 In April 2016, Phua caused widespread controversy when, during a debate on the Ministry of Home Affairs' budget in Parliament, she suggested the installation of fences at communal areas in Little India, like playgrounds, to prevent the congregation of foreign workers there and to allow residents to use the facilities away from them. "Congregations of such high density are walking time-bombs and public disorder incidents waiting to happen," she remarked. She apologised two days later.
