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10,000 households in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC to benefit from $1 grocery deals​

PM Lawrence Wong with MP Mr. SMS Zaqy Mohamad at the launch of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC's MY $1 Deals at 888 Plaza on Jan 18.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

David Sun
Jan 18, 2025

SINGAPORE – Some 10,000 households in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC will be able to buy cooking oil, eggs or rice for $1 under a new initiative to help residents cope with the rising cost of living.

The GRC’s initiative, called MY $1 Deals, will allow households with at least one Singaporean to buy up to three coupons for $1 each. These coupons can then be used to redeem a 2.5kg pack of rice, a litre of cooking oil or a tray of 30 eggs.

The coupons were sold at the community clubs in the GRC from Dec 30, 2024, to Jan 17, and can be exchanged for the groceries on Jan 18 and 19.

At the launch of the grocery exchange on Jan 18, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the cost of living has gone up, with prices rising in the last two years.

PM Wong, who is in charge of the GRC’s Limbang ward, said the Government has been trying to help Singaporeans cope by rolling out initiatives such as the Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers.

In January, Singaporean households got $300 in CDC vouchers, which can be used in supermarkets, hawker stalls and heartland shops.

“Worldwide, everyone is feeling the pressure of higher prices,” said PM Wong at the event held at 888 Plaza in Woodlands.

“But in Singapore, we are doing everything we can to help residents cope with these higher prices.” He added that the Government will continue to provide help for Singaporeans with the Budget in February.

Volunteers helping to distribute necessities under the Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC’s MY $1 Deals to residents at 888 Plaza in Woodlands on Jan 18.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Also at the launch of the GRC initiative were the constituency’s other MPs – Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Mr Alex Yam and Ms Hany Soh.

Mr Wong said additional $1 deals will be rolled out in 2025.

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC is not the only constituency with such initiatives to help residents with cost of living concerns.

Bukit Panjang launched the Bukit Panjang Dollar Deal in 2024, which allowed residents there to buy set meals, vegetable packs or eggs each month for $1 for a whole year.

Speaking to the media at the Jan 18 event, Mr Zaqy said the grassroots leaders will review residents’ response to the initiative before deciding whether to extend it in the GRC. He added that the scheme is funded by grassroots funds and donations.

“This is meant to complement what government rolls out, whether it’s (from the) Budget that’s coming up, whether it’s CDC vouchers, GST vouchers, Assurance Package,” said Mr Zaqy.

“There are many things that Government is rolling out today, and I think it’s useful for residents if we complement this along with other schemes.”

Residents said they were thankful for the initiative as they have been feeling the pinch recently.

Ms Esther Tay, 48, who works in sales, said: “Recently the price of everything has been going up quite a bit. While this initiative is quite generous, we hope that the Government can do more to help Singaporeans by maybe controlling the price of basic items and goods.”

Another resident, who wanted to be known only as Madam Nadia, said she hopes more can be done to help Singaporeans over the medium to long term.

“We feel the pinch of (rising prices of) basic necessities, which have got quite expensive. Every time I buy groceries, it feels like there’s an increase of five to 10 cents, which adds up in the long run,” said the 35-year-old, who works in marketing.

“While this is a nice initiative, I hope that more can be done in other areas as well, such as wage increases and addressing inflation.”

 

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New community hub in Siglap to get running track, rooftop gym and jamming studio​

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To improve accessibility, a new road will be constructed to facilitate traffic and provide seamless access to the upcoming hub.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

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The new hub will feature a black box theatre with around 200 seats.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

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The expanded space will allow for a broader range of activities and amenities centred around the arts, sports and innovation.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

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Guests at the preview of the new Joo Chiat integrated community hub at Siglap South Community Centre on Jan 15. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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Joyce Lim
Jan 18, 2025

SINGAPORE – A new, upcoming community club in Siglap will span over 8,000 sq m – more than triple the size of the existing facility it will replace – and contain amenities such as a 300m running track, jamming studio and a rooftop gym.

Situated in Upper East Coast Road, the new integrated hub will replace the ageing Siglap South Community Centre (CC). It is slated for completion in 2029.

Mr Edwin Tong, who is MP for the Joo Chiat ward, said the new building will also feature a community plaza, basement parking with over 200 spaces, and a multi-purpose hall that can accommodate festive events like Chinese New Year celebrations and also be used for pickleball or badminton.

Other facilities that residents would be able to enjoy in the upcoming four-storey building include a black box theatre with around 200 seats, a sheltered basketball court, and a multi-purpose atrium to hold exhibitions, yoga sessions and farmers’ markets, said Mr Tong, who is also Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

Speaking at a briefing on Jan 15, Mr Tong said a new road to the community hub will also be built to improve accessibility.

The new hub will benefit from a larger plot size, which will allow its planned gross floor area to be more than three times the size of the 65-year-old Siglap South Community Centre in Palm Road, just 500m away.

The new hub will feature a multi-purpose atrium to hold exhibitions, yoga sessions, farmers’ markets and other community gatherings.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION
Between 2020 and 2024, Mr Tong had consulted residents through estate dialogue sessions, town halls and other smaller engagement sessions at condominiums and community events while planning for the project.


The expanded space will allow for a broader range of activities and amenities centred on the arts, sports and innovation, which residents highlighted in their feedback, said Mr Tong.

Joo Chiat ward resident Jordin Tan, 16, expressed her excitement about the new facilities.

“I am definitely most excited about the jamming studio and the black box theatre. I look forward to performing at the black box or just hanging out with friends at the jamming studio,” said the teenager who is also a singer-songwriter.

The new hub will feature high ceiling indoor sports hall which can be used as a badminton court or pickleball court.PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY AND PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION
The Straits Times previously reported that the design process for the new hub was spearheaded by architect Edmund Ng, 52, a Joo Chiat community volunteer.

Mr Ng, who runs his own architecture firm, was roped in by Mr Tong to brainstorm ideas for a new community club some time in 2022. Mr Ng’s architectural concept would be further developed by DP Architects, the firm appointed to execute the project.

DP Architects’ chief executive Seah Chee Huang said: “The design aspiration of the development is about cultivating a unique sense of togetherness, where shared spaces foster vibrancy and meaningful connections.”

Mr Tong said: “Joo Chiat is more than just a neighbourhood; it’s a vibrant home, made of memories, shared experiences and steeped in heritage.”

Mr Edwin Tong, MP for the Joo Chiat ward, said the new building will also feature a community plaza, basement parking with over 200 spaces, and a multi-purpose hall.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
He recalled a memorable interaction during a dialogue session where he was asked by a resident: “Got mahjong room or not?”

“It shows that people come to the CC with very different perspectives – young persons, old persons, all with different interests. Our job was to blend all of this together within the space we have. That was really important,” said Mr Tong.

“No point building something that’s spectacular-looking and award-winning but doesn’t meet the needs of our residents.”

 

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More help on the way to address Singaporeans’ cost of living concerns: SM Lee​

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong presenting Edusave awards at a ceremony at Teck Ghee Primary School, on Jan 18.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Ng Keng Gene
Jan 18, 2025

SINGAPORE – The cost of living is an issue many Singaporeans are anxious about, and the Government has taken steps to help people cope and ensure that no one is left behind, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Jan 18.

He added that more assistance is on the way in 2025, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivering the Budget statement in Parliament in February.

“PM Wong has said there should be good news to look forward to,” said SM Lee, who was speaking at an Edusave awards presentation ceremony at Teck Ghee Primary School.

Mr Lee noted that Singapore’s economy did well in 2024 and that the country has emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic, but anxieties remain.

“Singaporeans are anxious about the cost of living, and to some extent anxious about job security,” he said, adding that people are worried about keeping their jobs if the economy changes and providing for their families.

SM Lee outlined the help that the Government has provided so far: On the national level, this includes $800 in Community Development Council vouchers in 2024, and a further $300 in January, public transport vouchers, GST vouchers, U-Save rebates for utilities and cash payouts to the needy.

There is help too at the local level, he said. Citing his Teck Ghee ward as an example, he pointed to the help provided for needy residents, which includes bursary awards, free tuition and reading programmes for children, meal vouchers and grocery shopping trips.

Care packages and hongbao funded by community donors were also distributed to some 400 seniors recently, he said.

“All this will help everyone to cope, to deal with the cost of living, to get by and more than get by, and make sure nobody is left behind,” said SM Lee.

Mr Lee said the Government also has its eye on future opportunities and wider challenges facing Singapore.

There are new technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics, which are creating new jobs and transforming businesses, he said.

US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan 20, he added, pointing out that the world is watching to see what Trump would do.

“How will US-China relations develop? What does that mean for our part of the world – Taiwan, South China Sea? What does it mean in the Middle East – between Israel and the Palestinians? In Europe – the war with Ukraine and relations with Russia? So, there are many uncertainties around us.” said SM Lee.

“The Government is actively preparing us for this world and preparing us for these challenges and the new opportunities ahead.”

These efforts include investing heavily in education, upgrading schools with better facilities, updated curricula and better-trained teachers, he said.

Pointing to his own experience facing uncertainties, SM Lee said Singapore became independent while he was in school.

“My classmates and I were in your shoes, facing a changing world, wondering what would the future hold for Singapore,” he said.

There were formidable challenges then, concerning security and unemployment, and schools then were also basic, with few sports facilities and no enrichment programmes. But SM Lee pointed out that the Pioneer and Merdeka generations knuckled down and worked hard to face down these challenges, and created a better life for themselves and their children.

