Debate on the President's Address - Mr Zaqy Mohamad

Introduction: Governing for Our Future

1. Mr Speaker, the world today is being shaped by powerful forces. Earlier, DPM Gan and members of the House spoke about geopolitical tension, economic volatility, technological disruption, and the looming crisis of climate change.

2. Today, I will focus on one of the greatest threats to our generation - climate disruption.

3. It is not tomorrow’s problem. It is already here. Around the world, the pace of climate action is slowing. The spirit of global cooperation is weakening. In fact, some countries have already wavered in their Paris Agreement pledges. Even with current commitments, the world is on track for warming of two to three degrees - well beyond the 1.5 degrees that science tells us is safe.

4. Singapore contributes just 0.1% of global emissions. But we will still feel the full force of climate change. While we cannot change the world’s trajectory alone, we must be prepared to live with its consequences.

5. As Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his National Day Rally speech: “We must look ahead, anticipate what is on the horizon, and prepare to ride the next wave of change.”

6. That is the hallmark of the PAP Government. We govern not just for the next election cycle, but for future generations of Singaporeans.

A Government That Plans for Generations, Not Election Cycles

7. Throughout our history, the PAP Government has made bold decisions with foresight and discipline.

8. We invested in water resilience before others even thought about it - NEWater, desalination, local catchments. We transformed waste management with incineration and adapted Pulau Semakau. We cleaned up the Singapore River and tackled air pollution long before environmentalism was fashionable.

9. As our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew once declared: “I am calculating not in terms of the next election … I am calculating in terms of the next generation; in terms of the next 100 years; in terms of eternity.” This was said in 1965, and this spirit endures in today’s political leadership.

10. Singapore’s future and our survival is at the front and centre of everything that we do. Our adaptation strategy is not piecemeal. It is coordinated. It is ambitious. It is backed by long-term thinking across generations of leaders.

11. We are looking 30, 50, even 100 years ahead. That is why we have committed about $100 billion over the next century for coastal protection.

12. This is not an elections or political slogan. We’re just four, five months out into the new term. It is a serious financial commitment – one that we planned prudently, and that we will fund sustainably through our fiscal policies and reserves. There are very, very few countries in the world that can say the same.

Understanding the Threat: Climate Change in Our Lifetime

13. Climate change is no longer abstract. It is affecting our daily lives.

14. By 2100, sea levels could rise by 1.15 metres. If you add storm surges, almost 30% of our land today is at risk. Think about East Coast Park, Sentosa, Eunos-Kembangan and possibly up to Tanjong Katong under water.

15. Imagine Singapore without the coastlines that we are familiar with. No evening jogs or family picnics at East Coast Park. No Marina Bay waterfront skyline. These could just be memories of what we used to be – if we do nothing.

16. At the same time, rainfall is intensifying. We feel it. I feel it. You feel it too. Extreme daily rainfall could increase by 92% by 2100. Over the years, the Government has spent billions on our canals and drains to prevent floods. Extreme rainfall will only mean that flash floods in urban areas will only get more common if we do not act. The question is whether we can overcome practical constraints to engineering and costs to cater to extreme weather, given our tight landmass and highly developed urban areas.

17. The temperature is also getting hotter. Due to global warming and the urban heat island effect, mean daily temperatures may rise by five degrees by 2100. Last year was the hottest year on record globally. And in Singapore, our coldest month today is already warmer than our warmest month in the 1960s. Imagine that.

18. Our food security is also at risk. We import more than 90% of our food. Floods, droughts, and export bans can disrupt supplies overnight. We saw this during COVID and got us thinking of new approaches and strategies to develop food resilience.

19. Water too is vulnerable. Our Four National Taps give us resilience, but changing weather patterns and rising demands mean we must work harder.

20. These are not distant scenarios. They are today’s lived reality. We can already feel the changes.

From Challenge to Opportunity: Adapting with Purpose

21. At first glance, climate adaptation feels like setting up various defence measures across the country. Sea walls, drains, polder systems, solar panels and food stockpiles.

22. But adaptation is also about vision. It is about turning necessity into opportunity.

23. Take Marina Barrage. History shows us why such long-term projects matter. When Marina Barrage was first proposed, there were many who doubted its feasibility and value.

