[(proc text) At 5.00 pm, the Serjeant-at-Arms laid the Mace below the Table. (proc text)]
[(proc text) The Leader of the House stood up and addressed herself to the Clerk of Parliament. (proc text)]
The Leader of the House (Ms Indranee Rajah): Clerk, I propose that Mr Seah Kian Peng do take the Chair of this Parliament as Speaker.
[(proc text) Member Mr Liang Eng Hwa rose and addressed himself to the Clerk of Parliament. (proc text)]
Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang): Clerk, I support the proposal.
[(proc text) There being only one proposal, the Clerk then declared Mr Seah Kian Peng to have been duly elected as Speaker of this Parliament. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Speaker, standing at the Table, took an Oath of Allegiance. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Speaker went to the Chair and sat down. (proc text)]
[(proc text) Then, the Mace, which before laid below the Table, was placed on the Table. (proc text)]
[Mr Speaker in the Chair]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Administration of Oaths","subTitle":null,"sectionType":"OS","content":"Mr Speaker: Hon Members will now proceed to take their Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance at the Table, starting with the Prime Minister and thereafter in the order as arranged.
[(proc text) Members took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance, or made Affirmation of Allegiance, in the order below: (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 1 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Lawrence Wong (Marsiling-Yew Tee) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 2 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Lee Hsien Loong (Ang Mo Kio) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Gan Kim Yong (Punggol) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr K Shanmugam (Nee Soon) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Chan Chun Sing (Tanjong Pagar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Ong Ye Kung (Sembawang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 3 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mrs Josephine Teo (Jalan Besar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Desmond Lee (West Coast-Jurong West) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Chee Hong Tat (Bishan-Toa Payoh) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Jeffrey Siow (Chua Chu Kang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Indranee Rajah (Pasir Ris-Changi) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (Holland-Bukit Timah) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M (Tampines) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai (East Coast) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Tan See Leng (Chua Chu Kang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr David Neo (Tampines) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 4 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Jasmin Lau (Ang Mo Kio) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Goh Pei Ming (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines Changkat) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Gan Siow Huang (Marymount) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Murali Pillai (Jurong East-Bukit Batok) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Low Yen Ling (Bukit Gombak) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Koh Poh Koon (Tampines) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Zaqy Mohamad (Marsiling-Yew Tee) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 5 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Sun Xueling (Punggol) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Alvin Tan (Tanjong Pagar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Rahayu Mahzam (Jurong East-Bukit Batok) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Janil Puthucheary (Punggol) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Goh Hanyan (Nee Soon) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong (West Coast-Jurong West) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 6 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Ng Chee Meng (Jalan Kayu) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Alex Yam Ziming (Marsiling-Yew Tee) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Yeo Wan Ling (Punggol) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo (East Coast) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Changi) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Kwek Hian Chuan Henry (Kebun Baru) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 7 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui (Holland-Bukit Timah) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Hany Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms He Ting Ru (Sengkang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Miss Rachel Ong (Tanjong Pagar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (Pioneer) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song (Aljunied) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (Radin Mas) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Alex Yeo (Potong Pasir) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 8 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Valerie Lee (Pasir Ris-Changi) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Choo Pei Ling (Chua Chu Kang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Gabriel Lam (Sembawang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Jackson Lam (Nee Soon) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Diana Pang Li Yen (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 9 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Victor Lye (Ang Mo Kio) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis (Sengkang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Cassandra Lee (West Coast-Jurong West) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (Sengkang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat (Aljunied) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 10 (In Malay) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim (East Coast) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi (Nee Soon) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 11 (In Mandarin) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien (Jurong East-Bukit Batok) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Sim Ann (Holland-Bukit Timah) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Desmond Tan (Pasir Ris-Changi) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Lee Hong Chuang (Jurong East-Bukit Batok) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang West) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Xie Yao Quan (Jurong Central) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Ang Wei Neng (West Coast-Jurong West) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong (Hougang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Ng Shi Xuan (Sembawang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 12 (In Tamil) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash (East Coast) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Dr Hamid Razak (West Coast-Jurong West) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 13 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Mr Low Wu Yang Andre (Non-Constituency Member) (proc text)]
[(proc text) Group 14 (proc text)]
[(proc text) Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan (Non-Constituency Member) (proc text)]
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Election of Speaker","subTitle":"Tribute","sectionType":"OS","content":"Mr Speaker: Leader of the House, Minister Indranee Rajah.
The Leader of the House (Ms Indranee Rajah): Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the House, may I extend our warmest congratulations to you on your re-election as the 11th Speaker of Parliament.
You are taking the Chair at a pivotal time in our nation’s history. We are witnessing a change in the global order. The geopolitical architecture that was set up after the Second World War and which brought the world on a path of peace and stability is breaking down. The world is in a state of transition and there is not yet a stable new order to replace the old. The global economy is fraught with uncertainty. There is a departure from established norms and tariffs are now no longer deployed only in the realm of economic policy. We see the erosion of the rule of law and the rise of a “might is right” approach. It is against this backdrop that the 15th Parliament will have to make laws, debate policy and make decisions that will chart the future of Singapore. And it is over this Parliament that you will preside.
The 15th Parliament is our largest Parliament to date with 99 elected Members – 87 from the ruling party and 12 opposition Members, of whom two are Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs). I am confident that you will preside over the proceedings in this House with fairness and even-handedness, as you have done in the previous term of Government.
In the last term of Parliament, you oversaw our busiest Parliament yet. Last year, we debated a record number of 17 Adjournment Motions, answered over 2,400 Parliamentary Questions and debated 50 Bills – the highest number in six years.
Through it all you kept a steady hand on the proceedings, always reminding us that debates should be vigorous but should never descend into personal animus and that good speeches and interventions are not necessarily the longest ones.
You also ensured proper decorum even in the midst of sometimes heated debate. You allowed all Members to exercise our voices in fair measure, regardless of party or persuasion, while keeping a firm eye on the clock.
On the role of the Speaker the former British Prime Minister John Major said that “the patience of Job and the wisdom of Solomon are only the basic requirements”. We have seen how you have done your best to live up to this.
You also took particular interest in making our proceedings more accessible to the public, so that Parliament remains the preserve of the people. We now use simpler language in Parliament. We also await the launch of the Roblox metaverse, which will engage youths via an interactive, gamified experience of Parliament. These are but some of your initiatives to encourage Singaporeans to take an interest in Parliament.
You have also been the face of our Parliament on the diplomatic front, represented Singapore abroad and hosted foreign dignitaries and guests including the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Pope Francis during his historic visit to Singapore. You also welcomed your fellow Speakers from Hong Kong to Azerbaijan, and Ambassadors from countries as far as Cuba. In a time of global fragmentation, building warm relationships on the parliamentary front is even more important than ever.
As Speaker, you have never lost sight of the role of the Members of this Chamber. You impressed upon us the weight of our responsibilities as MPs.
In your maiden speech as Speaker two years ago, you reminded Members that “our words here and our work here live on far beyond us. We must therefore remember and bear the weight of our office with dignity and a constant sense of duty”. I am sure that in this successive term as Speaker, you will continue to keep us steady on this course.
Mr Speaker, congratulations once again on your re-election. I wish you every satisfaction in carrying out the duties of your office. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker: Mr Pritam Singh.
Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied): Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of the opposition MPs, I extend our warmest congratulations to you on your election as Speaker of the House.
The Parliament website lists three main functions of Parliament, to make laws, to undertake a critical and inquisitorial role to check on the actions and policies of Government and finally, to scrutinise the state's finances.
Sir, this session of Parliament opens amid both significant external uncertainty and pressing domestic concerns. There is a thread consistent to both milieus, domestic and external. It is transition. Yet the word \"transition\", though seemingly neutral and inert, belies the significant uncertainties and uncharted waters that Singapore faces in the near term.
Amidst transition – issues such as job security, youth unemployment and underemployment, opportunities for senior workers, skills upgrading amid an artificial intelligence (AI) age, challenges of doing business in Singapore for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular, and high rentals for local businesses, among other social concerns, such as integration and an ageing society – are regular subjects of conversation among Singaporeans outside of this House.
A few weeks ago, the Deputy Prime Minister spoke of the potential prospect of 5% growth in Singapore, prompting questions from the public about how such growth would be achieved, whether through productivity gains or increases in labour. The question of where growth is going to come from becomes more significant when seen in the context of Singapore's already serious constraints in land, manpower and carbon.
With transition upon us, Parliament is likely to be a very busy place, with both the opposition and government backbenchers expected to play greater roles in scrutinising Government policy and speaking up for Singaporeans.
Sir, the Parliament you preside over will have to ensure that the voices of Singaporeans are heard in this Chamber, so as to serve the country we all call home. Throughout this Parliamentary term, Singaporeans will have concerns and questions about the nation's direction. More conversation, debate, openness and transparency will be the order of the day.
Five years ago, during my tribute speech for the former Speaker, I advocated for more Select Committees so the public could be better informed about the choices and trade-offs that shape our policies. In light of the challenges upon us, Select Committees, if organised effectively with a non-partisan purpose, represent a valuable means for Parliament to address, communicate with and assuage Singaporeans over national priorities and concerns.
Such public facing Parliamentary committees can play a vital role in forging unity in difficult and challenging times like the transition Singapore will traverse in the years to come.
Mr Speaker, my colleagues and I wish you every success in your new role and pledge our fullest support in ensuring that the voices of all Singaporeans are represented in Parliament. On behalf of the Workers' Party, MPs and NCMPs, we wish you a successful term as Speaker of the House. We will play our part and continue to support your efforts to raise the standing of our Parliament and our country, both within and beyond this Chamber. Thank you very much. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker: Mr Liang Eng Hwa.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Bukit Panjang): Mr Speaker, in Mandarin.
(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, first, allow me to congratulate you on your re-election as Speaker of the 15th Parliament. Your election is well-deserved and well-expected.
In the previous Parliament, under your wise and steady guidance, a series of intensive parliamentary agendas were able to proceed smoothly. Members from both sides of the House were also able to express their respective political views and positions.
Of course, parliamentary debates inevitably would have moments of intense exchanges. I remember in the previous Parliament, we had several heated debates, with some even going into late night.
Although debates inevitably generate sparks, with fairness and firmness, you have made sure that parliamentary proceedings are conducted with decorum and order.
It is not unusual for Members to have different views and positions on certain issues. The key is that after rounds of debates, issues and opinions which still have no consensus on can be set aside temporarily, so that the parliamentary agenda can carry on.
On television, we often see Members in foreign parliaments engaging in verbal battles, and sometimes even physical fights. In certain parliaments, MPs even have to don helmet and protective gear to attend sittings. Fortunately, our Parliament assures Members a high sense of security.
Mr Speaker, we must never go that direction.
Parliament is our highest political institution, the national legislative body with the highest authority, it must maintain its institutional dignity and decorum. Maintaining Parliament's decorum, dignity and order not only require Speaker ’s close supervision and commitment, but each Member can also play a part and be a role model. We all have a duty to jointly create a Parliament of high standard and quality that can truly improve people's livelihoods and strengthen Singapore’s Parliament further.
I once asked a foreign envoy stationed in Singapore about his impression and views of our parliamentary debates. He immediately gave two thumbs up and said \"excellent\". He said that honestly speaking, although Singapore's parliamentary debates may not be as \"exciting\" or \"dramatic\" as some other parliaments, he felt that Singapore's parliamentary debates were of very high quality and substance. When debating issues, they go very deep and the issues raised by MPs are very practical and down-to-earth.
This is perhaps because many of our backbenchers have their own professional backgrounds or work experience and have deeper knowledge and insights in their respective fields, which comes in handy during Parliamentary debates.
Mr Speaker, I believe that under your guidance, Parliamentary debates will continue to play their due role.
This Parliament has the most seats in history, from 93 in the previous term to 97 this term. With the addition of two NCMPs, this Parliament will have 99 seats. This term of Parliament also has the greatest number of new faces, with a total of 32 first-term Members from both sides of the House, setting a record.
More Members and new faces will not only test your eyesight to see who raised their hand first, Mr Speaker, but also your memory, having to call out the names of so many new Members all in a split second. However, having worked with you for many years, and from my past experience in playing golf with you, I have great confidence in your eyesight and memory.
