Debated in Parliament on 24 Sep 2025.
Debate resumed.
Mr Speaker, Sir, hopefully, everyone is more attentive and energised after that extended break.
This new term of Government marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of our island-nation. Singaporeans have placed their trust in me and my People's Action Party (PAP) team. They have returned my Government with a strengthened mandate. They have chosen all of us to be their voices in Parliament.
It is now our duty and our responsibility, on both sides of the aisle, office holders as well as backbenchers, to live up to that trust.
President Tharman has set out the challenges ahead and the key priorities for this term of Government. Members have raised many issues in this Debate and also shared useful ideas and suggestions. The Government will study all of your feedback.
Today, I want to take a step back and speak about the larger mission before us. As we move beyond SG60 and as the world around us undergoes profound changes, we must ask ourselves: what kind of Singapore are we building? What kind of future do we want? How do we ensure better lives for our children and grandchildren?
The past 60 years have been a miracle. When our founding leaders embarked on the journey of an independent Singapore, it felt like the most unpromising of startups. They would have been astonished at what Singapore has become today.
From third world to first, we have lifted the lives of Singaporeans beyond the wildest dreams of our pioneer generation. We created opportunities for all and improved living standards across the board. We enjoyed decades of peace and progress, of stability, harmony and unity.
Some now ask, can this miracle continue?
We know the headwinds are stronger. The external environment is more contested, more unpredictable and more challenging for small states like Singapore. Our economy is maturing and our population is ageing, so growth will inevitably slow. Many young people worry that they may not do better than their parents.
In the past, when education levels were lower, securing paper qualifications was seen as a sure ticket to success. Now almost all have tertiary education, and half the cohort have university degrees. So, competition has intensified.
Young people sometimes feel like they are trapped in a relentless rat race – from classroom to the workplace. They also worry that society is becoming more stratified. That the rich and wealthy are pulling ahead, while others struggle to keep up. Social media amplifies these anxieties, triggering constant comparisons and envy.
All this is not unique to Singapore. Across the world, younger people are reporting higher levels of anxiety, and responding in different ways. In China, there is the phenomenon of tang ping or lying flat. In Japan, they talk about hikikomori, not leaving the house. In Europe and America, there is “quiet quitting”, “downshifting”, or the “great resignation”, and so on.
Here in Singapore, we must do everything we can to defy this global trend. We cannot let our young people down. They are our future. My team and I make this pledge to our youths, and to the generations that follow. We will build Singapore with you in mind. We will strive to create more fulfilling lives for you. And not just for a few among you, but for all of you.
We have new ideas and plans to achieve this. Through Forward Singapore, we have set out our shared goals. To keep social mobility alive, so the escalator keeps moving, and everyone has the opportunity to rise over time. To strengthen our safety nets, so that no one falls through the cracks. To deepen our sense of solidarity, so we bridge differences and remain one united people. Let me elaborate on each of these in turn.
First, we will do more to keep the escalator moving and help every Singaporean realise their full potential. We have seen how other societies have become more stratified, increasingly, with privilege becoming more entrenched. In extreme cases, your caste and your social class determine who you are, what you can do and what you can become. Even in meritocratic societies, we see admissions to universities or top jobs in public and private sectors dominated by those from privileged backgrounds.
Governments everywhere try to rectify this. For example, I read recently in the UK, the government announced that civil service internships will be reserved for students from “lower socio-economic backgrounds” – defined as what jobs their parents did when they were 14. So, if you come from a working class family, you get the civil service internship. Otherwise, you do not get the chance.
These are well-intentioned efforts. But they often fail to work as intended. Sometimes, they even create new distortions. Fortunately, Singapore starts from a stronger position. But we cannot stand still. We have to tilt the balance continually and keep opportunities open at every stage of life.
We will invest more in the early years. Because as several Members have highlighted in this debate, opportunity gaps are opening up earlier – due to the advantage that better off parents confer on their children. And if we do not close these gaps quickly, they will only widen. We will expand KidStart and enhance ComLink+ – so that more families get help earlier, and more children gain a stronger footing in life.
We will deepen support for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Today, enrolment in preschool is near universal. But attendance is less regular among the children from lower-income families. We will redouble our efforts and work closely with parents, preschool operators and social service agencies to ensure these children get the consistent support they need to thrive. We will not only do more, but we will also take actions across agencies with a more integrated family-centric approach – which several Members also spoke about.
In schools, we will continue to press ahead with reforms. We have changed how the PSLE is graded. It is no longer graded on a curve, as Members know. It is about your own achievement, not about how well you did relative to your peers. In secondary schools, we have replaced streaming with Full-Subject Based Banding. Students are in mixed-form classes. They take subjects at different levels, according to their abilities.
But I know for many parents, education still feels like an arms race. It is the PSLE season now. We all know of friends who are taking leave from work to help their children prepare for their PSLE. When you speak to each parent, they often tell you the same thing: they wish they could cut back on the endless tuition and give their children more space to grow up and play. Yet everyone hesitates to take that step. Why? Because deep down, they worry: what if my child loses out?
So, many families feel they are stuck on a treadmill, running harder and harder, in a bid to avoid falling behind. We must break this cycle. So, why we will do more in this term to reduce the stakes of single exams, to further broaden our definitions of success and to give every child the chance to discover and develop their strengths – be it in languages, sciences, sports, arts or technical skills.
I feel strongly about this as a result of my own personal experience. My friends and I in school did not grow up with family advantages or a head-start in life. But education was our great leveller. It gave us opportunities that we would not otherwise have had, the courage to dream and the chance to pursue our aspirations. I want every parent and every child to feel the same – that education is not a burden, but a springboard. A place where our children can learn, grow, discover their strengths and reach for better opportunities.
But education reforms alone are not enough to accomplish the transformation we seek. Because if employers still cling to narrow academic criteria to judge ability, then the arms race will simply shift from schools to workplaces. Parents will continue to feel that grades are the only ticket to success.
I remember when we had the “Our Singapore Conversation” some years back, someone told us: “I am glad you are trying to make every school a good school, but you cannot succeed unless every job is a good job”. And that person is right. We must change how we hire and promote.
This is not at all an easy task, but we have already started. It means recognising that people have different gifts and strengths. Some may excel in mathematics but not in languages, or vice versa. Others may struggle in written exams, but thrive in practical problem-solving. If we only use general academic results to sort out talent, we will undervalue many capable Singaporeans. We will miss out the many other competencies and intelligences that exist amongst us and that are just as important. So, we are changing.
Take the Public Service, for example. Academic results are no longer the be-all and end-all. They are just one part of the overall assessment. For recruitment, we are using more skills-based assessments. In some roles, we have stopped looking at grades altogether. For example, GovTech engineers are recruited through coding and problem-solving tests and interviews – because what matters is not your paper qualifications, but whether you can do the work. Once you enter the Public Service, how well you do does not depend on your grades or school. It depends on your qualities, your contributions and your performance on the job.
The private sector is changing too. One CEO shared with me: he used to insist on top academic credentials, focusing on school, universities, ticking all the right boxes. But he soon realised that academic credentials did not predict subsequent success in the company. What was more important was the individual’s attitude and mindset – their ability to learn, adapt, and work with others.
So these changes are happening, but clearly there is still a long way for us to go. Nevertheless, step by step we will move more towards skills-based hiring and progression, because what matters most is not where you started from, but what you can do and how far you are willing to go.
Valuing every job also means narrowing the gaps in how different professions are recognised and rewarded. This too is not easy, but we have been working on this for some time, and we too, have been making progress. For example, we have substantially raised the salaries of pre-school teachers and allied health professionals – vital roles that were once undervalued. We will continue to professionalise other skilled trades, including those that are considered “blue-collar” work.
Together with the Labour Movement, industry, and Institutes of Higher Learning, we will create more structured career and learning pathways so that tradespeople and essential workers can advance, grow their skills and be recognised for their contributions.
