Committee of Supply 2025 debate, Day 2: Zaqy Mohamad on Total Defence and shared responsibility of keeping Singapore strong

Servicemen and their families living in the east can look forward to more affordable recreational facilities and lifestyle offerings at a new SAFRA clubhouse that will be built in the Bayshore area. It will be SAFRA’s largest clubhouse - about 50 per cent larger than the average SAFRA clubhouse - and will offer unique family entertainment and recreational facilities. Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, who announced this in parliament on Monday (Mar 3), said the clubhouse will be ready in a few years’ time and will replace the clubhouse at SAFRA Tampines. Mr Zaqy also highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to achieve their sustainability targets. They are deploying more solar panels in camps and bases - by the end of this year, there will be solar panels in most camps. A solar farm within Sembawang Airbase will be built this year to generate energy equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 4,700 four-room HDB flats. This will lead to cost savings of approximately S$1.9 million a year for the SAF. Mr Zaqy also told the House that MINDEF will continue to invest in Total Defence and partner Singaporeans in the shared responsibility of keeping their country strong for the future.