You know elections are coming when...

[True Believer]

PM Wong is now trying his best to get the votes of young S'poreans and Muslims. I guess he is really afraid of losing his $2.2 million annual PM's salary.

 

[True Believer]

PM LW should consider not only legalising same sex marriages, but to make it a requirement, so he may secure the votes of young S'poreans.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Property market should start to ease with larger housing supply in pipeline, says Desmond Lee​

In 2025, HDB will roll out about 19,600 flats.ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Michelle Ng and Ng Wei Kai
Apr 15, 2025

SINGAPORE – The public and private housing markets have started to stabilise, and the property market should start to ease when housing supply increases, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee on April 15.

This is due to more public and private housing supply coming on board, along with an increased number of Housing Board flats that are eligible to be resold after their mandatory five-year minimum occupation period (MOP) from 2026, he said.

In the first quarter of 2025, HDB and Urban Redevelopment Authority statistics showed that prices of HDB flats grew by an estimated 1.5 per cent while those of private homes grew by an estimated 0.6 per cent – both at slower paces compared with the previous quarter.

At a press conference announcing the refreshed PAP slate in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, where he is the anchor minister, Mr Lee said that housing, the cost of living, jobs and the economy are issues that voters will be concerned about ahead of the coming polls. Parliament was dissolved on April 15, and Nomination Day will be on April 23.

These are not new issues, he noted.

Mr Lee, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, said: “In almost every GE, these are hot-button issues because they affect so many people, particularly during this period in the aftermath of the pandemic, where there have been a lot of challenges, both locally and globally.”

Addressing shocks to the housing market caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is something the Government has been working on, he added.

He said: “Ever since the supply-demand imbalance created by Covid-19, we have worked hard to stabilise the construction sector because that is critical to ensuring that both public and private projects can get off the ground.”

“We’ve done that and significantly ramped up supply in order to meet the needs of Singaporeans on housing,” he added.

Mr Lee had previously said that more than 50,000 Build-To-Order flats will be launched from 2025 to 2027, including 12,000 flats with shorter waiting times of less than three years.

In 2025, HDB will roll out about 19,600 flats.

On the private property front, housing supply from the Government Land Sales programme will be raised to 8,505 units in the first half of 2025, up from 8,140 units in the second half of 2024.

During the press conference, Mr Lee said HDB had worked hard to deliver all 75,800 flats – across 92 housing projects – that were delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the last project delivered in January 2025.

He thanked residents who had patiently waited for their flats.

Beyond tackling supply-demand challenges, the Standard, Plus and Prime housing categories, which took effect in October 2024, were meant to “position ourselves for the future” by ensuring affordable and inclusive housing across Singapore and for all Singaporeans.

Prime and Plus flats, which are located closer to amenities such as MRT stations, come with stricter resale conditions such as a 10-year MOP and a subsidy clawback.

Standard flats come with a five-year MOP and do not have a subsidy clawback clause.

Mr Lee added that while some would “wish the property market cycle follows political cycles”, that “should not be the way”.

He said: “As stewards of resources – as government – we need to make sure that we address supply and demand sensibly.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Multi-generational park in MacPherson among projects in Marine Parade Town Council’s 5-year plan​

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng (fourth from right) with (from left) Ms Gho Sze Kee, Ms Tin Pei Ling, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Seah Kian Peng, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman and Ms Diana Pang at the launch of the Marine Parade Town Council five-year master plan on April 19.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Ng Keng Gene
Apr 20, 2025

SINGAPORE – A new multi-generational park in MacPherson and a water play park in Marine Terrace are among the highlights of a masterplan by the Marine Parade Town Council (MPTC) for 2025 to 2030.

The five-year masterplan was launched on April 19 by the PAP incumbents from Marine Parade GRC and the Mountbatten and MacPherson SMCs at the Marine Parade Town Carnival, held at an open space next to 50A Marine Terrace Market and Hawker Centre.

The plan comprises more than 140 projects – developed by the town council with partner agencies – and will cost over $324 million, said Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in a speech to residents at the carnival.

