Latest news with #SingaporeGovernment
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
NDR 2025: More avenues for Singaporeans to give feedback, partner with government
In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong promised more opportunities for Singaporeans to give feedback and share ideas to partner with the government. He said this will keep the Singapore Spirit alive, the same that helped the nation overcome hardships in the early years, along with the COVID-19 pandemic.
CNA
10-08-2025
- Business
- CNA
BTO income ceilings, eligibility age for singles under review: Chee Hong Tat
SINGAPORE: The Singapore government is reviewing the eligibility age for singles to buy Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, as well as overall income ceilings, with changes to these two public housing policies to be made at an 'appropriate time', said National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat. Having enough supply will be key, which is why the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is ramping up plans to build more new homes, he told local media earlier this week. This was Mr Chee's first sit-down interview since taking over the national development portfolio after a post-election Cabinet reshuffle in May. He said the government has worked to ramp up public housing supply to meet demand, after grappling with construction delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has since completed all pandemic-delayed projects. It also earlier committed to rolling out 100,000 new flats from 2021 to 2025, but surpassed that by launching some 102,300 units in that period. Moving forward, the government will be 'building more and building faster', Mr Chee said. For a start, it will launch around 55,000 BTO flats from 2025 to 2027, 10 per cent more than an initial target of 50,000 flats over the three years. These will be in new estates such as Mount Pleasant, Woodlands North Coast, Sembawang North and the former Keppel Club golf course. Around 4,500 new flats with shorter waiting times of less than three years will also be put up for sale this year, up from an initial target of 3,800 and exceeding the 2,800 in 2024. Over the next two years, HDB will then launch about 4,000 flats with shorter wait times annually – a third more than a previous commitment to offer 2,000 to 3,000 of such flats each year. In the private housing market, the government will sustain a 'steady level' of supply by launching more than 25,000 private residential units from 2025 to 2027, through the Government Land Sales programme. Together with 45,000 units already in the pipeline, more than 70,000 new private housing units will be completed by around 2030, Mr Chee said. The minister noted that the government sees the need to step up housing supply as demand remains strong, partly driven by how young people increasingly desire their own homes. In drawing up plans for increased housing supply, the government also wants to 'support more people to be eligible to try for new BTO flats', said Mr Chee. These include families and married couples who exceed the S$14,000 (US$10,877) income ceiling for BTO applications; and singles who are only allowed to buy public housing - be it BTO or resale - upon reaching 35 years of age. 'We are looking at whether we can reduce the age for singles to be eligible, so that singles can come in and buy BTO flats at an earlier age,' the minister said. He added: 'To what extent we can make adjustments to these two (policies) will depend on what is the supply that we can introduce in the next few years. 'You can imagine if we lower the age limit for singles or if we raise the income threshold, there will be more applicants who qualify, and therefore demand will go up ... So, I think it's important for us to create the right conditions to be able to make these policy moves at the appropriate time.' HDB RESALE MARKET On the HDB resale market, the minister acknowledged that concerns remain over rising prices in recent years. In attempting to rein in prices, the government has introduced four rounds of cooling measures since most recent, in August 2024, tightened the maximum loan that home buyers can take from HDB – a move aimed at dampening demand at the higher end of the resale market. Mr Chee said the government's aim was for public housing resale prices 'to move in tandem with income growth' over time, without too much volatility. Price growth has seen some moderation, he added, citing HDB's latest resale price index which logged its lowest quarter-on-quarter growth in five years. The government expects further price stabilisation starting next year, as more BTO flats reach the minimum occupation period - hence becoming eligible to be sold. There will be 13,500 of such flats in 2026, up from 8,000 this year. The number will go up further to 15,000 in 2027 and 19,500 in 2028, said Mr Chee. Together with the ramping up of BTO flat supply - which will help to take away some demand for resale flats - prices will stabilise in the years ahead, the minister said. That will help pave the way for another policy change: The removal of a 15-month wait-out period for private property owners, before they can purchase a non-subsidised HDB flat. This was introduced in September 2022 to moderate demand for resale flats. At the time, the authorities described it as a 'temporary' move that would be reviewed depending on overall demand and market changes. 'Once the market prices stabilise in the resale market, I think it (will be) timely for us to then consider removing this temporary cooling measure,' Mr Chee said. MONITORING TARIFF IMPACT Mr Chee was also asked if the United States' tariff blitz could result in cost or production issues for housing developers and contractors in Singapore. Singapore faces the 10 per cent baseline tariff on exports to the US. He said the government was closely monitoring global supply chains and the impact of tariffs on the cost of products imported into Singapore. It is looking at working with 'different partners, besides the US', to ensure supply security, he added. The local built environment industry can also navigate the new environment by becoming more productive and efficient. And the government will provide support here, such as by cutting down red tape and removing 'unnecessary checks and procedures'; allowing new ideas to be test-bedded in commercial projects; and helping small firms to procure new technology. 'Some of the costs we can't avoid because our land costs will be higher, our labour costs will be higher compared to many other countries, but in areas where we can control and we can bring down, we should,' said Mr Chee. 'The government will do our best ... We will work closely with our industry partners to see how far we can go.'
