Infrastructure & development

• LTA prioritises bus and route requests by working with local communities, using planning data, public feedback, ticketing system information, and ground checks, with new routes typically added in new housing areas like Yishun, Sengkang, and Punggol.
• To manage increased buses and road congestion, LTA will expand bus priority measures, adding 30 more kilometres of bus lanes and extending the Mandatory Give Way to Buses Scheme to 150 more bus stops over two years.
• The number of bus hubs will quadruple from 10 to support more efficient passenger pick-up, and enforcement of bus priority schemes will be strengthened to reduce delays caused by infringements.

• Gerald Giam asked for details on sinkholes linked to the MRT Downtown Line, including their number, re-collapse incidents, injuries or vehicle damage, whether they reflect poor planning or execution, and what the Ministry is doing to prevent future occurrences.
• Lui Tuck Yew explained that sinkholes can form naturally or from excavation, noting only one sinkhole related to the Downtown Line occurred in March 2013 at Woodlands Road due to a ruptured water pipe, and a road depression in July 2012 was fixed before it worsened, with no injuries or vehicle damage from these incidents.
• Other unrelated sinkholes, such as at Keppel Road and Clementi Road, were caused by old water pipes or abandoned utility manholes, with one motorcyclist slightly injured avoiding the Clementi Road sinkhole.
• To minimise sinkholes, LTA conducts ground investigations, monitors settlements, inspects roads, and will enhance efforts by adding extensometers, physically checking for voids, and working with utility agencies to inspect and maintain underground structures.
• Lui assured that safety is paramount, with strict adherence to tunnelling controls and ongoing improvements to prevent sinkholes that could endanger motorists and pedestrians.

• Dr. Lee Bee Wah raised concerns about traffic junction safety after recent fatal accidents, asking for studies on layout amendments, safety upgrades at accident-prone junctions like Lentor Avenue and Yio Chu Kang Road, and harsher penalties for reckless motorists.
• Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew explained that LTA prioritizes safety in junction design, regularly reviews layouts based on international best practices, and has implemented enhancements like separate right-turn traffic lights, lighted road studs, and advance warning lights.
• Lui noted that Lentor Avenue and Yio Chu Kang Road have had no major accidents in the last three years but LTA will conduct a safety review for that junction based on the feedback.
• Lui stated that current penalties for motorists causing death through recklessness include up to five years' imprisonment, fines, and driving bans, and that the Singapore Police Force regularly reviews these penalties.
• The Minister emphasized that the penalty framework aligns with the Penal Code for unintentional deaths and will be adjusted if necessary.

• The tightening of foreign worker policies, including a 45% cumulative reduction in the man-year entitlement quota and higher levies, is expected to impact construction time and costs for HDB BTO projects, though HDB's extensive use of prefabrication helps mitigate delays.
• The government has contingency plans to manage contractors unable to meet schedules, such as novating contracts to other contractors, and remains committed to delivering flats on time without relaxing the foreign worker tightening policy.
• Despite potential cost increases from levies, HDB will maintain affordable BTO prices by absorbing additional costs through government subsidies, as BTO prices are delinked from resale indices.

• Multiple MPs proposed reforms to the COE system, such as re-categorizing cars by price (OMV) or emissions instead of engine capacity, to make car ownership more equitable and environmentally friendly; the Minister agreed to study these suggestions but emphasized that recent policy changes (like progressive ARF and loan restrictions) need time to take effect before further adjustments.
• Concerns were raised about taxi services, including safety standards, accessibility for vulnerable groups, and the impact of removing taxis from COE bidding; the Minister outlined measures to enhance taxi service quality and availability while reviewing long-term policies for the taxi industry.
• MPs highlighted road safety issues, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, and school zones, and suggested measures like dedicated crossing signals, speed limits, and education campaigns; the Minister announced an inter-agency committee to develop a five-year action plan for pedestrian and cyclist safety.
• The expansion of cycling infrastructure was a key topic, with calls for more dedicated paths, secure parking, and integration with public transport; the government outlined plans to expand cycling networks and pilot bike-sharing schemes while emphasizing safety education.
• The aviation and maritime sectors were discussed, with updates on Changi Airport's expansion plans (including a new terminal and potential use of a third runway) and efforts to strengthen Singapore's position as an international maritime center, including supporting local talent and reviewing foreign worker policies.

• Mrs Lina Chiam questioned why the coal-burning Tembusu Multi-Utilities Complex on Jurong Island is allowed to operate given coal's high pollution, and asked if Singapore has met its international carbon emission reduction obligations.
• The Second Minister for Trade and Industry explained that the complex uses a mix of low-ash, low-sulfur coal and biomass to lower costs and emissions, meets strict environmental standards, and that Singapore is on track to meet its greenhouse gas reduction pledge through various energy efficiency measures.
• Mrs Lina Chiam asked for a committee to study solar panel installation on HDB blocks and questioned the reintroduction of coal despite a push for liquefied natural gas.
• The Minister responded that existing schemes already encourage solar energy use across different settings and that keeping energy options open, including clean coal for localized needs, is important for diversification while maintaining environmental safeguards.

