The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) acquired Jurong Country Club at the end of 2016 and, as far as I can see, has left this vast piece of land idle since then.

In doing so, golfers have been deprived of the enjoyment of playing.

The club could have been employing people to run it.

This is not to mention the loss to the state coffers from these economic activities.

By the end of July this year, the SLA will acquire Raffles Country Club for the construction of the high-speed rail link with Malaysia and the Cross Island Line's western depot.

Construction is still some years away.

I urge the SLA to delay the acquisition of Raffles Country Club until it actually needs the land, rather than acquiring it years in advance and then leaving it idle.

Ong Kee Hwee