Latest news with #Mindef
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — Khatib Camp in Yishun will make way for new homes, with the camp's functions to be relocated to Amoy Quee Camp, which is currently undergoing redevelopment. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Ministry of Defence said on July 23 that the redevelopment of Amoy Quee Camp and its supporting infrastructure and facilities started in April 2024, with completion targeted for 2030. The ministry said Amoy Quee Camp, located in Ang Mo Kio, will have its land use intensified to accommodate the relocated units, assets and facilities from Khatib Camp. The camp will also house other operational units, along with their maintenance and administrative entities, to ensure the Singapore Armed Forces' operational readiness, said Mindef, which added that Khatib Camp will be returned to the state for residential development. Khatib Camp currently occupies about 29ha of land and is next to the upcoming 70ha Chencharu estate that is part of Yishun town. Reusing the camp's land for housing will add to the planned 10,000 homes that are slated for development in Chencharu by 2040. Based on the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 that was released on June 25, the camp has been zoned for housing but has yet to be assigned a gross plot ratio — a figure that determines the maximum floor area of a development. Assuming it is given a plot ratio of 2.8 — similar to that of neighbouring residential plots - property analysts said it can yield more than 6,000 public flats or more than 9,000 condominium units. Alan Cheong, executive director of research and consultancy at Savills Singapore, said the large site provides urban planners the flexibility of incorporating a housing mix that includes private homes, condominium units and commercial amenities. Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at Realion Group, added that the transport network surrounding the camp site may also need to be improved for future residents. Currently, the end of the camp closest to Khatib MRT station is about 400m away, while its farthest end is about 1.2km from the station. Sun said there is a higher chance that public flats will be built on the site, which will be consistent with the neighbourhoods that currently surround it. Built at a cost of $90 million in 1983, Khatib Camp occupies an area that was previously used by the Royal Malaysian Navy from 1970, and handed over to Singapore in February 1982. The camp initially housed the SAF Boys' School, the air defence unit and five other artillery units. It has long served as the headquarters of the Singapore Artillery, and is currently one of four SAF camps where NSmen can take their Individual Physical Proficiency Test. As for Amoy Quee Camp, it was among the properties handed over to Singapore as part of the withdrawal of British troops in 1971. Information from the British archives shows the Royal Air Force (RAF) Amoy Quee base was established in mid-1968 and operated until July 1971. It housed the RAF's 1003 Signals Unit. Amoy Quee Camp in 1976 had the biggest pineapple farm in Singapore, occupying 6ha, as part of efforts to grow food for soldiers and also as an experiment to see if enough fruit could be harvested and sold for profit. Since 2001, Amoy Quee Camp has housed the headquarters of the National Cadet Corps, and the camp's size has been reduced drastically in recent years from about 89ha to 52ha to make way for new homes. According to URA's Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition, the area will have a new park, commercial amenities and healthcare facilities. Its development has begun, with the ongoing construction of the 1,068-unit Pine Ville @ AMK project by the Housing Board, where replacement flats are being built for residents of an Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme project that was announced in April 2022. Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme project that was announced in April 2022 To be developed next to Pine Ville @ AMK soon is a Build-To-Order project, comprising 1,420 units, which will be launched in October. Elsewhere within the about 37ha of land that Mindef has ceded in Amoy Quee, HDB is currently preparing the site for future developments, such as constructing new roads and sewers. These works are slated to be completed by end-2025. According to URA's draft masterplan, at least three other housing sites are available for development in the area. The first is about 3ha, which is located next to a planned park. Analysts said it can hold about 1,200 condominium units, or about 800 flats. The second is about 6.2ha and is located across the road from Amoy Quee Camp. Analysts said it could yield about 1,400 flats, or about 2,200 condominium units. Savills' Cheong noted that it is large enough to be used for a mix of public and private homes, with some commercial amenities. The third plot is about 5.2ha, which has not been given a plot ratio in URA's draft masterplan. It stretches along the eastern boundary of Nanyang Polytechnic. Sun said the plot may not be attractive to developers because of its elongated shape. Assuming it has a plot ratio of 3.5 — the nearby housing plots have plot ratios ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 — it can hold about 1,400 flats, or about 2,100 condominium units, she said. As for the camp, a construction notice states that 48 blocks will be demolished and 35 blocks will be built, along with a football field and running track. This is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029. [[nid:720521]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp
