.

First chief executive

2.  The first chief executive of the Authority is the person who, immediately before 1 September 1989, is appointed to perform the duties of the General Manager of the former Authority and the person holds office on the same terms and conditions for a term expiring on the day on which his or her appointment under the repealed Act would expire.

Saving of committees and delegations

3.—(1)  Every committee appointed by the former Authority under section 25(1) of the repealed Act continues as if appointed by the Authority under section 14(1) of this Act; and every person who, immediately before 1 September 1989, was a member of such committee continues as a member of the committee on the same terms and conditions for a term expiring on the day on which his or her appointment under the repealed Act would expire.

(2)  Any delegation made by the former Authority under section 25(2) or (3) of the repealed Act is deemed to be a delegation by the Authority made under section 14(2) or (3) of this Act, respectively.

Projects of former Authority

4.  Every proposal, plan and project submitted by the former Authority before 1 September 1989 and which have neither been approved nor rejected by the Minister under section 24 of the repealed Act is deemed to have been submitted by the Authority under section 13 of this Act.

Companies of former Authority

5.  Every private company formed by the former Authority pursuant to section 20 of the repealed Act and existing immediately before 1 September 1989 is deemed to have been formed under the provisions of this Act.

Continuation of standing orders, etc.

6.—(1)  All standing orders made under section 26 of the repealed Act by the former Authority and in force immediately before 1 September 1989 is deemed to have been made under section 15 of this Act by the Authority and may be amended, revoked or replaced by standing orders made under this Act.

(2)  Every authorisation and direction given or made by the Minister under the repealed Act with regard to the power, or exercise of the functions, of the former Authority and in force immediately before 1 September 1989 is deemed to have been given or made by the Minister under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

Information collected by Research and Statistics Units

7.  Subject to section 35B of the Jurong Town Corporation Act 1968 and to section 45, all information collected by the Research and Statistics Unit before 1 September 1989 and transferred to the Authority under section 31 is subject to the same safeguards as respect disclosure as are provided by the Statistics Act 1973 as if the information had been collected by the Authority under that Act.

Contracts, documents, etc.

8.—(1)  Any scheme, contract, document, licence, consent or resolution prepared, made, granted, approved or issued by or on behalf of the former Authority under any provision of the repealed Act, and any scheme, contract, document or licence made by or on behalf of the Government in respect of the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act or any other written law, continues and is deemed to have been prepared, made, granted or approved by the Authority.

(2)  Where anything has been commenced by or on behalf of the former Authority, the Planning Department or the Research and Statistics Unit before 1 September 1989, such thing may be carried on and completed by or under the authority of the Authority.

(3)  In any written law and in any document, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the former Authority is to be construed as a reference to the Authority.

[20/2013]

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Urban Redevelopment Authority Act 1989

 