“So today, with all the resources that we have, with the confidence we have done it before, I have no doubt that you can do it again. That whatever challenges there are, we will surmount them, and we will be able to take Singapore forward for the next 60 years,” he said.

Among the students who received an Edusave Merit Bursary was Liaw Ri Guang, 10, a Primary 5 pupil from Townsville Primary School.

His father, Mr Liaw Wee Liang, 39, said this was the fourth consecutive year his son had received an Edusave award.

“It’s encouraging for him, and something that he can work towards every year,” said Mr Liaw.

 

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First pedestrian-only paths open in Toa Payoh; paths in other towns to be completed by July​

Apart from pedestrians, users of personal mobility aids – such as mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs – are allowed on pedestrian-only paths.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Jan 21, 2025

SINGAPORE – Some footpaths in Toa Payoh, such as in Toa Payoh Central, Toa Payoh Lorong 1 and Toa Payoh Lorong 4, have been turned into pedestrian-only paths to improve the safety of those on foot.

This is under an initiative to convert footpaths next to cycling lanes into those for pedestrian-only use, with Toa Payoh being the first town to benefit from this plan.

But apart from pedestrians, users of personal mobility aids – such as mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs – are allowed on pedestrian-only paths.

This will be implemented in other towns across Singapore by July 1, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said in a Facebook post on Jan 21.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the initiative “will be expanded to all HDB towns with existing dedicated cycling paths across Singapore”.

In the coming months, this will be rolled out in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan and Punggol, an LTA spokesperson told The Straits Times.

To alert users to pedestrian-only paths, physical markings – including pedestrian logos and “pedestrians only” wording – will be imprinted on footpaths that are next to cycling paths.

New paths will have the pedestrian-only markings included as part of construction works, LTA said.

The authority added that the markings are designed to help users identify the type of path they are on and remind them to use the appropriate paths.

In August 2024, LTA said that footpaths situated next to more than 200km of cycling lanes would be turned into pedestrian-only paths progressively from the last quarter of 2024 in an effort to improve the safety of pedestrians.

With this move, bicycles and non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick-scooters, which are allowed on footpaths at present, will be banned from pedestrian-only paths.

To give cyclists and users of non-motorised PMDs time to adjust to the move, enforcement will start only from July 1. First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path could be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for three months, or both.

Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties.

LTA said that since August 2024, its active mobility enforcement officers “have been engaging and educating cyclists and non-motorised PMD users if they are observed to be riding on the wrong path”.

These efforts will continue until July 1.

After that, “enforcement action will be taken against those who are speeding or riding in a rash and reckless manner regardless of the path used”, LTA said.


After the move takes effect, only pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids will be allowed on pedestrian-only paths. Personal mobility aids must observe a speed limit of 6kmh by the end of 2025, down from 10kmh.

Bicycles, electric bicycles, motorised and non-motorised PMDs, and personal mobility aids will continue to be allowed on cycling paths.

On other footpaths, bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted.

Toa Payoh resident Joseph Chua, who was walking his son home from school, welcomed the roll-out of pedestrian-only paths.

“It’s a bit dangerous without them,” he said.

His younger son’s head was hit by the handlebar of a passing bicycle a year or two ago, he said.

Mr Chua, a recruiter, said that if bicycles and pedestrians stick to their lanes, “we don’t have to worry”.

Another resident, exercise therapist Nicole Wong, told ST that pedestrian-only lanes are “helpful, but people are not used to it yet”.

“Pedestrians are walking on the cycling path, and cyclists are on the pedestrian-only path,” she noted. “It’s only fair to give residents time to get used to this.”

 

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‘We will always keep public housing affordable for Singaporeans’: PM Wong​

PM Lawrence Wong said HDB will continue to price new flats in relation to income and not the resale market, to make sure public housing remains affordable.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Chin Soo Fang
Jan 22, 2025

SINGAPORE - Public housing will always be kept affordable for Singaporeans, both now and in the future, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

He gave this assurance during a dialogue on Jan 21 with close to 900 student participants across various education institutions at the University Cultural Centre in NUS.

The Housing Board will continue to price new flats in relation to income and not the resale market, to make sure public housing remains affordable, PM Wong said.

“We are able, through heavy government subsidies, through what we do on the HDB side, to provide assurance to all of you, both now and in the future, that we will always keep public housing affordable for Singaporeans,” he said.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global research organisation, considers home ownership affordable when the ratio of the median home price to median annual household income is below 5.

This means that the flat’s price is within five times of the buyer’s annual household income.

According to a ULI report released in May, the ratio in Singapore for HDB flats is 4.7.

Besides housing affordability, PM Wong fielded questions on topics such as the Singapore Dream, geopolitics and same-sex marriage in a wide-ranging dialogue that lasted about 90 minutes.

It was organised by government feedback unit Reach and Varsity Voices, a student-led university initiative.

He acknowledged the anxiety over housing prices, including over flats that fetch more than $1 million on the resale market.

PM Wong shared that in the 70s, his parents bought an HDB flat for about $30,000.

“You may say, wow, so cheap. Today is so much more expensive, 10 times or more,” he said.

“But remember, at that time, their salaries were nothing like today’s salaries.”

While flat prices have increased, so have Singaporeans’ incomes, he said, adding that today, more than 80 per cent of first-time flat buyers can afford their flat and service their mortgage with their Central Provident Fund, with very little or zero cash.

The Prime Minister noted that resale flat prices are “on the high side”, but also said that the pandemic caused a supply disruption as the construction industry was severely impacted.

The Government has since gone “full steam ahead” to build more flats, and has also been putting out land for private housing, he said. However, the effects on supply will not be immediately felt as these take years to build.

On high application rates for certain Build-To-Order projects, PM Wong said there will be higher demand for flats in more attractive locations.

“But generally speaking, because we’ve been putting out so many new flats, we have seen the application rates come down.”

This means success rates for getting a new flat are higher now, and many are able to get a flat within two or three tries, he said.

The Government will continue to review the situation, and the supply that it is putting onto the market will eventually have an impact on stabilising the overall property market, he added.

The Singapore Dream is evolving to be more open and less prescribed, PM Wong said.

“It’s one where we want you to choose your own path of success, and there will be different pathways, different aspirations, different goals,” he said.

He spoke of moving away from too much comparison with others, noting that this can lead to people feeling like they are “chasing someone else’s dream”.

“We want an environment where there are many opportunities, where people can eventually find purpose in what they do,” he said.

PM Wong expressed his hope that Singaporeans will look out for one another and help others succeed, even as they realise their own potential.

Singaporeans today enjoy more opportunities and exposure compared to past generations, he said.

This includes those with disabilities, and there will be plans to help them in the upcoming Budget, he said.

Asked what are common criticisms of the ruling People’s Action Party and the Government, PM Wong said to laughter from the audience: “There are many. I mean, you just need to go online.”

His approach to such criticism is not to start off assuming that the Government knows everything, or that everything is perfect.

“I think we should have a balance – be grateful first of all that in Singapore, we have many things that we can be appreciative of: healthcare, retirement, public housing,” he said.

“But does it mean that we therefore become complacent and assume everything is okay? No, I mean, there are genuine concerns around cost, around affordability.”

PM Wong noted that global inflation, as a result of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, caused much unhappiness around the world. In many countries, the incumbents either lost ground in elections or lost the right to govern altogether.

“There will be criticisms. We listen to the feedback. We hear you: the concerns, the unhappiness, the frustrations. We try to find solutions to tackle them. If there are no easy answers, we explain to you what the situation is to the best of our abilities, and then we find ways to move forward as a country,” he said.

“That must be the way we do things in Singapore, not to tear each other down, but to try and uplift one another, to try to move forward together as one people.”

PM Lawrence Wong taking a wefie with student participants after the wide-ranging dialogue at NUS on Jan 21.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Asked whether Singapore will recognise same-sex marriage, PM Wong said the nation made a major move recently with the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code.

But the Government recognises the consensus of society today, which is that marriage is between man and woman. Because this could come under challenge, it protected the definition of marriage in the Constitution, he said.

“This is where we are today. How will it evolve? I really do not know,” he said. “The Government’s position is to let things take its natural course. People will discuss, people will have opinions and the views may well evolve over a period of time.” The Government’s priority is for these sorts of issues to not divide Singapore society further, he added.

Said PM Wong: “Let us sit down and talk, let us continue to engage one another and let us do this organically.”

 

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Hume MRT station on Downtown Line to open ahead of schedule on Feb 28​

Hume station, between the Hillview and Beauty World stops, is the last on the second stage of the Downtown Line that has yet to open.PHOTO: CHEE HONG TAT/FACEBOOK

Vanessa Paige Chelvan
Jan 24, 2025

SINGAPORE – Hume MRT station in Bukit Timah, which is on the Downtown Line (DTL), will open for passenger service ahead of schedule on Feb 28, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said on Jan 24.

The station between the DTL’s Hillview and Beauty World stops is the last on the second stage of the line that has yet to open. DTL Stage 2 started operations in December 2015.

Hume station, which will open at 3pm on Feb 28, was slated to start operations in the second quarter of 2025.

The station will make it more convenient for residents to travel to the city centre, Mr Chee wrote in a Facebook post.

He said a resident travelling from Hume station to Downtown station in the Downtown Core will take around 30 minutes, down from about 45 minutes.

It will also be easier for passengers to visit attractions such as the Former Ford Factory and the Rail Corridor in Bukit Timah.