• Members raised concerns about public cleanliness, urging stricter enforcement against littering, better training for NEA officers, and community initiatives like "HABIT" to promote civic responsibility.
• The Ministry updated on hawker centre policies, including new builds, lease renewals for existing hawkers, and pilot projects with social enterprises to keep food affordable.
• Discussions covered public health issues such as dengue research, smoking bans, rodent control, and food hygiene standards, with the Ministry outlining ongoing efforts and improvements.
• The Ministry highlighted long-term environmental strategies, including water security, waste management, air quality improvements, and climate change adaptation, emphasizing sustainable urban planning.
• Members suggested enhancements to ABC Waters projects, energy conservation incentives, and recycling infrastructure, with the Ministry committing to address these in future plans.

• MINDEF emphasizes long-term planning for defence resources, using simulation, consolidated training areas, and innovative facilities like the Multi-Mission Range Complex to optimize land use and reduce costs while enhancing training effectiveness.
• The SAF has modernized its mobilization system with centralized Mobilisation and Equipping Centres to save time and improve readiness, while strengthening medical care through partnerships with national healthcare institutions and maintaining robust anti-corruption measures with internal and external audits.
• MINDEF engages the public through Total Defence campaigns, digital platforms like LEARNet and social media, and collaborations with schools and employers to foster commitment to NS, with examples like Resorts World Sentosa's support and initiatives such as N.E.mation! and ciNE65.

• Speakers highlighted the construction industry's low productivity, attributing it to practices like lowest-tender awards, intense competition among consultants, and reliance on low-skilled foreign workers, and called for measures such as stricter skills testing and higher buildability standards.
• Concerns were raised about the impact of foreign worker levy increases and reduced Man-Year Entitlement quotas on construction projects, with suggestions for differentiated dependency ratios for public-sector works and enhanced funding for productivity improvements.
• Parliament discussed housing affordability and support for vulnerable groups, including calls to freeze rental increases for low-income tenants, relax eligibility rules for rental flats, and address the housing needs of citizens with foreign spouses.
• Members emphasized preserving Singapore's heritage, green spaces, and community amenities, advocating for environmental impact assessments for major developments and integrating heritage into new town designs.
• The Ministry outlined initiatives to boost productivity, support low-income families, and balance development with conservation, including enhanced construction funding, flexible housing policies, and community-driven heritage projects.

• Several MPs called for measures to improve housing affordability, suggesting a price-to-income ratio cap of three, shorter lease options, and revising HDB's 30-year repayment period to 20 years, while also urging the restoration of multi-generational flats and priority for families with children under the Parenthood Priority Scheme.
• Concerns were raised about resale levies, long rental periods, and infrastructure delays in new estates, with proposals to help lower-income households pay levies via installments and ensure amenities are built before residents move in.
• MPs debated the future of public housing, suggesting the review of Executive Condominiums and the Design, Build and Sell Scheme, and allowing singles to buy 2-room BTO flats directly from HDB.
• The Minister responded with updates on supply, pricing, and priority schemes, announcing plans to delink new flat prices from the resale market, extend priority housing to pregnant couples and divorcees, and pilot multi-generational flats and lift installations.
• The debate also highlighted community and estate management issues, including the definition of common property, the need for more elderly-friendly features, and initiatives like the Greenprint for sustainable towns, with a call for public consultation on long-term housing policies.

• The Ministry of Education reported that only 19 schools have not yet commenced PRIME, with scheduling dependent on availability of holding sites, while Junior Colleges were previously upgraded under a separate programme and are reviewed regularly for infrastructure needs.
• Member Yee Jenn Jong inquired about plans for schools in the first phase of PRIME now that they are about 14 years old, and the potential for a second cycle of PRIME after all schools are completed.
• The Ministry responded that it continuously reviews infrastructural needs, and school or JC programmes are considered when planning for enhanced facilities, indicating ongoing assessment rather than a fixed timeline for a new PRIME cycle.

• The government outlined a five-point strategy to address population concerns, including resolving infrastructure strains, building ahead of future needs, prioritizing family policies to sustain citizen numbers, ensuring benefits flow to Singaporeans while curbing foreign labour growth, and committing to regular policy reviews and updates.
• To build trust, the government pledged to engage Singaporeans through forums and conversations, deliver infrastructure improvements, support business productivity, and introduce budget measures like enhanced parenthood benefits and tighter foreign worker controls.
• The debate emphasized the imperative of immigration due to Singapore's ageing demographic, with the government urging an open-minded approach and highlighting the need for long-term planning to support seniors and maintain a sustainable population.

