Nature lovers and activists hold rally in Hong Lim Park
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/nature-lovers-and-activists-hold-rally-in-hong-lim-park?utm_campaign=stfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwdGRjcATvPelwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHj8P_hew6hPH40FGctYh6J8qtpxdHMchrPfOdAfFwAyWvNBfUMr4mw0lU0yI_aem_0FBYKaGk5q8JUeY9u9bw9A
Full Report: "Maju for the People" Rally — Hong Lim Park, 16 Aug 2026
📌 Event Basics
- Organiser: SG Climate Rally
- Title: Maju for the People
- Date: Sunday, 16 August 2026
- Time: 3:30pm–6:30pm (announced 4:00pm–6:30pm)
- Venue: Hong Lim Park (Speakers' Corner), Singapore
- Turnout: Organisers estimated over 2,000 attendees; CNA estimated over 1,000
🎤 Rally Details
Purpose & Demands
Nature lovers, residents and activists gathered to demand greater transparency and details on the government's plans to develop parts of Maju Forest (Sunset Way) and Gillman Barracks for housing. Speakers called for:
- Full clarity on how much forested land will be cleared/retained
- Disclosure of all factors considered in the decision-making process
- Protection of remaining nature areas
- Public participation in land-use decisions
- A broader redefinition of "progress" beyond housing numbers
Programme & Activities
- Speeches by environmental advocates, ecologists, economists and residents
- Poetry readings between speeches
- Booths & activities: postcard-writing to MPs, sign-painting, zine-making
- Residents' Declaration read aloud
- Mass sing-along to close the rally
- Over 250 postcards to MPs collected; organisers scanned & forwarded them digitally
Attendance & Notable Figures
- Politicians from Workers' Party, Progress Singapore Party, Singapore Democratic Party, Red Dot United present
- Former Nominated MP Anthea Ong also attended
- Many attendees wore green and red; placards read "Forests are our family", "Destroying forests is not maju"
🏗️ Background: The Development Plans
Original Proposals (announced July 2026)
Site Original Green Space Retention Site Area
Gillman Barracks 40% (developed with nature group input) —
Maju Forest (Sunset Way) 35% ~23 hectares
Government Stance
- 4 Aug 2026: MOS for National Development Alvin Tan told Parliament the two sites must be developed to meet Singapore's housing needs over the next decade; alternative sites are unavailable or insufficient
- 14 Aug 2026 (updated plan): Tan announced more green space will be retained at both sites following public feedback — but this means fewer homes can be built
- Public consultation ran 10 July – 6 August 2026: HDB received 2,712 responses for Sunset Way, 860 for Gillman Barracks
📰 Source
Original report: Yap Wei Qiang, The Straits Times — Published 16 Aug 2026, 9:33 PM; Updated 10:55 PM
"Nature lovers and activists gathered in Hong Lim Park on Aug 16 and called for the authorities to provide more details on plans to develop parts of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks for housing."