This Legislative History is a service provided by the Law Revision Commission on a best-efforts basis. It is not part of the Act.
Pictorial Overview of Predecessor Acts
Legislative History Details
PART 1 URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACT (CHAPTER 340, 1985 REVISED EDITION)
1.	Act 65 of 1973—Urban Redevelopment Authority Act, 1973
	Bill	:	30/1973
	First Reading	:	11 July 1973
	Second Reading	:	26 July 1973
	Select Committee Report	:	Parl. 2 of 1973
	Notice of Amendments	:	30 November 1973
	Third Reading	:	30 November 1973
	Commencement	:	1 April 1974
2.	Act 7 of 1983—Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 1983
	(Amendments made by section 2 read with the Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	25/1982
	First Reading	:	3 December 1982
	Second and Third Readings	:	4 March 1983
	Commencement	:	15 April 1983 (section 2 read with the Schedule)
3.	1985 Revised Edition—Urban Redevelopment Authority Act (Chapter 340)
	Operation	:	30 March 1987
4.	Act 13 of 1989—Urban Redevelopment Authority (Amendment) Act 1989
	Bill	:	15/1989
	First Reading	:	19 January 1989
	Second and Third Readings	:	17 February 1989
	Commencement	:	31 March 1989
PART 2 URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ACT 1989 (2020 REVISED EDITION)
5.	Act 32 of 1989—Urban Redevelopment Authority Act 1989
	Bill	:	33/1989
	First Reading	:	11 July 1989
	Second and Third Readings	:	4 August 1989
	Commencement	:	1 September 1989
6.	1990 Revised Edition—Urban Redevelopment Authority Act (Chapter 340)
	Operation	:	15 March 1990
7.	G.N. No. S 227/1995—Revised Edition of the Laws (Rectification) Order 1995
	Operation	:	15 March 1990
8.	Act 5 of 2002—Statutory Corporations (Capital Contribution) Act 2002
	(Amendments made by section 3 read with item (47) of the Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	7/2002
	First Reading	:	3 May 2002
	Second and Third Readings	:	24 May 2002
	Commencement	:	15 July 2002 (section 3 read with item (47) of the Schedule)
9.	Act 11 of 2003—Street Works (Amendment) Act 2003
	(Amendments made by section 23 read with item (3) of the Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	9/2003
	First Reading	:	24 April 2003
	Second and Third Readings	:	30 June 2003
	Commencement	:	1 August 2003 (section 23 read with item (3) of the Schedule)
10.	Act 29 of 2003—Urban Redevelopment Authority (Amendment) Act 2003
	Bill	:	26/2003
	First Reading	:	16 October 2003
	Second and Third Readings	:	11 November 2003
	Commencement	:	5 December 2003
11.	Act 45 of 2004—Trustees (Amendment) Act 2004
	(Amendments made by section 25(4) read with item (56) of the Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	43/2004
	First Reading	:	21 September 2004
	Second and Third Readings	:	19 October 2004
	Commencement	:	15 December 2004 (section 25(4) read with item (56) of the Schedule)
12.	Act 16 of 2009—Preservation of Monuments Act 2009
	(Amendments made by section 36(2) read with item (4) of the Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	9/2009
	First Reading	:	23 March 2009
	Second and Third Readings	:	13 April 2009
	Commencement	:	1 July 2009 (section 36(2) read with item (4) of the Schedule)
13.	Act 25 of 2009—Quorums of Statutory Boards (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2009
	(Amendments made by section 2 read with item 16 of the Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	19/2009
	First Reading	:	14 September 2009
	Second and Third Readings	:	19 October 2009
	Commencement	:	15 January 2010 (section 2 read with item 16 of the Schedule)
14.	Act 21 of 2008—Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008
	(Amendments made by section 33 read with item 1(52) of the Second Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	11/2008
	First Reading	:	21 July 2008
	Second and Third Readings	:	15 September 2008
	Commencement	:	1 March 2010 (section 33 read with item 1(52) of the Second Schedule)
15.	Act 15 of 2010—Criminal Procedure Code 2010
	(Amendments made by section 430 read with item 113 of the Sixth Schedule to the above Act)
	Bill	:	11/2010
	First Reading	:	26 April 2010
	Second Reading	:	18 May 2010
	Third Reading	:	19 May 2010
	Commencement	:	2 January 2011 (section 430 read with item 113 of the Sixth Schedule)
16.	Act 20 of 2013—Jurong Town Corporation (Amendment) Act 2013
	(Amendments made by section 9 of the above Act)
	Bill	:	15/2013
	First Reading	:	16 September 2013
	Second and Third Readings	:	21 October 2013
	Commencement	:	8 November 2013 (section 9)
17.	Act 5 of 2018—Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018
	(Amendments made by section 110 of the above Act)
	Bill	:	45/2017
	First Reading	:	6 November 2017
	Second Reading	:	8 January 2018
	Notice of Amendments	:	8 January 2018
	Third Reading	:	8 January 2018
	Commencement	:	1 April 2018 (section 110)
18.	2020 Revised Edition—Urban Redevelopment Authority Act 1989
	Operation	:	31 December 2021

Abbreviations

	(updated on 29 August 2022)
G.N.	Gazette Notification
G.N. Sp.	Gazette Notification (Special Supplement)
L.A.	Legislative Assembly
L.N.	Legal Notification (Federal/Malaysian)
M.	Malaya/Malaysia (including Federated Malay States, Malayan Union, Federation of Malaya and Federation of Malaysia)
Parl.	Parliament
S	Subsidiary Legislation
S.I.	Statutory Instrument (United Kingdom)
S (N.S.)	Subsidiary Legislation (New Series)
S.S.G.G.	Straits Settlements Government Gazette
S.S.G.G. (E)	Straits Settlements Government Gazette (Extraordinary)