SINGAPORE, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Singapore will enhance household support measures and roll out targeted aid for hard-hit sectors as part of newly announced steps to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on its import-dependent energy system.
In a video address on Thursday, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he had convened the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee to coordinate the national response. The committee is chaired by Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam, with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong serving as adviser.
"For now, we have been able to manage the immediate disruptions," Wong said, adding that refineries and chemical companies were scaling back production and sourcing crude oil and feedstock beyond the Middle East.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) importers are securing alternative supplies from global producers, Wong said. Singapore will deepen cooperation with Australia, which accounts for more than one-third of Singapore's LNG supply, and work closely with New Zealand to keep supply lines for essential goods and food open.
Existing support measures, including additional rebates to offset higher electricity costs announced in the fiscal 2026 budget, will be enhanced, with some brought forward. Additional targeted support will be provided for severely affected sectors.
Wong said the impact is likely to persist even if a ceasefire is reached soon, as damaged energy infrastructure could take months to return to full capacity. ■
