Elysa Chen
Singapore
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank Minister also for sharing the very interesting example of how AI is used to teach creative writing in schools.”
“I hope that as we build this new agency, we hold fast to a simple measure of success: that more Singaporeans, especially those who feel anxious today, can say with confidence that even if they stumble in their climb, they are not alone and they are able to rise again. I support the Bill.”
“Thank you, Chairman. I wanted to ask MCCY, given the encouraging utilisation of the SG Culture Pass and the good outcomes that we have achieved thus far, whether the Ministry has considered extending the SG Culture Pass to every child rather than limiting eligibility to those aged 18 and above, given that early exposure to the arts and he…”
“Thank you so much. I thank the Senior Minister of State for the answers as well. I wanted to ask whether the Ministry will consider more deliberately integrating peer support structures into the tiered care model for mental health, so that peer supporters in the community and workplaces are clearly recognised as part of the national menta…”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I would also like to thank the Minister for acknowledging the additional risks faced by vulnerable groups. With the current haze persisting since late-January and doctors flagging out the elderly, children and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions as disproportionately affected, has the Inter-Agency Task F…”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his response. It is heartening to know that MOE is already taking good steps in this direction. I wanted to ask the Minister, does the Minister agree that in a world with artificial intelligence (AI) disrupting the learning of content in a nation of smaller family sizes, it is even more important that childre…”
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“This Bill reminds us that the law is not only about prohibitions and penalties but instead, helps us to be better stewards – about shaping and safeguarding the conditions for a good life, not just for ourselves but for those who come after us. Good stewardship means well-planned and inclusive neighbourhoods, liveable homes across both public and private estates and a natural environment that we protect, recognising that we are not its masters but its caretakers. (In English): Mr Speaker, this Bill reminds us that the law is not only about prohibitions and penalties, but instead, helps us to be better stewards – about shaping and safeguarding the conditions for a good life, not just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. Good stewardship means well-planned and inclusive neighbourhoods, liveable homes across both public and private estates and a natural environment that we protect, recognising that we are not its masters, but its caretakers. I support the amendments before the House and I am confident that if we carry forward this spirit of stewardship across Government, communities and individuals, we will continue to build a Singapore that is not only efficient and liveable, but also deeply cared for, responsibly governed and worthy of being entrusted to future generations.”
“This is crucial since illegal feeding often reflects a deeper issue: an epidemic of senior loneliness. For many elderly seniors, feeding birds provides purpose, connection and dignity. One of my recalcitrant bird feeders told enforcement officers from the National Environment Agency (NEA) that he continues to feed birds because his wife had appeared in a dream and tell him to do so. Rather than only punishing this expression of unmet need, should we not address the loneliness itself through befriending programmes and community services? Enforcement can then become an act of care, protecting both wildlife and our lonely seniors. Mr Speaker, please allow me to continue my speech in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] A CNA report on 17 March this year stated that, on average, there were nearly 320 cases of illegal bird-feeding a year, with half of them involving seniors. Will the Government consider alternative forms of penalty for repeat offenders, such as corrective community service alongside psychological and social support? This is crucial since illegal feeding often reflects a deeper issue – an epidemic of senior loneliness. For many elderly citizens, feeding birds provides purpose, connection and dignity. One of my recalcitrant bird feeders told enforcement officers from NEA that he continues to feed birds because his wife had appeared in a dream to tell him to do so. Rather than only punishing this expression of unmet need, should we not address the loneliness itself through befriending programmes and community services? Enforcement can then become an act of care, protecting both wildlife and our lonely seniors.”
“On the amendments pertaining to upgrading of private estates, what are the key criteria that will be used to identify which private residential estates can benefit from Government-funded upgrading and will there be a transparent application or nomination process? How will the Government ensure that less well-off or older private estates, which may have weaker management corporations or more vulnerable residents, are not left behind compared to more organised and better-resourced estates? What types of works will be prioritised under these upgrading programmes, for example barrier free access, safety features, environmental sustainability or amenities and how will trade-offs be decided? How does the Government intend to maintain a fair balance between long-standing commitments to HDB upgrading and the extension of support to private estates, so that perceptions of equity are preserved? On the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, has the Government assessed the compliance costs and administrative burden on small traders, nurseries, pet shops and logistics operators, and if so, what were the key findings? Will there be phased implementation, grace periods or targeted support, for example, guidance materials or clinics, to help smaller players adapt to the new certification regime? While the amended penalties under the Wildlife Act serve as important financial deterrents, we must recognise that many bird feeders act out of genuine kindness. A CNA report on 17 March this year stated that, on average, there were nearly 320 cases of illegal bird feeding this year, with half of them involving seniors. Will the Government consider alternative forms of penalty for repeat offenders, such as corrective community service alongside psychological and social support?”
