President's Speech

Dr Choo Pei Ling.

Mr Speaker, Sir, before I begin, I would like to declare that I am an Assistant Professor in imaging neuroscience at the Singapore Institute of Technology and am a registered member of the Allied Health Professions Council.

I rise in support of the Motion of Thanks for the President's address. It is a privilege for me to join this debate as a new Member.

First, I would like to thank the residents of Tengah and Chua Chu Kang for giving me the opportunity to speak in the 15th Parliament. I am also immensely grateful to my better half and my two-year-old for their unwavering love. And to my team and volunteers, thank you for being my second family.

Last week, I watched my two-year-old play with gears, and it reminded me of how healthcare and research are like the hidden gears behind a masterfully crafted clock. You do not always see them, but they keep life moving – quietly, precisely, relentlessly. Each gear must be aligned; each spring must be wound with care. If even one falters, a missed diagnosis, a delayed study, the whole system stutters.

Today, I would like to speak on two areas that are deeply intertwined with our future: healthcare and research.

First, on healthcare. Singapore's healthcare conversation is evolving. It is no longer solely about life and death. It is about how we live in old age and in sickness, and the quality of life we can sustain across the lifespan.

This shift in focus brings urgency to how we manage downstream healthcare, supporting those already living with illness, especially within our growing population of older citizens. Strategic, long-term planning is essential. Judicious allocation of resources will determine whether our healthcare standards remain sustainable and continue to improve. Importantly, downstream care is not just about ageing. It encompasses a broader spectrum of lived experiences: the young adult recovering from a stroke; the parent managing a child’s autism diagnosis; the worker coping with chronic pain; the caregiver supporting both ageing parents and young children.

To meet these diverse and increasing demands while upholding healthcare quality, we need to continually review how care is delivered. One area is manpower efficiency. Perhaps we can draw on current nurse-led models under Healthier SG and expand the autonomy of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in referrals and prescriptions. This is already standard in countries like the UK.

Outside hospitals and within our communities, engaging seniors meaningfully can be key to optimising their physical and mental health. Rather than seeing seniors as passive recipients of care, we should recognise senior volunteerism as a strategic asset. Regardless of age, mobility, or technology proficiency; whether they use a wheelchair, a tongkat, or none at all – we can all actively welcome seniors into care initiatives through volunteer networks. This unlocks a win-win: seniors gain purpose and connection, while communities benefit from their care and experience.

Yet, to truly future-proof our healthcare system, we must look upstream, well before illness sets in. Healthier SG has laid a strong foundation. We can build on this momentum by focusing on the first 1,000 days of life, perhaps through initiatives like Grow Well SG that centres on child well-being.

To enhance its impact, I suggest: moving beyond reactive screening by offering guidance on postural health and ergonomics from early school-going age; embedding early touchpoints into antenatal care to equip first-time parents with tools for building healthy routines from the start; redesigning existing spaces in HDB estates to include multi-use play corners that encourage outdoor activity, family bonding and intergenerational engagement.

Besides care recipients, caregivers are an integral part of the healthcare landscape. Singapore has laid the groundwork for caregiving support through subsidies, respite services and community programmes. But the caregiving landscape is evolving and we must elevate our approach.

Caregiving is complex. It is not one role, but many – nurse, planner, advocate, emotional anchor. Support must go beyond financial aid. To truly elevate support, we should involve caregiving-trained professionals in policy, programme design and decision-making; and individuals who understand care from the inside out. More spending does not guarantee better outcomes. If done right, caregiving support should be precise, efficient and impactful.

To better support caregivers, I propose: expanding flexible work arrangements and caregiving leave to accommodate diverse caregiving needs, starting with the public sector and extending through legislation to the private sector; supporting caregivers in regular health screenings, by integrating them into existing national programmes such as Healthier SG Screening; and incorporating mental health screening for caregivers, leveraging on existing screening providers.

Let me now move on to research. I will begin with research strategy, followed by research impact assessment. Singapore committed $28 billion under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan. But investment alone is not vision. We must ask: what are we building and who are we becoming?

We cannot simply cruise along with the flow of the waters; we need to accelerate and ride with the waves – as the Chinese saying goes, "不随波逐流，要乘风破浪". In a world of rapid innovation, drifting with the current may seem safe, but it leaves us vulnerable to external tides. If we only follow, we risk becoming dependent on others for the technologies and solutions that shape our future. So, we must define our own direction. We are not striving to be sellers of everything, but we cannot afford to be buyers of everything either.

