Infrastructure & development

Darryl David questioned the Deputy Prime Minister about recent statistics on MICE visitor numbers and the government's plans to support the local MICE industry amid rising costs. Gan Kim Yong responded that MICE visitor arrivals in Singapore reached 830,000 in 2023 and are projected to hit 1.1 million in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The government is considering the development of a new downtown MICE hub to enhance capacity and compete with regional venues. Additionally, the Singapore Tourism Board has initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency and supporting the industry's growth and competitiveness.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the current Operating Performance Standards for train loading, the maximum observed loading per square metre during peak hours, and projections for exceeding these standards by 2030. Jeffrey Siow responded that the OPS requires average passenger loading to remain below five persons per square metre, and recent figures show no MRT lines exceed this limit during peak periods. He added that planned capacity upgrades and network expansions are expected to prevent any line from exceeding the OPS by 2030.

Ng Shi Xuan raised concerns about the winding down of BlueSG's operations, specifically regarding discussions about their electric vehicle charging network, potential impacts on the government's goal of deploying 60,000 EV charging points by 2030, and mitigation steps. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the EV charging points from BlueSG are still available for public use and that the Land Transport Authority is in discussions with current and alternative operators to ensure continued operation. He assured that the target of 60,000 charging points by 2030 remains on track.

• Shawn Loh raised concerns about the accessibility of pedestrian overhead bridges for seniors, suggesting the installation of lifts to prevent isolation.
• The Acting Minister for Transport confirmed that lifts will be installed at four specific pedestrian overhead bridges connecting Whampoa to nearby towns.
• The installation of lifts is prioritized over bridges that already have ramps, with upgrades already completed on one bridge and site studies initiated for others.

• Ms. Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about the reasons some neighbour disputes are not escalated to the Community Relations Unit (CRU) and the measures in place to inform residents about dispute resolution pathways.
• She also asked if the government plans to implement engineering interventions in new Build-To-Order (BTO) housing designs to reduce inter-floor noise and how current materials compare to global standards for noise insulation.
• Chee Hong Tat referenced a previous response from the Ministry of National Development regarding the criteria for CRU intervention and its effectiveness in resolving neighbourly disputes.

• Mr. Ng Chee Meng inquired about non-compliance with noise regulations at HDB BTO construction sites in Fernvale over the past three months.
• The National Environment Agency reported 14 feedback instances regarding construction noise, with only one confirmed case of non-compliance detected by noise meters.
• The contractor responsible for the non-compliance at Fernvale Sails was fined, and ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure adherence to noise regulations.

• Ms. Valerie Lee raised concerns about the accessibility of SCDF ambulances to private condominiums, particularly regarding height restrictions in carparks.
• K Shanmugam responded that SCDF ambulances need a minimum clearance height of 3.0 metres, while many private carparks only provide 2.2 metres.
• In cases of restricted access, ambulance crews coordinate with condominium management to find alternative routes to reach patients.
• The SCDF and Building and Construction Authority issued a joint advisory in March 2024 to improve ambulance access, recommending a minimum clearance height of 3.0 metres for new buildings.

• David Hoe inquired about the criteria for converting HDB car park spaces for alternative uses, including the possibility of relaxing requirements in low-utilization areas.
• Chee Hong Tat explained that HDB evaluates various factors such as parking demand, resident impact, and safety when considering repurposing car parks.
• HDB has previously supported conversions of car park spaces to community-friendly uses like greenery and gardens, contingent on technical feasibility and community needs.

• Pritam Singh inquired about the total cost, future facilities for upgrading, and timelines for deferred works at Eunos Community Club.
• Edwin Tong, representing the People's Association, explained that Eunos Community Club was selected for upgrading in 2023, but the tender process revealed bids significantly exceeded estimated costs.
• As a result, the decision was made to scale down the project to essential works costing approximately $3.1 million, focusing on necessary upgrades like the lift system.
• The essential works are currently underway, with the club expected to reopen by early 2026, after which further assessments for future upgrades will be conducted in consultation with the community.

• Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat inquired about the extent of road resurfacing re-excavation over the past three years, the costs involved, and the authority of the Road Opening Coordination Committee regarding a consolidated dig-once schedule.
• The Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforces a one-year moratorium on reopening newly resurfaced roads to reduce unnecessary disruptions, although exceptions are made for emergency utility work, which is funded by the utility providers.
• The Road Opening Coordination Committee facilitates coordination among agencies and utility providers but does not have the power to direct road work implementations.
• Solutions like Common Services Tunnels and Utilities Specific Ducts are used to minimize repeated excavations, although their deployment may be limited by cost and specific site conditions.

Shawn Loh requested the Acting Minister for Transport to consider a right-turn from McNair Road onto Balestier Road towards the Central Expressway due to anticipated increased traffic from new BTO developments. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that the Land Transport Authority will indeed provide this right-turn along with other traffic enhancements, including junction widening and lane extension. These improvements are planned to be implemented before the completion of the new BTO projects, which are expected in the first half of 2026.

He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister about the proportion of the 30% increase in non-resident population expected from 2021 to 2025 that is temporary and the reasons behind the increase. Gan Kim Yong responded that Work Permit Holders (WPHs) constitute 60% of this increase, primarily from the construction sector for public housing and infrastructure projects. Additionally, there is a notable rise in migrant domestic workers to meet increased caregiving demands. The increase is partly due to post-COVID-19 recovery, with easing travel restrictions leading to a return of economic activity and a need to fill positions that were vacant during the pandemic.

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim questioned the reasons for the installation of smaller lifts under the Lift Upgrading Programme in areas like Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3 and whether future upgrades will involve consultations for larger lift designs suitable for emergencies. Chee Hong Tat explained that smaller lifts were chosen for low-rise blocks to balance technical feasibility and cost, emphasizing they were designed to accommodate a wheelchair but not a stretcher for emergency evacuations. He noted that alternative evacuation methods would be used by the SCDF and that lift dimensions were communicated to residents during the polling process for LUP projects.