“Who truly belongs where and what does genuine co-existence look like? Can we truly be a city in nature if our greenery is sterile, quiet and homogenous? We need more serious, ongoing conversations in our spaces. We must learn that kindness takes many forms and sometimes restraint is compassion and consideration. Some may have noticed some banners that we have recently put up in Bishan East-Sin Ming trying to address these issues, with poems written in four languages reminding people that the truly kind act is not to feed the birds as they are able to forage for food on their own. Some described the posters as Shakespeare in the Wild. I would like to thank Urban Birds Initiative Singapore for their collaboration with me to engage and educate our residents through these creative posters. But moving forwards requires not just poetic words but deep conviction and a willingness to change our attitudes and behaviours to understand that protecting wildlife often means stepping back and allowing wild animals to remain wild instead of feeding them. Only when we can peacefully co-exist with our wild neighbours can we honour our urban environments. That said, I would like to put forth some clarifications about the amendments within this Bill. First, on the changes of scope to the URA and BCA Act. How will the enhanced statutory coordinating role of URA interact with existing planning functions of agencies, like LTA, HDB and PUB, and what mechanisms will be used to resolve disagreements in priorities or timelines? Could the Government provide clearer criteria or examples of the types of projects where URA will now take the lead in coordination, versus where sectoral agencies remain the primary drivers?”
“We must instead strive to upkeep the gentle balance of our natural world so that our children and many more after them may continue to marvel at natural wonder and the wisdom it brings to our society. Last but not least, I would like to speak on the amendments made to the Wildlife Act 1965 with regard to wildlife feeding. Our current penalty framework has not been updated in decades and no longer reflects the seriousness with which we treat wildlife crimes or the subtle ways we harm the ecosystem through our actions, no matter how well-intentioned they may be. With this amendment, we solidify our stance on wildlife feeding and strengthen enforcement, sending a clear message – wildlife crimes are serious harms. But more importantly, they also reflect a growing understanding that not all harms to wildlife come from malice. Many come from misguided kindness. When residents feed pigeons and crows in our parks and public spaces, they often do so out of genuine compassion and love for animals. However, these birds are remarkably well adapted to urban life and are fully capable of foraging for their own food. In fact, it has been observed that pigeons often forage for food on open fields if they are not given human food. Artificial feeding can disrupt the ecosystem, leading to increased competition with native birds and eventually culling in massive numbers when populations start to affect our human environment. The cruelty is beyond the feeding and culling, but the cascade of consequences onto our native wildlife and neighbours due to our actions. This amendment hopefully invites us to reflect more broadly on our relationship with the way we view urban wildlife. Are these animals that we complain about encroaching into our spaces or have we rather encroached into theirs?”
“When animals are trafficked, they are exposed to terrible conditions. They are crammed into carriers with poor ventilation for days if not weeks, with many dying from stress, dehydration and suffocation during transit. Those that make it into our homes suffer from physical and psychological trauma. The reptiles with spinal issues from overbreeding and the Indian star tortoises who struggle to adapt to tropical humidity are all examples of the cruelty inflicted on sentient beings if we allow such trade to take place on our shores. A clearer certification framework, including for hybrid plants or products derived from scheduled species, gives traders, travellers and enforcement agencies a common understanding of the rules. It will help legitimate businesses to prove that their goods are compliant and it helps the authorities to act swiftly and fairly when there is suspicion of illegal wildlife trade. As markets for exotic plants, animals and derivatives become more complex with hybrids, online trading and niche collectors, we cannot rely on outdated or vague definitions. Can we aspire to be a city that prospers while setting high standards for environmental stewardship? By tightening our endangered species regime and making certification more robust, we signal that Singapore chooses to acknowledge the incredibly hidden but rich native biodiversity. Our precious and sensitive ecosystems support some of the rarest species on Earth – the Sunda pangolin, Singapore freshwater crab and straw-headed bulbul. Each illegally trafficked animal carries more than suffering on the individual level, but the potential to change our natural habitats and change our biodiversity and landscape forever.”
“In some older estates, residents have shared concerns about uneven pavements that are dangerous for seniors or the lack of resting points between bus stops and homes on slopes. Some management corporations struggle to gather enough resources or consensus among owners to implement barrier-free access or senior friendly-features or even upgrading lifts. These amendments provide a stronger legal footing for the Government to step in with structured upgrading schemes. This can support improvements that benefit the wider community, such as accessible paths, safer crossings, greened walkways, better drainage as well as intergenerational fitness and play areas and green spaces where young and old can come together, enjoying enriched social connections and a rejuvenated local community. Of course, we must design cost sharing, co-creation and citizen consultation arrangements carefully so that homeowners are treated fairly and the voices of tenants, seniors and caregivers are properly heard. Done well, this is an investment in making every neighbourhood, public or private, a place where people of different ages and abilities can live well together. Third, I strongly support the provisions that formalise certification for endangered species and related products. Singapore is a small country, but we are a significant node in regional and global trade. These amendments add weight to our existing commitments under international frameworks, such as CITES, and ensure that our participation is not symbolic. They carry real responsibility to ensure that our ports, airports and marketplaces do not become conduits for the exploitation of endangered wildlife. But beyond regulations, we must also confront the profound suffering endured by the trafficked animals.”