Pay matters, but ultimately this is not just about pay. It is also about mindset, a whole-of-society mindset. Much depends on how society as a whole views the different pathways that people choose. Let me give you an example.
In the past, parents resisted when their children wanted to pursue careers in fields like sports and culinary arts. Many young people would take a more conventional path first to please their parents, then only chased their passion later. I know of many friends who did that. Today, more parents embrace such choices, because society now celebrates our athletes, our chefs, and our artists. We take pride when their achievements put Singapore on the world map.
So, yes, progress has been made. Yet we all know that there remain vocations where pay is not the main issue. Rather, it is societal recognition and respect that continue to lag behind.
So, while the Government will do our part, the deeper change must come from society. We must move from a narrow meritocracy based solely on grades, to a broader and more inclusive one. Step which we have been making already over the years, but we must continue to move more in this direction. A broader and more inclusive meritocracy that encourages excellence in every field, that values a diversity of abilities and talents, that accords dignity and respect to all forms of work, and to the people who carry them out. That is how we keep social mobility alive, so every Singaporean can rise on the strength of their contributions and will be respected.
The shift towards more pathways to success must be underpinned by a strong and dynamic economy. To be clear, economic growth is not about chasing GDP. It is about uplifting lives and creating a wide range of good jobs and opportunities for all Singaporeans.
We will redouble our efforts to keep our economy competitive and vibrant. This is even more urgent in an increasingly fragmented global economy, with more barriers to trade. That is why the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce and the Economic Strategy Review committees are studying how Singapore can navigate the challenges that have come thick and fast in the past few months.
For the last 60 years, multi-national enterprises have been a key driver of our economy. They remain critical anchors in sectors like electronics, pharmaceutical and finance. We have to keep attracting new investments from leading global companies, so that Singapore can stay plugged into the frontiers of innovation.
At the same time, we must work harder to energise our enterprise eco-system. We want to make Singapore a more attractive place for startups and emerging companies, be it here or overseas. These can be home-grown firms looking to venture abroad, or overseas growth companies seeking a base in Asia. These are the companies that will shape our future success.
And to do this well, we will need a different approach. Because not all enterprises will succeed. Some will fail. And fail spectacularly. When they do, there will inevitably be calls for the Government to step in – I am sure from both sides of the House – from the Workers' Party (WP) and the PAP asking the Government to do more. And perhaps from time to time, we will.
But if we try too hard to shield every company, we risk ending up with more "zombie firms" – propped up artificially, stifling renewal and enterprise dynamism. And that is not the path we want to take. So, we must be prepared for more churn. And we should not only celebrate success stories but also learn to embrace failures and setbacks. Because it is only through constant experimentation that more innovative companies can emerge. The process will be uncomfortable, even unsettling. But it is necessary to create new value, and ultimately to create new and better jobs for Singaporeans.
So, let me be clear: our focus must always be on the worker, not the job. Companies may fail. Jobs may disappear. But every worker matters, every citizen matters; and no one will be left behind. [Applause.]
In this fast-changing world with greater churn, we also need to offer Singaporeans sufficient assurances so they can deal with the disruptions with a greater sense of confidence and security. And that means making sure that their essential needs are taken care of – quality education, healthcare and housing, for example, must remain accessible and affordable.
Housing was one of the biggest concerns in the last term. Because COVID-19 disrupted construction and the supply of new homes. But since then, we have ramped up supply. Today, there is a healthy pipeline of new BTO flats as well as land for new private properties. There are still concerns around housing, but I am confident the situation will steadily improve with the additional supply. So, we will not only catch up with demand but build ahead of it so there will be more BTOs with shorter waiting times and we will be able to give Singaporeans greater assurance when planning for their homes.
At the same time, we must update our system to reflect demographic changes, especially increased lifespans. I spoke about healthcare at the National Day Rally. And we will have lots to do in this area through Healthier SG, Age Well SG, and Age Well Neighbourhoods. In this term, we will also take steps to strengthen retirement adequacy. We are studying what further moves we can make. In particular, we want to help Singaporeans save more during their working lives, so that they have enough to meet their basic retirement needs for life, for a longer life. And for those who despite their best efforts cannot build up a sufficient nest egg, we will provide additional support so that every Singaporean can retire with dignity.
We will also continue to strengthen our safety nets for those who need more help. For children with special needs, we will provide more support in their education and help make their transition to adulthood and work smoother. For people with disabilities, we will give them more opportunities to pursue their aspirations and lead fulfilling lives. For those who encounter setbacks, we will help them get back on their feet because setbacks are part of life and in Singapore, everyone is due second and third chances. That is why we introduced programmes like the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme. It has just started, but we will make this a far better scheme than the unemployment insurance found elsewhere. [Applause.]
All of these measures are helping to bring down income inequality in Singapore. Our Gini coefficient is now at its lowest in more than two decades. Previously, the Gini was measured only on income from work. The Department of Statistics has since updated the measure to include income from all other sources, like rental and investments. The full data will be published soon. But I will share the headline finding with this House first.
The revised Gini coefficient comes out higher. We are talking 0.38 as compared to 0.36 after taxes and transfers.
We had expected this but what matters more is the trend. Even with the revised measure, the Gini continues to move downwards. So, inequality in Singapore is narrowing. And we are determined to keep it that way.
We have ways to mitigate wealth inequality in Singapore. A large share of household wealth here is tied up in property. So, we have taxes on property, progressive taxes on property and stamp duties on property transactions to ensure those with more contribute more.
But it is not just on the tax side. We also have transfers, wealth transfers for those with less through public housing to help lower-income families own their homes, through regular top-ups to CPF accounts and through new initiatives like the ITE Progression Award, which gives a head-start to ITE graduates who complete their diplomas.
So, taken together, our measures are helping to narrow both income and wealth inequality and we will press on, and continue to innovate in our social policies. So, that at every stage of life, Singaporeans feel assured, supported and confident about the future. So that opportunities and progress will always be fairly shared across our society.
As we work towards a fairer society, we must also accept a basic truth: not every journey will reach the same destination. Even if we succeed in levelling the starting point for everyone, some skills and talents will always be more in demand than others. Some jobs will command higher pay. That is reality.
And that is why those who do better must never forget this: no one succeeds alone. Opportunities do not come from individual effort alone. They come from the broader system – from the teachers who nurtured you, the workers who keep our city running, and the safe and stable environment that society as a whole provides. So, every successful and fortunate person in Singapore owes a debt to the community.
Those who are more successful should therefore contribute more, not just in taxes, but also in compassion and care. Because no taxation system, however progressive, can legislate the spirit of solidarity. That must come from within each of us, it must come from the heart and it must be nurtured by a culture that puts "we" before "me".
That is why I spoke about a "we first" society. It is one that strives for the collective good, not just self-interest; it is one that values solidarity even as we recognise our individual differences. To be clear "we first" doesn’t mean surpressing the "me". It means the "me" can only thrive when the "we" is strong. So, we need to embrace our individuality and help everyone be the best possible versions of themselves. At the same time, we have to look out for one another and lift each other up. Only then can we be greater than the sum of our parts.
This "“we first" spirit of solidarity is not new. This is how our forefathers of different origins, languages and religions came together to forge One Singapore.
And over the decades, through painstaking and patient effort, we have built up this social capital. And today the bonds among Singaporeans are stronger than ever. But we cannot be complacent. And I will share with you findings from recent surveys. They show, for example, that only one in three young Singaporeans had ever volunteered. That more than half said that most of their friends were from the same socio-economic group or race as them. We worry about these trends: because if we know less of one another, if we have less in common, then we risk seeing each other not as fellow citizens, but as competitors, as people from different tribes. And competition can easily turn into envy, resentment and division.