Take the current trend of AI as an example. Instead of focusing only on applications built elsewhere, we must ask, "Can we Singapore lead in artificial intelligence on novel applications, such as, for multilingual societies, for small data environments, or for public trust and governance?" And beyond trends, what is Singapore's own version of artificial intelligence?

I appeal to the Government to define and commit to long-term strategic research domains, fields where Singapore can lead – invest in Singapore-branded technologies that enhance national resilience in essential sectors; encourage and enable researchers to pursue high-risk, long-horizon questions through targeted grants; and infrastructure support and collaboration platforms. When policy and innovation move together with clarity and courage, Singapore will not only keep pace with the waves of innovation. We will set our own direction, chart a course others can follow and build capabilities that serve our people and economy for decades to come.

And finally, on research expenditure and impact assessment. We have committed billions to support research, innovation and enterprise. But the question is not how much we spend; it is what we get from what we spend. We must ensure that funding is not merely meeting check-box criteria, but delivering real impact. Are we solving the problems we set out to solve? Are we plugging the gaps that matter most?

We often measure success by volume; papers published, grants awarded, partnerships signed. These are important, but they do not always reflect whether the work is transformative or relevant. We must also be mindful of the administrative workload on researchers. When too much time is spent on compliance and reporting, we risk shifting focus away from innovation. Accountability is essential, but it must be proportionate and purposeful. And we need research-trained professionals, not just those with degrees, but those with deep, discipline-based expertise to manage and evaluate research outcomes.

To ensure that every dollar spent delivers maximum value, I propose the following: support early-career scientists with targeted funding that promotes exploration, innovation and breakthrough thinking; shift to impact-driven evaluation by requiring grant programmes to define success upfront in terms of national outcomes, with clear plans for industry partnerships or public sector applications; streamline grant processes – consolidate duplicative calls across agencies and reduce excessive reporting requirements to allow researchers to focus on innovation; ensure funding decisions and outcome assessments are guided by domain experts with deep research expertise and relevant field experience.

Mr Speaker, Sir, "我们要把钱花在刀刃上", means spending money where it matters most. Let us continue to invest boldly but, also wisely, that our research efforts deliver not just quantity and activity, but authentic, measurable impact.

Today, I spoke on healthcare and research. But there is much more to speak on, and beneath these diverse topics, lies a common thread. Let me offer an analogy: Singapore is like a boat. We are all in it together, each with different personalities, backgrounds and perspectives. There is no right or wrong in who we are. What matters is that we row in the same direction.

In healthcare, in research, in every policy we shape, we must choose the right way, not the easy way. The right way demands courage, clarity and compassion. It asks us to listen deeply, act boldly and build patiently. And let me end with this reflection. This is inspired by the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech and the President's Parliamentary address. Mr Speaker, in Mandarin.

(In Mandarin): We are not passengers — we are crew.

Each with a different rhythm, a different strength.

But the boat moves only when we row together.

Not in circles. Not apart. Forward.

Let us choose the right way, not the easy way.

Let us move as many, but sail as one.

Ms Diana Pang.

Mr Speaker, earlier in my speech, I had used a Hokkien phrase, which I am given to understand may not be very appropriate to use in the Parliamentary context. I just wanted to explain that I used it in the context of a story I was relating and did not mean to be unparliamentary. Please accept my apologies.

Apologies accepted. Mr Henry Kwek.

Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion. Many colleagues here have spoken about a turbulent world; great-power contest, technological disruption. From Singapore's early days, we have known these dangers. We have always, and often been caught sometimes by ourselves, as an improbable nation, a little red dot. This labels emphasise our vulnerability, too small to matter, too exposed to survive alone, too young to develop deep roots.

Yet, these weaknesses force us to build deeper foundations. Large nations can afford divisions, we cannot. Large nations can tolerate institutional decay, we cannot. Large nations can indulge in identity politics, we cannot. Our vulnerability has became our vigilance and our constraints become our discipline. And from this foundation, something remarkable has emerged as we began a new chapter under our fourth Prime Minister, even amidst a dangerous world, we have a basis for optimism that is often overlooked. We have quietly emerged as a civilisation of states, rare among small nations born not of design, but of decisions under pressure. Like the Venetian Republic of old, small in territory, immense in influence, because Venice knew what it stood for. Venice proved that civilisational death does not require vast lands.