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Singapore PM warns against billionaire-owned media, calls for trusted journalism amid digital echo chambers
SINGAPORE, July 12 — Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has reportedly touted the critical role of trusted media in helping Singapore navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented information landscape. The Straits Times reported him saying the media industry must continue to inform, educate and connect society — a task that will require public trust, high-quality journalism and a clear sense of mission. 'Singapore needs trusted media that continue to present balanced perspectives, surface different points of view and hold meaningful conversations — so that we can better understand one another and develop a common understanding of the world,' he was quoted saying. Wong highlighted the growing challenge of digital echo chambers and algorithm-driven content, saying media outlets must remain unifying forces that help citizens make sense of complex issues and foster shared identity. He also addressed the pressures facing the media business model, warning against the global trend of newsrooms becoming beholden to commercial or partisan interests. 'We do not want our national newspaper to be owned by billionaires with narrow or partisan agendas,' he said. He also affirmed the Singapore government's commitment to supporting public service media, to ensure journalism remains viable, independent and accountable to the public. Wong stressed that quality journalism must be at the heart of the industry's mission, especially amid the spread of misinformation. While digital consumption is rising, he said there remains strong demand for insightful, well-crafted long-form reporting. Delivering such content consistently, he added, requires capable editorial and technical teams, and media organisations must offer purposeful careers to attract and retain young talent. Wong noted that media consumption habits are evolving rapidly, requiring news outlets to adapt formats and platforms — even if this involves disrupting existing models or cannibalising traditional products. While he believes print still has a place in Singapore, he said the industry must plan for a future where newspapers may take on different formats in terms of style, tone and length. Ultimately, Wong said the media must chart its own course — weighing opportunities, managing risks and evolving to meet the needs of a changing audience while staying true to its mission.
International Business Times
30-06-2025
- International Business Times
CNB Arrests Singaporean for Suspected Drug Trafficking; Over 2kg of Cannabis Seized
A 33-year-old Singaporean man was arrested in a residential unit in the vicinity of Balam Road for suspected drug trafficking offences. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said that they confiscated roughly 2,722g of cannabis from multiple locations throughout the unit during the search. An estimated S$65,000 worth of drugs were seized, which could sustain 390 abusers' addictions for a week. "The Singapore Government's stand on illicit drugs, including cannabis, is clear - they are harmful, addictive and can destroy lives, families and communities," the authority said. It added, "CNB would like to remind the public that cannabis is a Class A controlled drug listed under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) in Singapore. The consumption, possession, trafficking, import or export of any controlled drugs, including cannabis and cannabis products, is an offence under the MDA." According to Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, it is illegal for someone to traffic in a controlled substance, offer to do so, or perform any act that is necessary for or intended to be used in the trafficking of a controlled substance on their own behalf or on behalf of another individual, whether or not that other individual is in Singapore. An individual may be subject to the mandatory death penalty if found guilty of trafficking more than 500g of cannabis. The arrested suspect's drug use is still being investigated.
CNA
29-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
SAFRA Bayshore to provide more affordable services, set to open in 2030
Safra Bayshore, Singapore's largest NSmen clubhouse, will open in 2030, replacing Safra Tampines. It aims to offer more affordable services and incorporate public feedback.