So, we must work harder to create more spaces and opportunities to mix and interact – be it at school, in the workplace, or in our neighbourhoods. It will take the concerted effort of everyone, generation after generation, to make sure that our diversity adds and does not subtract.
Sometimes we overdo it, and the efforts become contrived. The older Members of this House will remember when People's Assocation (PA) started the Community Games back in 2012, it required teams to include members of different races. That was the rule to take part in a community game. But some groups signed up "phantom players" just to meet the quota. The intent was good, but the outcome fell short. And it is easy to look back and laugh at what happened then. But we all know that fostering more of such interactions is very hard to do and at the same time, it cannot be left to chance.
Since then, we have learnt better how to do this. Today, PA organises more sports and activities that more naturally bring residents together, regardless of age, race, or background. We have merged Residents’ and Neighbourhood Committees into Residents’ Networks, so that people from public housing and private property can interact more freely.
And as a Government, we will continue to work hard to build up our social capital, to bind communities together, to connect us each to each, regardless of race, language or religion – and I might add also, regardless of socio-economic background.
At the same time the whole society must make an effort. Singaporeans need to step out of our comfort zone, learn from more other cultures and interact with people from different backgrounds. These may seem like small steps. But over time, they help to strengthen our social fabric. Because trust grows from these everyday encounters – eating together, celebrating one another’s festivals, or simply knowing your neighbour.
There is no doubt that our shared Singaporean identity has grown stronger these last 60 years. In his speech, the Leader of the Opposition Mr Pritam Singh said that being a member of a racial and religious group and our identity as Singaporeans are both "equally important".
Indeed, we all have multiple identities and we celebrate these. But we should be clear-eyed about our present realities. In fact, a recent Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) survey showed that among some groups of Singaporeans, their religion ranks higher than their Singaporean nationality in determining their self-identity. That is why race and religion, if exploited, can easily arouse passions and tear apart the very fabric of our society. We see this happening in so many other countries and Singapore is not immune to these powerful forces.
In fact, we had a close call in the recent General Election (GE). External elements sought to exploit our differences to divide and weaken us. In one instance, they attacked the credibility of certain candidates because these candidates allegedly failed to advocate the rights of a particular religious community. In another instance, they praised a candidate for arguing against the separation of religion and politics.
But it was not just foreign interference. At home, we also had Singaporeans who exhorted certain groups to vote along racial and religious lines. They said, "Vote for this candidate because he or she is a better representative of your race or religion". Or they compared candidates and said, "Vote for this person because he or she has been a more vocal champion for your race or religion".
These narratives were not just seen online, but they were heard on the ground. And that is why I spoke out then, in the middle of the campaign, not as a party leader, but as Prime Minister, to make clear that race and religion must never be weaponised in our politics. [Applause.]
Thankfully, many Singaporeans rejected the calls to vote along racial and religious lines. They voted for the candidate that they felt was best for Singapore, regardless of race or religion. But make no mistake. Had the election outcomes rewarded those who had pushed people to vote for racial and religious reasons, it would have caused a serious fissure in Singapore society. Other racial and religious groups would have mobilised to protect their own interests in the future elections. This would have jeopardised the harmonious, multi-racial and multi-religious society that took us 60 years to build.
Looking ahead, as elections become more tightly contested, the temptation to play this card will only grow. So, we must find ways to guard against this and have to see how all of us, as Members of this House, can reaffirm our commitment to serve all Singaporeans, regardless of race or religion, and foreswear the use of racial and religious appeals in elections.
Mr Speaker, "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion" is not just a line in our pledge. It is the foundation of our independence. It is the reason why Singapore became Independent. It is the bedrock of our nationhood. Let us all never forget this. [Applause.]
Our unity and the trust we have in one another also depends on how we conduct our politics. The way we debate, disagree and decide as a country. That is what constructive politics in Singapore is about. Our society is maturing and our politics will evolve, too. And so, I welcome the opposition presence in Parliament. In this GE, Singaporeans have chosen to send both PAP and WP Members of Parliament (MPs) here, and both sides have a duty to serve Singaporeans faithfully.
For the PAP, we do not assume we are automatically entitled to govern, just because we have done so since self-government. Our right to lead must be earned, by working hard and delivering results that improve the lives of Singaporeans. Doing well in one election does not guarantee success in the next. Every election is a new test and we must take nothing for granted.
In this term of government, I fully expect WP to keep us on our toes – raising questions, scrutinising our policies and holding us accountable. This is their role as the opposition, and I am sure they will play it vigorously. The WP will try to build up its ranks and grow its presence in Parliament over time, as any political party would. One day, it will want to take over from the PAP as the ruling party, even if it may not say so openly now. That is the nature of political competition.
But in the end, be it the PAP, WP or any other political party, we are all servants of the people. The final word rests with them. And I believe Singaporeans are discerning voters. They will decide which parties deserve their trust, both in Government and in opposition. If any party falls short of the public's high expectation and standards, there will surely be consequences. Privilege given today can easily be taken tomorrow. So, let us all conduct our politics with seriousness, with integrity and with a deep sense of responsibility for the longer-term interests of our nation. And that is how I hope our politics will evolve and our democracy can strengthen over time.
Besides welcoming diverse views in Parliament, the Government will do more to engage and involve Singaporeans outside of this House. As I said in the National Day Rally last month, we do not just want to do things for Singaporeans. We also want to do things with Singaporeans.
So, I invite all Singaporeans to join us, to connect, collaborate and shape our future together. We already have many channels for public consultations. We will continue with all these. But, we will also go further. We will open up new opportunities for Singaporeans to have deeper conversations and engagements. To shape the character of our neighbourhoods and estates, for example. To be directly involved in policy-making, through Citizens' Panels, as one possible channel. And to help set new norms on major issues, like education, multi-culturalism or how we raise our children in this digital age.
In particular, we want to involve our young people. They have energy, ideas and a strong sense of purpose. So, we will give them more platforms to step forward, contribute and make their voices count. This has already started. In 2023, we set up Youth Panels to study issues that young Singaporeans care about. They shared their ideas with me at the inaugural Youth Policy Forum last year; many of their recommendations were constructive and thoughtful and we have taken them on board. Next year, we will launch the second round of Youth Panels and I look forward to more new ideas from our young people.
So, to all young Singaporeans, I say, "We will not let you down. We are building Singapore for you and with you." [Applause.]
And you, too, have a part to play. Work with us to secure a brighter future for yourself and your fellow citizens. Do not settle for anything less. The future is not cast in stone. It is something you create, and we need you, our young Singaporeans, to be the authors of this next chapter; to write what must become your Singapore Story.
So, be bold in chasing your dreams, seize the opportunities before you. There will be setbacks along the way, but you will never face them alone. Embrace the failures as well as the successes. For it is often at the edge of our comfort zones that we learn, grow and become the best versions of ourselves.
Most important of all, remember this: success is not just about what we achieve alone, but what we build together. True fulfilment comes from creating a society where every Singaporean can stand tall and we all move forward as one people. This is what has defined us for the last 60 years, a Singapore Spirit rooted in trust, solidarity and resilience. And it is this same spirit that will carry us into the future.
Mr Speaker, I have set out the broad strokes of a new direction for our next chapter; of a new vision for Singapore. I hope every Singaporean can get behind this shared endeavour. Together, let us build a Singapore that remains a land of endless possibilities. A home where every generation does better than the one before and a nation that continues to shine brightly for the next 60 years and for the generations beyond. Mr Speaker, I support the Motion. [Applause.]
Mr Ng Shi Xuan.
Mr Speaker, Sir, how can we give our children a better life?
I stand here for the first time because of the people of Sembawang and the generations who came before me, including my own parents, who worked hard so I could have the chance to carry the hopes and dreams of many Singaporeans, especially parents and grandparents, who are quietly wondering, "How will my children cope with the challenges and complexities of tomorrow? Can they have a better life than ours?"
