Parliament to discuss cushioning S’pore from impact of Middle East conflict; 3 ministers to speak

[SINGAPORE] Measures to cushion the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on Singaporeans will be discussed in Parliament on Tuesday (Apr 7).

Three ministers – Gan Kim Yong, K Shanmugam and Jeffrey Siow – are scheduled to make statements on the situation’s impact here, according to the order paper released on Monday.

A total of 32 MPs have filed 62 questions on the government’s response to the war – which has caused energy prices in Singapore to rise – as well as for its assessment of the impact on Singapore, the region and geopolitics at large.

MPs from the opposition Workers’ Party have asked the government about specific measures to help households and workers who are dependent on transport to manage price shocks, and how long Singapore’s national fuel reserves can sustain generating electricity.

WP chief Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC) has asked for the government’s estimate of the impact of the disruption of the liquified natural gas facilities in the Middle East on household expenditure here.

He also asked for the scope of the government’s contingency plans in the event of a disruption in energy supplies or a prolonged period of high energy prices.

PAP MPs have also asked a range of questions on how the war has impacted Singaporeans and how the Government will step in.

For instance, Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) has asked for the government’s assessment of how rising fuel prices are affecting small and medium-sized enterprises and Singaporeans who depend on their vehicles for daily income.

This includes private-hire drivers and delivery riders; she has also asked what support is available.

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This comes after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced last week that some support measures announced at Budget 2026 will be brought forward to provide earlier relief and cushion the Middle East conflict’s impact on households and businesses.

The government will also provide targeted support to sectors hit hardest by the conflict, and enhance existing measures, he said in a video message on Apr 2. Measures announced at the Budget in February include utility rebates for households.

To coordinate Singapore’s national response, PM Wong also said he has convened the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee (HCMC), chaired by Shanmugam, who is coordinating minister for national security and minister for home affairs.

Outlining the committee’s scope at an event on Saturday, Shanmugam said it will address supply disruptions and price increases arising from the Middle East conflict, as well as diplomatic and security issues.

Siow, who is acting transport minister and senior minister of state for finance, is on the committee while Gan, who is deputy prime minister and minister for trade and industry, is its adviser.

The HCMC is Singapore’s apex body for crisis management, and several groups of civil servants report to it. THE STRAITS TIMES