Firm behind proposed Sengkang columbarium: Looking for solution with Govt
PUBLISHED ONFebruary 02, 2015 1:04 PM
SINGAPORE - Life Corporation, the company behind the proposed Chinese temple and columbarium in Sengkang, has said that it is "sensitive to recent public and Government comments" and that it is currently working with the Government to find a "mutually satisfactory and viable solution", after the Government said that it will not allow a commercial columbarium on the plot of land.
The company's plan to build a commercial columbarium on the site reserved for religious use came under scrutiny after some people who have bought flats near to the site objected to the plan. Some people also said that a site meant for a Chinese temple should not have been awarded to a for-profit company.
The Government said last Thursday that awarding the tender to a for-profit company was a mistake.
Life Corporation said in a statement on Monday that the tender process was "open and transparent", and said that it had provided "all information required and requested in accordance with the tender conditions".
In the statement posted on the Australian Securities Exchange, the company said that it "understands" the recent public sentiment that "ownership of such land should be by a nonprofit religious organisation", but said that it had always intended for the temple component of the developement to "be headed by religious individuals".
Life Corporation said that since being awarded the tender, it has made preliminary plans about the operation of the temple upon its planned completion in 2017.
The company said that it is working with the Government to see if a "mutually satisfactory and viable solution can be found in due course".
sinsh@sph.com.sg