EVALUATION OF THE LAND ACQUISITION ACT OF SINGAPORE, TWO LOCAL CASES

Abstract

Compulsory land acquisition has aided in Singapore's national development. The Land Acquisition Act of 1966 replaced past legislation which was inadequate in managing the needs and aspirations of a young nation coping with an expanding population, increasing industrial and commercial activities and increasing need for land for schools, community facilities, recreational spaces and ancillary uses. In recent years, land acquisition has continued to facilitate Singapore's progress in infrastructure development. However, it has to be recognised that compulsory acquisition violates property rights of individuals. It is therefore important that the interests of individuals can be safeguarded. The primary purpose of this dissertation is to examine the implementation of compulsory land acquisition in Singapore and the availability of the rights to challenge acquisitions. Affected landowners in Singapore often suffer much inequity due to the somewhat rigid implementation of acquisition procedures and the limitation of challenge to acquisitions. Although in theory most people might accept that the needs of the individual should give way to the needs of the wider community, it may be difficult to accept this when faced with the prospect of compulsory acquisition. Therefore it is suggested in this dissertation that greater right to challenge should be granted. This would mitigate the resentment of the affected parties towards the acquisitions as well as reduce the inequity suffered by them.