These questions matter because Singapore has never had natural resources to fall back on. What we have always had is people. Our workers, our families, our children.
Our people are our only natural resource. And what we have achieved in the last 60 years is nothing short of remarkable. Today, 100% of our youths are literate and our students consistently top global rankings in education. Our Human Capital Index is among the highest in the world. And more importantly, our people are known not just for being smart, but for being honest, hardworking and resilient. This progress did not come from luck. It came from sacrifice, from seniors and parents who gave up their dreams so their children could have one.
This is the Story of Singapore, where we know that we need to invest in our people, where we know that human capital is our only competitive advantage and where we know this is the only way towards a brighter future. But every generation faces its own mountain.
Today, our children are growing up in a very different world. One filled with screens, stress and shifts. In my conversations with parents on the ground, I have heard real concerns, "My child is doing okay in school, but is that enough? How do I raise them to be strong, kind and happy?"
As a young father myself, I feel these worries too. That is why as a youth volunteer, I had focused my community work on supporting the young – from launching Healthy Plate programmes with a local social service agency, to guiding a group of youth leaders to launching an anti-vape campaign. Because every child matters and we all have a part to play.
Even as we worry, we must remember: our young people are also full of hope. They dream not just of stable jobs, but also of meaningful lives. They talk about AI, sustainability, creativity, not just because these terms sound cool, but because they truly want to make a difference and do something meaningful with their lives.
I saw this passion come alive when I met a group of young entrepreneurs. Yilina and Jay, both business students, are two of the co-founders of Fossa Chocolate. Matthew, a lawyer by training, and Trevor, an accountant, are the owner and manager of All Would Envy. These youths were not confined by their degrees but set out to pursue their passion and built something of their own. When their businesses do well, they will go on to inspire their children and future generations. Proving that in Singapore, if we believe, we can achieve.
That is the Singapore Dream. Not just to make a living, but to create a life of purpose. So, I echo the President's emphasis in his Opening address that we must "foster an outgoing and experimental spirit among our enterprises and people." He further implored us to work together and make Singapore "a society where every citizen shares in the nation's prosperity and every Singaporean has the confidence that tomorrow will bring brighter opportunities and a better life."
I am heartened that the Government has continued to honour its commitment to nurture our future generations with initiatives, such as free childhood vaccines, affordable preschools with childcare subsidies, Grow Well SG to help parents raise healthy children, clear screen time guidelines to protect our young minds, National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy to improve our mental health ecosystem and the GRIT Traineeship Programme to ensure our tertiary students and fresh graduates gain real-world industry experience. These are not just policies. They are building blocks of trust between the state and our people.
But policy alone is not enough. Raising a child and helping our youths to maximise their potential is still a community effort. As a grassroots adviser, I continue to have a soft spot for youth-related topics. In my engagements with our youths, I hear anxieties and insecurities from our students in higher learning and fresh graduates about their job prospects and career options.
So, my Parliamentary colleague, Ms Poh Li San and I are leading a new community initiative to address this issue. Together with the advisers in Sembawang GRC and Sembawang West single member constituency (SMC), we have pulled together our own networks of companies to organise company visits and fireside chats with executives. This initiative is complementary with the nationwide Traineeship programme as it will help youths to get insights on the changes in the job market and also be clued in on the career options they can have beyond their degrees.
This programme is aptly named Slay, or Sembawang Learning and Achievement for Youths, as we want our youths to not just do well, but do well with confidence and style. The programme will launch in the next two weeks and our first company visit is slated for end-October.
I am excited to work with you to secure our future for our nation, for our people and for our future generations. In my term as a Member of this House, I will work together with you to support the young and to build not just a place, but a home where our people and local businesses can sustainably grow and thrive.
In this House, I will focus on three areas: (a) strengthening family support systems: I want to see more community-driven care for parenting and early childhood so that every child can grow up healthily and with the best chance to fulfill their potential; (b) championing youth-led ideas: young people should not just be asked for feedback, they should lead projects and shape the solutions they care about so that they join us in the stewardship of our nation; and (c) supporting our local businesses: small local business owners need room to grow. I will push for simpler regulations, better digital tools and fairer access to opportunities so that our companies will go on to inspire future generations of business owners and entrepreneurs.
These are real areas where we can do better and I intend to raise them here.
As we celebrate SG60, let us remember, it was not just deliberate planning or a stroke of good luck that brought us here. It was the strength of our people. And like in a garden, if we want strong trees in the future, we must care for the young shoots today. That means giving our young the right mix of guidance, trust and room to grow.
[Deputy Speaker (Mr Xie Yao Quan) in the Chair]
This generation has both the responsibility and the opportunity to build for the next. Let us build a Singapore where every child can find their way, every parent feels less alone and every senior sees that their sacrifices were worth it, so that one day, when our children stand here, they can say, "We did not just inherit Singapore. We built it together." In Mandarin, please.
(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Deputy Speaker, I feel deeply honoured and grateful to stand here today to deliver my maiden speech.
I come from an ordinary family, and it is through my parents' hard work and perseverance that I have the opportunity to stand here today. My parents did not receive much education, but like many Singaporeans, they believed that as long as their children received an education, they would have a better future.
So, I have always remembered: whilst Singapore has no natural resources, what we can always rely on is our people. Since Independence, our greatest investment has not been in factories, but in our children. In return, our young people have achieved 100% literacy rates, we rank amongst the top in international education rankings and the World Bank has rated us as one of the best countries in its Human Capital Index.
None of this happened by chance, but through the sacrifices and quiet contributions of countless fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers, who lived frugally and gave their all.
The challenges facing today's children are different from those of the past. Parents no longer worry about having three meals a day, but about mental health, internet addiction, and whether their children will find a fulfilling direction in life.
During my visits with residents, I often hear such sentiments, "I cannot imagine what the future will look like, and I don't know if my child will be able to adapt."
As a father of three children, I share the same concerns. This is why in my grassroots work, I have always focused on youth and family issues, such as promoting healthy eating, anti-vaping and encouraging children to develop healthy lifestyles.
Because I believe every child matters. Even as we worry, we must remember – our young people are full of hope. They not only dream of stable jobs but also yearn for meaningful lives. They speak of AI, sustainability and creativity not because these jobs are trendy, but because they genuinely hope to make a difference and do something meaningful with their lives.
I know such a group of young people, like the founders of Fossa Chocolate and All Would Envy. They were originally lawyers and accountants, but later chose to follow their own path, pursue their passions, establish their own brands and create something of their own. We need to help these SMEs succeed in order to inspire future generations to face challenges courageously and pursue their dreams. This is the spirit that the new generation of Singaporeans is demonstrating.
I am also heartened that the President, in delivering the address, encouraged us to work together to make Singapore "a society where every citizen shares in the nation's prosperity, and every Singaporean has the confidence that tomorrow will bring brighter opportunities and a better life."
I am heartened to see the Government's support for future generations, including free infant vaccinations, affordable preschool fees, the Grow SG programme to help parents cultivate healthy habits, new guidelines on screen time to protect children's physical and mental health, more policies promoting mental health and family support and the GRIT programme.
These policies are not just about children's academic performance, but about their lives. But policies alone are not enough. The community can also participate and use concrete action to nurture children and help young people realise their potential.
As a grassroots adviser, I continue to focus on early childhood and youth issues. In my interactions with young people, I have heard fresh graduates' anxieties about employment prospects and career choices.
Therefore, Ms Poh Li San and I are leading a new community initiative to address this issue. Together with advisers from Sembawang GRC and Sembawang West SMC, we have pooled our networks to organise company visits and fireside chats with senior executives. This initiative complements national training programmes, as it will help young people understand changes in the job market and help them learn about career options beyond degrees.
