This is an excerpt of a speech I gave in Parliament in 2009. This issue remains ‘live’. We must acknowledge the valid concerns of Singaporeans about the pace of immigration and whether our infrastructure development has kept pace. We must reaffirm that Singaporean will always come first. We need an open constructive discussion about this and other sensitive issues. But we can do so in a civil and constructive tone.

Speech delivered in Parliament on 6 March 2012 during Committee of Supply

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE I thank members of the House for their questions and their suggestions.

2       There are three broad themes behind all of MEWR’s programmes. First, to ensure that we continue to have a very high quality of life in Singapore;  second, to do our part in an inclusive society, in particular, to always leave a low cost option on the table and also provide opportunities for fair wages and good jobs; and third, to make sure that we have a sustainable future.

Incredible turnout by residents of all ages as the Chingay procession came to Bukit Panjang for the first time. Great atmosphere as the crowd took in the sights and fireworks.

See the full gallery on Posterous

Peter Schwartz highly recommended this book when we met for dinner last week. It has been a mind blowing journey traversing ecology, urbanisation, climate change, transgenic crops, nuclear energy and geoengineering. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we must think carefully through these issues, and be prepared to change our minds as new information emerges.

I was asked several questions in Parliament on the 3 floods in Orchard Road over the past 18 months. 

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Topography of Orchard Road

1.            Stamford Canal drains a catchment area of 631 ha, which starts upstream at the Botanic Gardens and Dempsey Hill. It extends downstream to Bras Basah and City Hall areas and ultimately drains into Marina Reservoir. Orchard Road is a valley in the mid-section of this catchment area. It is bounded by higher ground, including Mount Elizabeth in the north and Leonie Hill to the south. The gradient slopes from Tanglin to the Bras Basah. However, if you examine the slide carefully, you will notice that the gradient is punctuated by two smaller hills – Cuscaden in the west and Cairnhill in the east. Consequently, there is actually a basin between Cuscaden and Cairnhill Roads. This explains why this stretch of Orchard Road is of special concern.