‘Nothing is cast in stone’: MPs pledge to raise concerns over Maju Forest, Gillman Barracks
They were speaking at a talk concerning the trade-offs between nature and development.
MP David Hoe reassured the public that plans for the development of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks can still change, emphasizing that "nothing is cast in stone." He spoke at a public talk on August 1st, following studies released on July 10 that sparked community concerns. Around 80 people attended the event, organized by Young PAP advisers Hoe and Lee Hui Ying.
Attendees questioned the transparency of housing demands, the feedback window, and the social value of these areas. Hoe acknowledged these concerns and noted that as a parliamentarian, his role is to represent the community's diverse perspectives, even those that might be overlooked.
On the possibility of changes to both developments, Hoe stated, "I say that because nothing is cast in stone, there is still time for change, and we believe that with more information, things can happen." He also suggested that the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment should be involved in the development of forests in Singapore. Both Hoe and Lee Hui Ying are members of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and the Environment.
Lee Hui Ying, meanwhile, expressed her intention to call for greater transparency regarding Singapore's future developments, believing that the population is now more ready and prepared to understand the trade-offs and opportunity costs involved in such developments. Nanyang Technological University student Ruth Tan, who attended the event, expressed interest in learning about the deforestation plans and the considerations made before implementing such policies.
She highlighted the importance of transparency, conflict of interest, and accessibility of information to the public.
Separately, residents from the Sunset Way area appealed to Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Christopher de Souza to preserve Maju Forest. Residing within the forest, they sought his support in exploring all reasonable alternatives before proceeding with the development. The letter, sent on July 31st, garnered 555 signatures, demonstrating the strong support from residents and non-residents alike.
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