Dr Tan is the anchor minister for the PAP team in Marine Parade GRC, which will be renamed the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC at the general election.

The projects include those that will be undertaken by the town council, such as the construction of sheltered linkways and drop-off porches for Housing Board blocks. There is also a slew of projects that were announced earlier, such as the upcoming Serangoon Polyclinic by the Ministry of Health and an HDB integrated development in Kembangan.

MPTC manages and maintains common property in the current Marine Parade GRC as well as Mountbatten and MacPherson SMCs. The five wards of Marine Parade GRC are Marine Parade, Kembangan-Chai Chee, Geylang Serai, Braddell Heights and Joo Chiat.

Dr Tan, who oversaw the Marine Parade ward until Parliament was dissolved on April 15 ahead of the May 3 polls, said work on the plans began five years ago, and they represent the needs of the “current generation of residents, as well as those that are rapidly ageing”.


Hence, the plans cover not just what is needed now, but in the next 15 years, he added.

“In the next five years, if we are here, over 140 new projects will be rolled out across all five divisions within the Marine Parade cluster,” said Dr Tan, adding that some will also be undertaken in Mountbatten.


Mountbatten incumbent Lim Biow Chuan, who was the chairman of MPTC until Parliament was dissolved on April 15, said the plans are what the town council team has put forth, adding that “ultimately, if the voters decide otherwise, then these plans will not come to fruition, because these are our plans”.

Town councils, which were first formed in 1989, allow elected MPs and residents to work together in the management of their estates. The councils’ work is primarily funded by the service and conservancy charges collected from residents and commercial operators, as well as government grants.

In a statement, MPTC said the planned multi-generational park in MacPherson, to be located near Block 108 Aljunied Crescent, will be “designed as a vibrant space for residents of all ages to connect, play and unwind together”.

The park is estimated to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2028.

Incumbent MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling said the park, currently located between Blocks 108 and 109, is “basic” and “minimal” with greenery and benches.

The plan is to tap town council funds to transform the space into a park suitable for people of all ages, for seniors to exercise, for children to play, or for adults to relax, she told The Straits Times before making house visits at 33 Balam Road on April 19.

“We want to have that space where different residents and families across different generations are able to come together, connect and build bonds.”

Ms Tin added that she hopes to make the park an “iconic” one that caters to the profiles and needs of residents.

Dr Tan said the water play park in Marine Terrace – to be built near Block 57 Marine Terrace – will have play features such as a “flying fox” zip line and splash zones. It is estimated to be ready by the third quarter of 2027.

A fitness and event hub next to the Marine Terrace hawker centre, with new exercise equipment, swings and a pavilion, is set to be ready by that time too.

Also to be built are sporting facilities at Pine Close in Mountbatten and in Eunos Crescent.

Other major projects in the works include the new Marine Parade Community Building, which will be home to the town’s public library and could play host to social enterprises. Mountbatten Community Club is also being redeveloped and will be integrated with the Dakota One Build-To-Order project.

Dr Tan said that over the past five years, MPTC has completed more than 130 improvement projects.

These include lift enhancements and replacements, repairs and redecoration works to HDB blocks and upgrades to recreation amenities.

Attending the carnival with Dr Tan and Mr Lim on April 19 were Marine Parade GRC incumbents Seah Kian Peng (Braddell Heights) and Mohd Fahmi Aliman (Geylang Serai), as well as Ms Tin.

At the upcoming election, the MacPherson single seat will move into Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, and HDB estates in Chai Chee, as well as the Joo Chiat ward, will be carved out and absorbed into East Coast GRC.

Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who will helm the Kembangan area of Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC for the PAP at the polls, also attended the carnival.

Joining them were PAP new faces Diana Pang and Gho Sze Kee, who has been photographed alongside four-term MP, Mr Lim, from Mountbatten, since August 2024.

Posts on Ms Pang’s Facebook page, created on April 1, show that she has been walking the ground and attending events with Mr Fahmi in the Geylang Serai area.