Mr Speaker, this year we celebrate SG60. For 60 years, we have relied on our people to reach this day, step by step. We want every child to grow into a hopeful, capable and confident Singaporean. We want every parent to feel at ease, and every grandparent to be proud. Like a garden, if we want strong trees to grow in the future, we must start nurturing the seedlings today. This means giving young people the right guidance, trust, and space to grow. This generation has both the responsibility and the opportunity to build the future for the next. When our next generation stands here, they can proudly say, "We didn't just inherit Singapore. We built it together."
Happy 60th birthday, Singapore. May we work together towards the future. Majulah Singapura. [Applause.]
Ms Nadia Samdin.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I join the other hon Members in this House in adding to the chorus of support for the Motion of Thanks.
In his address, Mr President highlighted fundamental shifts in the tides, leading to a far less predictable world. Just in the last month, we have seen protests in Indonesia, UK, USA and leadership upheavals in countries from Japan, Thailand to Nepal and France. Leaders raced to uphold promises, undo the work of their predecessors and bring forth change within a political term, often, an impossible task.
The global and economic order is in transition and people are clamouring to be heard. Compounding this are ongoing conflicts felt not just as remote death tolls beyond our shores but real atrocities which citizen reporters, humanitarian workers and everyday residents stream online. As we travel to work and feed our children at night, these dominate our feeds and we feel the suffering from half a world ago, a stereo split screen like watching two worlds exist at once.
While real-time information promotes compassion, it also magnifies anxiety in our hyperconnected world and there is dissonance within so difficult to reconcile.
All these, amidst the slow yet inevitable backdrop of climate change, no longer a distant march but here in the form of hottest years on record, flash floods, droughts, rising sea levels. Extreme weather destabilises food sources and supply chains, causing scarcity and rising costs.
Our youth faces anxieties about the future they will inherit. Working adults feel sandwiched as they shoulder pressures at work and at home. Seniors confront major life transitions and isolation.
Sir, to navigate through the unknown together as one inclusive society, we must go beyond protecting our borders and resources, to tend to something equally precious – the mental health and well-being of our people.
The well-being of our children is essential. Every child is precious in an ageing society and they are the future of our nation. But they carry a heavy load in the face of turbulent around us and this can manifest in mental health conditions, bullying and self-harm.
With increased digital exposure, our children are subjected to the mercy of algorithms designed to sustain their attention, often with sensational or emotional posts. Trends shift quickly. What our children see today may not be the same tomorrow. Social media also forces our children to grow up too fast. Primary school children dance to mildly risque dance moves ala K-Pop Demon Hunters, chasing likes before they have the maturity to process their own actions.
Coupled with deepfakes and false content, this results in a disorientation of body image and a disjoint in their perception between what is portrayed online and the real world. Over a prolonged period, our children may lack the confidence to navigate the world and feel stressed as they worry how they can keep up with changes, questioning what the truth is.
I am glad that Grow Well SG, a coordinated effort to help our children, was launched earlier this year. I hope that children's mental health screening will also be part of the health plans and I also hope that services by CREST-Youth teams can be expanded to include children under 12. We must start earlier.
Sir, for many youths who are conscious about the world that we live in, the future seems uncertain as calamities increase, leading to a sense of hopelessness that this is the world and the systems that they have inherited. Despite their willingness to take action, some feel wary to create change as an individual, questioning the impact which they can make as one person in the face of bigger nations and corporations.
This Government is taking serious steps to fortify our food supply chains, tackle rising sea levels and develop innovative cooling systems towards heat resilience. Climate change is a wicked problem of the generation. It is important to deepen their knowledge as part of school curriculum and involve them as co-creators to climate solutions and a voice at the table. So, I was very grateful to hear the Prime Minister's speech earlier.
Building accurate understanding and active participation will help move helplessness to agency and foster a shared mission, like Captain Planet.
With a volatile economy and reports of company layoffs, many working adults feel greater stress that is coupled with cost-of-living worries. For some, the need to earn and provide, pretend that everything is okay, results in them pushing past the point of burnout, requiring more intensive and longer treatments. Some are concerned about gaps in their curriculum vitae and stigma by employers, leading to potential unemployment should they take that much-needed step to seek treatment.
For this group of individuals who require time off from work, I hope we can consider some form of interim credits or allowance to help with basic living costs, as schemes such as ComCare often do not apply. To be self-aware and recognise one's need to rest is courage. To commit oneself to recovery is strength.
Secondly, I hope there can be stronger support for their re-integration into the workforce once they are ready. While there are support services such as the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Job Club, it is unclear how many individuals these services have supported as a proportion of those who have sought help, and the range of jobs available for persons with different qualifications, as well as the progress of the job fit assessment and referral framework by the National Council of Social Servce to ensure a longer term fit between employer and employees with different kinds of conditions.
Worries about the cost of treatments remain a key barrier. Sir, besides MediShield and public subsidies available for the management of mental illnesses under the chronic disease management programme (CDMP), I hope the Government can consider expanding the mental health conditions covered under the CDMP and increase the subsidies coverage for mental health treatments. Recovery is often non-linear, requiring consistent treatment, and the costs incurred for one to receive quality and timely support can be prohibitive. I echo my appeal for the Government to coordinate a framework and improve access to insurance coverage for persons with mental health conditions.
Sir, a study by the National University of Singapore found a gap in parents' understanding of mental health conditions. Under the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, the "Parenting for Wellness" toolbox for parents was released. How can we work with parents to understand and put this into practice in a bite-sized and practical way, like how I consult Instagram Reels at night to find out whether I have gentle-parented my son hard enough, or could I actually have fed what I fed him at 10 months old.
Can workshops be made more accessible in our neighbourhoods to improve mental health literacy and equip parents to have hard conversations with their children? After all, there is no school of parenting when a child comes into our lives, and as a first-time mom, I will be the first to admit that parents are learning as we become parents too. I understand that the Ministry of Social and Family Development will introduce a new model of support for the health needs of families under the ComLink+ scheme. I urge the Ministry to consider including mental well-being in the updated model, as vulnerable families often face instability and decision fatigue as well as a significant bandwidth tax.
Sir, while Singapore is set to become super-aged next year, Ang Mo Kio is well on its way as a super-aged town with a diverse population of seniors, each with their own life experiences and challenges. We often speak about youths transitioning to the workforce, facing uncertainty, but less is spoken about older adults, who stop work and are confronted with a loss of identity, companions or health, becoming empty nesters or taking on a caregiving role to a spouse. Sometimes, these stressors compound, resulting in harmful or suicidal thoughts among older adults.
One of the most difficult parts of being our people's representatives is sitting in wakes or on the living room floor the morning after or waiting for the ambulance next to a cold canvas in the immediate aftermath. Our seniors have given so much of themselves to see Singapore become what she is today. I only hope that we can help them feel supported as they age. 希望我亲爱的乐龄可以安享晚年.
I call on the Government to consider a targeted strategy in caring for our seniors' mental health. Seniors do not have the same vocabulary to search symptoms online like our youth. We need to think about local neighbourhoods as a community of first responders and equip primary care as a critical touchpoint for prevention, as these conditions first materialise as somatic concerns, such as pains or insomnia sometime.
Beyond the good work of the Silver Generation Office, Active Ageing Centres and the community centres, can we leverage technology and have automated messages regularly reminding seniors of health and well-being support, similar to messages which new parents, such as myself, receive when our babies hurt certain months in age. A text or push notification could remind them that they are not alone. An elderly who would often come to my meet-the-people sessions week after week with a different challenge, once stopped short and said, "I just want someone to know that I am still alive."
More often than not, out of good intentions, we tend to share with our seniors, "It is dangerous, you should not do that, be careful." This deficit approach diminishes their confidence. As we reshape the ageing narrative, I hope we take a strengths-based approach to emphasise to our seniors what they can do.