Singapore, too, carries this potential. We are more than a flag and anthem. Our institutions are trusted, our common purpose and values are clear. We possess the cultural maturity and sovereign worldview to set our own compass. And in this dangerous age, while others fracture, we unite. While others doubt, we build.

Therefore, let us build on a new source of strength: the quiet stature of an emerging civilisational state; small on the map, large in mind and spirit. To tap on this strength, we can tell our story better, harness technological disruption, keep life affordable and expand our capacity for care. Let me outline how we can do these four things.

One, tell our stories better. If Singapore is a ship, our media is the rudder that allows us to reflect together, to steer our collective destiny. And our culture is our ballast, keeping us steady through choppy waters. To tell our stories better, we must do four things. One, double down on investments in our newsrooms, even as media companies face declining revenues. Yes, AI can write prose and automate workflows. But journalism is fundamentally about human connection – reporters engaging in people and uncovering stories that matter.

We are not just maintaining standards; we are polishing diamonds. Zaobao is already the most respected Chinese media outlet globally. And CNA commands credibility far beyond our shores. With strategic investment, can we position Business Times as the Financial Times of Southeast Asia? In an era where great powers project, not just hard power, but influence, our media is our best vehicle for soft power; offering an authentic Singapore perspective to the world.

Two, we need to build the generational divide by connecting our youths to our media and culture, for without this connection, our cultural future dims.

Fortunately, I can see green shoots are emerging. Zaobao's recent partnership with Chinese media company, they are the creators of this web novel turned hit drama series called "Yu Qing Nian", it is a fantastic drama series. This contest a partnership has generated, I was told, tens of thousands of entries from all over the world, including from Singapore and the region. MediaCorp's “Superstar” and SPH's “Xing Kong Xin” are discovering new voices and new lyrics that speak to our people.

To accelerate this, I hope our Government can consider funding media clubs in schools, in every school, dedicate a part of our national news sections to youth journalists, so that they can shape national conversations directly. This two-way bridge helps our media feel the pulse of our younger generations while nurturing future newsmakers.

Third, we should refresh and extend the Singapore story. Past cultural icons, like Liang Wen Fu and Stefanie Sun, have shaped our identity with minimal Government support. For SG60, I hope we can launch a decade-long programme bringing together our brightest cultural minds, people like Boo Junfeng, Yeo Siew Hua and Wong Kahchun. Give them the resources and access to our ecosystem to write the next chapter of our story.

Because we should think about the consequences of letting our cultural development languish. In 10 years, will we accept our identity being shaped by the occasional Netflix drama done by a foreign content creator? Will we be comfortable if we let others, including those with an agenda, decide what to amplify or diminish about our Singapore culture?

Four, we should prepare Singaporeans for a contested information landscape. We should mandate media literacy modules in junior colleges and tertiary institutions so that all Singaporeans, before they reach adulthood, are aware of this. In my view, we should enforce MOH's guidelines on healthy social media consumption for our youths. This is not tilting at windmills. It is about giving our youths the headspace to resist the instant gratification loops.

We should also require social media to surface more societal content, helping citizens break free from filter bubbles. Because we should also count the the cost of inaction? Without further decisive action, our youths' mental health will continue to be affected. Algorithms, not us, will shape our collective consciousness.

Most of all, when one is drowning in newsfeeds personalised to the “I” and the “I” here is defined by the shortest possible attention span, what space are we leaving to build a “we first” society?

My next point is harnessing creative destruction. Yes, we all know that AI-driven disruptions are both creating opportunities and challenges. The US experience is instructive. Large media companies are shedding jobs, yes that is true, but AI is also making custom digitisation affordable for many industries and smaller companies, work that was previously too expensive.

These displaced technology talents do not just disappear. They diffuse into other industries and bring with them the skills with them to spark broader productivity and Singapore should seize these opportunities as well.

How do we start? First, the Government must lead. While private companies shed tech jobs, we should accelerate digitalisation instead. Hire young IT graduates to supercharge Ministries with AI, prototype solutions and help companies cut costs. In short, we should transform job disruption into opportunity.

Second, spread tech talents across industries. As tech giants slim down, mid-sized companies can now afford customised AI solutions. So, we should incentivise, especially mid-sized system integrators in selected industries to hire young graduates who are mastering AI to digitalise those untouched sectors.

