MPs from the Workers’ Party and People’s Action Party have filed parliamentary questions on proposed developments at Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest ahead of the 4 August sitting, covering housing demand, public consultation, environmental impacts, alternative sites and heritage.   https://theonlinecitizen.com/2026/07/31/m-ps-file-questions-on-gillman-maju-forest-plans-as-public-feedback-deadline-looms-in-one-week   MPs File Questions on Gillman, Maju Forest Plans as Public Feedback Deadline Looms   Source: The Online Citizen, 31 July 2026 Feedback Deadline: 6 August 2026, 6pm Parliament Sitting: 4 August 2026       📌 Background   Proposed housing developments at Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest (Sunset Way) have sparked widespread public concern over ecological loss, heritage, consultation adequacy, and whether alternative sites were considered. MPs from both sides of the House have filed questions ahead of the upcoming sitting, while opposition has grown strongly online and at community dialogues.       🧾 Parliamentary Questions Filed   Workers’ Party (He Ting Ru, Dennis Tan)   - How public consultations are conducted: timelines, stakeholder selection criteria - Projected housing demand and how plans align with climate adaptation goals - Relocation support for arts/culture tenants at Gillman Barracks - Whether brownfield sites and older low-rise estates were evaluated as alternatives - Urged public to submit feedback by 6 August   PAP MP Rachel Ong (Telok Blangah)   - Whether lower-impact alternatives were assessed - How public feedback will shape final plans; why project proceeds despite residual environmental harm - Whether engagement continues after consultation closes - How future environmental monitoring will guide later development phases - Attended 26 July community dialogue alongside WP and PSP MPs; may file an Adjournment Motion after ministerial replies   PAP MP Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh)   - Whether brownfield capacity is assessed regionally before approving greenfield development - If Ecological Profiling Exercise results are part of decision-making and published alongside impact assessments - HDB’s housing demand forecasting methodology, accuracy over past 10 years, and variance between projections and actuals   PAP MP Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah)   - Filed two questions and an Adjournment Motion on Maju Forest - Whether nature group recommendations can be adopted; lessons from 2021 Dover Forest planning - Protection of ecological connectivity, biodiversity and endangered species - Working with MP Sim Ann, who noted plans are not final and 131 residents attended a dialogue on 17 July; 65 have given direct feedback to HDB       🗣️ Community & Public Response   - 26 July: ~120 people at Gillman Barracks dialogue; WP MPs joined nature walk and discussions - 30 July: ~300 residents at Telok Blangah CC session with HDB, URA, NParks; ~60 questions raised, mostly on ecology and whether consultation is meaningful - Key concerns: 30m wildlife corridor is insufficient – call for 60m buffer; cumulative environmental impacts; doubts plans can be changed after announcement - Petitions (as of 31 July, 5pm): - Save Gillman Barracks/Forest: >12,650 signatures - Save Maju Forest — Build the homes without erasing the wild: >33,600 signatures - Total: >46,300 endorsements - Next event: Community online town hall, 2 August 8pm (Maju Forest)       🏗️ Official Positions & Proposals   - HDB: Plans remain under review; balancing housing need with conservation; prioritised brownfield but limited options in the west; EIA will guide decisions - Gillman Barracks: Build public/private homes; retain >20 of 86 heritage buildings; preserve most secondary forest, stream and ≥30m corridors; 293 plant, 178 fauna species recorded (33 of conservation concern) - Sunset Way (23ha): ~8ha retained (stream, Old Jurong Line area) with nature trail; rest for housing with biophilic design - Feedback: All submissions by 6 August will inform final housing yield, flat mix, classification and timeline        