24. Today, it is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks - a reservoir, a flood barrier, and a place where families gather for recreation. What was once a bold idea has become a national treasure. While it was built for flood control and water supply, it is now a place where families picnic, students learn, and communities gather.

25. That is the approach we must take. Protecting our people and assets with purpose, and creating greater value in adaptation.

Our Coastal and Flood Resilience Strategy

26. We are embarking on a generational effort to protect our coastlines.

27. The Long Island project along East Coast Park will be more than just a seawall. It will include reclaimed land for homes, a freshwater reservoir, and new spaces for recreation. We are creating value for our people by providing more homes, more facilities and more opportunities, while protecting our coastline.

28. At Pulau Tekong, we have completed Singapore’s first polder. The polder used half the sand required of conventional reclamation, while increasing the training space for the SAF - the size of two Toa Payoh towns.

29. We have launched site-specific studies for Greater Southern Waterfront, Changi, Jurong Island, and more. Studies for Sentosa and the south-west coast will start by 2026. Piece by piece, we are creating a ring of resilience around Singapore.

30. But we are not on this journey alone. The PAP Government will continue to build trust with Singaporeans, and bring our people with us for this journey and for the long-haul. We want to engage our citizens. We will also consult nature groups like the Nature Society. Because resilience must also mean shared ownership.

31. As President Tharman reminded us in his President’s Address, “This trust has allowed us to make hard choices when needed, and to plan for the future beyond current election cycles”. This is precisely what adaptation demands: choices need to be made today, for risks that may arise decades ahead.

32. Youths and nature groups have already come forward with ideas - from marine biodiversity corridors to recreational spaces - showing how Singaporeans want to shape their future.

33. We are also building flood resilience inland. This year, we launched an Alliance-for-Action (AfA) to co-create a Flood-Resilient Developments Guidebook with industry partners like the Singapore Institute of Architects. The guidebook will give property owners and developers a toolkit of flood protection measures. These measures will enhance the flood resilience of their premises, while allowing solutions that best integrate with the design.

34. We’re also working with businesses and residents in flood-prone areas. We distribute flood barriers. We run awareness campaigns. No matter how strong the storms are ahead, the Government will work with you to overcome them together. Climate resilience is not just about engineering. It is really also about mindset.

Building Heat Resilience in a Warming World

35. I will now share our plans for heat resilience. Rising heat is changing daily lives. We are developing a Whole-of-Government Heat Resilience Strategy. It covers urban planning, building design, public health, and community awareness.

36. The Government has a national heatwave response plan to protect Singaporeans. This will require the collective effort of the Government, our employers, and our people. For workers involved in heavy physical labour, employers will keep a close watch on heat stress levels and ensure they have sufficient hydration and rest, away from the sun. Students can dress down - or switch to home-based learning if needed.

37. Besides the efforts from the Government, the public can also play its part. Volunteers can check on vulnerable groups, such as the elderly in our community, to ensure they are adequately protected. We can open cooling centres at CCs and RCs for vulnerable groups, and monitor patients and seniors in hospitals and eldercare centres.

38. Through the myENV app, the public can get timely Heat Stress Advisory information on how to protect themselves according to heat stress levels.

39. But ultimately, resilience is not just about infrastructure. It is about mindset. Just as Total Defence reminds us that every Singaporean has a role in our security, climate defence requires collective action by everyone.

40. The test will come during an extreme climate event. Will we stand together, support the vulnerable, and act as one people? That is what will define us as Singaporeans.

41. We are also learning from others who face extreme heat today. We are studying heatwaves in Europe, heat adaptation measures in the Middle East, exploring novel cooling methods with researchers, and preparing before such extreme events hit our shores.

42. Looking ahead, we are strengthening Whole-of-Government coordination and partnering businesses, academia and the community, to develop an integrated Heat Resilience Strategy. This will create shaded walkways, green corridors and cooling zones, which will improve liveability while making our neighbourhoods healthier and more walkable.

43. Already, URA and HDB are testing and scaling innovative measures like new wind flow modelling techniques and cooling materials in our estates. These are among new innovations that can potentially make a difference in our daily comfort in the long run.

