Rental Caps for Festival Related Bazaars

Response to parliamentary question on rental caps for festival related bazaars, hawker centres and commercial properties leased out by Government agencies.

Oral PQ *5430. Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether the rental cap announced for Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2024 will be a permanent feature at festival related bazaars going forward; and (b) whether the Government will consider such rental caps for NEA hawker centres and commercial properties leased out by Government agencies.

1. In the course of planning for Bazaar 2024, Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) has reviewed the proposed rental for Bazaar 2024 in light of several learning points from the Bazaar in 2023. This includes feedback received from the stakeholders, including stall holders and patrons. WGS has also considered that Bazaar 2024 would likely be on a smaller scale due to redevelopment works of the Geylang Serai Cultural Belt and also a slightly shorter duration. Given the above, WGS decided on introducing a rental cap for Bazaar 2024. 
2. PA and WGS will continue to review the operation of the rental framework in the light of prevailing conditions before deciding on subsequent bazaars and trade fairs, which it organises.
3. On para (b) of the PQ, other government agencies may have different policies and considerations in relation to the pricing of rentals for hawker centres and commercial properties, which are quite different matters from considering the pricing of a bazaar like the Ramadan bazaar.