Third, we should reskill and retool our education system. We all know that in this age, tech talent needs three things: a deep understanding of system architecture depth, business knowledge and AI coding ability. It means that our senior project managers must relearn coding to be able to harness AI effectively. Our universities and polytechnics must provide tech students with business classes and industry projects. We must try hard to create pivot programmes for tech students and recent graduates into high-demand areas, such as AI development and cybersecurity.

And finally, we must prepare for broader waves. Tech is just the beginning. AI automation will spread everywhere, be it self-driving vehicles or delivery robots. The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme is excellent because we are not just having people training but cost-of-living subsidies. For our people with limited financial buffers but are committed to reskilling, can we consider enhancing it with optional loan and insurance moratoriums, so they can plunge ahead with conviction and confidence? This will ensure that disruption does not lead to distress.

Three, keep homes and daily lives within reach. I welcome the brisk pace of BTO constructions, adding supply would moderate resale pressure. With more homes coming, we should be able to expand both access and affordability. I hope we can consider raising income ceilings for high-achieving Singaporeans with limited inter-generational wealth and also allow Singaporeans married to foreigners, older applicants from private estates and singles to access larger BTOs and not just resale flats. I hope we can also consider lowering the singles eligibility age by two years. These are not concessions; we should recognise that diverse family structures deserve equal dignity in housing.

But affordability extends beyond the flat. It is the daily cost of living in our daily lives. We all know that coffee shop prices where it is now leads to high rental rates and I hope the Government can intervene directly. Let us consider targeted purchases of surrounding shops and converting them into Government-owned Community Canteens, we can call it "⼈民⾷堂". We are talking about low-cost spaces, tendered to operators who commit to fair prices and quality meals. And I believe that we just need a limited number of them, perhaps 20 or 30 sites throughout Singapore. I believe these will do much to taper excessive coffee shop prices.

My final point is about enlarging our circle of care. Our people's capacity for compassion has grown. A good example is how global crises such as the plight of civilians in Gaza has moved Singaporeans across all races and faiths to help. One of my community volunteer is Ashik and he serves as the Executive Director of Mercy Relief. He shared with me that they raised $1 million to benefit 350,000 civilians with food, medical supplies and water. In fact, they are preparing for four more projects in Gaza and the West Bank.

And our Government also mirrors this empathy. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) airdrops supplies and convenes the Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response conference, which I have attended over the last few years and I saw how SAF brought together militaries and volunteer welfare organisations to respond faster when crises strike. So, this example shows how the hearts of Singaporeans have expanded beyond our shores.

I hope that the same expansive spirit must also transform care at home in Singapore, in three ways. I hope we can strengthen our oral care. Dental health remains an area of improvement in our otherwise excellent healthcare system. Let us consider creating a Healthier SG dental plan by working with private sector dental clinics. Two, we must accelerate a nationwide roll-out of affordable assisted living for our seniors. For many of our seniors, our current senior care model assumes binary choices, either full independence with lived-in help or institutional care. But the reality is a lot messier. Therefore, I hope we can quickly conclude our learnings from the pilot that is going on, about shared resources for assisted living and scale it nationwide.

Three, fight animal cruelty. How we treat the voiceless reveals our values. As cruelty reports rise, we must respond decisively. Strengthen penalties and give agencies resources for swift action. And I will follow up in subsequent debates with detailed proposals.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, these four ideas show that even as a small nation, we should not be a price taker amid global currents. We can set our own course. Many countries struggle to be more than a flag and an anthem, united in name, divided in purpose. Singapore chose differently. We have developed the habits of a civilisational state, institutions that keep faith, a culture that renews, a people who hold together.

We often associate such a death of large nations like France, yet size is not destiny. Like Venice once did, Singapore shows that a small state can carry a civilisation. It is who we are. Now, let us choose it openly.

In this dangerous age, we choose not to remain quiet, not to play it safe, not to settle, but to be who we are meant to be. So, let us set our compass, build our institution and live our culture. We are more than a shining red dot, more than an economic miracle, more than the sum of all our constraints. We are a nation that knows itself, and in knowing itself, shapes our destiny. [Applause.]

Mr Jackson Lam.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion of Thanks to the President for his address. This is my first time speaking in this House, and I do so with gratitude, humility and a full heart.