Food and Water Resilience for a Volatile World

44. Food is part of our culture and our identity. But disruptions are becoming more common. Today, floods, droughts and heatwaves are affecting crops globally.

45. COVID was a stark reminder of our vulnerabilities. I recall in 2020, there were concerns that countries' COVID measures would lead to food supply disruptions, such as eggs. This led to increased demand for eggs overnight. Yet within days, we were able to reassure the public of continued supply due to our diversified sources and stabilise demand. That experience underlined why resilience is non-negotiable.

46. That is why we are diversifying our sources. Before COVID, eggs came mostly from one country. Today, we import from more than 10 countries, while our local farms here provide a third of our supply.

47. Even as we increase local food production, we will work to facilitate food imports from new sources. At the industry level, we will support our local importers to nurture strong relationships with business partners through overseas sourcing and business matching trips.   

48. Our local farms and food production still matter. They are our assured source in crises. We are helping our farms to scale by addressing key challenges of productivity, cost and demand.

49. We want to encourage local farms to tap on technology to grow food in a more productive and climate-resilient manner. Through the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation (ACT) Fund, farms such as Green Harvest, have invested in a hydroponics greenhouse with automated mobile gulley system. This has made them five times more productive than traditional farms.

50. But Singaporeans must also support local produce. When we support our local farmers and buy more local produce such as Chye Sim or Seabass, we are building resilience for ourselves. When Singaporeans choose produce with the SG Fresh Produce branding at supermarkets or wet markets, you are directly supporting our farmers - and our food security.

51. Local produce is fresher, lasts longer, incurs lower carbon footprint to reach us and many are pesticide free. I am glad that industry players, through SAFEF (Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation Limited), are already working on long-term contracts between farms and buyers.

52. These are not abstract ideas. They are already feeding Singaporeans today.

53. Likewise, water is essential to our lives. For Singapore, water is a precious and limited resource.

54. As then-PM Lee Hsien Loong said in 2021: “Water is a strategic and scarce resource, and also a precious fruit of our labours... We are always pushing the limits of our water resources.”

55. We have over successive decades built a robust and diversified water supply, made possible by right-pricing water. We have built up our Four National Taps – local catchment, imported water, NEWater, desalination – to strengthen our water resilience.

56. But as our population and economy grows, and as weather patterns change, we have to work harder to conserve this precious resource - because water security is also national security.

Managing Waste, Closing the Loop

57. Singapore’s waste system is so efficient to the point that it is pretty much out of sight, out of mind. The issue for Singapore is that we have very limited land for waste management – and the reality is that Semakau Landfill may be full by 2035.

58. As Singapore becomes more affluent and develops new industries, we will produce and consume more. Hence, if we don’t manage our waste well, we will face issues of disposing them within just the next 10 years.

59. Since 2021, we have collected over 30,000 tonnes of e-waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme to develop a circular economy. In 2026, we will launch the Beverage Container Return Scheme to boost recycling of plastics and metals. For food waste, large commercial and industrial food waste generators in new buildings must now segregate food waste for treatment, and this will be extended to more and more buildings.

60. Industry is also stepping up. The AfA on Packaging Waste Reduction for the E-Commerce Sector, which included players like Amazon and Shopee, has developed guidelines to encourage the use of sustainable packaging.

61. In our estates, new initiatives like REhub bins allow residents to deposit recyclables, scan QR codes, and track their recycling habits. This helps to build awareness and give families a sense of ownership in reducing waste.

62. But we must also recognise that we have room to improve. Our overall recycling rate stands at around 50%, as compared to 63% in Australia. This comparison is a reminder that Singapore can and must do better with collective effort.

63. Everyone can do the 3Rs. Reduce consumption. Reuse what you can. Recycle right. This only works if we all commit, together.

Investing in a Low-Carbon Future

64. Despite the backsliding of global climate action, Singapore must stay the course in our transition to a low carbon future. There is the economic imperative to ensure our businesses and jobs remain competitive in the long-term.

65. We will continue to support businesses with incentives to improve their energy efficiency. Based on the latest data from the International Energy Agency, Singapore’s energy intensity would rank amongst the lowest one-third, if compared to all OECD countries. Singapore imports almost all of our energy supply, and it is important that Singapore raises our energy efficiency to make every joule count.