Mr Alan Low, a Mountbatten resident of three years, said he looks forward to taking his two children, aged three and 1½, to the new water park in Marine Terrace. He said it will give his family more recreational options, in addition to East Coast Park.

Mr Low, a 38-year-old engineer, said he hopes there will be more childcare centres in the area, as it is difficult for parents to find childcare spots for their children.

Marine Parade resident and retiree Henry Goh, 84, said existing and upcoming sheltered walkways are most useful to him among the upgrades, as he can run errands at the Marine Terrace market without having to carry an umbrella.

The Marine Parade resident of five decades said that while elder-friendly exercise equipment is available near his home, he prefers to exercise at East Coast Park.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

New Marine Parade Community Building that will house town’s library to be ready by Q1 2026​

An artist’s impression of the new Marine Parade Community Building, which is set to re-open by the first quarter of 2026.PHOTOS: DP ARCHITECTS

Shermaine Ang
Apr 21, 2025

SINGAPORE - The Marine Parade Community Building, which will house eateries and the town’s library, is set to be completed by the first quarter of 2026 after a slight delay.

Manpower Minister and incumbent MP for Marine Parade GRC Tan See Leng provided this update on April 20 at an event held at the Block 66 Marine Drive pavilion, where residents were given details about the upcoming development.

The building will house the Marine Parade Public Library, a rooftop running track, a gym and badminton courts, as well as food and beverage outlets.

It will also feature a 24-hour self-help lounge where residents can register for courses and events, music rooms, dance studios and a culinary studio.

The community building’s redevelopment was announced in April 2022, and was initially expected to be ready by 2025.

The building will house the Marine Parade Public Library, a rooftop running track, a gym and badminton courts, as well as food and beverage outlets.PHOTO: DP ARCHITECTS
The original building, home to a community centre, public library and theatre company The Necessary Stage, was demolished in 2023.

In the interim, the National Library Board set up a 24-hour book dispenser outside FairPrice Finest supermarket at 6 Marine Parade Central, where patrons can browse and borrow physical books, and collect reserved items.

Dr Tan told reporters the delay in the new building’s completion was due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, and various parties such as the Land Transport Authority, People’s Association and the contractor wanting to ensure safety requirements were met.

The “alignment” of technical drawings and extra checks before demolition works began also contributed to the delay, he said.

Dr Tan noted that the redevelopment was a “complex” endeavour, being done on top of the Thomson-East Coast MRT line (TEL).

“We just wanted to make sure that there’s no compromise whatsoever to the integrity of the line... We cannot afford to, in any way, have any misses, because this is a project that we’re going to have for the next foreseeable 50, hopefully, 100 years.”

Dr Tan said the Marine Parade station on the TEL, which opened in June 2024, will connect directly to the Marine Parade Community Building via an underground linkway, 10,000 sq m of which will be used for a community hub.

He hopes to have social enterprises and organisations occupy the space. These include senior activity centres and cafes hiring employees with disabilities.

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng checking on the graphing progress of various projects in Marine Parade on April 20.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
The building will also be linked directly to Tao Nan School across the road via an extension to the current pedestrian overhead bridge.

Mr Joseph Yap, 51, a Marine Drive resident, said he was excited about the opening of the community building.

The corporate finance professional said he looks forward to using the gym and badminton courts, and spending time with his wife and 15-year-old daughter at the eateries and library there.

On the delayed opening, he said: “There are always challenges in construction – same for our MRT project in the past, but now we enjoy the benefits of TEL. It’s more important to have good and quality facilities, rather than rushing into it.”

In an interview with the media after the event, Dr Tan was asked how much international geopolitical challenges mattered to residents in this general election, aside from municipal developments such as the community building.

Dr Tan said Singapore will always have to deal with externalities beyond its control, including epidemics and pandemics.

“We are an open country, open economy.”

Dr Tan added that he is part of the new Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce set up by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on April 8 to help Singapore businesses and workers navigate uncertainties sparked by the sweeping tariffs imposed by the US.

