2024年4月3日，新加坡文化、社區及青年部兼社會及家庭發展部高級政務次長蔡瑞隆在國會上關於高爾夫球場的發言。
以下內容為新加坡眼根據國會英文資料翻譯整理：
蔡慶威議員向新加坡文化、社區及青年部兼社會及家庭發展部高級政務次長蔡瑞隆提問：隨著所有三個公共高爾夫球場將在2024年關閉，
（a）是否有計劃將14個私人高爾夫球場中的任何一個轉換為公共使用；
（b）是否有計劃確保這項運動對公眾，特別是學校和學生依然可及。
文化、社區及青年部高級政務次長 蔡瑞隆先生（代表部長回答）：主席先生，打高爾夫球需要大片土地，在決定土地用途時，政府必須考量和平衡各方需求，包括公共住房。
我們了解到公眾繼續享受這項運動的重要性。政府正在研究如何確保公眾繼續能夠使用高爾夫球場。在近期內，我們已經提供了一些公共高爾夫球場的選擇。
首先，萬禮執行員高爾夫球場（Mandai Executive Golf Course）的運營商已經獲得了為期兩年的租約延長，至2026年12月。
其次，考慮到濱海灣高爾夫球場的18洞公共球場即將關閉，政府此前已與吉寶俱樂部（Keppel Club）合作，在俱樂部管理的賽姆球場（Sime Course）預留了一些時段供公眾使用，且價格與其他公共球場相當。目前，吉寶賽姆球場（Keppel Sime Course）的大部分時段——包括工作日和周末——都已預留給公眾使用。政府也會研究長遠來看公共高爾夫設施的可行性，同時考慮到新加坡人的其他需求。
議長：蔡慶威議員。
蔡慶威議員（盛港區）：謝謝議長先生，也感謝高級政務次長蔡瑞隆先生的更新。我完全同意，特別是在新加坡這個土地資源有限的地方，高爾夫球場並不是最有效的土地利用方式。但我也同樣同意，所有運動的可及性和可負擔性是非常重要的。我想問高級政務次長，在未來幾年私人高爾夫俱樂部續租協議中，是否可以考慮加入公眾可繼續使用這一條款？
蔡瑞隆先生：議長先生，我想簡單回答蔡議員的問題，是的，我們確實會考慮這一點，無論是近期還是長遠來看。近期內，我們正與吉寶俱樂部合作，看是否能提供更多時段。比如，我們正在探討在吉寶賽姆球場（Keppel Sime Course）開放夜間使用時段的可能性。長遠來看，我們會探索各種可能的選項，確保公眾可用繼續使用是我們的關鍵考量之一。
以下是英文質詢內容：
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth with the closure of all three public golf courses by 2024 (a) whether there are plans to convert any of the 14 private golf courses for public use; and (b) whether there are plans to ensure that the sport remains accessible to the general public, especially schools and students.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr Eric Chua) (for the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth): Sir, golfing is a land-intensive sport and there is a need to balance the allocation of land to the sport vis-à-vis the competing demands for land in Singapore, such as for public housing.
We recognise that it is important for the public to have continued access to the sport. The Government is looking at how we can ensure continued access to golf courses. In the near term, we have made available options to provide for public access to golfing.
First, the operator of the Mandai Executive Golf Course has been granted a two-year tenancy extension until December 2026.
Second, taking into consideration the impending closure of the 18-hole public course at Marina Bay Golf Course, the Government had earlier worked with Keppel Club to set aside slots at the Sime Golf Course for public use at an affordable price range, comparable to other public courses. Currently, the majority of slots at the Keppel Sime Course – on both weekdays as well as weekends – are set aside for members of the public. The Government will also look into the feasibility of public golfing facilities for the longer term, bearing in mind other needs of Singaporeans, at the same time.
Mr Speaker: Mr Chua.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang): Thank you, Mr Speaker and I thank Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua for the update. I certainly concur with the view that, especially in Singapore where land-size constraints is an issue, it is not an efficient use of space. But I certainly also agree with the view that accessibility and affordability to all sports is important. I just wonder if the Senior Parliamentary Secretary can share if, in the next couple of years, when it comes to lease extension agreements for the private golf clubs, whether a view to public accessibility can be a feature in these agreements?
Mr Eric Chua: Mr Speaker, I think the short answer to Mr Chua’s question is yes and we do take that into account, both for the near term as well as for the longer term. In the near term, we are working with Keppel Club to see if more slots could be made available. So, for instance, we are exploring the possibility of introducing night golfing at the Keppel Sime Course, for instance, and in the longer term, we will explore all other various options and make sure that public accessibility is one of our key considerations in doing this.
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