MSE has no mandate on land use planning for Gillman Barracks & Maju Forest: Grace Fu

The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment (MSE) does not have a mandate over land use planning and zoning, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

Rather, it falls under the purview of the Ministry of National Development (MND), which oversees these decisions while balancing various demands and trade-offs across government, including biodiversity.

Fu explained the above in an Aug. 7 social media post, after the Housing and Development Board (HDB) announced plans to develop new housing at Gillman Barracks and Sunset Way (Maju Forest).

She acknowledged that the issues are considered as part of the broader climate agenda, but that "we are different agencies with different roles".

The planned development of both sites had sparked debate over whether it would come at the expense of natural spaces and wildlife habitats.

Gillman Barracks will be redeveloped into a residential estate comprising both public and private homes, while the Maju Forest site in Clementi will be developed for public housing.

"We are all different agencies with different roles"

In her post, Fu said Singapore's agencies work closely together to serve Singaporeans.

"On major national undertakings, such as climate mitigation and adaptation, we come together to formulate a coherent plan with our stakeholders and Singaporeans," she said.

For instance, with the Singapore Green Plan, MSE coordinated the initiative; but it was the result of numerous discussions at the working level, between agencies, and at Cabinet between all ministers.

There were also "many sessions" of public consultation, she added.

Fu also acknowledged the public concerns over the planned developments in Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest.

"I deeply appreciate how much Singaporeans care about our shared green spaces. I do too," she said.

However, she added that Singapore, as a small island nation, must balance competing priorities "to protect our environment, to house our people, build our infrastructure, and keep our economy growing".

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Decisions made in the interest of Singapore and Singaporeans

Earlier in Parliament on Aug. 4, the Workers’ Party’s Kenneth Tiong asked why MSE had "not been seen leading and advocating" for the green spaces in Sunset Way and Gillman Barracks, particularly after designating 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation.

"Many nature observers have expressed to me deep disappointment in what they perceive to be MSE's lack of leadership and ownership in the decisions on Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest," he said.

In response, Fu said it was not the way the government operates for MSE to "make a strong stance" and object to decisions made by MND, stressing that ministries work collectively on national policies.

Minister of State for National Development of Singapore Alvin Tan added that the government makes decisions across different ministries, including the MSE, but ultimately makes decisions "based on the best interest of Singapore and Singaporeans".

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