The task force will, for instance, foster regular three-way communication between the Government, businesses and workers to give updates on developments, explain how schemes and measures can support them, and assess their impact.

Dr Tan said the task force is working out plans.

“With the fact that now the tariffs have been imposed and so many countries are being affected all at one go, we have every reason to carefully plan, to deliberate, to calibrate, and to also proactively and preemptively decide on how we’re going to move.”

He added: “What we need to do is get through this election.

“Of course, we all hope that the stronger the support we have from the people... when we negotiate at all these global platforms, we can negotiate with a very clear mandate entrusted upon us.”

 

[True Believer]

Dr Tan See Leng used to be a GP. Imagine this fat and balding doc telling his patients
to lose weight for the sake of their health and prescribing them treatment for hair loss.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

FairPrice rolls out 50-cent coffee at Kopitiam outlets, 50% discounts for members​

To enjoy the discounts, customers must show their physical Link Rewards or NTUC Union card at checkout, or pay via FairPrice Group’s app.PHOTO: FAIRPRICE GROUP

Eileen Ng
Apr 24, 2025

SINGAPORE – NTUC Union members and Link members are set to enjoy savings across FairPrice Group’s supermarkets from April 24 to May 18, and selected Kopitiam outlets from May 1 to 31.

The move is to mark the upcoming May Day celebrations and Singapore’s 60th year of independence (SG60), as well as to honour all workers in the country, the group said in a statement on April 24. May Day falls on May 1.

FairPrice Group said it has committed to more than $5 million in savings for members in 2025, adding that it is the largest amount committed by the group for its annual May Day campaign.

Throughout the campaign period, Singaporeans will be able to stretch their dollar with 50 per cent discounts on daily essentials and deals on staple beverages at selected Kopitiam outlets.

“Customers can further enhance their savings by combining May Day discounts with FairPrice Group’s regular weekly discounts for seniors, Merdeka or Pioneer Generation individuals, and Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) Blue or Orange card holders,” the group said.

From April 24 to May 18, NTUC Union and Link members can get a 50 per cent discount on a new essential item every Thursday for four weeks, both in-store and online.

The first week’s deal, available from April 24 to 27, will be on the popular Milo Ready To Drink tetra pack drink (24 x 200ml), at a special price of $7.80, compared with its normal price of $15.60.

However, it will be limited to two units per item for each member, per day.

To enjoy the discounts, customers must show their physical Link Rewards or NTUC Union card at checkout, or pay via FairPrice Group’s app.

“Subsequent May Day deals will be announced on May 1, May 8 and May 15,” the group said.

Meanwhile, FairPrice Foundation is partnering Kopitiam to bring back the chain’s popular 50-cent hot kopi or teh deal at 70 Kopitiam outlets islandwide from May 1 to 31.

To enjoy the deal, customers must present their physical NTUC Union silver card or use the e-voucher and make payment via the FairPrice Group’s app at checkout.

FairPrice Group chief executive Vipul Chawla said the group remained dedicated to its mission of keeping daily essentials within reach for all.

“This May Day, we want to especially recognise the hard work of Singapore’s workers and front-liners. Our discounts are a way of giving back, ensuring that all in Singapore can access daily essentials and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives,” he said.

National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general and May Day committee chairwoman Caryn Lim encouraged members to take full advantage of the discounts as they will help to ease their daily expenses.

Since the beginning of 2025, FairPrice Group has launched a series of SG60 initiatives designed to help Singaporeans stretch their dollar.

The initiatives include discounts on popular FairPrice house-brand products, doubling discounts for Chas Blue and Orange card holders for the first 60 days of the year, freezing prices on popular produce during the Chinese New Year season, and introducing FairPrice return vouchers to supplement the Government’s CDC Vouchers Scheme.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

GE2025: ‘A ridiculous argument’ that losing ministers will not weaken Govt, says SM Lee in Aljunied GRC​

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the PAP Aljunied GRC team at 630 Bedok Reservoir Road Market and Food Centre on April 29.ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Isabelle Liew
Apr 29, 2025

SINGAPORE – It is a ridiculous argument to say the PAP can lose ministers without weakening the Government, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on April 29.