[SINGAPORE] Khatib Camp in Yishun will make way for new homes, with the camp's functions to be relocated to Amoy Quee Camp, which is currently undergoing redevelopment. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Ministry of Defence said on July 23 that the redevelopment of Amoy Quee Camp and its supporting infrastructure and facilities started in April 2024, with completion targeted for 2030. The ministry said Amoy Quee Camp, located in Ang Mo Kio, will have its land use intensified to accommodate the relocated units, assets and facilities from Khatib Camp. The camp will also house other operational units, along with their maintenance and administrative entities, to ensure the Singapore Armed Forces' operational readiness, said Mindef, which added that Khatib Camp will be returned to the state for residential development. Khatib Camp currently occupies about 29 ha of land and is next to the upcoming 70ha Chencharu estate that is part of Yishun town. Reusing the camp's land for housing will add to the planned 10,000 homes that are slated for development in Chencharu by 2040. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up Based on the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 that was released on June 25, the camp has been zoned for housing but has yet to be assigned a gross plot ratio – a figure that determines the maximum floor area of a development. Assuming it is given a plot ratio of 2.8 – similar to that of neighbouring residential plots – property analysts said it can yield more than 6,000 public flats or more than 9,000 condominium units. Mr Alan Cheong, executive director of research and consultancy at Savills Singapore, said the large site provides urban planners the flexibility of incorporating a housing mix that includes private homes, condominium units and commercial amenities. Ms Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at Realion Group, added that the transport network surrounding the camp site may also need to be improved for future residents. Currently, the end of the camp closest to Khatib MRT station is about 400 m away, while its farthest end is about 1.2 km from the station. Ms Sun said there is a higher chance that public flats will be built on the site, which will be consistent with the neighbourhoods that currently surround it. Built at a cost of S$90 million in 1983, Khatib Camp occupies an area that was previously used by the Royal Malaysian Navy from 1970, and handed over to Singapore in February 1982. The camp initially housed the SAF Boys' School, the air defence unit and five other artillery units. It has long served as the headquarters of the Singapore Artillery, and is currently one of four SAF camps where NSmen can take their Individual Physical Proficiency Test. As for Amoy Quee Camp, it was among the properties handed over to Singapore as part of the withdrawal of British troops in 1971. Information from the British archives shows the Royal Air Force (RAF) Amoy Quee base was established in mid-1968 and operated until July 1971. It housed the RAF's 1003 Signals Unit. Amoy Quee Camp in 1976 had the biggest pineapple farm in Singapore, occupying 6ha, as part of efforts to grow food for soldiers and also as an experiment to see if enough fruit could be harvested and sold for profit. Since 2001, Amoy Quee Camp has housed the headquarters of the National Cadet Corps, and the camp's size has been reduced drastically in recent years from about 89ha to 52ha to make way for new homes. According to URA's Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition, the area will have a new park, commercial amenities and healthcare facilities. Its development has begun, with the ongoing construction of the 1,068-unit Pine Ville @ AMK project by the Housing Board, where replacement flats are being built for residents of an Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme project that was announced in April 2022. To be developed next to Pine Ville @ AMK soon is a Build-To-Order project, comprising 1,420 units, which will be launched in October. Elsewhere within the about 37 ha of land that Mindef has ceded in Amoy Quee, HDB is currently preparing the site for future developments, such as constructing new roads and sewers. These works are slated to be completed by end-2025. According to URA's draft masterplan, at least three other housing sites are available for development in the area. The first is about 3 ha, which is located next to a planned park. Analysts said it can hold about 1,200 condominium units, or about 800 flats. The second is about 6.2 ha and is located across the road from Amoy Quee Camp. Analysts said it could yield about 1,400 flats, or about 2,200 condominium units. Savills' Mr Cheong noted that it is large enough to be used for a mix of public and private homes, with some commercial amenities. The third plot is about 5.2 ha, which has not been given a plot ratio in URA's draft masterplan. It stretches along the eastern boundary of Nanyang Polytechnic. Ms Sun said the plot may not be attractive to developers because of its elongated shape. Assuming it has a plot ratio of 3.5 – the nearby housing plots have plot ratios ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 – it can hold about 1,400 flats, or about 2,100 condominium units, she said. As for the camp, a construction notice states that 48 blocks will be demolished and 35 blocks will be built, along with a football field and running track. This is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029. THE STRAITS TIMES
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool
SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Defence will start a new volunteer management unit to better coordinate opportunities for civilians who can contribute to the nation's defence. This is part of an effort to broaden and strengthen the ministry's volunteer ecosystem. Announcing this at the annual Mindef volunteers' dinner on July 24, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said this comes as the ministry has to operate across an expanded spectrum of operational challenges today, with the difference between peace and war no longer as clear-cut. Remarking that the ministry now deals with 'many shades of grey' in between peace and war, he said it would thus need people with different skill sets to chime in across a range of operations, no matter their background or fitness level. In particular, the new unit would work with the various existing units within Mindef 'to make sure that we expand the opportunities for our people to contribute to the defence of this country', he said. 'The power of the SAF is not just about the men and women in uniform,' Mr Chan added. 'It is about how able we are to mobilise the whole of society to look at every aspect of our defence.' He also said the most powerful message that Singapore can tell any party with harmful intentions is this: 'When you deal with Singapore, you don't just deal with the SAF. You deal with the entire Singapore.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Singapore Singapore says prolonged suffering of civilians in Gaza is 'unconscionable' Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B Currently, volunteering opportunities with Mindef are largely limited to industry experts in areas such as training safety, medical advice, legal counsel, strategic communications, technology, sustainability and public outreach. They are routinely brought in to serve on 38 Mindef boards, committees and councils. More than 400 of them were honoured at the volunteers' dinner, held at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court Hotel. The dinner has been a yearly tradition since 1998 to thank volunteers for their contributions and support for Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces. There were also non-expert volunteers in the midst, but they were few. They included Ms Gloria He, a 36-year-old senior strategic initiatives manager at fintech start-up StraitsX, who volunteers as a guide with the Defence Collective Singapore (DCS) under the Friends of the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) initiative. Ms Gloria He volunteers as a guide with the Defence Collective Singapore under the Friends of the Singapore Discovery Centre initiative. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The SDC is one of the three museums managed by DCS, a Mindef-related organisation with a mission to champion Singapore's defence story through immersive galleries and engaging experiences. Mindef said the current volunteers' contributions have allowed the ministry to stay updated on industry best practices and organisational processes. The volunteers also serve as a link between Mindef and the public by promoting public awareness on defence and inspiring support for national service, it said. Present at the dinner was Associate Professor Mark Leong, a 64-year-old doctor who has served as chairman of the SAF Emergency Medicine Specialist Advisory Board since 2017. The board was convened to help shape a professional and responsive SAF medical ecosystem. Associate Professor Mark Leong has served as chairman of the SAF Emergency Medicine Specialist Advisory Board since 2017. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Prof Leong, a senior consultant for emergency medicine at the Singapore General Hospital, said he found the volunteering work meaningful as the plans he is roped in to provide his professional opinion on are 'real, solid developments – not just drawer plans or good-to-have ideas'. One example is the SAF emergency ambulance service, which the SAF Medical Corps introduced in 2015 to allow the direct evacuation of serious casualties at training areas outside SAF camps to the nearest restructured hospital while they receive appropriate medical treatment en route. Prof Leong said the advisory board provided views during the conception phase on how the plan could be implemented and resourced, as well as how the SAF's paramedics could be trained to provide the service. These days, the Medical Corps taps the advisory board more for its views on forward-looking areas such as how to prevent injuries in soldiers, he said. The pool of Mindef volunteers is not necessarily all citizens. For one, Ms He, who helps with the SDC's Defence Through The Ages guided tour, is a Chinese national. She got involved in the work in late 2023, not long after she moved to Singapore three years ago for work. As a guide, Ms He shares stories of Singapore's defence history with various community groups, including beneficiaries like nursing homes. She said she sought the volunteering opportunity as she is interested in history, and used to volunteer with museums in other countries where she lived. This is her way of making a positive contribution to Singapore now that she lives here, she said, noting that she influenced her Canadian husband to start volunteering with DCS too. Foreigners like her do have a part to play, she stressed. 'It is good for the region that Singapore is stable, strong and sends a signal that it has the ability to defend itself. It is good for Asean, good for Asia and good for peace in general,' she said. 'We both work in business, so when there is peace, it is easy to grow business as well. It's kind of like a connected circle.'
