NDR 2026: S’pore to merge several outer islands to form new Western island
This will take place over the coming decades.
Singapore plans to merge several southern islands over the next few decades to create a new "western island" for industries, power generation, and defense purposes, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced during the 2026 National Day Rally on August 23. The new island will follow the example of Jurong Island, which was formed from the reclamation of several offshore islands and now serves as a global energy and chemicals hub.
Wong emphasized that the new island will not only support petrochemicals but also advanced manufacturing facilities, power generation infrastructure, and defense needs. The reclamation project will involve merging islands such as Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom, Pulau Sudong, and potentially Pulau Hantu, Pulau Jong, and Pulau Sebarok.
Just as Jurong Island has shaped Singapore's economy for the last 50 years, the new western island will help shape the nation for the next 50 years and beyond.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