Mr Speaker, each new term of Parliament will bring new outlook and expectations. The people we represent expect Parliament to continue focusing on people's livelihoods, solving immediate difficulties as well as addressing medium and long-term challenges we face, so that Singapore's next 60 years can continue to be strong and progressive, with people living and working in peace and harmony. I believe this is also the shared aspiration of every Member present.
Mr Speaker, I firmly believe that under your leadership, this Parliament will definitely be able to make a difference and promote Singapore's progress. Once again, congratulations, Mr Speaker, and I wish you smooth sailing and great success in your Parliamentary work. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker: Ms Nadia Samdin.
Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio): Mr Speaker, in Malay.
(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The lion city glows with pride
The people’s voice serve as our guide
It is a joyful honour no words can confer
To address you, esteemed Speaker, Sir.
Honourable Mr Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your re-election as the Speaker of Parliament.
Sir, it is our hope that you will continue to be impartial. Besides serving as the Presiding Officer, the Speaker of Parliament also acts as the custodian this House. By ensuring fairness and upholding order, the Speaker of Parliament protects the dignity of the entire parliamentary institution as well as our nation's democracy. Your duties remind us that strength is not forged by silencing differences, but by collectively sharpening wisdom. Especially in this era, where disagreements can divide society. Therefore, this is important for the people of Singapore, our citizens, who have placed their trust in us to represent their voices. May we always fulfil our responsibilities for the people and serve the nation.
Parliament is not merely a building where laws are drafted. Parliament symbolises a promise that our nation's future is shaped through consensus and consideration of diverse voices. In making our deliberations, we should not forget the beneficiaries of our decisions, namely the youths.
(In English): Speaker, Sir, Parliament is where the hopes fears, dreams and worries of our people are conveyed from homes to health climate to crows and chickens, food to families, sports and schools, transport to tariffs – I could go on.
As we deliberate, let us also remember the next generation who are the future beneficiaries and bearers of the choices which we make today.
Our youths' voices must also find resonance here. Thus, the importance of your role, Mr Speaker, Sir.
Over the past two years, you have discharged your duties with integrity, compassion and sincerity. Your meticulousness in catching the hands that pop up in ensuring as many MPs as possible have the chance to speak and calm demeanour is much appreciated. Beyond your role locally, your commendable dedication to forge ties with parliamentarians as far as Brazil and near as Brunei, puts us in good stead. In a world fraught with uncertainty, building bridges is important as our little red dot continues to navigate complex geopolitical currents.
Sir, you are a steady hand with an unwavering commitment to both your residents, whom you have served for almost 20 years, and Singaporeans at large, a recurring theme from your first speech as an MP in this House, to your previous efforts in relations to the Maintenance of Parents Act and even sometimes, your social media posts, it is on families and the important role they play in society.
I would like to end by thanking all families and loved ones who are here with us tonight, and serve alongside us, and also the wonderful staff of Parliament House, who keep things running behind the scenes under your leadership. Congratulations once again, Mr Speaker, Sir. [Applause.]
Mr Speaker: Dr Hamid Razak.
Dr Hamid Razak (West Coast-Jurong West): In Tamil, please.
(In Tamil): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I am extremely happy in making this speech in support of Mr Seah Kian Peng being elected as Speaker of Parliament. As a first-term Member, I have only known Mr Seah for a few months. Nonetheless, his leadership has captivated me – confidence with humility, a smile that warms the heart and deeds that are inspiring. Encompassing all these is our 11th Speaker of Parliament, Mr Seah Kian Peng.
Honourable Mr Seah Kian Peng, we wish you our heartiest congratulations in being elected as speaker of this 15th Parliament.
You have discharged your duties with utmost dedication since assuming this role from 2 August 2023 as the 11th Speaker of Parliament. The role of the Speaker is exclusive and comes with its own weight. It is Mr Speaker's duty to give every Member a fair chance and protect it by allocating time fairly.
Mr Speaker maintains the conduct in the House and protects the dignity of this Parliament, which your good self, Mr Speaker, have been undertaking with utmost dutifulness.
You have been fulfilling this duty with fairness, firmness and at the same time with gracefulness. Through this, the conduct of the house and dignity in its proceedings continue to be safeguarded.
I would like to express the following on behalf of first-term Members: through your guidance, we have grown and have become confident that we are able to make meaningful contributions. As we embark on our journey, we seek your good self's fairness, encouragement and support.
Mr Speaker does not always speak much, but when he does, even for the short moments, his words are of deep meaning and richness. These words form the basis of the proceedings in the House and at times, through this, the basis of our nation, too.
For this and your continued service, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you.
Mr Speaker: Hon Members, let me first thank the Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah, for nominating me and for her generous remarks. My thanks also to Mr Pritam Singh, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, Ms Nadia Samdin and Dr Hamid Razak for your support and kind words. Above all, I am humbled and grateful to all Members for the trust you have placed in me in re-electing me as Speaker.
Since becoming the 11th Speaker in August 2023, I have strived to be fair, firm and impartial. I hope my actions over the past two years have shown this to be so.
I am confident that debates in this 15th Parliament will be robust and spirited. What I hope to see, compared to the last term, can be summed up as follows.
First, fewer advisories from the Chair, from me.
Second, for each Sitting, I ask all Members to be present, to be prepared and to be accountable.
Third, keep your speeches, your questions and your replies clear, succinct and concise – minimum words, maximum impact.
Fourth, avoid needless repetition – once is enough for Hansard.
Fifth, by all means, scrutinise and criticise policies vigorously, but do set out trade-offs clearly and offer alternatives for consideration.
Sixth, in the course of debate, we can change our positions and agree; likewise, we can also agree to disagree.
And seventh, yes, please resist playing to the gallery – this is the House of Parliament, not a livestream on Tik Tok.
Remember: long speeches test not only the patience of fellow Members, but also the attention spans of the public. Members will be pleased to know that my speech today will be considerably shorter than the one I did two years ago!
All of us have just taken our oath of allegiance. Let us remember that the laws we pass here touch the lives of fellow Singaporeans: individuals, families, businesses, organisations and for generations to come.
This 15th Parliament sees the largest number of Members ever and the highest number of women Members in our history. We have indeed come far from our first Parliament.
I thank all for your trust in me – it is a duty I take with care and gravity. Since taking on this role, I have stepped away from all corporate responsibilities. On the plus side, I have gained something valuable – more time for my family, my constituents and my friends. As a “young senior,” I have taken heed of the Prime Minister’s call to improve our health span as our lifespan increase. I am pleased to report some progress on my side: since becoming Speaker, I believe I have become a little bit fitter. In fact, my recent eye check-up showed that my short-sightedness has improved by about 100 degrees! Perhaps this job really does sharpen one’s vision, as it most certainly does improve one’s patience.
As a Parliamentarian, the demands in and outside the Chamber are heavy. It is a marathon and so, I remind all Members to not neglect your own self-care. We cannot look after our constituents and come up with good policies and speeches if we ourselves are not in reasonably good shape.
In accepting this Chair of the House, I remain deeply humbled. During the time that I occupy this seat, I pledge to be an impartial and effective Speaker and to represent this Parliament with dignity.
Let me close as I did on 2 August 2023. In the months and years ahead, debates will be spirited and sometimes, I am sure, heated. That is part of a working democratic society. But let us always uphold the decorum of this House. Treat each other with respect and never, never forget our paramount duty – to serve the people of Singapore with integrity and conviction. It is through the workings of this Chamber that we can ensure a cohesive and fulfilling future for our country, and build a more caring, more giving, more compassionate and more inclusive community for our children and grandchildren.
Hon Members, thank you once again for your support and trust. I look forward to working with all of you in this 15th Parliament of Singapore. Thank you. [Applause.]
I wish to now inform hon Members that the President will be present in this Chamber to deliver his speech at the Opening of Parliament later. I therefore suspend the sitting until 8.00 pm this evening. Order, Order.
Sitting accordingly suspended
at 5.57 pm until 8.00 pm.
Sitting resumed at 8.00 pm.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"President's Speech","subTitle":"Address at Opening of Parliament","sectionType":"OS","content":"[(proc text) The President (accompanied by two ADCs) entered the Chamber, accompanied by Mr Speaker, who was preceded by the Serjeant-at-Arms (without the Mace), the Deputy Clerk, the Senior Principal Clerk and the Senior Assistant Clerk. (proc text)]
[(proc text) On the Senior Assistant Clerk announcing \"The President\", the President delivered his speech at the Opening of the First Session of the 15th Parliament. (proc text)]
The President (Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam): Last month, we marked our 60th year of Independence. It has been a remarkable journey, for ours was an improbable beginning.
Sixty years ago, we stepped into the unknown with newfound independence – with limited resources, no hinterland of our own, no credible military to defend our borders and a population of diverse origins. Yet with selfless sacrifice, an indomitable spirit and the resolve to come together regardless of race or religion, the Pioneer Generation laid the foundations for a strong and enduring nation.
Each generation since has built upon that legacy – embracing change, persevering through crises and weaving together diverse threads to become one nation. That we have not only survived, but thrived, is testament to our spirit as a people.
This 15th Parliament opens at a critical juncture in our national journey. The world around us is changing in profound ways. Once again, we must navigate turbulent waters. We must choose our route wisely, craft new strategies and go forward with courage and above all, with unity.
For decades, Singapore thrived in a rules-based and inclusive global order underwritten by American leadership. That order is now fraying. America is less willing to play the role of global insurer. This reflects not just the choices of its leadership elite, but also deeper questions within its society – about America’s ability to secure its well-being through a global system aimed at mutual gains.
The result is a more unsettled and chaotic world. The rules and norms that helped keep the peace and enabled rising living standards globally are losing force. Acts of aggression, coercion, or unreasonable demands are now more readily tolerated, and even appeased. Meanwhile, the weaponisation of trade and economic interdependence has made international relations more fraught and complex than ever.
The rivalry between the two largest powers, America and China, will continue to intensify as both manoeuvre for advantage across economic, technological and military domains. Each is determined to tilt the balance of power in its favour and to draw others into its orbit. This rivalry will shape the strategic environment for decades to come.
These are not transient headwinds, but fundamental shifts in the tides. The seas ahead will be rougher and far less predictable than before.
We cannot command the tides. But neither are we a vessel adrift. By charting our course with quiet confidence and resolve, we can shape our own destiny.
Our first priority is to secure our home and safeguard Singapore’s place in the world. We can never take our security for granted, especially in an era when tensions can flare up suddenly, in the region and globally. We have long invested steadily in our defence, knowing that ultimately, we can only depend on ourselves for our security. What began as a matter of dire necessity has become part of our ethos. We will continue to strengthen our capabilities, counter emerging threats – from cybersecurity to hybrid warfare – and support our National Servicemen, who form the backbone of our defence.
But security goes beyond military strength. It is also about withstanding new and unconventional challenges. Foreign actors will seek to influence domestic public opinion to advance their own agendas. They will use every means – from social media to traditional platforms – to spread disinformation, seed discord and cause rifts in our society. We must therefore equip Singaporeans to discern fact from fiction, understand and uphold our national interests and resist external manipulation from near and far.
Equally, we must guard against dangers at home – from acts of terrorism to scams and to drugs in all their forms, including vapes now laced with harmful substances. These are not just law enforcement issues; they threaten the harmony, trust and confidence that underpin our society.
Security is everyone’s responsibility. Each of us must play our part in fortifying our home. Through new approaches to Total Defence and National Education, and by creating more ways for Singaporeans to contribute, we will strengthen our resilience as one people.
At the same time, we will play a constructive role in efforts to shape a fair and stable global order in the years ahead. We will contribute to deeper Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) integration, support reforms to ensure effective multilateralism at the United Nations and World Trade Organisation, and deepen our partnerships with like-minded nations to preserve and open-up flows of trade and investment. By standing with our friends and partners, we amplify our collective voice and enhance our influence.
A strong economy is vital. It generates the resources needed to secure our future and improve lives. We cannot match other countries in size or scale. But we can compete on speed, ingenuity and trust. In a more fragmented world, Singapore must remain a safe harbour: a reliable base from which to navigate global complexities, and a gateway to Asia’s dynamism.