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Khatib Camp was built in 1983 and is the headquarters of the Singapore Artillery. SINGAPORE – Khatib Camp in Yishun will make way for new homes, with the camp's functions to be relocated to Amoy Quee Camp, which is currently undergoing redevelopment. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Ministry of Defence said on July 23 that the redevelopment of Amoy Quee Camp and its supporting infrastructure and facilities started in April 2024, with completion targeted for 2030 . The ministry said Amoy Quee Camp, located in Ang Mo Kio, will have its land use intensified to accommodate the relocated units, assets and facilities from Khatib Camp. The camp will also house other operational units, along with their maintenance and administrative entities, to ensure the Singapore Armed Forces' operational readiness, said Mindef, which added that Khatib Camp will be returned to the state for residential development. Khatib Camp currently occupies about 29ha of land and is next to the upcoming 70ha Chencharu estate that is part of Yishun town. Reusing the camp's land for housing will add to the planned 10,000 homes that are slated for development in Chencharu by 2040 . Based on the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 that was released on June 25, the camp has been zoned for housing but has yet to be assigned a gross plot ratio – a figure that determines the maximum floor area of a development. Assuming it is given a plot ratio of 2.8 – similar to that of neighbouring residential plots – property analysts said it can yield more than 6,000 public flats or more than 9,000 condominium units. Khatib Camp, which occupies about 29ha of land, can yield a few thousand homes. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY Mr Alan Cheong, executive director of research and consultancy at Savills Singapore, said the large site provides urban planners the flexibility of incorporating a housing mix that includes private homes, condominium units and commercial amenities. Ms Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at Realion Group, added that the transport network surrounding the camp site may also need to be improved for future residents. Currently, the end of the camp closest to Khatib MRT station is about 400m away, while its farthest end is about 1.2km from the station. Ms Sun said there is a higher chance that public flats will be built on the site, which will be consistent with the neighbourhoods that currently surround it. Built at a cost of $90 million in 1983, Khatib Camp occupies an area that was previously used by the Royal Malaysian Navy from 1970, and handed over to Singapore in February 1982 . The camp initially housed the SAF Boys' School, the air defence unit and five other artillery units. It has long served as the headquarters of the Singapore Artillery, and is currently one of four SAF camps where NSmen can take their Individual Physical Proficiency Test. Then Brigadier-General Lee Hsien Loong, an artillery officer, waving at a farewell parade held in his honour at Khatib Camp on Sept 19, 1984, two days before he left the SAF to join politics. PHOTO: ST FILE As for Amoy Quee Camp, it was among the properties handed over to Singapore as part of the withdrawal of British troops in 1971. Information from the British archives shows the Royal Air Force (RAF) Amoy Quee base was established in mid-1968 and operated until July 1971. It housed the RAF's 1003 Signals Unit. Amoy Quee Camp in 1976 had the biggest pineapple farm in Singapore , occupying 6ha, as part of efforts to grow food for soldiers and also as an experiment to see if enough fruit could be harvested and sold for profit. Since 2001, Amoy Quee Camp has housed the headquarters of the National Cadet Corps, and the camp's size has been reduced drastically in recent years from about 89ha to 52ha to make way for new homes. According to URA's Draft Master Plan 2025 exhibition, the area will have a new park, commercial amenities and healthcare facilities. Its development has begun, with the ongoing construction of the 1,068-unit Pine Ville @ AMK project by the Housing Board, where replacement flats are being built for residents of an Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme project that was announced in April 2022 . To be developed next to Pine Ville @ AMK soon is a Build-To-Order project, comprising 1,420 units, which will be launched in October. A new Build-To-Order project comprising 1,420 units will be launched in October. It will occupy the empty field next to the Pine Ville @ AMK project (right) that is currently being built by the Housing Board. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Elsewhere within the about 37ha of land that Mindef has ceded in Amoy Quee, HDB is currently preparing the site for future developments, such as constructing new roads and sewers. These works are slated to be completed by end-2025. According to URA's draft masterplan, at least three other housing sites are available for development in the area. The first is about 3ha, which is located next to a planned park. Analysts said it can hold about 1,200 condominium units, or about 800 flats. The second is about 6.2ha and is located across the road from Amoy Quee Camp. Analysts said it could yield about 1,400 flats, or about 2,200 condominium units. Savills' Mr Cheong noted that it is large enough to be used for a mix of public and private homes, with some commercial amenities. The third plot is about 5.2ha, which has not been given a plot ratio in URA's draft masterplan. It stretches along the eastern boundary of Nanyang Polytechnic. An elongated plot of land (middle, along white hoarding) in the Amoy Quee area has been earmarked for new homes. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Ms Sun said the plot may not be attractive to developers because of its elongated shape. Assuming it has a plot ratio of 3.5 – the nearby housing plots have plot ratios ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 – it can hold about 1,400 flats, or about 2,100 condominium units, she said. As for the camp, a construction notice states that 48 blocks will be demolished and 35 blocks will be built, along with a football field and running track. This is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2029.
The Star
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Defence Ministry acknowledges delays in Gempita vehicle delivery
KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry has acknowledged delays in the delivery of 68 Gempita armoured vehicles and two other vehicles by a company from 2020 to 2023, says Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari. He said the ministry issued a late penalty notice of RM162.75mil on January 15. In response, the company - Deftech - appealed for the penalty to be waived, citing force majeure due to the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "The appeal was discussed in a Contract Coordination Panel meeting on May 6, resulting in the company being fined RM162.75mil. "An execution bond of RM53.9mil will be seized, and the remaining penalty will be settled through current contracts or separate collections," he said when wrapping up his ministerial replies during the debate on the Auditor-General's Report in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (July 23). This was the first time the A-G Report was tabled for debate. Adly also said the company is required to pay, with two methods outlined by the coordination panel. "On June 25, a directive was issued to banks to seize RM53.9mil, with the remaining RM108mil to be offset through other contracts with Mindef. "The Gempita vehicles, initially due in 2017, received an extension until 2022, and the penalty system could be improved in procurement processes. "Mindef acknowledged weaknesses in contract terms and is developing a monitoring system for better oversight," he added. Previously, it was reported that weaknesses were identified in the procurement of the army's armoured vehicle fleet, including a two-year delay in issuing late delivery penalty claims. The Auditor-General's Department found that the weaknesses included uncollected late delivery penalties amounting to RM162.75mil under the Gempita armoured vehicle supply contract, unimposed late service penalties amounting to RM1.42mil under the maintenance, repair, and spare parts supply contract, as well as procurements totalling RM107.54mil executed through contract splitting. The Auditor-General also found delivery delays ranging between six and 1,048 days for 70 vehicles.