Finally, carers and caregivers have a crucial role in one's mental health journey, as their companionship and support are integral to persons in recovery. Where the person in recovery was a breadwinner, a carer may step in to take on additional financial responsibility as well as a new role, ensuring medical adherence. A person in recovery and carer's story is one of strength. Especially for ageing parents who care for their adult children with mental health conditions, it is testimony to unconditional love with little respect.
I was heartened with the announcement in Budget 2025, that as part of the upcoming enhancements to the Home Caregiving Grant, the Government will raise the quantum and maximum qualifying per capita household income thresholds for the Home Caregiving Grant. At present, the qualifying criteria is based on someone permanently requiring some assistance with at least three of the six activities of daily living. In this term, I hope the Government will recognise caregivers to persons who have mental health conditions which render them unfit to work too. Such support, particularly for caregivers facing health or ageing challenges of their own would be much appreciated.
(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Sir, more than 40% of residents in Ang Mo Kio GRC are aged 60 and above. Our seniors possess invaluable experience and the nation's collective memory, having lived through pandemics and global crises. I deeply appreciate our seniors for often sharing their advice while their encouragement lifts my spirits.
Many seniors have shared with me that they feel the pressures of change, such as declining health and retirement, which disrupt their daily routines. Additionally, they experience the loss of old friends and family members who, as they grow older, begin to live farther apart. The resilience they have built over the years has taught them to endure challenges, so feelings of distress are often kept hidden in silence.
As a result, seniors may feel lonely. Some uncles have shared with me their desire to remain active. However, their spirits wane when they are beset by chronic illnesses that require ongoing attention. Sometimes, fading memory or hearing problems can also lead them to withdraw from others.
Sir, we need to celebrate the resilience of our seniors. I am truly inspired, especially with grandmothers who can still work part-time, diligently cook and care for their grandchildren. For our seniors, I hope it will be easier for them to access mental health care so that it does not feel strange to them and we can mitigate their apprehension towards health screenings. Seniors must feel that seeing a doctor is akin to working with a personal coach who can improve their quality of life.
As a community, we must go beyond traditional approaches and collaborate with various agencies to reach out to seniors.
Places of worship like the Al-Mutaqqin Mosque have started efforts to engage elderly congregants through sharing on health topics and estate planning. These sessions are delivered in practical and sensitive ways by weaving together these topics with religious guidance.
For seniors and those who care for them, even as the seasons of life change, this season can be just as beautiful. Many conditions can be treated if addressed early. Support is always available and many are willing to walk with you, accompanying you in every step of your journey.
(In English): Sir, as we weather international crises and uncertainties, we must protect the hearts and minds of our people. As our only national resource, a healthy population is key to the long-term stability and prosperity of Singapore.
As we celebrate SG60 this year, I am reminded that our story has always been one of people who have stood together and overcome the odds. Indeed, it is a story of "we". Let us bring that same spirit to improve mental health. Every school, a place of nurture and safety; every workplace, a circle of purpose and care; every home, a source of strength and love; every neighbourhood, a compassionate community together. I support the Motion.
Miss Rachel Ong.
Mr Deputy Speaker, every youth matters. I have had the joy of serving in youth work for 25 years. For much of that time, I thought I understood our young friends. But I no longer think so. The gap of understanding has widened and I do not like it. Their world is far more complex, shaped by pressures and influences my generation never had to face.
I do not have children of my own, though I have many godchildren who I love very much, including some entrusted to me in their parents’ wills, which means, if anything happens to their parents, the children come to me. Their young lives remind me constantly of the responsibility we share for the next generation.
The fight for the health of our youths is not for the fainthearted. Singapore’s Total Defence prepares us for attacks by air, land, sea, cyber and even threats to our social cohesion. Yet, one dangerous enemy is often overlooked – the battle for our youths’ minds and hearts. If we fail to recognise this war, we cannot win it. Today, I will speak on five fronts that demand our urgent attention.
First, vaping deterrence, an alarming trend among our youths. Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs and partner agencies for their tireless efforts to clamp down on Kpods and vapes. I also thank Minister Ong Ye Kung and Senior Minister of State Assoc Prof Faishal Ibrahim for addressing our recent Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and for the enhanced penalties announced on 1 September. I also appreciate the balanced approach that allows those who step forward to seek help to do so without fear of punishment.
At the same time, some youth workers have shared that uncertainty remains on whether they will be penalised if they step forward post-1 September, especially for probationers who cannot risk being marked for another offence. If those guiding our youths have questions, it will naturally be more difficult for our youths themselves to come forward with confidence. While swift enforcement is both necessary and commendable, we must also engage stakeholders working with youths, so that implementation is smooth and effective.
If our intent is restorative, which I believe it is, then our public communications must clearly reflect this. I have also heard of secondary school students who were involved in selling vapes to classmates before 1 September. Can the Government clarify whether those who voluntarily surrender stock, not just the users, would also be supported if they step forward?
Deterrence alone is not sufficient. In July this year, I was notified that a primary school boy in Dover was approached by an older youth to buy vapes, a shock to parents. National figures reinforce these fears. Students caught vaping jumped from 800 in 2022 to more than 3,100 each year between 2022 and 2024. Despite concerns raised in Parliament since 2021, the problem has worsened. Education and enforcement were attempted, yet numbers rose, and drug-laced Kpods slipped through.
Before the ban, TikTok videos of youths vaping to music and dance went viral. Vaping became a flex, a social badge. It was normalised online, which partly explains its explosion in popularity. Our Internet-savvy youths also find overseas articles and even AI chat responses, portraying vaping as a “safer” alternative to cigarettes. On social media, it is marketed as stylish and modern, while Singapore’s ban can seem, to them, as odd as our chewing gum prohibition. In the words of a 16-year-old, "Social media’s voice is way louder than the school’s.” Meanwhile, predators continue to adapt. In the UK, youths are already moving from vapes to nicotine pouches and snus. Alarmingly, some websites even advertise direct delivery to Singapore, in open defiance of our laws.
As at 3.00 pm today, I am happy to read that the Health Science Authority and the Infocomm Development Agency have since blocked the said website. I had raised a PQ this past Monday. As guardians of our young, we must stay one step ready and ahead of this battle.
Mr Deputy Speaker, many youths vape not only out of curiosity, but to cope with stress, boredom, relational and family conflict, or academic pressures. If we punish behaviours but ignore distress, we fail our children. That is why the battle against vaping cannot be separated from the broader fight for mental health, which I will return to later in my speech.
Mr Deputy Speaker, if vaping reflects one form of pressure, another that cuts even deeper into the lives of our young is bullying, whether in the classroom or online. Bullying in schools, both physical and online, compounds the stresses our youths already face. Some victims may not even recognise they are being bullied, blaming themselves as "not enough".
I thank Education Minister Desmond Lee and his team for spearheading efforts to review MOE's approach to tackling bullying in schools. It is worth noting from the National Institute of Education's survey that many students confide first in parents or friends, rather than teachers.
This is not a reflection of our teachers' commitment. They work tirelessly and often go beyond the classroom to support our students. Rather, it shows that prevention cannot rest on teachers alone. Parents and peers must also be equipped, so they know how to respond and whether the student is the bully or the victim.
Several youths have shared that they hold back from reporting bullying, not because they do not care, but because they fear being labelled a "snitch" or a "busybody". This silence allows harm to continue. A larger mindset shift is needed amongst students themselves, to see speaking up not as a betrayal, but as courage for standing for what is right.
I would like to ask: first, will there be standardised training for students, parents and teachers on prevention and intervention? Second, can students report incidents safely and anonymously? If so, how? Third, are definitions of bullying versus mischief clear and when must cases be escalated to parents or MOE?
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO's) review shows that the most successful countries do not stop at passing clear laws prohibiting all forms of harm. They pair those laws with comprehensive interventions: age-appropriate equipping of students; training for every adult in the school environment – teachers, cleaners and canteen staff; strong support systems for victims and active engagement with parents.