When it opens, Hume station will serve more than 20,000 residents in the area between Hillview and Beauty World MRT stations. Work to fit out the long-empty station – a shell structure built in 2015 – began in 2021 after years of lobbying by residents.

The Government had previously said developments in the area and ridership growth did not warrant the station opening.

But this changed after moves to redevelop the Rail Corridor and the former Bukit Timah Fire Station.

 

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Rooftop badminton court, sheltered exercise spaces among upcoming facilities in housing estates​

The Sport-in-Precinct next to Block 508C Wellington Circle in Sembawang opened in September 2022.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Wong Yang
Jan 28, 2025

SINGAPORE - A badminton court on the rooftop of a multi-storey carpark, a 400m running track that weaves in and out of Housing Board blocks, and more sheltered multi-use courts so that games do not have to stop when it rains.

These are among plans for new sports facilities that will be built in housing estates across the island over the coming years, under an initiative to make a wider range of exercise equipment and play spaces available in public housing estates.

More MPs and town councils are tapping the Sport-in-Precinct (SIP) scheme to build these facilities in housing estates, checks by The Straits Times show.

At least five estates are getting SIP projects by the end of 2026, with tenders for another two projects set to be called in 2025, according to MPs.

They are among 24 SIP projects currently in various stages of development across Singapore.

Some 10 SIP projects have been completed since the scheme was launched in 2014. The initiative involves MPs and town councils working with Sport Singapore (Sport SG) to plan for and conceptualise these facilities, which are funded by the national agency.

ST spoke to six MPs, who said the SIP projects will make sports facilities more accessible for residents of varying ages and abilities. They hope this will encourage residents to maintain an active lifestyle.

The new facilities will also bring residents closer together and foster strong community bonds, they added.

The SIP projects are part of the Sports Facilities Master Plan, which, among other things, aims to improve accessibility to sporting facilities by locating them within a 10-minute walk from housing estates by around 2030, said a Sport SG spokesperson.

At least five estates will also get SIP projects by the end of 2026.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Among the SIP projects that will open in 2025 is one at Choa Chu Kang Ave 7 that includes a sheltered basketball court, fitness corner and playground.

These will be built beside a BMX track that will be part of the Singapore Cycling Federation’s upcoming BMX Academy in Brickland.

Mr Don Wee, an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, said he hopes that residents in his Brickland ward, which has many young families, will benefit from a diverse range of activities, such as cycling workshops for children.

Students at the nearby APSN Delta Senior School, a purpose-built vocational school for those with special needs, will also be able to play wheelchair basketball at the SIP facility’s sheltered basketball court, said Mr Wee.

The integrated project is expected to be fully completed in June, he said.

MPs who spoke to The Straits Times said the SIP initiatives in their wards tap underutilised spaces in public housing estates.

Ms Rachel Ong, an MP for West Coast GRC, said the rooftop of the multi-storey carpark at Block 19A Dover Crescent will be transformed into a facility that features a 200m running track, sheltered multi-use courts for sports like badminton, a fitness corner, table tennis tables and a mezzanine level with an events space.

“The top floor of the carpark has always been underutilised because not many vehicles are parked there. So we thought to maximise it and turn it into a sports and recreation venue where there is something for everyone,” she said.

Ms Ong, who added that the project was designed in consultation with residents who shared what their preferences were, said construction works are set to begin in April.

Meanwhile, residents in Zhenghua will get a 400m running track that snakes between blocks 615 and 623 in Senja Road, where a new SIP facility will be built.

Mr Edward Chia, an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, said some residents had shared that they would like a place to train for the 2.4km run – part of the individual physical proficiency test that full-time national servicemen and NSmen have to do – but did not want to have to drive or take public transport to stadiums in the west.

He added that the project, which also involves upgrading an existing basketball court at the estate and building a shelter over it, has been designed as a circuit of play spaces and fitness stations for both adults and seniors.

Construction is expected to start in the first half of 2025, said Mr Chia.

The Sport SG spokesperson said grassroots advisers, residents and other stakeholders have given positive feedback about the existing SIP projects, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which underscored the importance for people to have recreational and sporting spaces close to their homes.

Residents can scan QR codes to learn the correct techniques for each exercise.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Sembawang resident Ansar Khan, 43, said the opening of the SIP facility next to Block 508C Wellington Circle in September 2022 meant that he now only has to walk across the road from his block to exercise at a fitness corner, instead of walking five minutes to another block.

“This fitness corner has a lot more variety – there are ropes you can hang on to train your strength and magnetic bell weights. Sometimes, I also bring my two kids with me because they find the exercises interesting,” said the civil servant, who has lived in the area for about 10 years.

He added that there are also QR codes at the fitness corner that residents can scan with their phones to learn the correct techniques for each exercise.

 

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Bigger fare discounts, more express bus services in 2025 to manage peak-hour crowds​

The Travel Smart Journeys scheme will cover more bus services than it did before.ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

Kok Yufeng
Dec 06, 2024

SINGAPORE – Public transport users who shift their travel schedules to avoid the morning rush hour are set to receive up to 80 per cent in fare discounts, in an effort to better manage peak-hour crowding on buses and trains, especially in north-east Singapore, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

This is part of a planned refresh of the Travel Smart Journeys scheme, which will cover more bus services than it did before.

For the first time, the scheme will be extended to the rail network too, focusing for a start on journeys beginning from the Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok and Hougang MRT stations on the North East Line (NEL), and the Punggol and Sengkang LRT stations, Mr Chee said in an interview on Dec 3.

Additionally, the scheme will offer incentives to NEL passengers who shift their travel times to either pre-peak-hour or post-peak-hour periods. Today, rail passengers enjoy fare discounts only if they tap in before 7.45am.

The bigger fare rebates, Mr Chee said, are aimed at spreading the peak-hour load on public transport, while sharing the resulting cost savings with passengers.

The Travel Smart Journeys scheme, launched in 2020, has been suspended temporarily since Nov 25 to pave the way for the refresh.

Details of the upgraded scheme will be provided later in December, according to the website of transit ticketing provider SimplyGo.

Under the scheme’s earlier format, participants who used seven eligible express bus services between 7am and 9am – instead of the congested NEL – were awarded points worth $1.50 per eligible trip.

The points could then be redeemed for travel credits, which would have potentially offset more than half of the bus fares paid.

With the refresh, the idea is to provide more impactful fare discounts, at up to 80 per cent, to further incentivise passengers to change their travel behaviour, said Mr Chee.

Speaking to reporters at his ministry’s office in Alexandra Road to round up the year, Mr Chee also gave updates on several highly anticipated rail projects, and discussed a broad range of issues, including distance-based road pricing and a separate certificate of entitlement category for private-hire vehicles.

He also expressed confidence that Changi Airport’s passenger traffic in 2025 will exceed the levels seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from fare incentives, other steps will be taken to ease the load on the NEL, which hit an average daily ridership of 588,000 passenger trips in the first half of 2024. This is 2.2 per cent shy of the 601,000 daily trips made in 2019.

Four new City Direct bus services – 675, 676, 677 and 678 – will start operations from Jan 2, 2025, taking north-east residents to the Central Business District during peak hours.

The new express routes are being introduced under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme (BCEP), which has already led to the addition of City Direct Service 673 in October to serve Punggol West residents.

Under the $900 million programme, five existing City Direct services have also been given additional capacity or had their routes extended so that more passengers can use them to travel from Punggol, Sengkang, Buangkok and Hougang to the city.

Mr Chee, who became transport minister in January, said the north-east is a focal point, given the new developments in the area. “It’s important for us to make sure that we have adequate capacity, through both the MRT and buses,” he added.

The minister noted that 29 existing bus services have benefited from the BCEP so far, with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) adding more bus trips and adjusting routes in response to changes in ridership and demand.

This is on top of the new bus routes that have been introduced under the programme, including a first-of-its-kind express feeder bus service in Tampines.

New bus services will also be rolled out elsewhere.

From Jan 12, 2025, a new feeder bus service 967 will ply the roads in Woodlands, providing better connectivity to Marsiling and Woodlands South MRT stations, and amenities such as the Woodlands Health Campus.

By February 2025, bus service 230 in Toa Payoh East will also be extended to serve Toa Payoh Lorong 7 and 8, and Caldecott MRT station. This extension was supposed to happen by the end of 2024, but more time is needed to build the bus stops for the service to be rerouted, said Mr Chee.

After this initial tranche, LTA will continue to look at additional bus services that can be introduced under the BCEP in old and new towns, he added.

“(It is) still early days, but I’m happy to see that the initial response from our residents, and also from our operators and public transport workers, has been positive.”

Asked if he was concerned about the deficit for public buses growing larger as a result, Mr Chee said the authorities are prepared to accept a lower cost-recovery ratio – the ratio of fare revenue to operating costs – during the initial periods when ridership will be low.

“We shouldn’t wait until the estate is better developed, and more people have collected keys and moved in, (before) we introduce the bus services,” he said.

With the new funding allocated to the BCEP, Mr Chee said, the authorities now have a greater ability to introduce bus services, instead of having to rely on rationalising existing routes to free up resources.

“We still have to use the resources prudently, but at least it gives us more leeway and more options to be able to meet the new demand in different parts of Singapore.”

In response to queries, a Transport Ministry spokesman said it is too early to tabulate the costs of the improvements under the BCEP so far.

LTA is also actively monitoring the new BCEP routes, and will review the benefits of the enhancements as they stabilise about six months after the roll-out.

