Nevertheless, she emphasised it was “neither useful nor reasonable” to keep building more drainage or expanding drainage system.
According to Ms. Fu, “doing but would require major land and financial resources, which would then prevent us from using other significant purposes.” ” To put things into perspective, flooding in Singapore is localised and usually subsides within an hour” . ,
She said it would be more productive to build up Singapore’s disaster resilience at a” techniques” level, giving developing owners, designers and the wider society a part to play alongside the state.
For example, the PUB’s  code of practice for surface water drains lists requirements for maximum system and crest levels for buildings as well as flood protection measures that building owners and developers may put in place to protect their properties.
In addition, amendments to the Sewerage and Drainage Act were passed in November 2024 to ensure that owners and developers continue to use and uphold the flood protection measures in their buildings after they are implemented.  ,
In response to a further inquiry from MP Desmond Choo ( PAP-Tampines ) regarding whether investing more as flood events increase, Ms Fu claimed it wasn’t always “financially wise” to “prepare for such extreme events.”  ,
” That will mean dedicating a lot of land, a lot of financial resources to protect us for those events that may not occur so regularly, or in places where it doesn’t occur regularly”, she added.  ,
” So it is still the same message that while ( the ) government will look at improving our infrastructure, we need community, we need businesses…  , to also undertake protection measures to protect themselves, protect their properties and protect their family”.
Additionally, MP Saktiandi Supaat ( PAP-Bishan-Toa Payoh ) inquired about whether flood-stricken people or businesses could receive financial or logistical assistance.  ,
Ms. Fu claimed that the government anticipates developers to budget for infrastructure and protection measures in their budgets, which will then be reflected in the cost of land and development.  ,
” Over the years, actually, we have been reducing the flood-prone areas significantly… In the most recent monsoon surges, we only had one significant reported flood incident”, she said.
” So as and when they are needed, we will offer more help, and we will keep very close contact with the public, with businesses”.