66. As businesses improve their energy efficiency, we will continue to calibrate the price signal through the carbon tax, which aims to enhance the business case for low-carbon solutions. The Government uses the carbon tax we collect to support businesses in the green transition and encourage adoption of low-carbon technologies, such as solar power.

67. The good news is that Singapore has achieved our 2025 solar deployment target of 1.5 GWp and is on track to meet our goal of at least 2GWp by 2030. We are also partnering industry for other climate mitigation measures such as high-quality carbon credits, as well as cross-border carbon capture and storage. 

68. As regional countries explore nuclear power, we are building capabilities in nuclear science and safety. Through the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute, we aim to grow from 50 to 100 experts by 2030. This will allow us to assess risks prudently, and plan for long-term possibilities.

69. Households too play their part. The Climate Friendly Households Programme supports households in switching to efficient appliances. As of August 2025, more than 55% of eligible households have claimed their Climate Vouchers, of which $187 million has been utilised. This helps households save on utility bills, while helping to lower our carbon footprint.

70. We are also making full use of our land. By 2030, nearly every HDB block with a suitable rooftop will be fitted with solar panels. These panels power common services — lifts, lights, and water pumps — directly lowering energy costs for residents and Town Councils.

Conclusion: Realising Climate Adaptation Needs Political Will

71. Mr Speaker, climate change is the defining challenge of our generation.

72. Every adaptation measure I have shared - whether it is $100 billion in coastal protection, national heat strategies, food and water resilience, or circular economy innovation - reflects more than engineering. It reflects a philosophy of governance.

73. A philosophy rooted in the PAP Government’s long-term view – passed down from our founding fathers, across generations of political leaders, and to the 4G leaders of today.

74. This is rooted in fiscal prudence, political will, and the conviction that every generation must leave behind a stronger foundation for the next.

75. As Minister Grace Fu reminded us at the V3 National Climate Change Study Symposium last year: “Climate change is an existential threat for Singapore, and the Government treats it with utmost seriousness. We are investing significantly to better understand it, and starting our planning and preparatory works.”

76. In the next 5 years, we will develop Singapore’s inaugural National Adaptation Plan, or NAP in short, which Minister announced earlier this year at COS 2025. The NAP will be our living roadmap to address the physical risks and social impact of climate change.

77. This is the commitment that my colleagues and I at MSE bring to this work. We plan, we prepare, and we act early - because safeguarding Singapore is first to our duty.

78. President Tharman’s shared in his address at the Opening of this session Parliament, “We will nurture a ‘We First’ society at every level, starting in the community.”

79. That is our calling today. To take the long view. To put “we before me”. To protect tomorrow with resilience, steward today’s resources responsibly, and ensure that Singapore – our little red dot - continues to thrive in a turbulent world.

80. This is the PAP Government’s promise - to govern not for the next election, but for future generations to come. And for us – all of us here in this chamber – to do so with the same courage and foresight of our founding leaders, that built the Singapore we enjoy today.

81. Thank you.

82. Tuan Speaker, Perdana Menteri Lawrence Wong telah menyatakan dalam Ucapan Hari Kebangsaan: “Kita mesti melihat ke hadapan, menjangkakan apa yang ada di hadapan kita, dan bersiap sedia untuk menghadapi gelombang perubahan yang akan datang.”

83. Perubahan iklim adalah cabaran paling besar generasi kita. Ia bukan isu masa depan - ia sudah pun berlaku. Haba semakin meningkat, hujan lebih lebat, dan paras laut semakin naik. Singapura hanya menyumbang 0.1% daripada pelepasan global, tetapi kita akan merasakan kesannya sepenuhnya.

84. Di sinilah keunikan Pemerintah PAP. Dari dahulu, kita tidak pernah memerintah hanya untuk kitaran pilihan raya, tetapi untuk masa depan semua rakyat Singapura. Sepertimana yang pernah ditunjukkan oleh Encik Lee Kuan Yew dalam kisah air Singapura, Pemerintah berani membuat keputusan sukar, merancang puluhan tahun ke hadapan, dan memastikan kita mengarahkan sumber untuk melaksanakan rancangan-rancangan tersebut. 

85. Inilah semangat yang membolehkan Singapura yang bertahan, dan inilah juga semangat yang membimbing kita dalam menghadapi perubahan iklim hari ini.
    
