Setting out a detailed timeline of the erroneous forest clearing at Kranji, JTC said on Mon that when it discovered the error on Jan 13 it immediately ordered work to stop and gave the contractor a stern warning. About a month later, when the industrial landlord realised there was media interest, it issued a public statement. JTC CEO Tan Boon Khai said: “We realised that… there has been media interest as well as undue speculation. This led therefore to the media statement that JTC had (released) on Feb 16, trying to clarify some of the issues that have been surrounding (the incident) as well as the interest that has been generated.” Since then, online narratives had led some to form the incorrect idea that the former KTM site was pristine woodland untouched by development. JTC also acknowledged that there “has been some confusion” stemming from its Feb 16 statement. Some netizens had also put together satellite imagery showing that there had been clearing works dating back to Mar 2020. The case involves a 25ha site that was set aside for the Agri-Food Innovation Park.... Continue Reading