Singapore’s future island plan stirs concern over reefs and old fishing grounds

Few have spent as much time in the waters surrounding Singapore’s southwestern islands as fisherman Hamzah Mohamad, 71.

The former resident of Pulau Sudong has been fishing, primarily by setting up bubu – wire fish traps in Malay – in the rocky coral reefs surrounding Sudong, Bukom and Semakau for more than half a century.

He knows the underwater reefs by heart, what the wind changes mean for visibility and which fish species are in season.

But the seascape he has long known may be set for another transformation.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced plans on Sunday to form a new island in the coming decades for industry, energy and defence needs by merging islands including Semakau, Bukom and Sudong, similar to how Singapore joined smaller islands through land reclamation to create the energy and chemicals hub Jurong Island.

Delivering his National Day Rally speech, Wong said: “Jurong Island shaped our economy for the last fifty years. This new Western island can help shape Singapore for the next 50 years and beyond.”

Wong framed the proposal as part of Singapore’s long-term approach to land use, saying the city state had to plan over decades to create options for future generations while balancing development with green spaces, biodiversity and heritage.