I treasure the chance to speak up on behalf of other regular Singaporeans, just like myself. I come to this Chamber with a commitment to listen, to care and to take action. I wish to express my appreciation to all those who have served in this House before me. Their dedication has shaped the Singapore we live in today. It is now our turn to continue that work with conviction, compassion and courage.

The President reminded us, in his address, that we are at a critical juncture in our nation’s journey. We were reminded that the world around us is changing in profound way and uncertainty is becoming the new normal. Yet, we are not a vessel adrift. By strengthening our security, transforming our economy, sustaining mobility and putting "we" before "me", we can chart our course with confidence and unity.

How do we do that? A Chinese saying has guided me in my journey as a volunteer and now as an MP, "老吾老，以及人之老; 幼吾幼，以及人之幼." To honour the elderly as we do so for our elderly at home and care for others' children as we care for our own.

Let me start with our seniors. We all know the numbers. Singapore is ageing quickly. In just five years, a quarter of our citizens will be aged 65 and above. But numbers alone do not move hearts. We all know of some aunties who live alone and almost never leave the house, or uncles sitting by themselves with their kopi at coffeeshops, watching the world move past them, growing quieter every day.

I think about my own grandmother and the older neighbours who watched me grow up. Many of them want to feel connected to the community they are in. They want to play their part in the community. They want to feel like they still matter.

I met Mdm Ho recently. She is a retiree and often organises seniors' exercise sessions in the Nee Soon community. She also encourages the group to have potluck sessions during festive celebrations. Today, the group has grown to 50 seniors. There could be many more warm-hearted elderly, just like Mdm Ho, in our community. They bring our residents and neighbours together. We should support such ground-up efforts and share them with the broader community.

Growing old should not feel like growing invisible. "家有一老，如有一宝" (elders in a family are like treasures) should not be just lip service. Our seniors are a gift, not a burden to be managed.

Government initiatives, such as the Action Plan for Successful Ageing, and the co-location of eldercare and childcare services have laid strong foundations. But we must do more to reimagine what ageing can look like; where seniors are fully present, where they mentor, share or shape their communities.

Imagine primary schools where seniors come to read to students, share stories of the olden days or simply help with co-curricular activities. Imagine void decks with community kitchens, where older folks share their family recipes with the younger residents. All these are not grand policy moves, but they build connection and connection is what keeps people going.

Let us also look at our common areas. Many are quiet during weekdays. Can we turn them into intergenerational spaces? Community gardening, music corners where young and old can perform together. These are small ideas that add a soft touch to our daily lives.

And let us not forget digital inclusion. As our services transition online, we must ensure our seniors are not locked out. I have seen elderly persons struggle to book polyclinic appointments or get flustered accessing Government services on their phones. The answer is not to tell them to catch up, but it is to walk with them, one gentle step at a time.

I would like to commend the efforts of the SG Digital Office to provide community digital clinics. I hope these can be further expanded to include peer learning, where digitally savvy seniors guide their fellow neighbours or pairing youths with seniors as an intergenerational activity. At the heart of this is a simple principle: ageing well is not just about living longer; it is about living with purpose and joy.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I now turn to our young people, specifically those who are quietly struggling and often out of sight. These are the youths who do not always show up in statistics. They may skip class, drift into the wrong company, or simply stop believing they have a future. I was one of them myself.

I did not have much family support. I did not know who to look for or where to look for help. I mixed with the wrong company and got into all kinds of trouble during my secondary school days. Essentially, I became one of those kids that parents tell their children to stay away from. Thankfully, my secondary school teachers had an abundance of patience, guidance and belief that every student can grow and succeed. Thanks to them, I managed to turn my way around.

My new friend Narish went through a similar journey. He is the first youth to receive support from IMPARTSG in 2017 after facing significant challenges through his childhood and teenage years. Some of us here may be familiar with IMPARTSG. It is a charitable organisation whose core mission is to give youths facing adversity a fighting chance. IMPARTSG supported Narish through his "N" level as a private candidate and his subsequent traineeship at ITE. Thereafter, Narish returned to intern at the organisation, driven by his passion to empower others facing similar challenges. In 2023, IMPARTSG sponsored Narish for a Work-Study Diploma programme in Community Engagement and Development. Today, he balances his studies while leading a sepak takraw initiative called GIC-APEX, which connects over 99 youths across communities like Ghim Moh, Ang Mo Kio, Woodlands and Jurong East.

