Defence & foreign affairs

• Sylvia Lim raised concerns about the effectiveness and safety of humanitarian aid airdrops in Gaza, questioning the Ministry's evaluation of this method.
• Chan Chun Sing responded that land transfer is the preferred method for delivering aid, with airdrops being a last resort due to higher risks and costs.
• The Republic of Singapore Air Force collaborates with the Royal Jordanian Air Force to ensure safe drop zones and adherence to safety standards for airdrops.
• Detailed planning and precautions are taken to minimize risks to civilians when conducting airdrops, should they be necessary.

• Gerald Giam Yean Song inquired about sovereign limits on foreign-sourced military equipment used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and measures to ensure independence in defense capabilities.
• Chan Chun Sing responded that the SAF procures both foreign and local defense equipment based on operational needs and cost-effectiveness, while adhering to end-user obligations.
• The government assesses the operational suitability of foreign equipment and often localizes certain elements through technology transfers and local maintenance capabilities.

• Mr. Yip Hon Weng inquired about Singapore's support for the US's newly announced Gaza peace plan, which includes an international stabilisation force and a monitored ceasefire.
• Minister Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed Singapore's support for the peace plan, highlighting the agreement between Israel and Hamas as a positive step towards peace.
• The Minister emphasized the importance of further progress in subsequent phases of the peace plan to address outstanding issues and facilitate Gaza's reconstruction.
• Singapore is committed to providing humanitarian assistance and supporting the Palestinian Authority through capacity-building initiatives.

Low Wu Yang Andre questioned the Minister for National Development regarding the evaluation framework for the success of the Pulau Tekong polder project, including its suitability for various uses and the consideration of long-term climate adaptation costs against initial sand savings. Chee Hong Tat explained that the project created 800 hectares of new land and achieved significant sand savings compared to traditional methods. The development includes infrastructure for climate resilience, with options for future adaptation regarding sea level rise. While primarily intended for military use, the land may also support residential, commercial, or industrial development. Maintenance costs are being monitored as the project stabilizes.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the international mechanisms available for Singapore to hold Israel accountable for denying humanitarian aid to Gaza, beyond just diplomatic statements. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that this question was previously addressed in Ministerial Statements regarding the situation in the Middle East during a parliamentary sitting on 22 September 2025. Further details are available in the official report from that session.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Foreign Affairs about ASEAN's ability to resolve conflicts independently, lessons from the recent Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire brokered by Malaysia, and potential proposals for a permanent ASEAN-led mediation body. Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted ASEAN's historical role in promoting cooperation and stability in Southeast Asia, noting successful conflict management, such as the ceasefire facilitated by Malaysia. While ASEAN has existing mechanisms for dispute resolution, which rely on consensus, Singapore does not plan to propose new mechanisms to enhance mediation and dispute verification.

Saktiandi Supaat asked about the effectiveness of the SGSecure movement since its 2016 launch, the Ministry's plans to address safety perception gaps as revealed by recent social experiments, and how to raise terror awareness without alarming the public. K Shanmugam explained that success is measured through surveys and citizen engagement metrics, reflecting on a significant disparity between perceived vigilance and actual response to perceived threats observed in social experiments conducted in June 2025. These tests revealed that while 77% felt alert to suspicious activities, only 17% noticed simulated threats, and merely 5% acted to report them. To bridge this perception gap, the Ministry aims to enhance communication strategies and engage with the public through social media platforms targeted at younger audiences, emphasizing the importance of public vigilance in the face of potential terror threats.

Pritam Singh raised concerns about humanitarian law breaches in Gaza, including allegations of genocide and violations of sovereignty, and asked whether Singapore would recognize a Palestinian state and uphold the two-state solution. He also sought the government's assessment of future Singapore-Israel relations. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that this issue was addressed in Ministerial Statements concerning the Situation in the Middle East on 22 September 2025.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised three questions regarding Israel's expansion into Palestine and its implications for statehood. He inquired about the difficulty in defining Israeli territory, the potential use of formal recognition of the State of Palestine as a diplomatic tool to encourage talks towards a two-state solution, and whether such recognition aligns with Singapore's national interest. Vivian Balakrishnan referred to previous Ministerial Statements made on the Situation in the Middle East for detailed answers to these questions.

Syed Harun Alhabsyi asked about Singapore's plans to recognize the Palestinian state in light of other countries' intentions to do so at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. Vivian Balakrishnan responded that this question was addressed in earlier Ministerial Statements regarding the Situation in the Middle East during a parliamentary sitting on 22 September 2025. Details on the implications of such recognition for Singapore were referenced in that report.

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the government's engagement with private organizations for humanitarian relief efforts and whether they track restrictions on aid delivery to Gaza. Vivian Balakrishnan indicated that the Ministerial statements on the situation in the Middle East addressed these questions during a parliamentary session on September 22, 2025. He referred to the official report for further details.

Lee Hong Chuang asked about lessons learned from recent cyber threats and plans for expanding cyber defense units in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Chan Chun Sing responded that cyber threats are evolving and the SAF's Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) collaborates with government and private sectors to protect critical infrastructure. The DIS established the Defence Cyber Command (DCCOM) to consolidate cybersecurity efforts and enhance partnerships with agencies like the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore. The DIS aims to strengthen its cyber talent pipeline through initiatives targeting youth and introducing work-learn schemes for students, while also redeploying Operationally Ready National Servicemen with relevant skills to cyber defense roles.