The old playbook is no longer sufficient. Global competition is intensifying, as the major economies seek to re-shore or near-shore key investments. Yet competing on costs alone will not work. Singapore must adapt faster and innovate more boldly – to enhance our value as a trusted hub for trade, capital and talent.
This is why we are refreshing our economic strategies. The work has begun and it will go deep into the issues that matter most. Much effort will be required to restructure industries and build deeper capabilities in every sector of the future – from advanced manufacturing to information technology (IT) and finance, to clean energies and environmental sustainability. Above all, we must foster an outgoing and experimental spirit among our enterprises and people. It is how we can grow leading firms and secure good jobs and rising incomes for Singaporeans.
The trust built through many years of tripartism gives us an edge. It enables us to move faster in deploying new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), while managing disruptions to the workforce and generating new job opportunities. Most firms know of AI, but few have embarked on serious transformation. Our task is to make it practical for every enterprise to harness AI, while stepping up the reskilling and upskilling of every segment of our workforce. In this way, AI can be used both to raise efficiency and to complement human abilities, so that the gains are shared broadly and we involve all Singaporeans in building new sources of competitiveness.
None of this is inevitable. It must be actively fostered.
Technology will also be crucial in helping us tackle existential threats like climate change. We will invest in new technologies for decarbonisation and coastal protection, and support enterprises developing breakthrough environmental solutions. We will also press ahead with partnerships to develop a robust carbon credits market and mobilise finance for sustainable infrastructure in the region. In doing so, we strengthen Singapore’s resilience while contributing to the sustainability of our region and the world.
Our ambition is clear: to make Singapore a place where ideas can take root and where entrepreneurs can build, innovate, expand abroad and become regional and global leaders in their respective fields. Equally, our goal is to ensure that this progress uplifts everyone. We seek not just growth, but inclusive growth – 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.
Economic change is disorienting. Jobs and skills will keep evolving, faster than before. Old industries will fade and new ones will emerge. Skills that are in demand today may become obsolete tomorrow.
We cannot hold back this tide of change. But we can prepare ourselves – individually and collectively – to navigate it with confidence. As the economy transforms, we will empower workers with the skills they need to adapt and seize new opportunities.
We have rolled out new initiatives to provide stronger assurance in these uncertain times – the Jobseeker Support Scheme for those displaced and the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme to help mid-career workers upgrade and pivot. These schemes are not the final word. We will continue to enhance and improve them, to keep them effective in meeting the needs of Singaporeans at different stages of their careers.
These efforts reflect our conviction that Singaporeans should never face uncertainty on their own. Through Forward Singapore, we have strengthened our assurances to Singaporeans at every stage of life, so that every individual can live with dignity, purpose and hope. And we will keep building on this in the years ahead. No one will have to walk the journey alone.
For our youths: we will prepare them for a future that will be different – helping them secure good jobs, easing their anxieties and equipping them with the skills to thrive in a changing world. Beyond this, we will give them a stronger voice in shaping the Singapore they want, for they will be the co-authors of, and must own, our nation’s next chapter.
For our families: we will keep public housing affordable and accessible. Families with young children will have better access to affordable and quality early childhood services. But we know families are also stretched in caring for both the young and old. We will therefore enhance support for caregivers, including through more flexible work arrangements and a stronger ecosystem of care in the community.
For our seniors: we will be a place where every citizen can have a joyful and fulfilling life as they age. We will encourage and support those who wish to continue working, so their experience and wisdom can benefit others. For those looking to retire, we will do more to help them build a nest egg, so they can live their golden years with renewed purpose and peace of mind. Healthier SG and Age Well SG will help seniors stay healthy in body and mind, and provide more choices for independent living, whether in Community Care Apartments or in Age Well Neighbourhoods.
We also recognise the immediate pressures of daily living. Rising costs – driven by global conflicts, tariffs and supply chain disruptions – weigh heavily on households. We understand these anxieties. That is why we will continue to cushion these burdens and ensure that every citizen has access to life’s essentials.
But our aim goes beyond helping Singaporeans to cope with uncertainty. Every citizen should have the confidence that, whatever lies ahead, they can pursue their aspirations and provide for their families. By strengthening assurance and keeping opportunities open, we will build resilience and confidence as a society even in an uncertain world.
As societies mature, wealth can entrench and inequality can become self-perpetuating. We see this around the world. Privilege is passed down, while disadvantage becomes harder to escape. We cannot allow this trend to be ingrained in Singapore. We must actively resist it and find practical ways to narrow the gap.
We have worked hard to ensure fairer outcomes and we have made progress. Income inequality has declined. Wages are rising, especially for those in the lowest 20%. Our home ownership rate remains the world’s highest, even for lower-income households.
But the work is never done. We must keep social mobility alive with each new generation. This has always been a national priority and it remains our shared ambition for the future. Everyone must have the chance to move up the escalator of skills, confidence and a better life. Every Singaporean must be given the opportunity to develop themselves to their fullest potential.
This begins with early childhood. By investing from the early years onwards, we will give every Singaporean the best possible start in life. It continues through our education system, which opens up multiple pathways to success, develops good character and values, and celebrates different forms of excellence. Beyond academic abilities, we must equally value technical expertise, creative flair, practical problem-solving skills, and sporting and artistic virtuosity. The Work-Study Programmes in the polytechnics and the Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs), and expanded scholarships and development opportunities for our youths in the arts and sports, reflect this approach.
At work, we will enhance training and career pathways so that Singaporeans can excel and be recognised for their achievements across a wide range of skills and professions. This requires us to challenge deep-seated assumptions about what constitutes valuable work and who we consider to be professionals. Progress means recognising the value in every job – in the trades, crafts and services, no less than in offices and boardrooms – and ensuring that everyone who contributes to society earns respect and can build a good life.
Singapore must also remain a home where the vulnerable amongst us are not only cared for with compassion but also empowered to pursue their hopes and dreams.
We will continue to uplift lower-income families – helping them to overcome the challenges they face and to make progress in their lives. We will strengthen support for persons with disabilities – equipping them with further education and training, and helping them make smoother transitions from school to work – and enhance assistance for their caregivers too.
Ultimately, our nation’s success will never be measured by economic growth alone. It must be judged by how we support the vulnerable, and how we enable every Singaporean – young and old – to contribute, and to live with dignity. This is the promise of Singapore: that birth does not dictate destiny, that no one is left behind and that every generation can look ahead with optimism and hope.
Singapore can only stand tall if we act as one people. But unity is not mustered by belief alone. All of us must, through our everyday deeds and actions, put the collective before self: put “we” before “me”.
We will nurture a “We First” society at every level, starting in the community. We will work with community leaders to grow networks of care, such as by bringing neighbours together to support one another. We will also create more space for citizens to take the initiative and lead ground-up programmes to take on the causes that matter. Everyone will have a say in building our shared future. By creating a more open and engaged society, we will strengthen Singapore and deepen the solidarity that defines us.
We will also do more to make giving and volunteering a way of life. Whether as individuals, community groups, or enterprises, we all have a role in building a culture of contribution – one where success is not measured only by personal achievement, but by what we do together for the common good. And where, by learning about each other’s circumstances of life and experiences, we enhance our sense of shared reality.
However, a “We First” society is not only about organised programmes. It is equally about the values we live by, and our regular habits of care – from offering a seat on the train to lending a hand in times of need. They may often be simple acts, but these too are the threads that hold our social fabric together.
In many parts of the world, social divisions are hardening. Ethnic tensions, in particular, are rising, and the basic understandings that underpin stable, multicultural societies are being eroded. What makes Singapore exceptional is our unity – built not despite our diversity, but by embracing it and finding richness in our different cultures.
This unity can never be taken for granted. We must guard it zealously, especially our racial and religious harmony, which remains the foundation of our society. We should resist any temptation to use race or religion for political gain, or to view national issues through such lenses. We know too well, including from our own history, the dangerous divisions and lasting scars that result from yielding to these temptations.
Instead, we must continue to nurture what makes us distinctively Singaporean: the ability to accept our varied identities, to take a respectful interest in each other’s cultures, and to build common ground through shared experiences.
We must keep evolving and deepening our approach to multiculturalism. We do so by ensuring each of our diverse Singaporean traditions remains vibrant and refreshed with every generation. And importantly too, by encouraging the criss-crossing of influences that comes when Singaporeans delve into one another’s cultures. Just as the Singapore Chinese Orchestra recently collaborated with members of The Straits Ensemble, maestro percussionist Riduan Zalani and others to transcend traditional boundaries in a melodious celebration of SG60. Or like Syakirah Dahiyah Sudanto, now in her second year at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, who became its first non-Chinese student to pursue Chinese Studies. Or Soo Mei Fei, who stumbled upon Indian classical dance in Secondary 1 and now, in her 20s, is a professional Bharatanatyam exponent.
By both deepening our multiculturalism and enlarging our common ground, we strengthen mutual respect and grow our shared national identity.
Public trust in governments and other institutions is eroding, almost everywhere in the world. Many political systems are paralysed by gridlock, or pre-occupied with immediate issues, while larger, long-term challenges are neglected.
Singapore has defied this trend, not because we are immune to similar pressures, but because we have cultivated a different ethos of governance and politics. We have valued stewardship over expediency, enduring responsibility over transient gain. And we have been able to do so because we have built trust – both between government and the people, and amongst citizens themselves.
This trust has allowed us to make hard choices when needed and to plan for the future beyond current electoral cycles. It is the reason Singapore has avoided the dysfunction that has bedevilled so many other countries. But trust must be continually earned – through continuous dialogue, listening, accountability and a shared sense of purpose.
As we turn the page on SG60 and write our nation’s next chapter, let us be guided by this spirit of trust. Let us stay firm in our resolve, yet open to change; confident in our future, yet humble about our place in the world; proud of our diversity, yet united as one people. This is how we will build a better Singapore – not just for ourselves, but for our children and generations to come. Majulah Singapura! [Applause.]
Adjourned accordingly at 8.29 pm.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Defence","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (Mr Chan Chun Sing): The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will remain steadfast in safeguarding Singapore’s sovereignty, peace, and security in a world marked by growing uncertainty, increasingly transactional relationships and eroding shared norms.
New and emerging security threats present opportunities to work with like-minded countries to strengthen preparedness and collective resilience. MINDEF will deepen our relevance to existing defence partners, while actively building and expanding collaborations with new ones.
We will contribute to multilateral platforms and partnerships that uphold respect for international law and preserve a rules-based order, including the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), the ADMM-Plus, and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
Advances in technology, particularly low-cost, unmanned, and dual-use systems, are redefining warfare. The SAF will continue to evolve its operational concepts, accelerate digital transformation, and adopt technologies that serve as force multipliers. We will establish new structures to drive the development of new capabilities, especially in advanced cybersecurity and unmanned platforms.
We will make judicious decisions on what to buy, build, or co-develop with partners. By strengthening indigenous capacities and developing unique value propositions, we will position ourselves as a partner of choice in capability building, technology innovation, and supply chain resilience.
National Service (NS) remains the cornerstone of our defence. The SAF will deploy service personnel more effectively, and adopt technologies that complement and amplify their strengths.
To enable our people to contribute to the best of their abilities, the SAF will refine our medical classification system, redesign vocations and roles, and provide more opportunities for Operationally Ready National Servicemen to apply their civilian expertise. We will continue to ensure that the training is rigorous, realistic and safe.
Every Singaporean plays a vital role in our defence. MINDEF will expand opportunities for volunteers of all ages, skillsets and backgrounds to contribute to national defence. Through Total Defence, we will better prepare Singaporeans for crises and disruptions, including through partnerships with government agencies, businesses and community groups, to uphold our collective resilience across generations.
MINDEF will refresh its approach to National Education, to deepen our public’s understanding of the changing external environment and Singapore’s fundamental realities, foster public support for national priorities and strengthen commitment to defence and NS.
