Adds that buy would expose Suntec Reit to potential equity fundraising risks given that full debt financing would bring Suntec’s gearing to 47 per cent, beyond optimal level of 40 per cent.

Keeping GOD in place

Protecting the secular common space has become more vital with increased public religious activity

I

In April, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng noted that religious groups were becoming “more visible in the public sphere” as “religious worship was no longer confined to traditional places of worship”.

He observed that “the success charismatic churches have had in organising mega-sermons outside purpose-built church buildings have inspired other religious groups to organise similar largescale worship events at commercial venues such as shopping centres and exhibition halls”.

To the Government, these trends are seen to be “a further encroachment of religion into the common space”.

And the Inter-Religious Organisation acknowledged, “there are usually some elements of proselytisation ... even if subtle”.

The latter had suggested the Government draw up guidelines on “how much is too much” where it comes to publicity efforts and usage of prime areas, so that there is “no sense of unfair encroaching on common spaces”. So, it was not a question of whether to have a regulatory framework — rather, it was how and when to regulate.

This raises the question of the limits that might be reasonably placed on what Singaporeans do in connection with their religious beliefs.t comes as no surprise that the guidelines on the non-exclusive use of commercial spaces for religious activities were issued last week.

I feel that churches or any other religious organizations should focus on enhancing their faith and spreading their words, not to invest and make money.

To support the organization with cash is the role of the members.

The church's role is to help as many people as they can.

When I give my money to a church, I want them to use the money to help people in need, not to invest them.

If they have excess cash,in City Harvest case $310m, they should think about how to help more people rather than investing.

Investing my money is my job, not their.

Keeping a secular space

URA releases guidelines on the use of commercial areas

ALICIA WON G and IMELD A SAAD

alicia@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

For the first time, guidelines on the use of commercial spaces for religious activities were released.

They give religious groups “some flexibility” to use commercial premises, while ensuring the latter remains as “secular spaces that can be enjoyed by people from all segments of society”, the Urban Redevelopment  Authority (URA) and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports said in a joint statement.

As long as they do not cause disturbances, religious groups can use, say, auditoriums, convention centres and cinemas, in a “limited, non-exclusive” way. Posters and advertisements of the religious activity cannot be displayed in or outside the building as well.

The published guidelines, which were previously URA’s “internal guiding principles”, seek to provide “greater clarity to religious organisations and building owners on what can or cannot be allowed within commercial developments”, said a URA spokesperson.

In April, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng cited concerns that religious groups were becoming more visible in commercial places and were becoming more assertive in evangelising.

Singapore Expo and Suntec Reit, which house worship services, said they comply with the guidelines and foresee no impact on their business.

Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC) senior pastor Lawrence Khong concurred that his church complies with the guidelines.

For example, a religious organisation can only use up to 10,000 square metres of a commercial venue’s gross floor area at any one time, to ensure “a single religious organisation doesn’t dominate a particular commercial development”.

In total, religious activities can only take up to 20,000 sq m, or 20 per cent of the total gross floor area of a commercial development, whichever is lower.

FCBC rents one hall in Expo, of about 10,000 sqm. Together with City Harvest Church, which rents another hall, they are within the 20,000 sq m limit.

“Personally, I’m a little bit confounded as to the real reason behind (the guidelines),” Mr Khong said. With many churches growing, he added, “instead of waiting for a handout (such as land) from the Government ... we go and make commercial arrangements”.— If it was not clear before, the message could not have been plainer yesterday: Commercial equals secular.

an  OFF-guardity ? ? ? ?

OR  REVERSAL ? ? ? ?

WHY the investments were  nOt  STOPPED  at  the beginning ? ? ? ?

How  would this affect  the  share price ? ? ? ?

Rental without restrictions

So, where does this leave the churches?

SINGAPORE

So, where does this leave City Harvest Church with its $310-million stake in Suntec Singapore?

Or New Creation Church, whose business arm is partnering CapitaMalls Asia to build a $1-billion lifestyle hub in One North?

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the Civic, Cultural and Retail Complex at One North is approved as a “mixed development for civic, cultural and commercial uses”.

This means the auditorium is to be operated by Rock Productions — New Creation’s business arm — on a commercial basis and to be open for rental without any restrictions.

“However, non-exclusive and limited religious use can be allowed based on our guidelines,” said a URA spokeswoman.

While the church declined comment, MediaCorp understands that Rock Productions is aware the complex is not zoned for religious use but as a mixed development.

As for Suntec City’s deal with City Harvest, the URA spokeswoman said it was a “private matter between the two parties”. While the authority is not privy to the details of the agreement, the spokeswoman noted that Suntec City was an approved commercial development and use of the premises must adhere to this, “regardless of ownership”.

A City Harvest spokesperson said it is studying the guidelines’ implications and will provide a “substantive response” at a later date.

— Commercial premises cannot be owned by or exclusively leased to religious organisations, state the guidelines released yesterday.ALICIA WONG