Meanwhile, Mr Chee noted that LTA’s efforts to make it easier for people to walk and cycle have also been given a significant boost, with a $1 billion kitty set aside for transport infrastructural improvements over the next decade.

One example of how these funds will be used is the conversion of a staircase at Exit C of Braddell MRT station to a down-riding escalator.

As there is insufficient land to build a lift at that exit, a high sheltered walkway will also be built across Toa Payoh Lorong 2. This is so that wheelchair users and those with prams or trolleys can have sheltered access to the lifts at other exits, Mr Chee said.

“This is not the only place where we will do this,” he added.

Mr Chee was also asked about bus and train fares, and how the Government intends to make up for a 12.9 per cent hike that has been rolled over to future fare review exercises.

He said the financial gap is being paid for by the Government through public funds for now to avoid a situation where public transport operators are not paid enough to cover their rising costs.

Yet, Mr Chee said, this should not become a permanent arrangement and the plan is to reduce the gap slowly when the opportunity arises.

“This has to be done very carefully because you do not want the total increase to be too high, which will then make the fares unaffordable,” he said. Adult card fares are set to rise by 10 cents for every MRT and bus ride from Dec 28.

Mr Chee noted, however, that the authorities should also have the discipline not to write off these outstanding arrears. “That is not being honest about it,” he said.

 

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Dining discounts for East Coast GRC residents with new ‘green savers’ initiative​

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Maliki Osman (right) launched the East Coast Green Savers initiative at Bedok Food Centre on Dec 7.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Andrew Wong
Dec 07, 2024

SINGAPORE – Residents of East Coast GRC can now enjoy more discounts with about 70 merchants when dining, under the East Coast Green Savers initiative launched on Dec 7.

The new programme was launched at Bedok Food Centre by Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, who said it is part of the East Coast Plan and had been in the pipeline for six months.

The initiative will see interested constituents receiving a package containing a lunch box or tingkat, a cutlery set and tumbler.

Residents can redeem discounts when they present these items to participating merchants, whom The Straits Times understands to be mostly food vendors.

This initiative will address both the issue of sustainability in terms of less food waste, and the rising cost of living for residents, Dr Maliki, who is also an MP for East Coast GRC, said at the launch.

Speaking to the media later, he said the idea was that the lunch box would remind residents not to waste food.

“When we are dining outside, the serving size can be quite large. Sometimes people realise that they won’t be able to finish it. With this new initiative, we are hoping that residents will be reminded that they can save the leftover food or put aside half the food before they start eating.”

This would help to tackle food wastage, which has become a more prominent issue, he added.

The programme will be rolled out in Siglap, targeting about 3,000 households, and extended to other neighbourhoods in the group representation constituency if successful, Dr Maliki said.

Participating outlets can be found at http://go.gov.sg/ecgreensavers

The discounts vary, with some vendors giving 10 cents to 50 cents off, and others taking 10 per cent off the entire bill.

It did not take long for the vendors to support the initiative, Dr Maliki told ST.

“The message is very simple – if they agree on sustainability, they can come on board. But we leave the discounts up to them. We are not prescribing a fixed amount, so it depends on the vendors’ level of comfort.”

He added: “When you see this tingkat, it reminds you that you have a role to play in sustainability, in reducing food waste, and in the overall message of caring for the environment. That is the purpose we want it to have.”

The initiative will see interested constituents receiving a package containing a lunch box or tingkat, a cutlery set and tumbler.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
One of the vendors participating in the initiative is Madam Hajjah Roziah Adon, who owns Nur Indah Kitchen at Bedok Food Centre.

The 64-year-old said she had noticed that food wastage was very common in the hawker centre, and she would often help to pack up customers’ leftover food to avoid wastage. “I know of stalls that would charge extra if a customer wants to take away their leftovers, but I decided not to do that. I don’t want to waste the food. So I will definitely support this initiative,” she said.

Residents who want to receive their lunch box set can approach the reception counter at Siglap Community Club.

 

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Higher wages for 37,000 public healthcare workers by mid-2025: Ong Ye Kung​

Mr Ong Ye Kung said the exercise was overdue, noting that similar adjustments have been made for other public healthcare professionals. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Zhaki Abdullah
Jan 29, 2025

SINGAPORE - Some 37,000 public healthcare workers can expect salary increases in 2025, as part of efforts to attract and retain staff in these three groups.

Announcing this on Jan 29, on the first day of the Chinese New Year, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said allied health professionals (AHPs), pharmacists, and administrative, ancillary and support staff will see their monthly salaries increase from the middle of 2025.

Mr Ong said details on the salary increases are still being worked out, with the Ministry of Health (MOH) in discussions with other ministries and the unions.

“In a new year, people have all kinds of hopes. They hope for health and happiness. They, of course, also hope for salary increases and big bonuses,” he said.

MOH said demand for healthcare services and manpower will continue to increase as the population ages.

“We last increased the salaries of AHPs, pharmacists and administrative, ancillary and support staff in 2021.

“This salary increase will enable the public healthcare sector to better attract and retain such staff,” MOH added in a statement.

To keep pace with market trends, MOH said that there will also be upward adjustment to monthly base salaries for 26,000 public healthcare nurses.

These adjustments will be smaller, as they build on the Award for Nurses’ Grace, Excellence and Loyalty (Angel) scheme introduced in 2024.

The Angel scheme is a long-term retention initiative for those working in the public healthcare system.

Launched in September 2024, it saw about 29,000 nurses set to receive up to $100,000 in payouts over a 20-year period.

Mr Ong said the exercise was overdue, noting that similar adjustments have been made for other public healthcare professionals.

He said that the increases are aimed at making the public healthcare sector more competitive, adding that pharmacists, AHPs and administrative, ancillary and support staff have other options, such as going overseas or joining the private sector.

“People are joining, but I think they deserve something better, something more competitive, so that we also get good talent who want to join the sector,” said Mr Ong.

Healthcare Services Employees’ Union president K. Thanaletchimi, who is also president of the National Trades Union Congress, welcomed the adjustment, describing it as a timely move.

She noted that attention has also been given to the welfare of healthcare professionals.

Adjunct Associate Professor Tan Bee Yee said allied health professionals are a diverse group, comprising workers ranging from physiotherapists to medical social workers, as well as radiographers and lab technologists.

Prof Tan, who is chief allied health professional for SingHealth and SingHealth Community Hospitals, described the wage adjustments as recognition of the vital role such professionals play in the healthcare sector.

“It not only acknowledges our dedication and contributions, but it will also help to attract top talents and retain top talents, you know, in this work, so that we can better care for our patients,” added Prof Tan.

Beyond remuneration, MOH said it will continue to review manpower development initiatives and strengthen the healthcare workforce.

It added that it will continue to support mid-career entrants to the sector, improve job opportunities through job redesign and career development, and provide a conducive and safe work environment in the public healthcare sector through its zero-tolerance policy for abuse and harassment.

During Mr Ong Ye Kung’s visit, he spoke with patients and staff at SGH and OCH. He also distributed oranges to them.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Mr Ong was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to the Singapore General Hospital and Outram Community Hospital.

During his visit, he spoke with patients and staff at SGH - Singapore’s largest acute tertiary hospital - and OCH. He also distributed oranges to them.

The minister later joined staff of the two hospitals at SingHealth Tower for a lohei session – the traditional tossing of yusheng during the Chinese New Year period.

Mr Ong Ye Kung joined staff of the two hospitals at SingHealth Tower for a lohei session – the traditional tossing of yusheng during the Chinese New Year period.ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

 

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HDB handing over long-delayed bus interchange in Bidadari to LTA​

Located in the Bidadari housing estate, the bus interchange was originally slated to be ready by 2021.PHOTO: ST FILE
Isabelle Liew
Jan 30, 2025

SINGAPORE – The Housing Board is in the process of handing over the long-delayed Woodleigh bus interchange to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), after construction work for the underground terminal was completed in December 2024.

Located in the Bidadari housing estate, the bus interchange was originally slated to be ready by 2021.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, HDB said on Jan 27 that the construction had presented “significant engineering challenges”, which resulted in a longer project timeline than expected.

In its update, HDB said the bus interchange’s temporary occupation permit was obtained on Dec 31.

“At present, we are working with the LTA to hand over the bus interchange to them. LTA will share more details on the operational date of the interchange when ready,” it added.

The bus interchange is located in the Woodleigh Village integrated development that comprises 330 HDB flats and a hawker centre.

The Build-To-Order (BTO) project, which is linked to Woodleigh MRT station, was launched for sale in November 2016 and its final blocks were completed in November 2022.

HDB told ST in February 2024 that the Woodleigh bus interchange was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and engineering challenges.

Extensive work and coordination between different contractors were needed to skirt or divert existing underground services – such as water, gas and electricity pipes, sewers and fibre optic cables – and ensure that these were not interrupted during construction.

Those service pipes had to be diverted before HDB could resume building and excavation works for the bus interchange and other underground facilities such as the pedestrian underpass to the MRT station.

Housewife Mira Yunos, 34, who moved into her three-room flat in Woodleigh Village in April 2023, said the long-awaited bus interchange will offer greater convenience for her family of three.

“I’m grateful that the area is taking shape despite the hiccups and delays,” she added.

Ms Mira was also relieved that the roof garden and playground – which her unit overlooks – opened last week. She previously told ST that she had to put up with construction noise and dust since she moved in.

The hawker centre in Woodleigh Village, which was initially slated to open in the second half of 2023, started operating in September 2024.

The Woodleigh district, which consists of 2,685 flats across three BTO projects, including 312 rental units, is the first in Bidadari to have all its flats completed.

