Chee Hong Tat conducts first visit to BTO project as Minister for National Development

Newly appointed Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat visited the Toa Payoh Ridge Build-to-Order (BTO) project on May 28, 2025.

This was his first visit as Minister for National Development.

Toa Payoh Ridge comprises four residential blocks, and its final block is expected to be completed in June.

Flat buyers have started to collect the keys to their flats, and will be progressively moving into their new homes.

Chee took a tour of the project and also visited a homeowner’s flat.

Speaking to the media after his visit, Chee shared his immediate priorities for public housing and paid tribute to his predecessor, now Minister of Education Desmond Lee.

"We want to make sure that we continue to have a strong supply of new HDB flats to be able to meet the needs of different groups of buyers. Young couples, singles, seniors, so that they can have more choices and they are able to get their new flats more quickly."

Chee was also asked about the switch from one "hot" portfolio to another.

"So indeed, both transport and MND are hot portfolios, but I think that's why it's very important for my colleagues and I to keep cool and to remain steady as we tackle these challenges together as a team."

He also touched on the similarities between transport and MND.

"There are some similarities between transport and MND. They both require long term planning, and they both require us to work closely with the tripartite partners of industry, and also our sisters and brothers from the unions.

So this requires a team effort, and I hope to be able to work closely with my colleagues, with our partners, and importantly, with all Singaporeans as we build a good living environment for everyone."

New post

Following the general election, Chee was appointed Minister of National Development by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

In a Facebook post on May 26, Chee shared that he had a "full day of meetings" on his first day at the Ministry of National Development (MND).

This appointment is new for Chee, who was previously Minister of Transport and Second Minister for Finance.

All images by Khine Zin Htet/Mothership