Govt to announce enhanced measures to help households, businesses 'cushion immediate impact' of rising energy costs: PM Wong


PUBLISHED ONApril 02, 2026 9:35 AMBYSean LerSingapore will announce enhanced measures and targeted support for households and businesses next week, amid rising energy costs and concerns, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
He was giving an update on the Middle East situation in a video message on Thursday (April 2).
Acknowledging the impact on households and businesses amid rising energy costs and uncertainties, PM Wong said the Government will "cushion the immediate impact" on them by enhancing existing measures, bringing some of them forward to provide earlier relief.
He added that the Government will also provide targeted support for sectors that are more severely affected.
These measures will be announced when Parliament sits again on April 7.
@asiaone Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (April 2) announced that the Government "will do more", including enhance existing measures to support businesses and households amidst the uncertain outlook and rising oil prices. #sgnews #Singapore #Energy #Security #MiddleEast #War ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
The prime minister also highlighted that the implications of the ongoing Middle East conflict are grave, with potentially severe consequences.
He explained that even if recent diplomatic efforts succeed, the impact of the conflict is expected to persist as energy production and distribution infrastructure have been damaged and will likely take several months to restore to full capacity.

"Prices are therefore expected to remain elevated for some time," he said.
Asia has been particularly exposed given that a substantial share of energy supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz is bound for the region, including Singapore.
To complicate matters further, the geopolitical situation in the Middle East may by then be adversely affected resulting in a "more uncertain and unstable phase" that may affect regional security and global energy flows.
He noted that industries around the world are already drawing down fuel inventories and turning to alternative sources — which remain temporary buffers that cannot make up for a prolonged shortfall.

"If the critical Middle Eastern energy sources and supply routes remain constrained for an extended period, the consequences will be severe.
"It will not just mean higher prices. We could face a global energy crunch – disrupting daily life and production activity and putting significant pressure on economies everywhere," PM Wong said.
@asiaone In a video message on the Middle East situation on Thursday (April 2), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set out the global energy risks and challenges faced by Singapore and the Asia region. #sgnews #Energy #Security #MiddleEast #War ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
He also announced that he has convened the Homefront Crisis Ministerial Committee, led by Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam, to coordinate the city state's response.
DPM Gan Kim Yong will serve as the committee's adviser.
Providing an update on the committee's work, PM Wong said Singapore is updating its existing contingency plans and developing new ones in the light of the unprecedented energy crisis.

This includes taking active steps to strengthen Singapore's energy and supply chain resilience.
Singapore is also working with trusted partners such as Australia and New Zealand to deepen existing cooperation while ensuring supply lines for essential goods and food remain open during crises.
@asiaone Singapore will coordinate its national response to the potential risk of a global energy crunch by convening a Homefront Crisis Minister Committee chaired by Coordinating Minister for National Security K Shanmugam, said PM Wong on Thursday (April 2). #sgnews #Singapore #Energy #Security #MiddleEast #War ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
The prime minister also urged Singaporeans to "stand together", highlighting that national resilience does not depend only on the Government, but also on businesses and households — taking practical steps — to conserve energy and reducing unnecessary consumption and waste.
"For businesses, this means reviewing operations and improving energy efficiency. For households, it means being mindful of daily use.
"These may seem like small steps, but taken together, they make a real difference," PM Wong explained.
He assured Singaporeans that while the country cannot be insulated from global upheavals, it has the plans, capabilities and resilience to get through crises.
"I am sharing all this with you so that we can be prepared for what lies ahead. The situation is highly uncertain and we cannot predict how exactly events will unfold.
"But the risks are significant, and the worst may not be behind us....Whatever comes our way, we will face it, as one people, one nation. And we will get through this — together," PM Wong stressed.
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