• Zainal Sapari inquired about upgrade plans for Pasir Ris Park due to population growth from new housing and the timeline for such works.
• Khaw Boon Wan stated that minor upgrades, including improvements to the playground, drainage, footpaths, and park facilities, would be carried out this year.
• He added that in the long term, the coastal Round Island Route would connect Pasir Ris Park with other parks and recreational areas to enhance the experience for residents.

• Alex Yam raised concerns about heavy vehicles in residential areas, suggesting limits on non-essential access, alternative routes for industrial areas, and improved safety measures near schools, citing a recent accident in Tampines and ongoing issues in Yew Tee with speeding and limited access routes.
• The Parliamentary Secretary responded that existing plans already keep industrial traffic away from residential zones, with LTA coordinating access routes and implementing safety measures like school zones and traffic calming, and committed to reviewing further safety improvements.
• Baey Yam Keng suggested reviewing the ban on cement mixers on expressways and involving local advisers to plan safer routes for heavy vehicles in residential estates, which the Parliamentary Secretary agreed to consider.
• Ang Hin Kee highlighted coordination challenges among multiple government agencies for road access during construction near schools, and the Parliamentary Secretary affirmed a whole-of-Government approach to address safety concerns.
• Overall, the debate emphasized balancing infrastructure needs with community safety, with MPs seeking more targeted interventions and the Ministry committing to collaboration and policy reviews.

• Zainal Sapari asked if concrete noise barriers could be installed along key expressways near residential areas due to high traffic volume.
• The Minister for Transport, Lui Tuck Yew, responded that LTA will conduct a trial of noise barriers at selected road viaduct stretches.
• The trial aims to evaluate the barriers' effectiveness and address challenges in their installation, maintenance, and design.
• LTA is finalizing trial locations and will engage specialist contractors to propose suitable noise barrier designs.

The government aims to strengthen Singapore's core by encouraging higher birth rates and supplementing this with controlled immigration, prioritizing Singaporeans' well-being.
Population figures beyond 2020 are for infrastructure planning, not fixed targets, with the government committing to address current strains like transport and ensure benefits flow to Singaporeans.
The debate highlighted concerns over ageing, economic growth, and identity, leading to an amended motion endorsing a balanced approach with ongoing reviews and public discussion.

• The debate centered on the Population White Paper's projection of a potential 6.9 million population by 2030, with many MPs expressing public anxiety over overcrowding, infrastructure strain, and competition for jobs, while the government emphasized the figure was a planning parameter, not a target.
• Key concerns included the need to prioritize Singaporean citizens for jobs and opportunities, improve infrastructure like transport ahead of demand, and address the low total fertility rate through stronger support for marriage and parenthood, rather than relying heavily on immigration.
• Amendments were proposed to clarify that population projections are for land use planning, stress the importance of a strong Singaporean core, and call for medium-term reviews of policies, which some MPs supported while others opposed the White Paper outright, arguing for a smaller population cap and greater focus on productivity over foreign labor growth.

• Denise Phua Lay Peng proposed estate-specific elderly-proof road safety master plans for areas with high elderly populations, such as North Bridge Road and Kampong Glam.
• The Parliamentary Secretary affirmed that road safety is a top priority, highlighting existing measures like traffic-calming features, pedestrian refuges, lift retrofits, and extended crossing times for the elderly.
• The Ministry expressed openness to the idea and offered to collaborate with MPs to develop tailored plans for areas with many elderly residents.
• Phua emphasized the need for priority in elderly-heavy estates to ensure timely implementation of safety facilities.
• Both sides agreed to work together to enhance road safety, particularly for the elderly, across relevant constituencies.

• The government's population roadmap, projecting a possible 6.9 million by 2030 to counter an ageing citizen population and sustain economic growth, was met with strong public anxiety about overcrowdedness, infrastructure strain, and competition for jobs, with many speakers noting the government's failure to plan ahead for current population pressures.
• A central debate emerged between supporting the government's calibrated immigration policy to fill workforce gaps and opposing it in favor of a more aggressive push to raise the Total Fertility Rate, with critics arguing immigration is a short-term fix that dilutes the Singaporean core and urging radical work-life balance measures and stronger support for families.
• The opposition proposed a lower population target of about 5.9 million, advocating for zero foreign workforce growth to force productivity increases, a move government supporters warned would cripple the economy, halt critical infrastructure projects, and leave Singapore ill-prepared for its demographic challenges.

• A member questioned if there are plans to improve Singapore's broadband speed, which reportedly lags behind South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, but the minister responded that Singapore's speeds have significantly improved due to fiber services and are now among the leading group of countries, with ongoing efforts to enhance international speeds and market competition.
• The minister explained that IDA measures speeds through comprehensive tests using volunteer-installed probes and is reviewing regulations like quality of service standards, but any new measures must be justified and not stifle market incentives, while also addressing local concerns about actual speeds experienced by users.
• Another member raised concerns about mobile broadband speed and coverage, suggesting building codes include base stations, and the minister confirmed that new regulations require developers to allocate space for base stations and that efforts are underway to improve coverage by working with building owners and telcos.