MINDEF and the SAF will enhance strategic relevance, strengthen military readiness and build whole-of-nation resilience to ensure Singapore’s continued peace, security and success in a changing world.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Foreign Affairs","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): The world is in transition from the post-Cold War order to a more uncertain era, marked by disruptions to global trade, the weaponisation of economic tools, rising risks of conflicts, weakening multilateralism, sharper major power rivalry and rapid technological change. These shifts pose serious challenges for Singapore, whose survival and prosperity depend on free trade, access to global supply chains, and our role as a business and logistics hub.
Singapore’s foreign policy must adapt swiftly to these realities. Our strength lies in our reputation for stability and reliability, and in our national unity and resilience. To remain relevant and trusted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) will: first, maintain consistent and pragmatic engagement with all countries, be it our immediate neighbours, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), or major and middle powers; second, reinforce our role as a credible and reliable partner; and third, look after Singaporeans overseas and build domestic support for our foreign policy.
Constructive cooperation with our immediate neighbours is vital. With Malaysia, we will support the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link. These projects will enhance connectivity and strengthen economic and people-to-people ties. With Indonesia, the Expanded Framework Agreements on airspace management, defence and law enforcement marked a milestone in our bilateral relations and provide a strong foundation for cooperation in new areas like renewable energy and human capital development.
ASEAN remains a cornerstone of our foreign policy. ASEAN holds tremendous potential to be unlocked through deeper regional integration. We will increase intra-ASEAN linkages and build a more sustainable future by upgrading and fully implementing our trade agreements, deepening cross-border digital frameworks, developing the ASEAN Power Grid and advancing green economy standards. We will also expand ASEAN’s network of partnerships, ensure key international players have a stake in the region’s success and work towards an open, inclusive and ASEAN-centred region.
MFA will strengthen ties with both the United States and China – important partners across many domains. MFA will also expand our circles of friends, which include middle powers in emerging regions of growth such as Africa, Central Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. We will build on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships (CSPs) and Strategic Partnerships (SPs) we have with countries like France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Vietnam, and launch a CSP with New Zealand and a SP with the Republic of Korea. We will open new diplomatic missions in Africa and Latin America in the coming years. Through our new Development Partnerships Directorate, MFA will strengthen the Singapore Cooperation Programme to share our experience with others and coordinate Singapore’s development partnerships in areas where we have relevant strengths.
Our growing network of free trade agreements are avenues to work with like-minded partners. We are exploring partnerships between the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the European Union and ASEAN to preserve open flows of trade and investment and build economic resilience. We are also expanding collaboration in Digital Economy and Green Economy to create opportunities for Singaporeans in forward-looking areas.
We will proactively support effective rules-based multilateralism at the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization, while playing a constructive role in plurilateral arrangements. By advancing a positive agenda in areas like artificial intelligence, climate change, and pandemic preparedness, MFA will continue to demonstrate our commitment to being a responsible steward of the global commons.
Despite the challenges of global governance, patient and skilful diplomacy can produce consensus outcomes. Singapore’s recent Chairmanship of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Cybersecurity established a new UN Global Mechanism on Cybersecurity. Singapore contributes to the development of global norms through our participation in the Councils of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization. We have put forward Ambassador for International Law Rena Lee to serve as a Judge in the International Court of Justice and Mr Daren Tang for re-election as Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
The safety of Singaporeans abroad remains a priority. MFA will strengthen consular capabilities, expand diplomatic networks and enhance emergency response coordination, including through digital tools like the eRegister platform.
National unity is essential in navigating a more contested geopolitical climate and withstanding external pressures. MFA will continue engaging Singaporeans on our core foreign policy considerations and Singapore’s role on the global stage, building the domestic support needed to act in our long-term national interests.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Prime Minister’s Office (National Security Coordination Secretariat)","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (Mr K Shanmugam): In an increasingly fragmented and dangerous world, Singapore faces growing and new security risks that threaten our national security and sovereignty. Interactions between big power contestation, digital connectivity, economic weaponisation and technological advances will introduce complex risks to our infrastructure, economy, and supply chains. Misinformation and the resultant polarisation of views could deepen societal fault lines and threaten our cohesion and stability.
The National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) adopts a whole-of-Government (WOG) approach to organise inter-agency work to identify, assess and mitigate national security risks spanning different domains.
NSCS works with Government agencies to identify key emerging, cross-cutting security risks, assess the security implications of these risks on various domains as well as on interdependencies across these domains, and develop solutions and coordinate responses to address such risks. For example, rising digital connectivity could result in growing interdependencies across the economic and social domain, and the compromise of digital systems in an economic sector could have security consequences on other sectors. Inter-agency alignment and coordination are therefore critical in mitigating and tackling these complex and interdependent risks.
As Singapore’s risks and vulnerabilities evolve, so must our national security capabilities to deal with them. NSCS supports efforts to strengthen the Public Service’s capability to organise itself to respond to risks in a proactive, agile, and well-coordinated manner. This capability building effort takes a WOG approach, covering not only operational and technological aspects, but also public education and communications.
As we navigate an increasingly volatile and uncertain external environment, Singapore must remain proactive and well-coordinated in tackling cross-cutting and emerging risks to our national security. NSCS will continue to work closely with other Government agencies to achieve this mission.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Manpower","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Manpower (Dr Tan See Leng): The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) champions human potential for a thriving Singapore. Our future economy is being reshaped by global trends and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). Workers will live longer, with more diverse career aspirations and evolving needs across life stages. Our future workplaces will need to support technology-enabled jobs and multi-stage careers. Amid these challenges and disruptions, we must collectively shape a future of work that enables growth, fulfillment and diverse pathways to success.
MOM's priority is to empower Singaporeans to thrive in the new economy. We will help them unlock their potential by deepening skills and expertise, mapping career pathways and connecting them to opportunities that make the most of their abilities.
Through the Economic Strategy Review and National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, MOM will support broad-based AI literacy and AI adoption across the workforce. As part of the SkillsFuture movement, MOM will drive the Career Health SG initiative to help Singaporeans navigate the fast-changing job market with confidence. We will grow a more vibrant ecosystem of career guidance, training and employment facilitation to support a diverse workforce. We have also launched an Alliance for Action on Advancing Career and Employment Services to co-develop innovative solutions with the private sector.
As Singaporeans live longer, their careers will increasingly span multiple stages. MOM will help citizens adapt to this change by encouraging flexible work, promoting multi-generational workplaces, and enabling better balance between work and personal priorities. The Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment will reimagine ways to drive career longevity, engage Singaporeans on their aspirations, and partner forward-thinking employers to co-create innovative age-friendly jobs and multi-generational workplace solutions.
As seniors remain active in the workforce for longer, they will also be able to save more for retirement. MOM will continue to strengthen the Central Provident Fund (CPF) system, so that those who contribute consistently to their CPF will be assured of meeting their basic needs in old age. We will raise the Basic Retirement Sum for future cohorts to help Singaporeans build up more savings for their retirement years. At the same time, we will continue to provide support for those who, despite their best efforts, may not be able to set aside enough – through schemes like the Workfare Income Supplement, the Matched Retirement Savings Scheme and the Silver Support Scheme. We will also continue to provide options for those who want to save more in their CPF.
MOM will support businesses to build talent in three ways. First, adopting skills-first hiring to unlock new talent pools. Second, creating rich career development and progression opportunities within the firm to stretch and retain talent. Third, uplifting the human resources profession. We have launched the Tripartite Workgroup on Human Capital Capability Development to drive this work. In an age of AI-driven automation, we will also help enterprises transform with their workers, rather than to do without them, through initiatives like the Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package.
We will support Singaporeans in gaining global exposure for professional development and future leadership, through programmes like the Overseas Markets Immersion Programme. At the same time, we will refine our foreign workforce policies so that businesses can bring in talent that complements our Singaporean core and ultimately create more jobs and opportunities for our people.
MOM will strive for growth that is fairer, safer and more inclusive. We are raising standards through the Workplace Fairness Act, to assure employees and jobseekers of fair treatment. We will also reinforce workplace safety and health, and ensure we remain on track towards our 2028 goal of reducing fatal injury rate below 1.0 per 100,000 workers.
We will update the Employment Act to ensure adequate protections for different groups of workers, to keep up with new workplace and technological trends, while streamlining compliance for businesses. Platform workers are now covered under the Platform Workers Act and a trilateral platform has also been set up to address challenges faced by platform workers. With increasingly diverse forms of work and work arrangements, we will study how to better support platform workers, self-employed persons and freelancers in terms of workplace protections, reskilling and career pathways.
MOM will keep opportunities open to all. For those who face setbacks, we will help them bounce back with confidence. We have introduced the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme to help those who have lost their jobs find their way back to employment. Lower-wage workers can look forward to continued wage increases under the Progressive Wage Model and more support to upskill and reskill via the Workfare Skills Support. We will also professionalise skilled trades, so that our economy provides multiple pathways to success.
MOM will work with other government agencies and stakeholders to build an empowered workforce and thriving workplaces. We will support Singaporeans to face future challenges and chart out their future paths for success.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Trade and Industry","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Gan Kim Yong): The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will refresh Singapore’s economic blueprint and keep our economy strong and resilient in a changed world. We will position Singapore as a home to leading firms, a key global business hub, and a vital connector in the global economy. Through these efforts, we will foster productivity-led and innovation-driven growth and create good jobs for Singaporeans.
We are operating in a changed world, marked by major uncertainties and structural shifts. The tripartite Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce will support workers and businesses to navigate and respond to immediate challenges arising from increased tariffs. At the same time, MTI is undertaking an Economic Strategy Review to chart a forward-looking blueprint to better position our economy, businesses and workers in this new landscape.
MTI will intensify efforts to capture opportunities in new growth areas. We will strengthen advanced manufacturing by leveraging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and biotechnology. We will seize opportunities in the green and digital economy.
MTI will sustain investments in research and development, to encourage widespread innovation and bring new products and services to the market. This includes stronger collaborations between industry and academia, and next-generation infrastructure such as the Punggol Digital District, to support our growth enterprises.
We will continue to encourage investments in our tourism and lifestyle sectors, and contribute to the vibrancy of Singapore as a city to live, work and play.
MTI will continue to attract globally leading companies by leveraging and improving our efficient infrastructure, extensive connectivity, highly skilled workforce and pro-business environment. Anchoring these firms in Singapore enables us to access global markets, deepen capital formation, acquire cutting-edge technologies and know-how, and help our small and medium-sized enterprises plug into global supply chains.
MTI will grow the pool of Singapore Global Enterprises by helping promising local enterprises internationalise and grow into regional or global leaders. We will raise the productivity of local enterprises, by accelerating the adoption of digital and AI-enabled solutions and supporting workforce training.
We will help firms transition to a low-carbon economy, while safeguarding energy security and maintaining competitiveness. We will step up domestic solar deployment and advance cross-border electricity trading. We will also develop capabilities in other potential low carbon pathways, such as nuclear energy and hydrogen. We will also explore carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies and develop markets for high-quality carbon credits.
Amid global shifts, Singapore must remain a trusted and connected business hub, deeply integrated into global supply chains and trade flows.
MTI will deepen regional economic integration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and enhance linkages with our neighbours, enhancing Singapore’s value proposition as a base for investments into the region. We will also strengthen ASEAN’s partnership with major economies and other economic blocs, such as the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council, to enhance ASEAN’s role in the global trade architecture.
Beyond our 28 Free Trade Agreements, MTI will expand trade links with emerging markets, such as Latin America, South Asia, Middle East and Africa. At the same time, we will further cooperation in strategic growth areas. For example, we are expanding our network of Digital Economy Agreements to establish rules and standards around issues such as personal data and online consumer protection, enabling businesses to operate more seamlessly across borders. We are also advancing Green Economy Agreements to catalyse trade and investment flows that support the low-carbon transition of our economy.
MTI will work with like-minded partners to support the rules-based trading system, to help businesses navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities. We will deepen engagement in existing trading frameworks, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and with other economic regions. We will also work with other trade-dependent countries to support reforms at the World Trade Organization to uphold open, fair and effective global trade.
