Speaking at the sidelines of a media event on Friday morning, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan told reporters : 'It's not new policy, it's not a change of mind, change of heart, it's simply doing what is best for the residents, and work with the town council and advisor to do it quickly.'

In a surprise move a few days ago, Mr Eric Low in Hougang and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin in Potong Pasir, approached the opposition MPs who run the town councils - Mr Low Thia Khiang and Mr Chiam See Tong - to help fund upgrading in their estates.

Their aim? To create a barrier-free environment for the elderly and disabled in all estates by 2011.

The money for the projects will come from the Community improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) fund, the source of much frustration for the two opposition MPs who have not been able to dip into the kitty on their own previously.

The CIPC, which reports directly to the Minister of National Development, Mah Bow Tan, disburses funds for minor improvements to estates.

However, access to the money is possible only though a constituency's Citizen's Consultative Committee, a grassroots organisation whose adviser is always a PAP representative.

Workers' Party leader Mr Low Thia Khiang and Singapore Democratic Alliance Chairman Mr Chiam See Tong have long complained that the CIPC discriminates against them, denying them funds to improve their estates.

But Mr Mah said that CIPC funds have been channelled to both Hougang and Potong Pasir in the past, for minor upgrading projects such as building a new playground.

In the meantime, Mr Eric Low said Mr Low Thia Khiang has already accepted his offer of $100,000 for the project, while Mr Sitoh said he was currently working with Potong Pasir's town council.