 

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Chinese clan associations in Singapore to get more money for cultural activities​

The SFCCA has raised the cap on its Clan Associations Cultural Activities Fund from $2,000 to $7,500. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Chin Soo Fang
Jan 31, 2025

SINGAPORE - Clan associations in Singapore will get more money to organise activities with the expansion of a fund to promote Chinese culture.

The Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), the apex body of such organisations, has raised the cap on its Clan Associations Cultural Activities Fund from $2,000 to $7,500.

Clans stand a higher chance of getting more funding if they work on joint projects.

“We hope this adjustment will encourage our members to collaborate and share resources, enhancing the effectiveness, reach and impact of the projects, co-creating greater social value,” said SFCCA president Thomas Chua in Mandarin on Jan 31.

He was speaking at the Spring Reception organised by SFCCA and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC).

For clans organising events independently, the funding limit has also been raised to $5,000 from $2,000.

SFCCA currently has 250 member associations. Of these, 20 are associate members, meaning that they are not clan associations but Chinese community organisations such as arts and cultural groups.

The first project to benefit is Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng’s inaugural cultural festival, which will take place in April.

Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng (KWSPST) is a cultural institution formed by 16 Cantonese clan associations, such as Poon Yue Association, Singapore Huizhou Association and Ning Yeung Wui Kuan. Located along Bishan Lane, it houses two temples and a columbarium. It also has a heritage gallery which is open to the public by appointment for free.

The festival aims to showcase traditional Chinese and Cantonese culture, and will include opera, music and lion dance performances, as well as academic lectures on Cantonese culture and a showcase of Cantonese cuisine.

The festival will be held annually or biennially if it is successful, Dr Yee Wai Seng, who is vice head of KWSPST’s heritage gallery, told The Straits Times.

“We hope to enhance understanding and exchanges between Singaporean Chinese and people from other dialect groups and ethnicities,” said Dr Yee.

“Another key focus is to engage the younger generation, especially those who have received an English-based education, as they may be less familiar with traditional culture.”

The Festival also aims to foster a sense of identity among residents in Bishan, he said.

“KWSPST is a 155-year-old institution, and Bishan Town was built on land that originally belonged to it. Many Bishan residents may not even be aware of KWSPST’s presence!”

It is the first time KWSPST has applied for the fund.

“The increased funding symbolises SFCCA’s recognition of our member associations’ cultural activities. It’s not about the amount, but rather the encouragement and support given to all KWSPST members,” said Dr Yee.

Member associations interested in applying for the fund can contact the Federation’s secretariat for more details.

Mr Chan Jin Hong, 35, council member and youth committee chairman of Eng Teng Association, said the increased funding allows smaller clans like his to organise more events to engage the younger generation.

His Hakka clan association has about 200 members, with about 40 per cent below 40 years of age.

He hopes to apply for the fund next year, and work with other clan associations to organise cultural talks and events.

“We can share resources and best practices, and learn from the bigger clans, as well as tap into their bigger networks.”

Mr Wong Kum Soon, 49, vice-chairman of Tung Ann Association, said the increased funding will enable his Cantonese clan association, which has about 300 members, to do more public outreach.

“We hope to work with other clan associations of different dialect groups to organise food-related and other events to attract the younger generation and non members.”

SFCCA is also working with the Singapore University of Social Sciences to launch a training programme for its member clan association. This will cover topics such as governance, financial management and the effective use of social media for events’ publicity.

“This initiative aims to help clan associations adapt to evolving trends and attract new members,” Mr Chua said. “In addition, it will also enhance the competencies of secretariats and leaders, so that they can effectively manage operations in the new era.”

More details will be announced in the second half of the year.

Mr Chua also shared that in celebration of SFCCA’s 40th anniversary in 2025, there will be a fundraising gala dinner in the last quarter of 2025, where a portion of the funds raised will go towards the renovation of its building in Toa Payoh.

The newly renovated space will integrate modern design elements and upgraded facilities to serve the members and public better.

“We remain committed to driving innovation and supporting clan associations in staying dynamic and relevant in a rapidly evolving environment, while preserving and passing on Singapore’s Chinese heritage and clan culture,” said Mr Chua.

“This will ensure that clans continue to thrive in the modern era and for generations to come.”

 

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Pandan Gardens identified as location for new Olympic-size ice rink​

The former Pandan Gardens Swimming Complex at 200 Pandan Gardens has emerged as a potential site for a new Olympic-size ice rink.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Ng Keng Gene
Feb 01, 2025

SINGAPORE – Talks are under way for a new Olympic-size ice rink to be built in Pandan Gardens, with a former landmark in the neighbourhood emerging as a potential ground for the new development.

The site of the former Pandan Gardens Swimming Complex – which opened in October 1978 at 200 Pandan Gardens – is being eyed for the rink, The Straits Times understands.

Recently published documents from two national sports associations – the Singapore Ice Hockey Association (Siha) and Singapore Ice Skating Association (Sisa) – state that a rink will be built in the area, but did not mention the exact site of the new facility.

According to minutes of Siha’s annual general meeting held on Aug 31, 2024, a rink in Pandan Gardens has been “confirmed with a 10+10 years lease”. This refers to an initial lease period of 10 years, with the option for a 10-year extension.

According to the minutes, “the facility will feature an Olympic-size rink and a smaller rink measuring one-third of the Olympic size”, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin in March and be completed by the end of 2026.

Similarly, Sisa said in a written note to its members on March 11, 2024, that a “land tenure of beyond 10 years” has been secured for the development of a rink in Pandan Gardens.

Athletes from the two associations have been without adequate training facilities since Singapore’s only Olympic-size rink, at Jurong East mall JCube, closed in August 2023 for the mall to be redeveloped.

People ice skating at JCube on Aug 6, 2023, the final day of the rink’s operations.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
If built, the Pandan Gardens rink will offer winter sports athletes and enthusiasts here more training grounds.

The only other rink in the country at Leisure Park Kallang is smaller than what is typically used for international competitions, and athletes have to train overseas while waiting for a new rink to be built in Singapore.

Ms Shelly Koh, head of finance and operations at sports enrichment company PeopleUp – the anchor tenant at 200 Pandan Gardens since 2018 – said the company is on a lease there that runs till the end of February.

Ms Koh told ST on Jan 27 that talks for a rink to be developed at the former swimming complex site have been ongoing for about 1½ years, and that PeopleUp is awaiting updates from landlord LHN Properties Investments on whether there will be further extensions to its lease.

Responding to queries on the potential development of a rink at 200 Pandan Gardens, a Siha spokeswoman said details have yet to be finalised, and that the association is working closely with Sport Singapore (SportSG) and Sisa on plans for the rink.

When approached about the potential rink, SportSG directed ST to a Jan 16 interview that the publication had with the agency’s chief executive Alan Goh, in which he said SportSG was in talks with partners to find a suitable location for the rink.

ST has contacted Sisa for more information.

After the Pandan Gardens Swimming Complex closed in 2003 due to low usage, it was returned to the state by the then Singapore Sports Council, which is now known as SportSG.

In July 2012, the Singapore Land Authority awarded the former swimming complex to LHN Properties Investments by tender for the site to be used as a sports facility and fitness centre for an initial tenancy of three years, with the option of two further extensions of three years each.

Sports enrichment company PeopleUp currently occupies 200 Pandan Gardens, where structures belonging to the former Pandan Gardens Swimming Complex still stand.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
According to parent company LHN Group’s annual reports, the tenancy was renewed in August 2021, August 2022, August 2023 and March 2024.

When approached, LHN Group declined to comment on its tenancy for 200 Pandan Gardens.

The former swimming complex site is next to Ayer Rajah Community Club, and will be about 200m from a Jurong Region Line MRT station that is slated to open in 2028.

Sisa said in its March 2024 note to members that for the “land tenure of beyond 10 years” to be granted, “Sport Singapore will be required to acquire the land and modify the development use back to sports”.

It added that the amendment would take about 12 months to be processed.

Based on the International Ice Hockey Federation’s rulebook, rinks for the sport must be 60m long and 26m to 30m wide. Meanwhile, figure skating rinks must be 56m to 60m long and 26m to 30m wide, according to the International Skating Union.

 

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Improved connectivity, shared spaces for Tanjong Pagar residents by 2030​

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing (centre, left), flanked by Tanjong Pagar Town Council (TPTC) chairman Melvin Yong and Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Joan Pereira, at the launch of TPTC's five-year plan. Also present are Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth and Social and Family Development Eric Chua (on Mr Yong's right) and Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Trade and Industry Alvin Tan (on Ms Pereira's left).ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO

Lee Nian Tjoe
Feb 02, 2025

SINGAPORE – Residents of Tanjong Pagar town will benefit from new roads, more public transport options and some 82km of cycling paths by 2030, according to a new five-year plan unveiled by the Tanjong Pagar Town Council (TPTC).

Besides better connectivity, public spaces in the estate will also get a facelift, while sustainability initiatives, such as the use of solar panels, smart lights and food waste recyclers, will be stepped up.

Speaking at the plan’s Feb 2 launch at Redhill Market, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said Singaporeans can count on the Government to take care of their needs, though people should, in turn, look out for those in their midst who need more help.

At the national level, the Government is aware of people’s worries about economic uncertainties and the rising cost of living, said Mr Chan, who used a Chinese idiom that meant going through thick and thin together.

“I know everyone is looking expectantly to the coming Budget... Don’t worry, there’ll be good news,” he said in Mandarin.