Our people are at the heart of our economy. Our strategies will create more opportunities for Singaporeans to thrive and share in the benefits of growth. MTI will work with companies, unions, trade associations and chambers, as well as the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Education, to equip citizens with future-ready, industry-relevant skills and support career transitions into growth sectors. In doing so, we will ensure that every Singaporean can aspire to good jobs, secure progress and build a better future for themselves and their families.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Prime Minister's Office (Monetary Authority of Singapore)","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Gan Kim Yong): The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) seeks to promote sustained non-inflationary economic growth and foster a trusted and resilient financial sector and will continue to do so amid the increasing global uncertainties and new risks. MAS will work with partners to secure Singapore’s position as a leading and innovative global financial centre.
This year, MAS eased monetary policy settings twice in response to the sustained decline in Singapore’s Core Inflation rate. With increasing global fragmentation, we must be ready for major shifts in production and supply chains. MAS will stay vigilant to the impact of these developments on growth and inflation. If cyclical economic conditions weaken unexpectedly during this period, MAS will ensure that the monetary policy response is timely and appropriate, while considering other supportive measures in conjunction with the financial sector.
MAS will uphold Singapore’s standing as a trusted financial centre through robust supervision and risk-proportionate regulation.
We will continue to work with the financial industry and other Government agencies to protect Singapore’s financial system from illegal activities. We have tightened controls to make it harder for scammers to access customer accounts or validate unauthorised transactions. We have also worked with banks to introduce Money Lock, to limit potential losses should customers’ digital banking access be compromised. We will consider other safeguards to fight scams, such as stronger user authentication to prevent unauthorised transactions.
On consumer protection, MAS has updated its Fair Dealing Guidelines to raise standards and improve the experience of customers dealing with financial institutions. We have also launched a Basic Financial Planning Guide to strengthen consumer education and help individuals take action to address savings, insurance and investment needs across life stages.
Singapore’s financial sector continues to see broad-based growth. MAS will continue to work with financial institutions to deepen capabilities across key asset classes such as banking, foreign exchange, insurance, asset and wealth management and payments. The Equities Market Review Group has recommended measures to encourage quality listings, enhance investor participation and broaden market liquidity and re-position regulatory structures and approach. The Review Group will consider additional proposals and complete its report by end-2025.
MAS will support financial institutions in building capabilities to adopt AI technologies in financial services, through the Financial Sector Technology and Innovation Grant Scheme. Industry collaborations, like the Pathfinder programme, will allow financial institutions to exchange insights and share experiences, including on AI use cases, and provide greater clarity on the responsible use of AI. We will also upskill the financial sector workforce to work effectively with AI.
MAS will continue to facilitate industry efforts to expand the use of tokenisation in financial assets transactions, to achieve greater efficiency and lower cost. Our plans include (a) forming broader commercial networks to deepen liquidity of tokenised assets; (b) facilitating interoperability across digital asset market infrastructures; (c) fostering standardised industry frameworks for tokenised asset implementation and adoption; and (d) enabling access to common settlement facility for tokenised assets.
MAS remains committed to support Asia’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Through the Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P), we aim to mobilise up to US$5 billion for decarbonisation and climate transition. A FAST-P office will facilitate the deployment of up to US$500 million of concessional capital from the Government, alongside capital from other partners. This blended finance model will seek to attract more funding for sustainable infrastructure in the region.
MAS will ensure that our workforce is equipped to navigate increasing complexities in the financial sector. The Sustainable Finance Jobs Transformation Map has identified the skills that our workforce will need to support the growing sustainable finance market.
Amid global uncertainty, MAS remains committed to securing medium-term price stability. We will continue to stay vigilant to risks and developments in global markets that affect Singapore and ensure that the financial system remains resilient and competitive.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Prime Minister's Office (National Research Foundation)","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Gan Kim Yong): The National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to build strong research expertise and a dynamic Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) ecosystem that advances Singapore’s competitiveness and drives societal and economic impact for Singapore and the world. This will be achieved through our RIE 2030 efforts.
Through steady investments in science and technology, NRF has built a strong research and talent base, alongside a promising innovation and enterprise system. We are leveraging deep scientific capabilities and intellectual property to catalyse further research and development (R&D).
The benefits from RIE investments extend beyond the economy to society at large. For example, our National Precision Medicine Programme aims to develop more targeted treatments based on the genetic make-up of our patients and population. Technologies such as floating solar photovoltaics and building-integrated photovoltaics allow us to optimise renewable energy generation from our limited land size.
We will also deepen international research partnerships which reinforce Singapore’s position as a trusted node of technology, innovation and enterprise. These partnerships extend beyond extensive research collaborations at the individual and institutional levels, to joint dialogue platforms like the Singapore-France Joint Committee on Science and Innovation, and collaborations with multiple overseas universities under the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) initiative.
The Government has consistently invested about 1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in RIE activities, with $28 billion allocated over five years for RIE 2025. These investments focus on areas of high impact and strategic importance, including advanced manufacturing and engineering, health and biomedical sciences, sustainability and urban solutions, as well as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum and digital technologies.
RIE 2025 is making good progress. The quality of our talent and research has continued to rise, as evidenced by our Field-Weighted Citation Impact, which grew from 1.47 in 2014 to 1.74 in 2024, 74% above the global average. There are over 20 corporate laboratories and Centres of Innovation and business expenditure on R&D increased from $5.5 billion in 2018 (1% of GDP) to $8.1 billion (1.2% of GDP) in 2022. Venture capital investments in early-stage deep tech deals have more than tripled from $478 million in 2020 to $1.56 billion in 2023.
Building on RIE 2025, RIE 2030 will sharpen our focus on achieving transformative outcomes for the economy and national strategic priorities.
RIE2030 will launch a new wave of large-scale, cross-cutting R&D programmes, in the form of RIE Flagships and RIE Grand Challenges. These will target selected economic sectors and national strategic priorities respectively. We will take a systematic approach to define desired economic and strategic outcomes, identify major bottlenecks where R&D is needed and develop a coordinated portfolio of research programmes to realise our goals. These programmes will draw on relevant research and translational capabilities across Singapore, including through partnerships with private sector players.
In parallel, NRF will continue to invest in talent and basic research, while strengthening Singapore’s AI and compute research capabilities. We will strengthen our portfolio of research grants, fellowships and investigatorships to nurture local researchers, attract top-tier and promising research talent and enhance links between our researchers and the global community. We will also establish a long-term plan to maintain and upgrade our essential research infrastructure.
Building on RIE 2025’s achievements, RIE 2030 will focus on leveraging our research strengths to achieve greater societal and economic impact, while continuing to keep our basic research capabilities, talent and infrastructure at the cutting-edge.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Education","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Education (Mr Desmond Lee): The Ministry of Education (MOE) will continue to enhance our education system so that Singaporeans can flourish at every stage of their lives and reach their fullest potential, regardless of starting point. We will equip and empower Singaporeans to learn for life and thrive in an artificial intelligence (AI)- transformed future.
MOE will partner parents to equip our students with future-ready skills and competencies so that they can thrive in school, work and life.
We have reduced the over-emphasis on academic results by revising the Primary School Leaving Examination scoring system and the junior college admission criteria. We want our students to embrace learning beyond grades and have more time and opportunities to develop 21st Century Competencies and pursue other interests.
We will strengthen support for students’ social-emotional development and well-being, working with parents and stakeholders through Grow Well SG to encourage healthy habits and support mental wellness.
To nurture appreciation and respect, we will ensure schools remain open to students from all backgrounds and create more opportunities for interaction.
MOE will support students of different strengths and interests, helping them develop to their fullest potential, regardless of background or starting point in life. We have implemented Full Subject-Based Banding in secondary schools, which has allowed students to better customise their learning experiences.
We will provide more opportunities to stretch our students at different stages of their education. This includes refreshing our approach to support higher-ability learners with the review of the Gifted Education Programme and enabling more students to pursue Mother Tongue Language at a higher level in secondary school.
We will do more to support children from families with complex needs. Through additional resources in schools and stronger partnerships with the community, we will provide wraparound support for their learning and well-being, through initiatives like ComLink+.
For students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), we have strengthened teacher capacity in both mainstream and Special Education (SPED) schools, and enhanced accessibility, affordability and quality in SPED schools. We will help students with SEN to transition smoothly into employment or community pathways after completing their education. For example, the Institute of Technical Education and SG Enable will work with companies to enhance internship and employment support programmes for students with SEN.
AI will transform our economy and society. MOE will equip learners and educators to thrive in this new future. Students in our schools and Institutes of Higher Learning will learn how to use AI responsibly and acquire the competencies needed for an AI-driven workplace. Guidelines have been put in place to ensure that AI enhances, rather than compromises, learning. We will also equip students with critical skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, so that they can create value beyond AI. Educators will be trained to use AI meaningfully and guide students effectively. SkillsFuture Singapore will also raise AI literacy broadly, so that those already in the workforce can become confident AI users.
MOE will strengthen the quality and industry relevance of training, expand upskilling and re-skilling pathways, and uplift the professional standards of adult educators to support lifelong learning.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of SkillsFuture. To take it further, we need a whole-of-society effort: (a) individuals taking charge of their learning; (b) employers helping workers build industry-relevant skills; and (c) training providers updating curricula and courses to meet industry needs.
A strong education system requires collective effort. We will support our teachers, school administrators and allied educators, to deliver good quality education which brings out the best in our students. Parents are our key partners. We will build on the Guidelines for School-Home Partnerships and the Parenting for Wellness initiative to strengthen how parents and teachers work together to support our children’s mental health and emotional resilience, especially in the digital age.
Together with Singaporeans, MOE will equip every citizen with the knowledge and skills to reach their fullest potential.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Health","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (Mr Ong Ye Kung): The Ministry of Health (MOH) is transforming our healthcare system, so it remains high quality, accessible and affordable, even as our population ages and patient load increases.
MOH will need to expand healthcare infrastructure to meet rising demand. By 2030, we expect to add 2,800 acute and community hospital beds, a 25% increase, through the new Eastern General Hospital and the redevelopment of Alexandra Hospital. Within this timeframe, we aim to open six new polyclinics in Bidadari, Kaki Bukit, Serangoon, Tengah, Yew Tee and Taman Jurong, and another 10,000 nursing home beds. Beyond 2030, we will open a new general and community hospital in Tengah and redevelop both the Singapore General Hospital and National University Hospital campuses.
To support capacity expansion, MOH will grow the healthcare workforce by another 20% by 2030, while broadening and deepening its expertise. Medical workforce transformation in public hospitals will be a key priority in this term of Government. We will formalise Family Medicine as a specialty, given its growing importance to population health. We will enhance the capabilities of our nurses and allied health professionals through modular work-study training pathways, enabling them to take on more complex and varied roles in areas of need, such as in palliative care, critical care and community health. Acute hospitals will adopt a more holistic and patient-centred model by consolidating care across various specialist teams.
MOH will drive technology adoption proactively and thoughtfully, with a focus on impactful systemwide use-cases. Precision medicine and artificial intelligence (AI) form a powerful and promising combination. We will make imaging AI a national capability in public healthcare by end-2026, launch an AI assistant on the consolidated HealthHub app and progressively introduce AI for predictive and preventive care, so that we can intervene early to delay or prevent the onset of serious illnesses. We will also deepen research in genomics and introduce more cost-effective precision medicine therapies into our mainstream healthcare system.
MOH has seen good progress with Healthier SG so far, with over 1.3 million residents enrolled. We will continue to improve the scheme. We will better support enrollees to fulfil their health plans and expand coverage for mental health conditions. We will improve environmental determinants of good health, including by helping individuals cut down sodium and fat intake through better food labelling and enhancing sports and fitness facilities in the community.
MOH will upgrade Grow Well SG to help our young build healthier habits and reduce risks from sedentary lifestyles and excessive screen time. We will place special focus on their mental health. Together with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other agencies, we will also rigorously enforce against vaping, especially etomidate-laced vapes, which can destroy many young lives.
Under Age Well SG, MOH is helping seniors age actively within the community and stay socially connected. This includes plans to expand our Active Ageing Centre network and better coordinate community-based care support for seniors, from Home Personal Care to Shared Stay-in Senior Caregiving. Public hospitals will expand services in the community through Community Health Posts, which will, over time be synergised with the Active Ageing Centres. Other agencies will make the physical living environment more senior-friendly, such as through the Silver Upgrading Programme and the Friendly Streets initiative. Singapore lacks space for many retirement villages, but by combining and integrating these improvements, we can transform existing housing estates into Age Well Neighbourhoods, where seniors can age in place healthily.