One individual who has been touched by Narish's work, let us call him Albert. He is 16 years old and a survivor of an e-bike battery explosion in 2018. Due to the trauma, Albert suffered from severe anxiety, school refusal and social isolation. Narish approached him with empathy and created a safe space and developed a plan to integrate Albert's love for sepak takraw with his social reintegration. Today, Albert flourishes as a regular community volunteer working with seniors on Age Well programmes.

Narish's story reminds us of the collective potential we unlock when we invest in our youths and empower them to uplift others. This is real transformative power when we come together for common good.

There are many others like the old "me" and Narish in our community. That is why such programmes in the community matter so much. These are not short-term projects. They are long-term lifelines. We must support such programmes, not just with grants and pilots, but with sustained, long-term funding. It means building stronger bridges between schools and community groups. It means trusting our youth sector to innovate and backing them when they do.

I also believe we need to continue broadening the definition of success for our youths. Let us strengthen our vocational tracks, not as second choices, but as first-rate options. Let us expand mentorship programmes in the trades, in entrepreneurship and in the arts.

And we can all play a part too. It could be a hawker stall uncle who gives a teen a weekend job; a teacher who checks in after class; a grassroots leader who listens without judgement; when we wrap a net of care around our youth, they fall less and climb more.

A young person who feels seen, who feels believed in, will rise to the challenge. We just have to give them the room to do so. Mr Speaker, Sir, now a few words in Chinese.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I hope Singapore can do more for our elderly, enabling them to participate in building our community cohesion. We do not necessarily need large-scale policies, but rather through some creative community programmes, such as making good use of public spaces, allowing them to enter schools and community kitchens and so forth, to build relationships with the younger generation, and live fulfilling and active lives.

I also hope we can continue our efforts to walk alongside our elderly step by step on the digitalisation journey.

Our young people, especially marginalised youth, also need more help. I hope that programmes designed for young people can be developed with more long-term stable resources, allowing them to help each other and realise their potential together. Young people should also continue to have more pathways to success, letting them know that "heaven has endowed everyone with talents for eventual use". As long as we believe in their abilities, they, too, will learn to believe in themselves.

I believe that as long as we take good care of our older generation and our young people, we can link the past with the future, and together, make Singapore not just only a more prosperous, but also more heartwarming place.

(In English): In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the President reminded us that Singapore must uphold trust, deepen unity and ensure that progress is inclusive. I fully agree. I believe unity happens when people feel they belong.

Our seniors want to know that they are not being left behind in a fast-changing world. Our struggling youths want to believe they still have a chance. If we take care of both, we secure our past and protect our future.

I hope to see a Singapore where generations do not live apart but grow together, where community is not just a slogan, but something we feel every time we step into a lift, or a hawker centre, or a park.

I am new to this House and I promise from the onset that I will do the work, I will listen to those whose voices tremble, I will speak up when silence becomes too loud. And I will always remember why I am here, not for myself, but for those who gave me this seat.

Singapore is often praised for its efficiency. But I hope we will also be known for our empathy. That, to me, is real progress, not just being the best, but being good. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion of Thanks and I thank the House and all Singaporeans for giving me this chance to serve. [Applause.]

Ms Lee Hui Ying.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Motion of Thanks to the President. Thank you for staying with us and with Members of this House for this important Motion.

As we reflect on the President's address, one message rings clear. It is time that we restructure the meaning of success for Singaporeans. It is not merely by economic metrics, but by how we uplift everyone around us with dignity, care and purpose at every stage of life.

The 14th Parliament started in the middle of a COVID-19 crisis. The 15th Parliament began a new chapter with a sea of economic turbulence.

President Tharman spoke directly to our lived realities as we ride this tide of change: youths seeking meaningful jobs, families navigating rising costs and caregiving pressures, seniors hoping for joyful and fulfilling lives. The President and Prime Minister also spoke on how we must always put "we" before "me", because the strength of Singapore lies in how we care, uplift and stand together.

I believe that this starts with everyday care across all life stages, from zero to 100, is the next step in our journey to a "we first" society. We must become a society where our progress is measured, not by prosperity, but by how we care for one another, a Singapore where persons at any milestone are cared for as they grow up or grow old.

Let me share some thoughts on how we can build this "we first" society spotlighting groups that are close to my heart – our seniors, our youths, our senior youths, and our animal loving community.

