Committee of Supply 2025 debate, Day 3: Koh Poh Koon on ‘joint responsibility’ for Singapore’s hawker culture to thrive

Two new hawker centres - Bukit Batok West and Punggol Coast - will open in the first half of this year. Both are designed for a pleasant dining environment, featuring high ceilings with improved ventilation, spacious sitting areas and connectivity to surrounding facilities. Another five hawker centres will be built to ensure that more residents in underserved estates can have access to affordable hawker fare. The National Environment Agency (NEA) will announce more details later. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon, who announced these plans in parliament on Tuesday (Mar 4), said besides building new hawker centres, the government has invested in upgrading the existing infrastructure. Upgrading and building hawker centres are extensive endeavours that are being planned and implemented progressively for the next 20 to 30 years, he said. Dr Koh said NEA is working closely with other agencies to dovetail with estate development plans and ensure that the needs of local communities are well-served. He stressed the need to share a “joint responsibility” to ensure that Singapore’s hawker culture continues to thrive, with the government leading with policies to support and sustain the hawker trade.