The 2025 Budget statement will be delivered by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Feb 18.

At the estate level, the town council will properly steward resources and take care of infrastructure, but it will be up to residents to build an endearing home, added Mr Chan, who is also an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Tanjong Pagar town consists of six divisions – Tanjong Pagar GRC’s Buona Vista, Henderson-Dawson, Moulmein-Cairnhill, Queenstown and Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru, as well as Radin Mas SMC.

TPTC chairman Melvin Yong said that improved connectivity, upgraded shared spaces and eco-friendly communities will be the town’s three focus areas for the next five years.

Some improvements residents can look forward to are more ramps, lifts and sheltered walkways, which will make getting around the estate more convenient and comfortable, added Mr Yong, who is MP for Radin Mas.

Amenities such as fitness corners and community gardens in the neighbourhood will be refreshed. New ones will also be added over the next five years.

There will also be new bus stops, and the Keppel and Cantonment MRT stations on the Circle Line, which are slated for completion in the first half of 2026.

Mr Yong said upgrades have been planned such that the unique identity of each town is preserved.

In the redevelopment of Bukit Merah, for example, the heritage-related upgrades are designed to reflect the rich history of the area.

On the sustainability front, food digester machines will be added to more hawker centres under TPTC’s charge, following trial runs at Redhill Market and Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

These machines convert food waste into compost for plants.

Collection points will be set up to make it easier for residents to recycle specific types of materials, including paper, used cooking oil, textiles, and e-waste such as old electronic appliances.

The plan also calls for up to 58,000 solar panels to be installed in Tanjong Pagar town by 2030.

The electricity generated will be used to power lifts, lighting and water pumps in Tanjong Pagar, with surplus electricity fed into the power grid.

Lifts and lighting will also be upgraded to be more energy-efficient.

The Feb 2 event also marked the completion of HDB’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme in the Redhill area, which was part of TPTC’s previous five-year plan. This included installing new and improved covered linkways, drop-off porches and community parks.

Those who have benefited from the improvements include Mr Tham Meng Tong, 50, a Redhill resident for two decades.

The engineer said the new shelters have connected blocks like his to the nearby MRT station, making his daily journey more comfortable.

Ms Shivalika Chauhan, 40, said that her two sons, aged 2½ and 10, have enjoyed their daily play at the upgraded playground near her Bukit Purmei block.

“The new play area feels a lot safer for the children to climb and play,” she added.

 

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Free fresh produce among neighbourhood initiatives to tackle cost-of-living concerns​

The Love Connect Fresh Market was set up in 2022 with assistance from partners such as Redmart by Lazada and Jamiyah Singapore.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Esther Loi and Tang Yi Qing
Feb 03, 2025

SINGAPORE – Punnets of cherry tomatoes, bundles of chye sim and vacuum-sealed salmon fillets – these are among the fresh food that residents of rental flats in Kampong Glam can pick up every Saturday from a market in Jalan Besar, for free.

The Love Connect Fresh Market, the brainchild of Jalan Besar Community Club, is one of more than 300 community-led initiatives started across Singapore in recent years to relieve cost-of-living pressures for more vulnerable households.

While the initiatives range from free spectacles in Kampong Chai Chee to subsidised traditional Chinese medicine in Radin Mas, most of them provide groceries to lower-income Singaporeans.

These are the ground-level counterparts to national programmes, such as CDC vouchers, that together help Singaporeans tackle the pressures of rising costs, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Jan 19.

At an event to launch a subsidised groceries scheme in his constituency of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, he promised further help in the Budget that he will deliver on Feb 18.

The Love Connect Fresh Market at Jalan Besar Community Club on Jan 25. The market is one of over 300 community-led initiatives started across Singapore in recent years to relieve cost-of-living pressures.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
The Straits Times visited three such initiatives in January to see how they work.

In 2022, the Love Connect Fresh Market was set up after the Jalan Besar Community Club management committee received feedback from residents that they needed fresh groceries to cook healthier meals for their families.

Between 2020 and 2022, the community club had been distributing pre-packed and dried goods to nearby rental flat residents.

With assistance from partners such as Redmart by Lazada and Jamiyah Singapore, it launched its weekly market, which consists of 10 stalls at the community club offering a variety of food items.

Residents picking up free fresh vegetables from the Love Connect Fresh Market at Jalan Besar Community Club on Jan 25.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Ms Estee Han, secretary of the Jalan Besar Community Club management committee, said that while many food aid programmes provide dry food, this market was set up to address the lack of fresh groceries within the community.

“We do this so they can cook healthy and nutritious food for their families,” the 50-year-old added.

Among the more than 200 beneficiaries is Madam Linda Tan, 64, who saves about $50 to $60 every month from the free groceries she collects. She has been returning to the market every week for over a year to get food such as pork and fruits.

While fresh produce is the chief draw, the market has also become a platform for community building, where residents chat and share cooking tips with one another.

The Love Connect Fresh Market at Jalan Besar Community Club has become a platform for community building, where residents chat and share cooking tips with one another.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Madam Tan, who is unemployed and lives alone, said the market has helped her to make friends.

“It makes me feel less lonely,” she said.

On the last Saturday of each month, the market also has a section for pre-loved clothing and toys – a proven draw for the younger ones.

Children picking up toys from a “toy store” at the Love Connect Fresh Market at Jalan Besar Community Club on Jan 25.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
Over at Nanyang Community Club in Jurong West, low-income residents who hold a blue Chas card can redeem two free food packs each month from digital lockers.

The packs include a variety of dry goods, such as canned sardines, luncheon meat, beehoon, instant noodles and instant Milo drinks. Items such as chocolate and mandarin oranges are added to the packs during festive seasons.

This initiative, launched by the Nanyang Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) Community Development and Welfare Fund, costs around $100,000 a year to sustain for the 50 residents it assists, said West Coast GRC MP Ang Wei Neng.

Each participating resident can save up to $60 on monthly grocery expenses. Since its inception in January 2022, more than 3,600 food packs have been distributed to 400 beneficiaries.

Residents can take their pick from an assortment of food packs stored in 12 different lockers, with each pack consisting of different goods to meet varying needs.

For Ms Esther Latha, 44, a single mother with five children, two food packs are sufficient for her household’s monthly dry grocery needs, which means she has to budget only for fresh produce.

The security officer added that the food packs have helped her save a significant amount of money, as some canned goods cost more than $5 each.

Madam Yati Jailani, 49, who has to feed a family of 11, said two food packs can tide her over for one week. The savings are enough for her to afford staples like rice for a whole month.

The homemaker hopes that the food packs can vary according to household size, such that bigger families can get larger packs or more frequent allotments.

Ms Esther Latha (left) and Madam Yati Jailani taking food items from digital smart lockers, as part of the Food Locker Programme at Nanyang Community Club, on Jan 31.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
In MacPherson, food items are sold at wholesale prices twice a year at a marketplace set up by the MacPherson CCC Community Development and Welfare Fund.

Wholesale prices are set at about half of retail prices. At the marketplace, fresh milk costs $1.25 ($2.50 in retail stores), a pack of instant noodles costs $0.95 ($1.90 in retail stores) and five red apples cost $1 ($2 in retail stores).

Started in July 2023, the initiative has benefited 150 to 200 households so far. To qualify, residents need to have a blue Chas card and be invited through a house visit from the residents’ committee.

Ms Tin Pei Ling, who is MP for MacPherson SMC, said the initiative came about because most residents in the area belong to middle- to lower-income households and some need help to stretch their dollar.

Mr Chua Ming Kok, chairman of the MacPherson CCC, said each run of the marketplace costs about $6,000 and requires about 100 volunteers to chaperone residents who are wheelchair users between the community centre and their homes.

Residents buying cooking oil at one of the previous runs of the MacPherson marketplace event, which takes place once every six months.PHOTO: MACPHERSON COMMUNITY CLUB
In each run, participating residents can buy $48 worth of items, with $24 from their pocket and the other $24 sponsored by the welfare fund.

The dry food items and fresh produce being sold at the marketplace are evaluated after every run through feedback from residents, said Mr Chua.

For instance, leafy vegetables have been swopped out for other vegetables that have longer shelf lives, while a greater variety of seasoning, such as mala (spicy seasoning made from Sichuan peppercorn) sauces, have been added.

Mr Ang told ST that the food lockers at Nanyang Community Club are capable of serving up to 100 beneficiaries, since community club staff refill each locker quickly after a food pack has been collected.

“We have no fixed quantity or limit and we can double (the number of beneficiaries) if necessary, so it really just depends on the needs of residents,” he added.

Similarly, Ms Tin said the team at MacPherson CCC is exploring the possibility of reaching out to more people and hosting the marketplace more often.

This is largely dependent on logistical coordination, as deploying a hundred or so volunteers can be challenging, she added.

 

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Heat-reflective paint initiative to be rolled out to all HDB estates by 2030​

The scheme to coat HDB blocks with heat-reflective paint will be offered to all town councils over the next five years, with the Government footing the bill.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Wong Yang
Feb 03, 2025

SINGAPORE – An initiative to coat Housing Board blocks with heat-reflective paint will be rolled out to all estates by 2030, after a pilot project in Tampines showed that the cool paint reduced ambient temperatures by up to 2 deg C.

The scheme will be offered to all town councils over the next five years, with the Government footing the bill for the cool coatings.

Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How said on Feb 3 that scaling up this initiative to all existing estates will cost the Government an additional $60 million.

