Lawmakers are reviewing a bill that would allow the government to bypass open tendering for social housing commercial spaces under two specific conditions – a move aimed at balancing policy flexibility with public accountability. The bill seeks to modernize the framework governing retail and commercial spaces within public housing estates, introducing significant changes to tendering procedures, lease terms and rent exemption mechanisms. Scope limited to social housingLawmakers also sought clarification on whether the legislation would extend to commercial spaces in economic housing or sandwich-class housing. Government representatives explained that ownership structures differ fundamentally – social housing properties are owned by the government, whereas economic and sandwich-class housing involve private ownership rights. As such, the bill applies exclusively to commercial spaces within social housing buildings.