Finland's KiVa programme is a strong example. It mobilises pro-social classmates to stand with victims and empowers bystanders to intervene. Closer to home, upper primary students have shared that hearing peers talk about resolved bullying cases is especially powerful. It shows that they are not alone, that help is possible and that change can happen.
Given the dynamics of school bullying, peer involvement is not optional. It is essential to the restorative journey. Singapore should review our anti-bullying programmes to glean lessons from such models and adopt a more holistic approach. One that not only addresses bullies but supports victims and reshapes school culture to protect and defend every child.
Mr Deputy Speaker, if bullying exposes the vulnerabilities of school life, social media magnifies them. Social media today is not just a distraction, it has become a powerful force – shaping identity, relationships and the mental and physical well-being of our young. It influences how they see themselves and how they connect with others, and how they measure their own worth.
An IMH survey in September 2024 revealed that one in three youths aged 15 to 35 experience severe, or extremely severe, depression, anxiety or stress. Among the key drivers are excessive social media use, body image concerns and cyberbullying.
Where a child once found refuge at home, bullying now follows them into their bedrooms through their phones. The home, once a sanctuary, has become another battlefield. This is why I continue to urge delaying social media exposure until at least age 16. Around the world, governments are moving. France now recommends a ban on social media under 15, and other EU countries are exploring similar steps. Could the Government update us on its study of Australia's approach?
In this digital world, families remain the first line of defence. Conversations, clear limits and healthier alternatives matter, even amid work pressures. A child told his parents, "I wish I was your phone," reflecting the longing for their time and attention. It speaks volumes about the need for adults to model well and lead at home.
There are encouraging examples. In Portland, a mother who refused to give her 10-year-old a smartphone revived a household landline. Within months, 15-20 families followed. What seemed old-fashioned turned liberating. Children greeted parents before calling friends, memorised numbers and listened attentively instead of scrolling while talking.
It reminded me of my growing-up years, when picking up the phone meant looking forward to an engaging conversation where you can see the smiles and the frowns of the person across the line, and the pause as a friend thought to respond before they spoke.
Ironically, many youths turn to, as medicine, social media, often deepens the very struggle they try to escape. Just as Healthier SG takes a preventive approach to physical health, we need a national programme that prepares youths for the mental and emotional impact of digital life, in ways that resonate with them.
When asked about school programmes on responsible social media, a 16-year-old replied, "What your friends say is more effective than what the school says." We must change how we engage.
Australia's Mental Health First Aid often described as "CPR for Emotional Emergencies". It equips ordinary people, including youths, to recognise distress and offer immediate support until professional help is available. Singapore could adapt such an approach and enhance peer support.
To protect our youths, I urge one decisive response: legislation to delay social media access until at least age 16. This requires robust age verification, strict time limits and phone-free zones among other measures we must explore. Policy may not change the human heart, but it can draw firm boundaries, reinforce social norms and give parents the authority to say, "not yet".
Mr Deputy Speaker, as we strengthen support for all youths, we must be especially mindful of those who carry sharper and double burdens, our youths with disabilities. I first met this autistic boy when he was 16 and I was in my 20s, which is about 100 years ago. Over the past 25 years, I have been very blessed by this friendship. He has taught me what kindness is, what compassion looks like and what it means to have a childlike faith that never grows jaded. Through him, I learnt to see persons with disabilities with new eyes. My hope is that you, too, will have the privilege to get to know persons with disabilities, not the "hi-and-bye" kind of knowing, but the kind where you share meals, walk alongside them and do life together.
Youths with disabilities face sharper struggles and are two to three times more likely than their peers to experience mental health difficulties. Many retreat online in search of connection, only to encounter comparison, stress, addiction and deeper insecurity. This leaves them carrying a double stigma: disability and mental health.
Gaps also remain in professional understanding. Often, depression in youths with disabilities is dismissed as part of the disability. Autistic youths, for example, may have genuine mental health conditions wrongly attributed solely to autism. When this happens, mental health needs go untreated and may worsen over time. The reality is stark. These youths fight two battles: disability, and the disbelief that their sadness deserves help.
The caregivers, too, shoulder immense caregiving responsibilities and stress. This constant strain directly affects their ward's well-being, deepening the mental health challenges they face.
Having ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013, Singapore must now ensure that our National Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy is fully disability-inclusive through the Enabling Masterplan. I was especially encouraged at this year's 60th National Day Parade, witnessing how intentional the entire parade was, including persons with disabilities and with the sign language thoughtfully woven throughout the programme. This marks the true progress of a nation, one that leaves no one behind.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I have spoken on four battlelines where protection must be strengthened. Let me close with the fifth front: my vision for our youths in Singapore.
Mr Deputy Speaker, when I look at our youths, I see courage and compassion. I see them caring for their families, honouring parents, loving siblings and convinced that family is worth fighting for. I see young people brave enough to stand up for their friends and rooted in healthy relationships. I see youths who embrace education as a privilege, ending each day with purpose. I see young people celebrating the success of others and enjoying wholesome fun in music, sports and nature, without coarse joking or degrading remarks. I see them whole in school, home and community, skilled and committed to lifelong learning. I see them recognising that they are part of Singapore's future, thriving in their talents, bold and creative in attempting new things. I see our young friends resilient and brave in uncertainty, building ideas, products and services that help our communities flourish. Above all, I see youths who know that blessing the less fortunate is a privilege, and who treat resources and knowledge as a trust, to be used generously in the service of others.
Mr Deputy Speaker, to preserve, defend and protect our youths is to secure Singapore's future. Our strength lies not in Reserves or capabilities alone, but in young Singaporeans who are tough-minded, yet tender-hearted. Let us act wisely and decisively, for our youths to lead our Singapore into a stronger future. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Motion.
Mr Victor Lye.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, my road to this esteemed House has been a long one, but better late than never. Over the last 25 years, ground-up, every house visit, kopitiam conversation and community walkabout has reinforced my belief that Singapore is special because of the resilience and trust of our people.
When I first declined the invitation to enter politics in 1996, I had just become the managing director of an investment firm. I did not know where my heart truly was.
In 1998 during the Asian Financial Crisis, I was asked to retrench staff but refused, proposing instead that senior management take a pay cut to save jobs. Because I stood up for others, I was retrenched myself. I counselled those retrenched at a fast food outlet for weeks and to boost morale, I helped the most important person in my firm – our tea lady – secure a new job, which she kept until her retirement. This painful experience brought me back to the ground.
In 1999, I began volunteering in Aljunied GRC to help those in need, even when I disagreed with some policies. When a strong PAP team was forsaken in 2011, I stepped forward. By then, after walking the ground for years, I knew where my heart truly was. 路遥知马力，日久见人心, or "As distance tests a horse's strength, time reveals a person's heart".
To work the ground, I quit my CEO-level job in 2012. Later, when I tried to re-enter the workforce, I experienced what some Singaporean PMETs face – rejection, uncertainty and the pain of starting over. While I believe in an open economy, we must ensure employment practices that are fair and build up our Singaporean Core.
Once, I remember interviewing candidates for a position. Strangely, they all seemed to come from the same company. I asked my staff to ensure they were kept separate and seemingly, they were pushed out, quietly displaced. Together with my early years as a policy-maker in Government, these first-hand, ground experiences help me empathise and understand the real-world challenges faced by our people.
In Aljunied GRC, we worked hard, day-to-day between general elections, outside of Parliament. When offered the chance to contest elsewhere, I chose to stay and sent my team mate instead. Having contested not once, but twice, facing the opposition’s leadership team, I feel like this is my third term. The Leader of the Opposition and his team know how hard we work the ground. So much so, they coined the term “2-for-the-price-of-1”. Vote the WP and get the PAP for free.