HDB said in a statement that public housing blocks will also be fitted with smart electrical sub-meters from the second quarter of 2025 to track energy consumption patterns and the performance of common services such as lifts, lights and water pumps in each block.

These are among new initiatives, under the Green Towns Programme, that Mr Tan also announced on Feb 3.

The scheme is a 10-year plan launched in 2020 to make existing HDB towns more sustainable and liveable by 2030 through cooling them, reducing energy consumption and recycling rainwater.

At a media visit to an HDB estate in Woodlands Drive 71, where several Green Towns initiatives have been implemented, Mr Tan said the programme has achieved good progress since it was launched five years ago, and HDB will build on this foundation to step up its efforts to scale the initiatives across HDB towns.

The expanded use of heat-reflective paint comes after a two-year pilot launched in 2021 by HDB and Tampines Town Council to apply cool coatings on the facades of some 130 HDB blocks in Tampines.

Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How (right) and HDB executive engineer Toh Zi Ying at an HDB estate at Woodlands Drive 71, where several Green Towns Programme initiatives have been implemented.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
After the external facades and pavements of their estates were treated with cool paint, apart from reducing the area’s ambient temperature, residents also reported using less electricity as less energy from air-conditioners was needed to cool their flats, said HDB.

Meanwhile, data from the new smart electrical sub-meters will allow town councils to compare energy usage across the various HDB blocks and track the demand and supply for individuals in the estate.

The data collected will also help town councils optimise maintenance cycles of the common services, as well as detect anomalies such as equipment faults to minimise downtime.

 

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$150 million to be spent on drainage upgrading works in 2025 to guard against floods​

A car passing through a flooded low-lying section of Mountbatten Road connecting Jalan Seaview on Jan 10.PHOTO: ST FILE

Shabana Begum
Feb 04, 2025

SINGAPORE - Some $150 million will be spent on drainage development works in the 2025 financial year as part of efforts to reduce flash floods, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu told Parliament on Feb 4.

Six new projects, to start in 2025, will include works on the Bedok First Subsidiary Drain and roadside drain improvement works at Frankel Estate near Siglap.

There are another 19 ongoing drainage upgrading works, she said. These include the Syed Alwi Pumping Station – to reduce flooding in the low-lying Jalan Besar area – and improvements to Bukit Timah canal, to widen and deepen a 900m stretch from Rifle Range Road to Jalan Kampong Chantek.

The Bukit Timah area has been flood-prone for decades.

With $2.5 billion spent on improving drainage infrastructure since 2011, Ms Fu said her ministry is currently reviewing the country’s drainage infrastructure plan for the next review cycle between 2026 and 2030.

The Minister was responding to questions by three MPs on her ministry’s plans to improve Singapore’s drainage system, given the recent flooding episodes caused by a monsoon surge in January 2025.

In January, Singapore experienced two monsoon surge events from Jan 10 to 13 and Jan 17 to 19.


A monsoon surge refers to bursts of cold air from the north-east, such as Central Asia, which flow over the South China Sea before bringing widespread rainfall, strong winds and cooler weather to Singapore.

During the first monsoon surge, a total of 255.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Changi between Jan 10 and 11, which exceeded the country’s average monthly rainfall for the month.

The rainfall event on Jan 10 led to a nearly three-hour flood at a side road bend of Jalan Seaview in Mountbatten, said Ms Fu, as the prolonged rain coincided with high tide.

The flooding on the road was about 0.3 metres high and a house next to the road experienced flooding within its car porch area.

In the past five years, this is the only stretch of road along Jalan Seaview that has experienced flooding, she added.

However, despite having a tidal gate in place since the 1980s and increasing the capacity of the roadside drains in 2014, some areas near Jalan Seaview are still susceptible to flooding, as the road levels are marginally above the high tide level, said Ms Fu.

The tidal gate at an outlet drain near Jalan Seaview was built to control high tide from the sea flowing into the drains.

“Whether pumps will be really effective in the case of Jalan Seaview, that may be doubtful, because we’re talking about the coincidence of both intense rain and high tide. So it’s difficult to pump something out if the tide is against you,” said Ms Fu.

“The longer-term plan is to reclaim and build Long Island which will protect the East Coast area, including Jalan Seaview, from rising sea levels and tidal floods,” she added.

Long Island is a planned offshore development that aims to protect the low-lying East Coast area while providing new amenities and land space for Singapore. This offshore defense against rising seas could create 800ha of reclaimed land off East Coast Park, with a reservoir in between.

Higher sea levels, when coupled with high tides and intense rainfall, could worsen coastal flooding in the future.

Ms Fu said government agencies have initiated technical studies and are engaging the public and stakeholders to shape the plans for this future mega-project.

Singapore’s flood prone areas have reduced from about 3,200 hectares in the 1970s to less than 25 hectares today.

While Singapore has been continually upgrading its drainage infrastructure, “it is neither practical nor prudent in land-scarce Singapore to keep building more drains or expanding our drainage infrastructure,” the Minister told the House.

“Doing so would require significant land and financial resources, which would then not be available for other important uses,” she added, reiterating that the Government, building owners and developers, as well as the wider community, should do their part to be prepared for flash floods and adapt to them.

Ms Fu added that it is not financially wise for the country to prepare for rare extreme weather events that have significant impacts - so-called high impact, low likelihood events - because they may not occur so regularly, and will require resources to implement.

“So it is still the same message: While government will look at improving our infrastructure, we need (the) community, businesses, owners to also undertake protection measures to protect themselves, their properties and their families.

Currently, flooding in Singapore is localised and typically subsides within an hour, at most instances.

There is a surface water drainage protocol that provides requirements on minimum platform and crest levels for buildings, and flood protection measures that building owners and developers must implement to protect their premises.

On the community level, national water and coastal protection agency PUB engages residents and businesses in flood prone areas before the north-east monsoon season, for example, to distribute flood protection gear such as flood barriers and inflatable sand bags.

The authorities also forecast intense rainfall and put out early warning of potential floods to alert the public, so that they can avoid low-lying areas.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) asked how PUB is working with other agencies to enhance flood resilience, and whether residents and businesses affected by floods can get financial and logistical support.

Ms Fu said PUB and the National Environment Agency are improving forecasts for intense rainfall, to zero in on specific places that are likely to get flooded in future weather events.

PUB is also working with the Land Transport Authority to alert commuters about flooded roads earlier, and possibly incorporate such advisories in the next-generation Electronic Road Pricing system.

“We will offer more help, and we will keep very close contact with the public and with businesses when it comes to engaging them on the deployment of flood protection devices,” said Ms Fu.

 

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NTUC raises retirement age to 64 and re-employment age to 69 for staff ahead of time​

NTUC says 448 or so of its employees stand to benefit from the early raising of the retirement age to 64.PHOTO: ST FILE
Tay Hong Yi
Dec 10, 2024

SINGAPORE – Those who work for the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will get to stay on till 64 and, if eligible and willing, be re-employed till 69 come Jan 1, 2025.

NTUC said in a statement on Dec 9 that the latest increases to its retirement and re-employment ages come 1½ years ahead of the national schedule and is in line with its commitment to age-inclusive employment practices.

The current retirement age of 63 and re-employment age of 68 have been in place since 2022.

The Government had said in 2019 that the retirement age would be raised in steps to 65 and the re-employment age to 70 by 2030.

The Public Service Division said in July it would take the lead to raise the retirement age to 64 and re-employment age to 69 from July 1, 2025, one year ahead of the date set for this fresh round of increases.

On Dec 9, NTUC said it is committed to supporting its older staff before they reach the retirement and re-employment ages.

It noted that it has raised both these ceilings ahead of national schedule for the second time since 2019.

NTUC previously raised the retirement age to 63 and re-employment age to 68 for its employees in 2021, which was also 1½ years ahead of the national schedule.

“For employees approaching retirement, NTUC engages them early to discuss their re-employment and retirement plans, offering targeted training opportunities to help them remain relevant,” it said.

It also said older workers are assured that their employment benefits and salary remain consistent upon re-employment, unless there is a mutually agreed change in job scope and role.

“Employees on re-employment also continue to receive tailored learning and development support, as well as access welfare benefits like health screenings and retirement planning.

“In addition, NTUC also offers job redesign and flexible work arrangements where needed, to better support their continued contributions.”

The labour movement also provided figures on the total number of older workers above the prevailing statutory retirement age of 63 in its Dec 9 statement.

It said that NTUC, NTUC Club, NTUC Enterprise and its businesses now employ more than 2,350 employees aged above 63, out of a total workforce of more than 20,000 people.

These businesses include FairPrice Group, Income Insurance, NTUC First Campus, NTUC Health and NTUC LearningHub.

NTUC noted that 448 or so employees stand to benefit from the early raising of the retirement age, while about 270 employees stand to benefit from the early raising of the re-employment age.

The raised retirement and re-employment ages will also apply to NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute, as well as industrial relations officers employed by NTUC.

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said the labour movement is committed to giving older employees access to meaningful employment opportunities.

“By raising the retirement age and re-employment age for our NTUC employees ahead of the national schedule, we are taking proactive steps to build a more inclusive workforce.

“We care for our older workers and can’t do without them – their wealth of experience, dedication and resilience are invaluable in driving our economy forward and shaping a stronger Singapore,” he added.

The labour movement also said it would continue to champion the interests of older workers, including advocating for equal access to training opportunities and job redesign to help them stay competitive in an evolving workforce.

“Through updated skill sets, older workers can stay adaptable and relevant across various industries, while redesigned job roles leverage their strengths and address their evolving needs.”