MOH will continue to review our S+3M system (Subsidies, MediShield Life, MediSave and MediFund) so that healthcare remains affordable. In particular, our schemes must help anchor care in the community by strengthening the role of the General Practitioners in enhancing population health and looking after chronic patients in the community. Over-servicing and unnecessary treatments have led to significant wastage and rising costs in private healthcare, made worse by overly generous health insurance policies, especially riders. This is unsustainable and we will work with the industry to address this.
MOH will drive the transformation of our health care system to significantly shift care delivery away from acute hospitals to the community, especially for preventive care and population health, enabled by investments in manpower transformation and technology.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Social and Family Development","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Social and Family Development (Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M): The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will nurture resilient individuals, strong families and a caring society. Guided by family-centred, proactive and strengths-based approaches, we will give Singaporeans greater assurance throughout life’s journey.
MSF will support families through every life stage. For families with young children, we will ensure access to affordable and quality early childhood (EC) services. We are on track to offer places for 80% of preschoolers in Government-supported preschools by the end of 2025 and will continue to keep pre-school affordable while expanding infant care options. We will invest in the professional development of EC educators and partner preschools to enable each child to achieve their potential.
We will rally like-minded individuals, families and organisations to expand marriage and family programmes through the Families for Life (FFL) movement. For those facing family relationships challenges, MSF will develop accessible and affordable family counselling services. We will support caregivers in looking after loved ones and help them stay in or return to employment. We will review the Mental Capacity Act to better support families with vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity, while strengthening safeguards against misuse or abuse of the Lasting Powers of Attorney.
For Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), MSF will enhance employment support and opportunities for lifelong learning and strengthen home-based and community support to enable PwDs to live and participate fully in society. We will help families with PwDs prepare for needs across life stages through Person- and Family-centred Planning and foster positive attitudes towards PwDs.
We are committed to building a society where men and women stand as equals and can pursue their aspirations to the fullest. We will lead the whole-of-Government efforts to strengthen support for women in the family, workplace and society. Together we will move towards a fairer and more inclusive society.
MSF will support lower-income families in gaining stability, self-reliance and social mobility. Through ComLink+, dedicated family coaches and volunteer befrienders will journey alongside these families to set and achieve their goals, with Progress Packages providing additional financial support to recognise their efforts. We will continue to invest in child development through KidSTART and help families with young children enrol in and attend preschools.
We will improve the experience of families who need ComCare assistance and regularly review and update ComCare payouts. We will also enhance the physical and digital delivery of services at Social Service Offices, while improving coordination with other public organisations and social service agencies. The Family Services Review Committee, comprising senior leaders from the sector and MSF, is examining how we can deliver more holistic, family-centric services to improve outcomes for families with complex issues.
To reduce the incidence of domestic violence and youth offending, MSF will enhance investments in preventive interventions. We will also strengthen the legal framework for protecting survivors through a new Domestic Violence Act.
MSF will strengthen the National Council of Social Service’s role as a sector developer and support the sector in offering rewarding and meaningful careers to social service professionals. We will also encourage the pervasive adoption of digital technology, including artificial intelligence, to enhance social services.
MSF will develop a comprehensive infrastructure plan for the next generation of social and residential services, making our services more accessible and fostering closer collaboration between social service agencies serving the same community.
We will deepen our partnerships with research institutes and the innovation ecosystem in the social sciences and technology. We will strengthen regional and international collaboration to encourage the exchange of ideas, especially in the areas of family development and social mobility.
We will grow the number of organisations that embrace the Sustainable Philanthropy Framework and commit time, talent and treasure to build a more caring society. We will amplify the contributions and impact of giving through SG SHARE and Community Chest, ensuring philanthropic efforts grow alongside the economy.
MSF alone cannot nurture strong families and build a caring society. Strong families and meaningful opportunities grow from the support of communities, businesses and individuals working together. We will join hands with Singaporeans, in the spirit of Forward Singapore, to build a caring and inclusive future for all.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of National Development","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for National Development (Mr Chee Hong Tat): The Ministry of National Development (MND) will continue to build an endearing city to live, work and play.
The Draft Master Plan 2025, developed through the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s extensive public engagement exercise, showcases our shared vision for Singapore’s land use plans and strategies for the next 10 to 15 years.
We will build more homes that cater to different needs, rejuvenate older neighbourhoods and estates, and make them more liveable, vibrant and senior-friendly. Business nodes and workplaces will be revitalised, bringing jobs closer to homes. The northern, eastern, and western gateways will grow as important economic nodes, while the city centre will remain a vital destination for business, tourism and culture, anchoring Singapore’s status as a global hub.
MND will keep public housing affordable and accessible, through a robust supply of Build-To-Order flats across different regions, including more with shorter waiting times. We will review the public housing income ceiling and study how to provide more housing options, including for singles, seniors and larger families. We will continue to improve public rental housing, including upgrading older rental blocks and supporting more rental households to own their homes.
We will also maintain a strong supply of land for private housing.
MND will enhance support for Singaporeans living in older estates, including by upgrading older towns and homes through programmes like the Home Improvement Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. We will improve infrastructure and amenities to make towns more senior-friendly. We will also develop and flesh out the framework for the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme.
Selected private housing estates will also benefit from senior-friendly enhancements, under the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) (Regular Estate) and the EUP (Silver Estate). We will review legislation to ensure Management Corporations maintain and upgrade their ageing developments to meet the needs of their residents. Eligible households with seniors living in private properties will also get support to install in-home senior-friendly fittings under the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Private) programme.
MND will ensure towns are well-served with recreation amenities. We will build more integrated community hubs, for example in Toa Payoh and Woodlands, bringing together sports facilities, healthcare and community spaces in one convenient location. We are expanding the network of parks and park connectors to make green spaces more accessible and planning new public spaces along Identity Corridors that anchor community activity.
MND will mitigate the impact of climate change on Singaporeans through measures such as climate-sensitive urban planning and building design and the use of cool paints to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures.
MND will work with industry partners to uplift the built environment (BE) sector and to offer more career opportunities for Singaporeans. We will continue to empower BE firms to embrace technologies such as artificial intelligence tools, automation and digital collaboration across the building lifecycle.
MND will advance a pro-enterprise agenda, by streamlining our regulatory processes through the implementation of CORENET X and reducing regulatory burden and business costs.
MND will work with industry partners to catalyse new growth opportunities. This includes empowering commercial property owners to undertake place management through the Business Improvement District initiative and partnering local companies to develop innovative products and solutions, which can benefit the BE sector in Singapore and abroad.
Together with all Singaporeans, MND will shape a vibrant and sustainable future for our city – one that every generation can take pride in calling home.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien): The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) will strengthen Singapore’s environmental sustainability efforts and climate adaptation plans, even as we strive to uplift the daily environmental experiences of Singaporeans.
Global cooperation around responding to climate change is weakening. This heightens the risks that global warming could impose on our infrastructure, economy and society. MSE will develop Singapore’s inaugural National Adaptation Plan (NAP) that articulates targeted strategies to address physical risks and other impacts of climate change. The NAP will serve as our long-term roadmap outlining actions that we will collectively take with Singaporeans to enhance our climate resilience.
MSE will develop a whole-of-Government integrated strategy for heat resilience, in partnership with businesses, academia and community. We will increase investments in science and technology to identify innovative and effective solutions to manage the effects of heat on our population and protect lives and livelihoods.
To prepare for rising sea levels, MSE is undertaking site-specific studies across our coastline to identify and construct the most fit-for-purpose multi-functional coastal protection measures. We will press on with research efforts to develop new coastal protection technologies and solutions while learning from the best-in-class internationally.
Global food supply chains face will increasingly be disrupted by disease outbreaks, extreme weather events and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. MSE will enhance our food supply resilience by continuing to diversify our food import sources, build up our stockpile of essential food items and help our local agri-food industry scale up and become more productive and climate-resilient.
Singapore is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To support our decarbonisation journey, MSE administers the carbon tax, a key enabler which complements other mitigation measures, by sending an economy-wide price signal to help businesses plan and internalise the cost of carbon emissions. Internationally, we will work with partners to develop mitigation measures such as the carbon credits market and carbon capture, utilisation and storage solutions, including conducting carbon capture trials for our Waste-to-Energy plants.
MSE will invest in building Singapore’s capacity to assess the safety of nuclear energy options. As regional countries explore the use of nuclear energy, we will strengthen regional and international civil nuclear cooperation and enhance our incident response capabilities, including in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
MSE will continue to plan long-term and invest in our water infrastructure, as water demand is expected to almost double by 2065, in line with our economic and population growth.
As Singapore’s only landfill, Semakau Landfill, continues to fill up, Singapore must make greater strides to reduce, reuse and recycle. MSE will work with industry to reduce waste disposal, improve recycling and explore better ways to reuse waste residues. We will launch our Beverage Container Return Scheme in partnership with the beverage industry.
MSE continues to work with partners and the community to improve public hygiene. We will target persistent littering and rat issues by tackling hotspots with technology, upstream refuse management and stronger enforcement. To support the provision of affordable food options, the Government will invest up to $1 billion to upgrade existing hawker centres and build five new ones over the next 20 to 30 years.
MSE will harness new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and data analytics, to improve our operations and better serve Singaporeans.
Environmental sustainability is a shared journey. Our programmes such as the SG Eco Fund and Go Green SG connect and support communities, corporates, non-governmental organisations and schools to embrace sustainable lifestyles and contribute to climate action. Together, we will work towards ensuring a greener, more liveable and climate resilient Singapore.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Transport","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Acting Minister for Transport (Mr Jeffrey Siow): The Ministry of Transport (MOT) will strengthen Singapore's position as a global sustainable aviation and maritime hub and increase transportation options for Singaporeans to meet future mobility needs.
MOT will continue to expand international linkages in air, sea and land transport through stronger international cooperation and strategic agreements with key partners. This will enhance Singapore's role as a trusted node in the global supply chain and a vital connector between Asia and the world, while expanding opportunities for businesses and creating good jobs for Singaporeans.
Changi Terminal 5 (T5) will bolster Singapore's air connectivity and reinforce Changi's position as a leading global air hub. When operational in the mid-2030s, T5 will increase Changi's annual passenger capacity by more than 50% to serve about 50 million more passengers and grow city links from around 170 today to over 200.
Beyond T5, the Changi East Industrial Zone and the revamped Changi Airfreight Centre will increase Singapore’s air cargo handling capacity by 80% to 5.4 million tonnes per annum. We will also develop the Changi East Urban District, a new lifestyle and business hub located at the doorstep of T5, that will offer new spaces for Singaporeans and visitors to connect, work and play.
Ahead of T5’s opening, MOT will work with tripartite partners to uplift aviation careers, through jobs transformation, skills upgrading and adoption of technology such as autonomous airside vehicles and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise operations. Our air hub will also become more sustainable with the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
The Port of Singapore, one of the world’s busiest container ports, will expand further. When completed in the 2040s, Tuas Port will have a handling capacity of 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units annually, almost 60% more than today, with round-the-clock operations supported by automation and AI. The consolidation of port facilities at Tuas will free up land in the city centre for urban development and green spaces that Singaporeans can enjoy.
As the maritime industry decarbonises, MOT will also build expertise and infrastructure to handle alternative fuels at scale, so that our port remains ready for a low-carbon future.
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, expected to begin service by December 2026, will connect Woodlands North to Bukit Chagar in just five minutes, and carry up to 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The RTS link will serve the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and strengthen economic and people ties between Singapore and Malaysia.
Under the Land Transport Master Plan, MOT will continue to expand our rail network. In the coming years, we will close the loop for the Circle Line, extend the Downtown Line and Thomson-East Coast Line and progressively open the new Jurong Region Line (JRL). The Cross Island Line will link all existing lines when it is completed, providing an alternative route during planned maintenance and in the event of disruption. By the early 2030s, eight in ten households will be within a ten-minute walk of a train station, making Singapore one of the most connected cities in the world. The next bound of rail expansion in the late 2030s and early 2040s will include JRL’s West Coast Extension and the Seletar and Tengah lines.