I have had more than my fair share of Aljunied voters who appreciated our groundwork and want the PAP to form the Government, but sheepishly confessed they voted to check on the PAP. It may be one vote. But together, as the Chinese saying goes, 杀鸡取卵. In other words, killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
With greater political contestation, we must guard against populist ideas presented by those who do not have to be in the driver's seat. As we can see in many mature democracies, eventually the interests of the country and of its people will be overridden by self-preservation, division and instability. With the interplay of digital media and geopolitics, I ask our hon Members across the aisle to assure us they will reject any external influence on our domestic politics.
Taken together, Singapore voters are rational and want an opposition voice. But I ask Singaporeans to demand from the opposition the same high standards that they expect from the PAP.
Sir, I am here, thanks to the voters of Ang Mo Kio GRC. I also am grateful for the support of Aljunied GRC residents, our activists and volunteers over the years. To our teams now serving in Aljunied and Sengkang GRCs and in Hougang SMC, I say, jiayou!
Sir, over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing children grow up in our community. Some were still in school when I first met them at community centres or during house visits. Today, many of them are young adults, newly married, setting up homes and even raising their toddlers.
During my walkabouts, quite a few – showing photographs taken with me stored in their phones – tell me they now live in Buangkok-Fernvale South, the newly constituted ward within Ang Mo Kio GRC where I now serve. It reminds me of our responsibility to ensure that Singapore continues to be a place where families can thrive and where every child can do better than the generation before.
Ultimately, the Singaporean brand of politics must be about making Singaporeans’ lives better. As a small, resource-scarce, accidental nation, we arose out of adversity. Singapore is not the result of populist ideas, but of hard, long-term decisions built on trust between our people and our leaders.
Today, that trust remains the core of our social compact. We must lead with resolve and heart: honouring our seniors, upskilling our people, uplifting the vulnerable, supporting families and inspiring our youths.
Let me talk about the following issues: access to affordable food, unlocking our silver dividend, education to shift from answers to questions and from gross domestic product (GDP) to gross national product (GNP).
Sir, I empathise with Singaporeans who worry about the cost of living. With my late parents’ love-language of food and memories of my siblings squabbling over one fried egg, I want food in Singapore to unite and not divide.
“Affordable food” means different things to different people. Left undefined, it can distort the perceptions of the cost of living. Like many Singaporeans, I am concerned about the rentals, hawker retirements and stall closures. But we must avoid conflating these arguments and be clearer about the cooked food segments that we are talking about. For instance, we can see four distinct parts: one, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Socially-Conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres (SEHCs); two, HDB rented coffeeshops after 1998; three, HDB private coffeeshops sold before 1998; and four, private F&B sector, where you have food courts, restaurants and so on.
Sir, private F&B and HDB private coffeeshops should be left rightly to market forces. However, we should ensure fair tenancy practices and discourage speculative investment behaviour.
NEA/SEHC hawker centres as well as HDB rented coffeeshops should be our social kitchens and community spaces. These two segments are where we must ensure access to affordable food, protect our hawkers’ livelihoods and strengthen our social compact.
More than cost, we should look at revenue. Our food is our asset. Why not re-imagine our hawker culture as a tourism product, with cooking classes, food trails and heritage tours in our heartlands? If we can increase the average length of stay of a tourist just by one day, the multiplier effects on our economy would be significant. We must support also traditional foods which will otherwise disappear in this new economic environment.
In my constituency, I had begun discussing a pilot heritage project to support our merchants and bring more vibrancy to our community with ad hoc work that will inspire our youths and engage our seniors, under my umbrella concept called Community Workfare.
That brings me to the next topic of unlocking our silver dividend. Sir, our seniors are an untapped strength. Many still want to contribute – not just in formal jobs, but in mentoring, caregiving and community life.
At a recent community event, I met Abdullah bin Ali, a retiree who teaches gardening at our Home Nursing Foundation Active Ageing Centre in Buangkok Crescent, not because he has to, but because, in his own words, “If I can stay active and share my knowledge, why not?” Or take Mdm Sandy Goh, who despite her own challenges, has rallied seniors to support food rescue programmes, first with me at Bedok Reservoir and Hougang, and now, in my new ward of Buangkok-Fernvale South.
This spirit of staying active, giving back and finding new meaning is the silver dividend we must unlock, where ageing is not a sunset, but a second spring.
To our youths, our education should move from answers to questions. Sir, a young student recently asked me, “If I can use AI, why do I still need to study?” Exams do not define potential. In this AI-era, it is not the answers we give but the questions we must ask. Are our primary classrooms supporting how children's brains actually learn best?
I recall in my primary school how we were repeatedly drilled for the PSLE. One classmate was always slower to answer and often punished by being made to stand on his desk. It was traumatic for him, and painful for us to witness. He did not do so well in the PSLE. Yet, in later life, he rose to become a respected editor of a major publication. That experience reminds us that one exam does not define a child and one-size-fits-all teaching can sometimes wound more than it uplifts.
Every child learns differently. Brain-based pedagogy is rooted in respect for the learner, that each child’s brain learns through meaning, emotion and connection, not just by rote memory. Many parents will know the helpless feeling, like me, of being unable to solve a math problem alongside their primary school child. Instead of pushing both parent and child to frustration, imagine a system where adaptive AI helps the child practice at his own pace, while the teacher steps in as a coach in confidence.
Our challenge is not to teach more, but to teach differently, supported by adaptive AI tools and teacher-as-coach models. We must invest boldly in every child, because with fewer children, each one matters more. Unlike the repeated refrain of calling for a smaller class size, we should be advocating how we cater to different learning styles and behaviours. Class size, the teaching environment and pedagogy are the derivatives.
If we fail to make this shift, the risk is clear. Affluent parents will move ahead with AI-driven personalised learning outside our school system, while the rest of our children remain in rote-based pathways. That will widen social divides. With AI, do we want an education system that hardens inequality, or one that allows each child to learn with confidence?
For the economic strategy, we should look at GNP instead of GDP. For the past 60 years, Singapore measured growth by GDP, building ourselves into a global hub. I say, for the next 60 years, we should also track GNP. How Singaporeans can benefit directly from growth, not just from home, but also abroad. This shifts from what Singapore produces to what Singaporeans earn.
We should move beyond attracting just foreign direct investment flows to maximising Singaporeans' participation in global value chains. Our economic strategy must not only attract activity to Singapore, but also build pathways for Singaporeans, especially our youths, to participate meaningfully in global value chains. We should encourage Singapore firms to internationalise and count their overseas income as part of our national strength.
Look at the region, look at the world with technology. Singaporeans, we are not confined to our own borders. Our companies, our professionals, our entrepreneurs, all should be increasingly international. By placing more weight on GNP, we shift our focus from the size of the pie on our shores to the larger share that our people can enjoy beyond Singapore.
Mr Deputy Speaker, sir, GDP will always remain a useful measure of our hub vibrancy. But as we look to the next 60 years, it is time we look for growth beyond our shores. From what is produced in Singapore to what Singaporeans earn globally. That is the shift from GDP to GNP.
In closing, sir, to keep Singapore special, we must maintain strong trust between our people and our leaders. And I say across the aisle, Singaporeans must demand the same high standards and accountability as they expect of us. Our President has spoken. It is not what we say, but what we do. More than what we achieve is what we inspire. In this House across both aisles, let us work together to build better lives and livelihoods for all Singaporeans. Let us keep Singapore special. Sir, I support the Motion. [Applause.]
Mr Dennis Tan. Mr Dennis Tan, you might want to switch on your microphone.
I am sorry about that. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like to respond to the hon Member, Mr Lye's comments in his speech.
So, on behalf of the WP, I refer him to our 26 April 2025 statement, that in particular, we the WP are firmly committed to Singapore's secular, multiracial and multi-religious society, and to protecting the integrity of our electoral process, and in particular, we reject foreign influence in our electoral process.
Mr Victor Lye.
Sir, I thank the Member for his affirmation. Thank you.
Leader.
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