First, everyday care in a "we first" society starts with caring for our seniors. As a community volunteer for more than 15 years, I have had the opportunity and privilege to journey with and witness first-hand the strength and contributions of our seniors. It is now our turn, my turn, to take care for them in their silver years.

As we adapt to an ageing population, our seniors must be able to live with dignity, security, and purpose. Accessibility is a priority for me in Nee Soon South. We can do more to make our public spaces, transport, and housing more senior-friendly.

We must also invest more in upstream preventative healthcare, encouraging independent living, healthy lifestyles, early intervention and a closely-knit community. In Nee Soon South, there is always an activity for our seniors, every day.

At my house visits, I am inspired to see our seniors doing their part to age well. One of them is 85-years-young Mdm Tay, who has been selling fishball noodles at Peiying Primary School for 62 years and counting. Or a Mr Sim who runs five kilometres at 78 years old every single day. As a government, we must not only support active seniors such as Mdm Tay and Mr Sim but also reach out to other seniors and empower them to age well too.

Second, everyday care in a "we first" society starts with caring for our young in schools. We have an amazing academic record. But, for many students, their formative years consist of a high-pressure race through the schooling system, with the end goal of getting good grades, entering a good university and finding a good job. Learning feels like an obstacle they have to overcome to achieve a narrow definition of success focused on academic grades.

As we prepare our young for a world with technology like AI, they need to be equipped with more than grades to survive. Success in school should also be defined by developing their ability to learn and grow. This cannot be learnt by memorising facts from a textbook. Instead, it must be cultivated through students' active and willing participation. So, they must enjoy the learning process. They must learn to embrace the discomfort that comes with navigating uncertain situations outside structured classrooms. An education system in which students enjoy learning does not mean lower standards or less rigorous curriculums. By evaluating students based on processes over outcomes, it encourages students to take on greater challenges. So, make learning more joyful, less stressful.

This approach should also extend to extra-curricular programmes, where students are encouraged to develop their interests in sports and arts for self-enrichment, not only for winning competitions. I am glad MOE is planning to address the issue of "green-harvesting" or the disproportionate selection of competition-ready students under their review of the DSA scheme this year.

A caring society for our schooling youths also means taking action to help them overcome challenges of mental health and bullying. A 2024 study by the Institute of Mental Health stated that about one in three 15- to 35-year-olds reported severe or extremely severe symptoms of stress, anxiety and/or depression, with causes linked to excessive social media use, cyberbullying and body image concerns. Bullying, both physical and cyber, is increasingly prevalent, with a National Institute of Education study discovering that one in four upper primary students had been bullied in 2024 and a small number stating that they had also been bullies.

These youths are not only struggling. They are struggling silently, as a sizeable group does not seek any professional help. I hope to support more safe spaces for youths to express their struggles to trusted adults and peers. One practical way to do so is to encourage training of Mental Health First Aid responders, in schools and neighbourhoods, who are trained to identify mental health symptoms and offer support in de-escalating mental health crises.

By teaching our children to support those around them, we create a culture where mental health struggles are not perceived as a diminishing of one's capabilities and value, but a challenge that can be overcome with community support to allow every person to realise their full potential.

To all our boys and girls sitting for PSLE, do your best and know that your best is good enough. We are all rooting for you. Jiayou!

Third, everyday care in a "we first" society also means caring for those who might be at the peak of their health but face less obvious challenges.

I am speaking about a group. I call them senior youths, not young seniors, but senior youths – Singaporeans in their mid-20s to mid-30s. These are young Singaporeans who are burdened with adulting responsibilities. They have just entered the workforce, just got married, just started their parenthood journey. They are finding their footing in today's uncertain world with a rapidly changing economic order but also bearing the responsibility of being caregivers to their children and/or senior parents.

In interacting with our senior youths, and being one myself, I understand how their high aspirations are met with real anxieties. Senior youths aspire to have fulfilling careers and give their families a good life and have anxiety over job security as they hear the increasing challenges for graduates to secure a job in the face of economic headwinds.

Senior youths aspire to be good parents and filial children, but face the anxiety of balancing caregiving responsibilities with work responsibility. I thank Mr President for laying out a clear agenda to support the employment of our graduates.

Measures such as the GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT) Programme show our commitment and innovation to find solutions that work for employers and jobseekers. I hope the GRIT could also expand to young early-career workers – our senior youths – who may have unfortunately lost their jobs recently and are now looking to switch career paths.