Maintaining high rail reliability standards will remain a key challenge as our network grows and ages. MOT will work with rail operators and workers to invest in systems and training to improve monitoring, maintenance and renewal of our railway assets.
We will enhance bus connectivity to meet ridership demand in newly-developed residential towns. Nearly $1 billion more will go into the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme to improve access and shorten public transport journey times for residents living in HDB estates further away from the city.
Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) will improve first- and last-mile connectivity and help ease manpower and land constraints for public transport. MOT will pilot fixed-route AV shuttle services in Punggol and progressively expand this service to more towns, including estates farther from the city centre. Autonomous mobility will create good jobs in areas such as remote or safety operators, software developers, engineers and radar designers.
As Singapore continues to develop and our society evolves, MOT will listen and engage the public to better understand these changing needs and to build a land transport system that Singaporeans can take pride in. We will continue to upgrade MRT stations and bus interchanges for easier navigation and to make them more welcoming spaces. We are retrofitting lifts at pedestrian overhead bridges and implementing features like covered linkways, kerbless crossings, and wider footpaths. By 2030, every town will have at least one Friendly Street with these features.
MOT will continue to develop a transport system that strengthens Singapore’s position as a global hub through growing our air, maritime and land connectivity, and building a transport network that connects lives and livelihoods for Singaporeans.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr David Neo): The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) seeks to build a caring, cohesive and confident nation. We can take pride in our progress, anchored on shared values that define us as Singaporeans. Our cohesion makes us exceptional and will remain vital as we look ahead to the future. MCCY will work with Singaporeans to expand our common space, realise aspirations and nurture a “We First” society.
In a divided world, multiculturalism is more important than ever. MCCY will protect spaces for everyone to freely practise their beliefs, while working with our Harmony Circles and network of inter-faith partners to deepen understanding and appreciation among people of all races and religions. We will mobilise Singaporeans, especially youths, to participate and lead in interfaith and intercultural exchanges.
Our culture, expressed through our arts and heritage, defines who we are and projects our values to the world. Through ArtsEverywhere@CDC, Heritage Activation Nodes and the Culture Pass, MCCY will bring arts and heritage to all Singaporeans, creating more ways for people to bond, celebrate our diversity and strengthen our national identity.
Sports bring Singaporeans from all walks of life together and foster inclusion. Our Sports Facilities Master Plan will make sports more accessible and affordable. SportSG will introduce adaptive sports and strength training programmes to Active Ageing Centres. The refreshed Disability Sports Master Plan will bring inclusive sports to all mainstream schools and encourage community-initiated disability sports initiatives through the Enabling Sports Fund. We will also begin preparations to host the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2029 and rally the nation to cheer for Team Singapore.
With the completion of Outward Bound Singapore at Coney Island, more secondary school students will be able to interact and bond with peers from different backgrounds. With the refresh of *SCAPE and development of Somerset Belt, the National Youth Council (NYC) will expand programmes for youths to meet, collaborate and bond.
We will empower artists to pursue their passion and reach their full potential. The expanded National Arts Council scholarships enable youths to pursue programmes in the School of the Arts as well as in diploma and degree programmes. We will also expand workplace training for arts administrators and technical professionals.
MCCY will relocate the Singapore Sports School to Kallang and build a new Home of Team Singapore where junior and senior athletes can train together. We have introduced the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarships and will rally corporates to provide athlete-friendly workplaces. We will integrate the High Performance Sport Institute and Singapore Sports School to strengthen end-to-end athlete development, while working in partnership with our National Sports Associations.
MCCY and NYC are engaging young Singaporeans to co-create the SG Youth Plan, a five-year initiative to help youths to navigate adulting with confidence, explore career opportunities and access mentors. The Plan will connect youths, amplify their voice and give them a say in shaping policies and programmes.
We will foster a “We First” society, where those who have done well give back and where success is measured by how we uplift others. MCCY will promote volunteerism through the SG Cares Volunteer Centres and Youth Corps Singapore and partner the Singapore Business Federation to grow corporate volunteerism. Our Collective for a Stronger Society brings together Government agencies, community partners and donors to support lower-income families and encourages donors to volunteer and offer their networks to support beneficiaries.
To build a democracy of deeds, MCCY will create more space for citizens and community stakeholders to propose and implement new solutions. The Singapore Government Partnerships Office will expand citizen engagement and partnerships for a more participatory future, while the People’s Association will engage residents through the Community Volunteer Scheme and equip community leaders to grow more micro-communities of care across Singapore.
Together with all Singaporeans, MCCY will shape a future where every person has a stake and every deed helps build a stronger Singapore.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Home Affairs","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (Mr K Shanmugam): Singapore remains one of the safest countries in the world. But the global security environment is increasingly volatile. Contestations between global powers and ongoing conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, have deepened geopolitical divisions, heightened the risks of racial and religious polarisation, and raised the threat of foreign interference. Terrorists and extremists have also exploited the conflicts to radicalise and recruit and incite violence.
At the same time, transnational and cyber-enabled crimes continue to grow in scale and sophistication. Drug trafficking remains a huge concern, while scams and cybercrimes pose an unprecedented challenge to law enforcement.
To respond to these threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will continue to strengthen our laws, deepen partnerships and harness technology aggressively.
Singapore’s approach to criminal justice rests on three key thrusts: certainty of law, certainty of enforcement and certainty of punishment. Underpinning these is a set of laws that allows us to effectively deter, detect and enforce against crime. We will regularly review our laws to ensure that they remain fit-for-purpose, to deal with emerging threats and evolving criminal tactics.
Later this year, we will introduce the Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, to further rationalise our criminal laws, better protect vulnerable victims and tackle emerging crime trends. We plan to amend the Road Traffic Act to deal with the worsening road safety situation and the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act to address evolving foreign interference tactics. We are also working on strengthening legislation to deal with challenges such as scams and drugs.
MHA leverages partnerships to extend the Home Team’s effectiveness and impact. For example, to tackle the growing threat of youth self-radicalisation, the Internal Security Department and SGSecure Programme Office are working with the Ministry of Education to sensitise students and school staff to the terror threat, indicators of radicalisation and importance of early reporting.
MHA is working closely with other agencies to counter increasingly permissive attitudes worldwide towards drugs, such as through strengthening preventive drug education initiatives. MHA will also support the Ministry of Health in tackling the growing threat of etomidate-laced vapes.
To support the rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates and ex-offenders, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and Yellow Ribbon Singapore will partner other Government agencies, employers and community organisations under the ambit of the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders (CARE) Network, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.
Technology is critical to the Home Team. Working with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX), Home Team Departments will step up efforts to harness technology as a force multiplier. In particular, we are investing heavily in artificial intelligence (AI) and have launched a dedicated HTxAI movement to ramp up our capabilities.
Technology investments have also improved the Home Team’s delivery of services to Singaporeans. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority put in place automated gates, equipped with forgery detection and multi-modal biometrics screening systems, to allow for more secure border control while providing a seamless clearance experience. SPS is trialling an Autonomous Televisit System to make inmate visits more accessible to families, with secure identity verification through facial recognition technology.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) leverages drones and AI to support major security deployments. During the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2025, SPF and HTX used AI to analyse real-time drone footage, assess crowd sizes and improve operational responses.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be launching TruCerts, a blockchain-based system that enhances the tracking and verification of fire safety certificates for SCDF-regulated products and resolves compliance issues more quickly and accurately.
The Central Narcotics Bureau’s (CNB's) Next-Generation Reporting Centre will streamline urine testing through automation, strengthening the robustness of the urine testing process, and reducing biohazard risks for CNB officers.
Most importantly, MHA will continue to build and maintain public trust in the Home Team. In the 2024 Home Team Public Perception Survey, 93.1% of respondents said they personally trusted the Home Team, while 94.3% said they had confidence in the Home Team’s ability to keep Singapore safe and secure. With strong public trust, and by working together as One Home Team, we can confront emerging and evolving threats and keep Singapore safe and secure.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Digital Development and Information","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Digital Development and Information (Mrs Josephine Teo): The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) will refine our Smart Nation 2.0 strategies to navigate rising geopolitical and economic uncertainties and build a thriving digital future for all Singaporeans.
Digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly reshaping jobs and industries. To seize growth opportunities, MDDI will build capabilities, boost innovation and accelerate AI adoption in our enterprises and workforce.
As AI tools become more accessible, MDDI will help enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises, deploy them to improve efficiency. We will support enterprises ready to go further in embedding AI into their core business processes to generate greater value. We will also anchor more AI Centres of Excellence to deepen their capabilities here.
We will engage the Labour Movement, professional bodies, trade associations and chambers to develop suitable programmes to equip our workers with AI-related skills, and grow a core of AI-fluent workers who can be pacesetters in their fields. We will also work across the Government, with industry and the community to achieve scale in outreach.
MDDI will continue to support individuals and households in accessing digital tools and services, and work with partners to promote inclusivity of digital services by design. We will also transform our libraries and archives to encourage reading, learning and discovery through offering physical and digital resources for all.
MDDI will help Singaporeans stay safe online amid rising scams, cyberbullying and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. The Government will continue to tackle scams on multiple fronts, including by deploying technical solutions for detection and prevention. We will set up the Online Safety Commission to support victims of online harms in seeking timely relief from perpetrators and platforms. To promote healthier digital interactions for children and youth, we will study interventions in other countries, build on existing measures for age-appropriate access and encourage positive norms for digital well-being.
Public Service Media (PSM) and Government platforms remain essential for informed discourse that upholds public trust and social cohesion. MDDI will continue to support PSM entities by ensuring their financial sustainability, strengthening their verification capabilities, improving the prominence and discoverability of their products, and enhancing their ability to share Singapore’s perspectives internationally. MDDI will strengthen government communications across online and offline channels, ensuring their content remains timely, trusted and relevant to citizens. Through Reaching Everyone for Active Citizenry @ Home (REACH), we will deepen engagement and foster trust by bringing together people with diverse viewpoints.
MDDI will raise our baseline cybersecurity standards nationally, including by promoting stronger cyber hygiene practices, particularly in entities that handle sensitive data or critical systems. We have strengthened incident reporting requirements for Critical Information Infrastructure owners to detect malicious cyber activities early, enabling timely responses. To meet growing demand for cybersecurity expertise, we will develop talent, innovation and the local research and development ecosystem.
Resilient and future-ready infrastructure is essential for Singapore to thrive in a complex digital environment. MDDI will continue to invest in core digital infrastructure to ensure robust connectivity, and study areas such as 6G, non-terrestrial networks and frontier technologies like quantum to futureproof our networks.
MDDI will lead whole-of-Government efforts to transform our digital systems and deliver more user-centric, secure and resilient digital services. This will be supported by plans to systematically improve the Public Service’s digital capabilities, including through scaling up training for public officers.
MDDI is committed to building an inclusive, trusted and forward-looking Smart Nation, in close partnership with our people, enterprises and partners.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Finance","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (Mr Lawrence Wong): Our fiscal policies aim to ensure a dynamic economy and a strong social compact. This provides assurance and opportunities and enables a higher quality of life for all Singaporeans.
We face a more dangerous and uncertain world. The rules-based global order is weakening, with growing barriers to trade and cooperation. New technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping industries, bringing disruption but also significant opportunities. We must adapt quickly and harness these technologies to secure good jobs and higher incomes for Singaporeans. With the faster pace of change, we must also strengthen social support and ensure that every citizen shares in our nation’s progress.
Fiscal discipline and strength are Singapore’s strategic advantages. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will allocate resources judiciously and evaluate programmes rigorously, to maintain sound and sustainable finances. Our system of taxes and transfers will remain fair and progressive: everyone contributes and the better off contribute more, and everyone benefits and those with greater needs receive more.
With rising needs, Government spending in this term will increase as a share of gross domestic product. This is why we made earlier tax changes to strengthen our revenue base and structure. The Government will continue to spend within its means and maintain a balanced budget over the medium term.
We will continue to steward our reserves responsibly. Our framework enables GIC and Temasek to pursue long-term investment strategies that generate sustainable returns. This provides a continued stream of revenue for the Budget, while maintaining our reserves as a strategic buffer against future shocks.