Ms Sarminah Tamsir, 62, a manager in NTUC’s strategy department, said the changes to the retirement and re-employment ages are progressive moves for older workers like herself.

She said she has had many opportunities to broaden her experience across different job roles in various departments of NTUC over the last 15 years.

She is currently in talks to take up a redesigned job role with NTUC that aligns with her needs and supports her department’s work plans.

“This milestone marks the start of a new chapter in my journey with the labour movement, which I deeply care about and am excited to continue contributing to.”

 

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$7b to be spent on marriage and parenthood initiatives in FY2026​

The $7 billion figure is over and above government subsidies in other areas such as education and housing.PHOTO: ST FILE
Chin Soo Fang
Feb 06, 2025

SINGAPORE - Nearly $7 billion will be spent on marriage and parenthood initiatives in financial year 2026, up from over $4 billion in 2020.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah cited this figure to show how much recent policy changes to the early childhood sector and to parental leave entitlements will add up to on an annual basis.

Speaking in Parliament on Feb 5, Ms Indranee said Singaporean families continued to be a top national priority, even as family formation and fertility rates fall here and around the world due to changing social norms. She noted that the $7 billion figure is over and above government subsidies in other areas such as education and housing.

“The decision to marry and have children is a deeply personal one, but we know from our surveys that the majority of Singaporeans aspire to get married and have children,” she said. “This is encouraging and gives hope for the future.”

In the last five years, the Government has made a series of “major shifts and bold moves” to address people’s concerns in order to make Singapore as conducive to marriage and parenthood as possible, she said.

These include significantly ramping up leave for parents with a new shared parental leave scheme, she noted. Announced at the 2024 National Day Rally (NDR), the 10 additional weeks of government-paid leave will cost $400 million a year once it is fully implemented in 2026.

On housing, another major area of concern, she noted that this term of government started in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted construction and caused a public housing crunch.

But working with the built environment sector, the Government has completed all Build-to-Order (BTO) projects delayed by Covid-19, and exceeded its commitment to launch 100,000 BTO flats from 2021 to 2025.

Ms Indranee said the authorities will continue to put out a steady pipeline of over 50,000 flats between 2025 and 2027 to meet housing demand, and will explore launching more flats with shorter waiting times in the coming years.

The minister also addressed proposals made by the more than 20 MPs who spoke during the six-hour debate, which resolved that the House call for continued review and updating of policies to better support families, and the marriage and parenthood aspirations of Singaporeans.

Many of the suggestions centred on additional housing and financial support to encourage parenthood, as well as on greater caregiving help.

Ms Indranee noted that housing subsidies and grants had recently been enhanced for first-time buyers. These include the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant (EHG), the CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats, and the Proximity Housing Grant.

The increased EHG from August 2024 means a first-time married couple can benefit from grants of up to $120,000 for BTO flats and up to $230,000 for resale flats, she said.

She also acknowledged concerns about the resale market, such as cash-over-valuation (COV) amounts for some resale transactions.

While this was driven by strong demand and some temporary tightness in the supply of new flats that entered the resale market, she said most resale flat buyers do not pay any COV.

It will take time for the several rounds of cooling measures that have been put in place to work their way through the market, she said.


On financial support, she noted that from April 1, the MediSave Grant for Newborns will be increased from $4,000 to $5,000. Taken together with the Baby Bonus Scheme, parents receive up to $25,000 for their first child, and up to $38,000 for subsequent children.

A new scheme to help large families, first mentioned at NDR 2024, will also be announced at the upcoming Budget on Feb 18, she added.

During the debate, Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai proposed that the motion be amended to instead urge the Government to reimagine policies to better support Singaporeans’ marriage and parenthood aspirations.

But this was rejected by Ms Indranee, who called the amendment “a step back”.

She noted that opposition MPs had sought to portray marriage and parenthood policies here as incremental and not bold enough, even though Singapore had begun its reimagination process back in June 2022, when then Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the Forward Singapore exercise.

That was how the Government knew that housing, costs of raising children, competitive stress, and time – to balance work and family responsibilities – were the key concerns, she said.

As a result, major moves were made, such as the HDB new classification framework that led to increased subsidies for Plus and Prime flats so that flats in more desirable locations are more affordable, said Ms Indranee.


Other major moves were to ramp up infant care capacity three-fold in the last decade, and removing the PSLE T-score and broadening post-secondary pathways, she added.

“The boat called ‘Reimagination’ has already left the port and is sailing... To ask us in this amendment to start reimagination is kind of like a step back,” she said.

The PSP’s amendment was also tied to its proposed Affordable Homes Scheme first raised in 2023. Ms Indranee reiterated that this would turn Singaporeans from home owners to tenants and would be a raid on the reserves.

Mr Leong disagreed that the PSP’s scheme would be a raid on the reserves. He also asked why the Government did not commit to a total fertility rate (TFR) target to hit, to show that it was making an effort to reverse the slide in TFR.

Ms Indranee countered that having children is a personal decision that cannot be brought about just by setting a target.

“It’s up to parents to decide if they want to have children, and what we can and are doing is trying to make it as facilitative and as comfortable as possible for them to do so.”

 

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32 private estates in Singapore to undergo $135 million upgrading over next 5 years​

The upgrading works will come under the Estate Upgrading Programme.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Hariz Baharudin
Feb 08, 2025

SINGAPORE – Residents from 32 private estates in Singapore can look forward to new or improved facilities – such as new recreational spaces, wheelchair-accessible ramps and estate markers – that will be built over the next five years.

These 32 estates include seven with a higher concentration of the elderly that will get senior-friendly upgrades like wayfinding features, community gardens, and facilities where active ageing programmes can be organised, such as pavilions and fitness corners.

The upgrading works, which will come under the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) and cost $135 million in total, were announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Feb 8.

The EUP was started in 2000 to develop and upgrade infrastructure in ageing private estates, which do not have access to town council or Housing Board grants. Residents do not have to pay for the upgrading works.

The Ministry of National Development (MND) said on Feb 8 that the upgrading plans for the seven estates that have more seniors are part of its enhancements to the EUP, called the Estate Upgrading Programme (Silver Estate).

These upgrades will cost $11 million and affect more than 3,700 households.

The seven estates are:

1. Fengshan
2. Hillview
3. Hong Leong Gardens and Pasir Panjang
4. MacPherson Gardens
5. Mayfair Park
6. Teachers’ Housing
7. Thomson and Yew Lian Park

Mr Lee said these estates will receive additional senior-friendly enhancements to better support their ageing residents and improve accessibility and safety within the estates.

This latest batch of upgrades is part of a “big concerted push to prepare our private estates... for an ageing society”, said Mr Lee, who was speaking at a grassroots event at West Coast Community Centre on Feb 8.

“We want to reimagine and revitalise our neighbourhoods – to refresh the infrastructure, install new features, and design spaces that cater to the needs of our parents and grandparents,” he added.

The remaining 25 estates will undergo upgrades under the regular EUP, which will cost $124 million and affect more than 16,600 households.

Mr Lee said the EUP can include a variety of upgrades, including making estates more walkable by adding and widening footpaths with covered drains, and enhancing lighting, markers and signs across the estates.

“We can better promote active ageing and community bonding by enhancing the neighbourhood parks with features such as three-generation playgrounds and fitness corners, and community gardens, thereby benefiting residents both young and old.”

Mr Lee said the Government will work closely with the EUP project teams and community to ensure that the enhancements are practical and meaningful.

Since the EUP was launched in 2000, about $216 million has been spent on upgrading 74 private estates over 10 batches of the project.

More than 54,000 households have benefited from the EUP, including those in Serangoon Garden, Mount Sinai and Braddell Heights. The last round of the programme was announced in 2019, with 10 estates getting upgraded.

The upgrading works were announced by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Feb 8.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
MND said that as part of the EUP process, feedback and input will be sought from residents, and their views will be incorporated into the upgrading decisions.

“Residents are encouraged to participate actively in these discussions to ensure that the upgrading works meet their needs,” the ministry added.

“This would also provide the community a greater sense of ownership for the common spaces in their estates.”

Lorong Chuan resident Jeremiah Chai, a 35-year-old financial consultant, said he welcomed the news, and hoped that with the upgrades, his neighbourhood can become more inclusive.

“My estate is on a hill, and for the longest time, an old set of stairs was the only way to get home from the MRT station. If not, one would have to take a bus or walk the long way around,” he added.

“If we had some ramps, then it would improve access for the elderly or those in wheelchairs.”

The 25 private estates under the regular EUP are:

1. Along Upper East Coast Road
2. Balmoral
3. Bright Hill Crescent
4. Bukit Regency and Ridgevale Gardens
5. Burgundy and Highgate
6. Dunearn
7. Farrer Holland
8. Inglewood and Westlake Gardens
9. Jalan Merdu
10. Jalan Naung Estate and Realty Park
11. Jelita, Lim Tai See, Farrer Leedon and Holland
12. Joo Chiat NC 2 @ Marine Parade
13. Lakepoint and Lakeside Grove
14. Loyang Villas and Mera Terrace
15. Oasis @ Mulberry
16. Pasir Ris Beach Park
17. Serangoon Garden and Lorong Chuan
18. Shepherd’s Hills
19. Shrewsbury
20. Sunbird-Apollo
21. Telok Kurau
22. Thomson
23. Towner Ville
24. West Coast Park, Hong Leong Gardens (West Coast Road) and Pasir Panjang Gardens (Mas Kuning Terrace)
25. Yunnan