Besides training, a "we first" society also needs more childcare leave and caring workplaces to support our senior youths' roles as caregivers. On workplaces, these need not come at the expense of productivity. Our tripartite framework tells us that it is never a zero-sum game between our workers and our companies. They require a Government that is willing to broker conversations and provide leadership, a union that is sensitive to the needs of workers, and companies that are willing to experiment and provide feedback. Sometimes, the process of arriving at these solutions might seem slow, but I believe that in building a truly compassionate society, it is necessary that we pause to hear one another out, and each of us in this House can play our part in ensuring that Singaporeans we care about are heard and their concerns addressed.

Fourth, everyday care in a "we first" society starts with caring for our animals too. Nee Soon has an animal-loving community. I have had the privilege to see the quiet but powerful ways animals and animal lovers bring our community together. From a Nee Soon Pets Fiesta attended by 3,000 animal lovers just over the weekend to the quiet dedication of a network of community feeders who brave rain or shine to care for our community animals, these reflect something larger: a kinder, more caring home.

Coincidentally, just as Minister of State Alvin Tan who met the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) team in July, I also had the chance to visit their Sungei Tengah premises where I met Halia, a gentle community dog and she was ready for adoption at that time. Just about two weeks ago, SPCA's Executive Director, Mr Walter Leong, shared with me that Halia had been adopted and found her forever home.

Animal welfare is not just about animals. It is about the kind of society we want to build, one that values life. SPCA and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) recently released the White Paper on Strengthening Protections for Animal Welfare with 15 recommendations, 145 pages, and also special contributions from a special friend, Mr Louis Ng.

I thank Minister Chee for the written reply that some of these recommendations could be adopted as part of the ongoing review on The Animals and Birds Act 1965. The review ensures the Act remains effective in deterring acts of animal cruelty and abuse. I believe we now have a strong starting point to discuss and debate key animal welfare reforms, be it through more animal welfare education, better enforcement against cruelty and neglect, and raising awareness of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare. Sir, in Mandarin, please.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, in President Tharman's Address on the Government's policies, he emphasised that our country needs to build a diverse "we first" society. I believe that to achieve this goal, we must work hard to take care of Singaporeans' needs at every stage of life.

Firstly, of course, are our elderly. In Nee Soon South, my goal is to ensure that seniors remember every day to "move their hands and speak up, move their feet and exercise their minds." We want to encourage the elderly to be more independent and healthier, able to remain active in the community, moving their hands to participate in activities and interacting to make more friends. We must also make the community more senior-friendly, allowing the elderly to move their feet to go around with friends and exercise their minds to stay mentally sharp, even initiating activities to engage more elderly friends.

Another group I particularly care about is our "Senior Youths", Singaporeans in their 20s and 30s, of which I am also a part.

Singaporeans of this age suddenly discover one day that we too have become so-called adults, facing real-world challenges. Some may have just entered the society, others may have just started families, trying to find their footing in this uncertain world. We hope to fulfil our responsibilities as children to our parents, or as new parents ourselves, whilst also hoping to advance in our careers and achieve our ideals and aspirations.

Many Senior Youths have told me that the roles of caregiver and working professional often present a difficult choice, but I do not think this is inevitable. I hope that the Government can provide more support – whether it is more childcare leave or more employers providing better work arrangements – we can do our best to help Singaporeans of this age group balance family and career.

Singapore is moving towards a “we first” society. In Nee Soon, we put "Residents First". I am very grateful to Nee Soon residents for giving our Nee Soon GRC team this opportunity to be your representatives. We will also continue to work with you to build a home with a heart in Nee Soon. I will do my utmost to continue caring for residents' various needs and to speak up in Parliament.

(In English): In conclusion, as a nation, as a "we first" society. As a Nee Soon family, it is always residents first. Once again, we are grateful to all Nee Soon residents for the opportunity to serve you and to work with you to make Nee Soon a home with a heart.

We can chart our own path, not just be an efficient and productive city, but also to be a "we first" city state with everyday care at every stage of life – a city that not only recognises the challenges that every generation faces, but also a city where its citizens are willing to work together, not being divided by lines of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, education or socioeconomic status, but joined by our common purpose of seeing one another thrive.

We are going up, up and up. This is our moment – our moment for a caring "we first" society to shine. Mr Speaker, it is in pursuit of this moment and our vision for Singapore that I support the Motion. [Applause.]

Mr Sharael Taha.