In this uncertain world, we will continue to invest in our defence and security to safeguard our way of life. We will also deepen our cooperation with key partners, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and broaden our relations with other countries. All of these efforts will require more resources. But they are essential to advancing national interests and protecting Singapore’s ability to chart our own course.
MOF will play an active and constructive role in regional and international economic and financial fora to support a rules-based multilateral system that promotes shared prosperity and protects the global commons.
Growing a vibrant economy that provides good jobs for Singaporeans remains our foremost priority. Through the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce and the Economic Strategy Review, we will work with agencies and stakeholders to navigate global uncertainties and keep Singapore competitive.
We will continue to invest in our productive capacity – helping businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to innovate and harness AI and other technologies, and supporting Singaporeans to reskill and upskill through SkillsFuture.
By ensuring a stable and efficient tax, customs and regulatory environment, we will keep Singapore among the best places in the world to do business. This will promote enterprise dynamism and growth and in turn contribute to job creation.
We will make longer-term investments in our infrastructure to enhance our connectivity, support the green energy transition and build up our climate resilience. We have begun setting aside funds for these critical needs and will continue to do so to prepare for the future.
We will continue to strengthen our social compact and provide assurance to Singaporeans. Under Forward Singapore, we introduced major moves – the Majulah Package to strengthen retirement adequacy, a new public housing framework to improve affordability, new SkillsFuture programmes to uplift workers and initiatives to encourage a family-friendly Singapore.
In this term, we will build on these efforts. We will invest across all life stages, so that more opportunities are open to all Singaporeans regardless of starting points. We will keep public housing and healthcare affordable and accessible, enable our seniors to age well with peace of mind and strengthen support for caregiving.
We will also enhance support for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and those with special needs. By encouraging volunteering and charitable giving, we will nurture our culture of mutual care. We will continue to support initiatives in the arts, sports and community that strengthen the bonds which hold us together as one people.
We will work with agencies to strengthen governance across finance, audit, procurement, grants management and risk management. We will continue to adopt best practices, strengthen central systems and processes, and build capabilities across the Public Service. This will ensure that Government spending remains effective and delivers value for money.
MOF will steward fiscal resources prudently and effectively to enable Singapore and Singaporeans to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities in a changing world.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Ministry of Law","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Minister for Law (Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai): The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) will continue to uphold the Rule of Law and public trust in Singapore’s legal system. We will improve access to justice, strengthen Singapore’s position as a global legal and intellectual property (IP) hub and make better use of state assets to support the country’s social and economic needs.
The Rule of Law is key to public trust and Singapore’s continued progress. We will enhance our civil and criminal justice systems to meet changing societal needs, premised on a strong foundation in the Rule of Law. We will take steps to promote responsible online behaviour and create a safer digital space as social media and artificial intelligence grow in prevalence. MinLaw will study the need for a new agency to better support victims of online harm with an appropriate framework for relief.
MinLaw will continue to make laws, legal processes and court procedures easier for Singaporeans to understand and use. We are reviewing digital Wills, improving how civil judgments are enforced and giving courts stronger powers to trace debtors’ assets. The Maintenance Enforcement Process will be expanded to deter non-payment. In family justice, we will deepen the therapeutic justice approach to support healing and family well-being, to reinforce social and legal outcomes.
MinLaw will strengthen our insolvency framework to support economic stability. The new Simplified Insolvency Programme 2.0 will offer faster help for struggling businesses while protecting creditors. We are also reviewing the Debt Repayment Scheme to reduce abuse and help debtors better manage their finances.
Access to justice is a core part of Singapore’s social safety net. MinLaw will expand outreach and support for civil legal aid and criminal defence aid, working with lawyers, social service agencies, volunteers and the broader community. We are enhancing the Community Disputes Management Framework and improving tribunal processes to help neighbours resolve disputes more quickly and peacefully.
Singapore’s reputation as a trusted legal services hub strengthens our global standing. MinLaw will continue to build thought leadership and deepen international partnerships through events like the Singapore Convention Week. We will also review our international arbitration laws to keep Singapore competitive for dispute resolution.
MinLaw will maintain a strong core of Singapore lawyers and legal practices, complemented by foreign practitioners and other industry experts, to sustain Singapore’s competitive advantage. We will support the growth of all legal professionals by strengthening legal education across the legal industry, updating training requirements and rolling out a new skills framework developed with the legal sector. Our Legal Innovation and Future-Readiness Transformation Initiative will help law firms adopt legaltech solutions and embrace the use of AI and technology to support their work.
We are refreshing our IP Strategy 2030 to attract more IP and intangible asset (IA) activity. The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) will work with the World Intellectual Property Organization to help businesses grow globally through IP Management Clinics. IA valuation guidelines will be developed to help firms protect and monetise their IP. We will also introduce new guidelines for using copyrighted works in AI development to support innovation and protect creators’ rights.
The Singapore Land Authority (SLA) will work with community and private partners to optimise state assets to meet national needs, including to drive social outcomes through innovative use and re-use of spaces. Examples include the multi-generational co-living space at Commune @ Henderson and the social innovation hub at The Foundry.
SLA is also developing a Digital Conveyancing Portal to digitalise property transactions to improve convenience, transparency and security for buyers, sellers, law firms, banks and real estate professionals.
MinLaw remains committed to engaging Singaporeans and working closely with the legal fraternity and stakeholders to strengthen access to legal services and grow opportunities in the legal sector. Together, we will realise our vision: A Trusted Legal System; A Trusted Singapore.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Prime Minister's Office (Public Service Division, Science and Technology Policy and Plans Office)","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (Mr Chan Chun Sing): Our Public Service must rise to the challenges of heightened global uncertainties, rising public expectations, and tightening resource constraints in manpower, fiscal, land and carbon.
The Public Service will continue to deliver sustainable, efficient and effective solutions. For citizens, we will enhance integrated and seamless services through whole-of-Government (WOG) efforts like ComLink+, Municipal Services Office and ServiceSG. For businesses, we will streamline processes, simplify regulations and strengthen support through efforts like the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Pro-Enterprise Office. We will also scale up WOG digital platforms such as GovWallet and YourBenefits to strengthen service delivery, while maintaining a human touch.
We will expand and pool science, technology and engineering capabilities and resources across Government agencies, in areas ranging from urban planning and design to tunnelling. This approach will accelerate the cross-pollination of ideas and develop impactful solutions to address Singapore’s needs and opportunities. The Public Sector Science and Technology Policy and Plans Office will coordinate cross-agency efforts to assess interdependencies in areas like power and transport, and to manage greenhouse gas emissions.
The Public Service Division will continue to refresh its employee value proposition to attract diverse talent and support career longevity. Our training and development efforts will provide more opportunities for attachments and secondments to the private and people sectors and international organisations, to broaden officers’ skills and experiences. We will enhance WOG digital learning and career planning platforms for officers. Leadership development will be enhanced to build the capabilities of both individual leaders and leadership teams.
While our values remain constant, our approach to service delivery will continue to evolve. We will deliver not just for Singaporeans, but with Singaporeans. We will serve with conviction and purpose to build a Singapore that all of us are proud to call home.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null},{"startPgNo":0,"endPgNo":0,"title":"Prime Minister's Office (Strategy Group)","subTitle":"Addendum to the President's Speech","sectionType":"OS","content":"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Gan Kim Yong): The Strategy Group will continue to lead the Public Service to develop and implement strategic priorities and tackle long-term national challenges, to build a better Singapore for all.
We begin this new term of Government in a more uncertain, fragmented and dangerous world. We have to contend with a changing global order, big power contestation and a more volatile economic outlook, which present headwinds for a small and open economy like Singapore. We must be nimble and adapt quickly, to continue to secure good outcomes and seize new opportunities for Singapore and Singaporeans.
The Strategy Group has developed a set of strategic priorities to: (a) secure Singapore’s place in a changed world; (b) transform our economy to keep it competitive; (c) expand opportunities and strengthen assurances for all; (d) unite Singaporeans; and (e) forge stronger partnerships with individuals, communities and businesses to shape Singapore’s future together.
The Strategy Group will drive whole-of-Government efforts to implement our national priorities, while ensuring that agencies work together to address critical cross-cutting issues, achieve greater synergies and manage trade-offs optimally across policy domains. At the same time, the Strategy Group will sharpen foresight and sense-making to better anticipate future challenges and opportunities and develop robust strategies in response.
The Government must deal with two demographic challenges – a declining fertility rate and a rapidly ageing population.
To address Singapore’s low fertility rate, the Government will redouble our efforts to support marriage and parenthood, and build a Singapore Made For Families. We have support measures spanning housing, healthcare and education, to financial and caregiving support, with recent enhancements to our parental leave schemes to provide parents with 30 weeks of paid leave in the child’s first year. More support has also been extended to families with three or more children through the new Large Families Scheme. In this term, we will do more to help parents better manage their work and family commitments and work with stakeholders such as employers and community partners to build a culture that celebrates and values families.
As our seniors live healthier and longer lives, we will do more to harness longevity as an opportunity. The Government will continue to support seniors to lead active and healthy lives, stay employed if they wish and age with confidence. We will also enhance our built environment and service provisions, so our seniors can be well cared for in their homes and connected to their communities.
Our foreign workforce and immigration policies play an important role in mitigating the impact of low birth rates and ageing, on the economy and society. The Government will carefully manage our foreign worker and immigration flows, while helping newcomers integrate into our society. We will also work with stakeholders to support new citizens in connecting with their local communities and building stronger bonds.
Continued investment in climate action is critical for Singapore’s long-term competitiveness and survival. Singapore remains committed to our net zero emissions by 2050 target. This year, the Government announced our target to reduce emissions to between 45 and 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2035 as part of our 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution. We will follow through with concrete action. First, we will work to decarbonise our energy mix, by advancing domestic solar deployment, pursuing cross-border electricity trade and considering potential green energy solutions like geothermal and nuclear for the future. Second, we will continue to pursue key mitigation measures such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage. Third, we will work with industry to develop robust transition plans for businesses.
At the same time, Singapore will need to prepare for the growing physical impact of climate change, especially rising sea levels and heat. In addition to our existing plans on coastal protection, we will work with businesses and other stakeholders to strengthen climate adaptation. This includes boosting heat resilience and partnering neighbouring countries to tackle transboundary climate risks.
To support Singapore’s efforts, global cooperation and action is essential. As such, the Government will continue to advocate for global standards and regulations, while exploring international collaborations that support our mitigation efforts. We have signed eight Article 6 carbon credits Implementation Agreements to grow our pipeline of high-quality credits.
The Government’s ability to work in an integrated and collaborative way, as well as to think ahead and plan for the long term, has served us well and will remain essential. As we navigate the challenges ahead, the Strategy Group will continue to lead the Public Service in advancing today’s priorities, while preparing for tomorrow’s possibilities.
","clarificationText":null,"clarificationTitle":null,"clarificationSubTitle":null,"reportType":null,"questionCount":null,"footNotes":null,"footNoteQuestions":null,"questionNo":null}],"writtenAnswersVOList":[],"writtenAnsNAVOList":[],"annexureList":[],"vernacularList":[{"vernacularID":6716,"sittingDate":null,"vernacularTitle":"Vernacular Speech by Mr Liang Eng Hwa","filePath":"d:/apps/reports/solr_files/20250905/vernacular-Liang Eng Hwa Mandarin (5 Sep 2025).pdf","fileName":"Liang Eng Hwa Mandarin (5 Sep 2025).pdf"},{"vernacularID":6717,"sittingDate":null,"vernacularTitle":"Vernacular Speech by Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin","filePath":"d:/apps/reports/solr_files/20250905/vernacular-Nadia Samdin Malay (5 Sep 2025).pdf","fileName":"Nadia Samdin Malay (5 Sep 2025).pdf"},{"vernacularID":6718,"sittingDate":null,"vernacularTitle":"Vernacular Speech by Dr Hamid Razak","filePath":"d:/apps/reports/solr_files/20250905/vernacular-Hamid Razak Tamil (5 Sep 2025).pdf","fileName":"Hamid Razak Tamil (5 Sep 2025).pdf"}],"onlinePDFFileName":""}