Government completes acquisition and takes possession of 38 Oxley Road site   https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/38-oxley-road-national-monument-lky-6290361?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_31072026_cna   Full Details: Government Completes Acquisition of 38 Oxley Road   Date: 31 Jul 2026 4:27PM (Updated 4:46PM) | Source: Channel NewsAsia        ✅ Key Acquisition Announcement   The Singapore government has completed acquisition and taken possession of 38 Oxley Road on 31 Jul 2026, to preserve the site “in keeping with its historic significance and national importance” . The property was the family home of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew .   Legal Process Timeline   - 12 Dec 2025: Gazetted as Singapore’s 77th national monument  - 29 Jan 2026: Gazetted for government acquisition  - 31 Jul 2026: Acquisition finalised; site now under state ownership        📋 Plans for the Site   - National Heritage Board (NHB) will conduct a detailed study to develop the site into a public space, while respecting Mr Lee’s wishes for privacy . - Interim arrangements: Only essential maintenance will be done; no public access is allowed for now . - The site can no longer be used for private residential, commercial or other private redevelopment.       📜 Background & Dispute   Mr Lee’s Wishes   He repeatedly stated publicly that he wanted the house demolished after his death .   Family Dispute   After his passing in 2015, his children – Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Lee Wei Ling and Lee Hsien Yang – disagreed over the property’s fate :   - 2017: Then PM Lee Hsien Loong made a ministerial statement on the matter . - 2018: Ministerial committee proposed three options – retain fully, keep only the historic basement dining room, or allow demolition – with no recommendation, noting no urgent decision was needed as Dr Lee Wei Ling still lived there . - Oct 2024: Dr Lee passed away; Lee Hsien Yang applied to demolish the building . NHB launched a formal assessment instead .   Preservation Rationale   The Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board found the site has strong national significance: it was where founding leaders met to form the People’s Action Party and shape Singapore’s independence – a history “not represented by any other site or monument” .   Reactions   - Lee Hsien Yang: Criticised the move, saying the government “trampled on Lee Kuan Yew’s unwavering wish” . - NHB: Reviewed objections and upheld preservation for its historic value . - Then-Acting Minister David Neo: Stated preservation safeguards national history for future generations, not just to memorialise one person .        

Company director charged with helping firm provide flag registration services for UN-sanctioned North Korea-linked ship   https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/company-director-charged-ship-flag-north-korea-united-nations-niue-6290061?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_31072026_cna   Full Details: Director Charged Over UN-Sanctioned North Korea-Linked Ship Registration 📰   Source: CNA, Singapore Police Force | Date: 31 Jul 2026       🔍 Case Overview   - Accused: David Chong Kwok Yong, 49, Singaporean, director and managing director of Niue Ship Registry. - Charge: Abetting Niue Ship Registry to provide flag registration services for the bulk carrier PETREL 8, under Regulation 8D(d)(ii) read with Regulation 13(a) of the United Nations (Sanctions – DPRK) Regulations 2010. - Company charged: Niue Ship Registry faces one count under the same sanctions regulation. - Alleged act: Registered PETREL 8 under the flag of Niue from 18 May 2022 to 18 August 2022, with reasonable grounds to know the vessel was linked to prohibited North Korean activities.       🚢 About the Vessel PETREL 8   - Designated by the UN Security Council on 3 Oct 2017 under Resolutions 2317 (2017) and 2375 (2017) for transporting prohibited items (including coal) from North Korea. - Type: Bulk carrier; sanctioned for supporting proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.       ⚖️ Legal Basis & Penalties   - Law: Offences under the United Nations Act 2001, giving effect to UNSC sanctions against North Korea. - For David Chong: If convicted – up to 10 years’ jail, S$500,000 fine, or both. - For Niue Ship Registry: If convicted – up to S$1 million fine.       📝 Court Update   - First appearance: 31 Jul 2026 at State Courts; no plea entered yet. - Released on bail; next court mention scheduled for August 2026.       📌 Official Stance   “Singapore takes its international obligations under UNSC Resolutions seriously and is committed to implementing them fully. The police will not hesitate to take action against any individual or entity that breaches Singapore’s laws and regulations.” – Singapore Police Force       ℹ️ Background   - Niue Ship Registry was incorporated in 2002; stated principal activities: ship management and freight services. - Niue is a self-governing South Pacific island nation in free association with New Zealand.    

The kids need glasses asap