    I. Langkah-Langkah Adaptasi Utama

86. Pertama, perlindungan-perlingdungan pantai dan banjir. Pemerintah telah membuat keputusan berani untuk melabur $100 bilion dalam tempoh 100 tahun bagi melindungi pantai kita. Projek Long Island akan melindungi East Coast daripada kenaikan paras laut, sambil menyediakan rumah, takungan air tawar, dan juga ruang rekreasi. Polder di Pulau Tekong pula membuktikan bahawa kita boleh melindungi pantai dengan cara lebih cekap, sambil memberi SAF ruang latihan yang lebih besar.

87. Kedua, resiliensi haba. Pemerintah membangunkan Strategi Resiliensi Haba nasional yang meliputi reka bentuk bandar, kesihatan awam, dan juga sokongan komuniti. Semasa gelombang haba, kita boleh memberi amaran melalui aplikasi myENV, serta melindungi pekerja dan pelajar. Tetapi resiliensi bukan hanya soal infrastruktur — ia soal sikap masyarakat untuk berdiri bersama, sepertimana semangat Pertahanan Mutlak (Total Defence).

88. Ketiga, resiliensi makanan dan air. Semasa COVID, kita melihat betapa mudah bekalan makanan terjejas. Kini, kita mengimport telur dari lebih daripada 10 negara, dan ladang tempatan kita meningkatkan lagi pengeluaran dengan teknologi moden. Kita juga menggalakkan rakyat membeli produk tempatan dengan label SG Fresh Produce.

89. Air pula sentiasa menjadi isu strategik. Justeru, kita bangunkan NEWater dan loji-loji desalination. Sepertimana mantan Perdana Menteri Lee Hsien Loong pada tahun 2021 mangatakan, air adalah sumber strategik dan hasil tenaga kita amat berharga - sebab itu Pemerintah PAP terus melabur dengan disiplin fiskal dan pandangan jauh.

90. Keempat, pengurusan sisa. Jika tiada tindakan, Pulau Semakau boleh penuh menjelang 2035. Pemerintah tidak menunggu sehingga krisis berlaku. Kita melaksanakan dasar tanggungjawab pengeluar diperluas (EPR), merancang skim pulangan bekas minuman pada tahun 2026, dan juga kita membangunkan ekonomi kitaran dengan industri. Inilah contoh Pemerintah PAP - kita tidak lari daripada “trade-off” ataupun isu-isu yang mencabar, tetapi kita merancang dengan pandangan jangka panjang dengan berani.

91. Akhir sekali, inovasi tenaga. Singapura telah mencapai sasaran solar 2025 lebih awal, dan menjelang tahun 2030 hampir semua bumbung HDB yang sesuai akan dipasang panel solar. Kita juga mengimport tenaga yang boleh diperbaharui (renewable energy) melalui projek LTMS, serta menyokong isi rumah dengan Baucar Iklim. Semua ini menunjukkan bahawa kita bukan sahaja bedaya tahan, tetapi juga kekal berdaya saing dalam ekonomi hijau masa depan.
    
    II. Penutup

92. Tuan Speaker, perubahan iklim adalah ancaman yang wujud. Tetapi ia juga peluang untuk membuktikan apa yang membezakan Singapura - kita mempunyai Pemerintah yang berani merancang puluhan tahun ke hadapan, kita mempunyai disiplin fiskal, dan kita juga komited untuk menjaga rakyat melangkaui kitaran pilihan raya.

93. Seperti yang Presiden Tharman telah tekankan dalam Ucapan Presidennya: “Kita akan memupuk sebuah masyarakat ‘Kita Dahulu’ pada setiap peringkat.”

94. Bagi saya dan rakan-rakan saya di Kementerian MSE, inilah komitmen kami - untuk merancang lebih awal, untuk melindungi rakyat kita, dan memastikan Singapura sentiasa bersedia menghadapi cabaran iklim.

95. Inilah janji Pemerintah PAP - kami memerintah bukan hanya untuk pilihan raya yang akan datang, tetapi kami memerintah untuk generasi yang akan datang. Tuan Speaker, saya menyokong usul ini.

96. Terima kasih.