This is as every team has a range of members, some more critical and others playing complementary roles, he said at a walkabout at 630 Bedok Reservoir Road Market and Food Centre in Aljunied GRC.

“If it doesn’t matter who is in the team, then there should be no difficulty making a good government with anybody (and) you don’t need to assemble a strong group of people,” he said.

SM Lee was responding to comments by WP chief Pritam Singh that it would be a serious problem if the PAP needed more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats to govern properly.

On April 28, the Leader of the Opposition had said that the Government would still have “enough leeway, enough focus” even if all 26 WP candidates were voted into Parliament this election.

At a rally that evening, Mr Singh also said Singapore would be in trouble if Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had no one else in his Cabinet to negotiate with the US on tariffs besides Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

Mr Singh posited that DPM Gan had been ready to retire before GE2025 and, if re-elected, he was likely to stay for just one more term.

SM Lee noted that Mr Singh was trying to make inroads in the new Punggol GRC. DPM Gan is anchoring the PAP team there against a WP team.

“He can’t very well say that Mr Gan Kim Yong is a very valuable minister but nevertheless, ‘Please vote for me’, so he has to say that,” said SM Lee.

On Mr Singh’s argument that amenities such as hospitals and train stations will continue to be built if the opposition is elected, SM Lee said basic facilities and government services are developed across the island.

“But does the MP in a constituency make a difference? The answer is yes,” he said.

The PAP candidates in Aljunied GRC will have their residents’ interests at heart and will be able to work with the Government to help make sure it understands these concerns and needs, he added.

Asked about the WP’s charge that the ruling party had not put out a five-year plan for Aljunied GRC, SM Lee said that was “rich”, as WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim had also said the opposition party has no five-year plans for the new constituencies they are contesting.

Ms Chan Hui Yuh, 48, who is leading the PAP team in Aljunied GRC, said the candidates will rejuvenate the towns and make them more liveable if elected.

SM Lee said: “(For) the PAP, if you want to know what our plans are, look around you. Look at the houses we’ve built, the trains which are running, the services which we enjoy – that is what we have built for Singapore all over.”

He noted that the WP had said it has achieved green ratings for its town councils in the Ministry of National Development’s town council management report.

“But some markers are greener than others,” he added, citing a park in Aljunied “where the swings have no swings for two years.”

“Any number of such things, if I can just start by putting those things right and getting them up to scratch as they ought to be, which I’m sure our PAP team is able to do, that already is significant,” he said.

SM Lee said he was visiting places like Aljunied and Jalan Kayu to show voters that these were important constituencies for the PAP and the ruling party was taking these contests seriously.

“We go where we are most needed, and the fact that we go there sends a signal,” he said. “The signal is this fight is important, please take it very seriously.

“This is about your future, about Singapore coming through a very troubled period in the world safely, with the best team to help you secure your lives and your future.”

This is the second time during the hustings where a heavyweight minister has made an appearance in Aljunied GRC. On April 25, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is not contesting in this election, joined the PAP candidates for a walkabout at Bedok 538 Market and Food Centre.

The PAP is the underdog in Aljunied GRC, which the WP has held since its historic win there in 2011.

SM Teo Chee Hean (seated, centre) and the PAP Aljunied GRC candidates interacting with residents at Bedok 538 Market and Food Centre on April 25.PHOTO: ISABELLE LIEW
Besides Ms Chan, a second-time candidate, the PAP team for Aljunied GRC comprises four new faces – dental surgeon Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; company director Adrian Ang, 42; urban planning consultancy chief Daniel Liu, 40; and trade unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37.

They are up against the WP team of Mr Singh, 48; Ms Lim, 60; Mr Gerald Giam, 47; new face Kenneth Tiong, 36; and Mr Fadli Fawzi, 44, who contested Marine Parade GRC under the WP banner in 2020.

At GE2020, the WP clinched Aljunied with 59.95 per cent of the votes.