Singapore – Famous 23-year-old social activist and blogger Han Hui Hui is known for her protests which she calls “events” against the country’s Central Provident Fund (CPF), social security, rising unemployment, and education system. Now she is making headlines once more for being pregnant and applying for a Housing & Development Board (HDB) flat.
She posted in her Facebook account a picture of her application which shows her current status regarding her request for a 3-room flat at Melody Spring located at Yishun. Melody Spring is located near Yishin Avenue 1 and 8, while not so accessible by train, is surrounded by schools like Xishan Primary School, Huamin Primary School, Yishun Town Secondary School, and North View Primary School. A more friendly and safer neighbourhood is an excellent place to raise a child. According to HDB website, the area was “inspired by the nearby Lower Seletar Reservoir and other nature spots found within the town”. The place will be filled with lush greenery and landscaping.
The HDB has given Han Hui Hui priority enlistment in turning over the property under the Parenthood Priority Scheme (PPS) and will be sending her an update by the end of the year. The PPS has allotted 30% of Build-to-Order (BTO) units and 50% of Sale-of-Balance (SBF) flats to those who are first-timer married couples with a citizen child under the age of 16.
As of a month ago on November 19, there were 119 applicants for the 96 3-room units allotted for the PPS scheme. The caption of her post, however, shows her pessimism about actually getting her HDB flat. It said “Baby to sleep at Hong Lim Park? Sure, on May 4, 2019”. Her post also included her questioning where the baby will stay when he or she is born, at Hong Lim Park maybe since she will be at that venue for her next event. She goes on to continue talking about the probability of the government arresting her if she speaks out on the numerous pregnancy and childbirth-related concerns such as “returning their CPF” while giving birth or being separated from her child since the country has the world’s longest political prisoner.
However, the concerns of Han Hui Hui, are considered to be very “Singaporean” because giving birth in a C class ward or not getting an HDB flat in time are very common scenarios to the average citizen. Maybe the activist will have a change of career when she gets her flat in order to pay her housing installments.
The current events are not faring well with netizens with many telling her to go back to Malaysia or that she should stop complaining because succumbing to the government for help with her accommodation needs is quite ironic. Some of the comments can be seen below.
