Timeline for Western island reclamation not yet determined, stakeholder engagement will continue: Chee Hong Tat

The government has not yet determined the timeline, land use plans, construction methods, or reclamation profile for the proposed new western island, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced on September 8. This response came in answer to questions submitted by 13 Members of Parliament representing various political parties.

The idea to combine several outlying islands, such as Pulau Semakau, Bukom, and Sudong, into a larger western island was announced during the 2026 National Day Rally by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The government recognizes that this ambitious project is complex and technically challenging due to its scale. Meeting strategic needs in security, energy, and industry is one of the primary reasons for pursuing this endeavor.

Chee emphasized that the project's environmental impact, particularly on biodiversity and historical sites, will be carefully evaluated. He mentioned that some reef habitats near Pulau Hantu and Semakau date back nearly 8,000 years and hold significant ecological value. Their loss would be irreversible, and their cultural significance to former island communities, including the Orang Pulau and Orang Laut, cannot be understated.

Stakeholder engagement will continue throughout the planning process, Chee assured. This includes collaborating with nature groups, domain experts, descendants of former island communities, and community representatives. The Ministry of National Development has previously shared that technical studies, including feasibility studies, site investigations, surveys, and engineering and environmental assessments, will be conducted to better understand the potential development possibilities and their preliminary effects on factors like geology, hydrology, and biodiversity.

Before finalizing the plans, the government will consider various factors, such as ecological and heritage impacts, as well as the needs of current and future generations. As with any development decision, the government will thoroughly weigh all aspects before making a final determination on the western island reclamation project.