A Facebook group specifically created for property agents in Singapore has earned the ire of some social media users here, because they feel the title – ‘Chinese Not Eligible’ HDB Flats – sounds racist and is misleading.
At first glance, it would seem that the closed group, which had over 150 approved members, was targeting non-Chinese buyers and tenants, with most of the listings featuring properties owned by other races. In addition, part of its description stated, “I think there is no need for (an) explanation. The title speaks for itself.”
But on further investigation, a post by the group’s administrator, ERA Realty agent S Shahlan, clarified that the listings are for HDB flats where the Chinese quota has been filled.
This is in reference to Singapore’s Ethnic Integration Policy, which mandates that the proportion of different races living in HDB blocks and estates must mirror the national average, to prevent ethnic enclaves.
One agent who spoke to PropertyGuru (but did not want to be named) said that while the content isn’t meant to be racist, it is still misleading. “They should just change the name of the group to something like ‘Chinese Quota Filled’ HDB Flats,” he suggested.
When contacted, Mr Shahlan said he was aware of a complaint made to the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) against him, but defended his reasons for creating the page. “I wanted to gather agents who have Malay and Indian clients looking to buy a house, to come to this page first and let them know that Chinese buyers, who form more than 85 percent of buyers, cannot purchase these homes because the racial quota has been filled.
“I asked if I could change the headline to ‘Chinese Ratio Filled’ HDB Flats, but was told I that couldn’t do that, either. The CEA said I cannot put it in writing, but can advise my clients by phone or in person.”
He has since changed the settings to make it a secret group, and has removed all its members. “I don’t want to run afoul of the law,” he added.
Meanwhile, a spokesman at the CEA said it has advised the estate agent who manages the page to look into the matter and make the necessary changes.
“The CEA has received feedback in the past pertaining to advertisements that did not meet the guidelines under the Estate Agents Act and Regulations. Under the guidelines, salespersons should be sensitive to the diverse, multi-racial and multi-cultural nature of society, and advise their clients against placing advertisements that are discriminatory, offensive, or stereotyped in nature against any particular race, religion or group in society.
“Salespersons shall not indicate preference for any race or religion in all advertisements, unless it is to comply with the Ethnic Integration Policy, which aims to achieve a balanced ethnic mix among the various ethnic communities living in public housing estates. These guidelines apply to all advertising platforms, including social media.”
The spokesman added that consumers who come across advertisements that do not meet these guidelines should inform the CEA.
Romesh Navaratnarajah, Senior Editor at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories email romesh@propertyguru.com.sg
