Live: Parliament to discuss Maju Forest redevelopment and GovTech retrenchments
MPs from both sides of the House will ask, among other things, about the balancing of housing needs versus environmental preservation.
Today's Parliament session will focus on two significant developments: the redevelopment of the Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks areas for public housing, and the retrenchment of 93 GovTech staff. MPs from various political parties have requested further clarification on these matters.
Residents living near the affected areas are particularly concerned about the loss of green spaces and the potential impact on wildlife. Some have even petitioned their MPs to address these issues in Parliament. Key questions include whether alternative sites were considered, if more greenery can be preserved, and the process for gathering feedback from the public.
In the case of GovTech, 93 employees were recently laid off as part of the agency's restructuring efforts. Several MPs, including Patrick Tay from the PAP and Louis Chua from the WP, are keen to know the age profile of these workers and if they were provided adequate opportunities for retraining. Other MPs, such as Yip Hon Weng from Yio Chu Kang, are also asking if GovTech's decision reflects a broader trend in public-sector technology hiring.
Both topics are expected to dominate the 1.5 hours allocated for question time during today's Parliament session. Additionally, the House will debate proposed legislation aimed at addressing worsening road safety, including stricter penalties for drivers caught using their phones while driving. The Home Affairs Ministry recently reported that road safety in Singapore has deteriorated, leading to the implementation of these stricter measures.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