“Citizens do not experience the world in terms of which agency is in charge of which function. They experience whether the footpath is shaded and barrier free, whether the bus stop is sensibly located and whether a new development minimises disruption to daily life. In a land-scarce city, like Singapore, this kind of integrated planning is essential to our quality of life. It determines whether an elderly resident can move independently using ramps and lifts, whether a parent pushing a stroller can reach the MRT station without navigating an obstacle course and whether we preserve green spaces as our city becomes denser. I support these changes because they move us toward a model of urban governance where agencies are empowered to collaborate and to solve problems together. That is how we make a dense city feel humane, gracious and liveable. Second, I support the policies that enable upgrading for private residential estates. For many years, we have rightly invested in upgrading and renewal for public housing estates. This has kept older HDB towns liveable and vibrant and it reflects our social compact that public housing should remain a good home throughout a person's life. However, good urban life does not stop at the boundary of an HDB precinct. Many Singaporeans live in older private estates, in walk-up apartments, strata developments or landed homes where common spaces are ageing and accessibility features are lacking. By giving clearer statutory powers for Government-driven upgrading programmes to extend to private residential estates, we recognise that the quality of the environment in these neighbourhoods also matters for social cohesion and inclusion.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, in particular, three sets of changes. These are the clearer mandates for the BCA and URA, the provisions that enable Government-funded upgrading in private residential estates, and the formal certification framework for endangered species under our environmental laws. At first glance, these amendments may appear technical and disparate, but taken together, they speak to a deeper responsibility – the duty of stewardship, stewardship of our built environment so that our city remains liveable and humane, stewardship of our neighbourhoods so that no community is left behind as we renew and upgrade, and stewardship of the natural world that our children will inherit. In a small and highly urbanised country, like Singapore, stewardship is not an abstract ideal. It is a daily discipline of care, planning and restraint. It requires us to think not just as users of our spaces, but as custodians of what we will pass on to the next generation. It is in this spirit that I support the amendments before us today. First, on the changes to BCA and URA. Good urban life does not happen by accident. It is the outcome of deliberate planning, careful coordination and the steady work of many public officers whom residents rarely see. The amendments confer new statutory functions on BCA as the Government agency for upgrading programmes in private residential estates and expand URA's statutory mandate to coordinate not just land use but transport, utilities and other infrastructure planning. This clarity of mandate is what allows agencies to act decisively instead of passing issues from one agency to another in a way that frustrates the public.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank Minister also for sharing the very interesting example of how AI is used to teach creative writing in schools. I wanted to follow up by asking whether the Ministry has established clear guidelines on the responsible use of AI tools by students to avoid infringement of third-party intellectual property (IP) rights. What measures are in place to discourage the use of AI tools to generate content that imitates or reproduces the work of artists and creators without consent and attribution, and whether the Ministry will consider strengthening AI literacy programmes to place greater emphasis on ethical use, including respect for creators' rights and originality?”
“I hope that as we build this new agency, we hold fast to a simple measure of success: that more Singaporeans, especially those who feel anxious today, can say with confidence that even if they stumble in their climb, they are not alone and they are able to rise again. I support the Bill.”
“They know that there are many schemes, yet they do not know where to start and they worry that they cannot keep up. In Bishan East-Sin Ming, we have a Career Navigators programme, where volunteers work closely with e2i and journey alongside jobseekers. Can the Government share how the new agency will work with the community to proactively identify and support these groups, perhaps through neighbourhood-based outreach or peer mentors? How will we design flexible training models that respect caregiving responsibilities, health conditions and different learning needs? And can we make more space for a modular learning and micro-credentials that still add up to meaningful progression, so that those who cannot commit to a long qualification do not feel shut out. Mr Speaker, this Bill is about the kind of Singapore we choose to be in an uncertain world. Do we, as a nation, leave people to fend for themselves in a race that only some can win, or do we commit to walking with them as they learn, work and care? I believe this new agency is key to a further and necessary shift in our national psyche. Over the last decade, SkillsFuture has successfully changed the mindset of our society toward the necessity of lifelong learning. For the next phase, I hope the new SWDA will lead us toward a deeper transformation. To return to the analogy of the rock wall that I used at the beginning of my speech, the SWDA is the rope system, anchored firmly by the state, employers and unions together. It ensures that when a worker reaches for a hold and slips, they are not left to fall without support, but are given the safety to regain their footing, to be guided back to the wall and to continue their ascent with renewed confidence and clearer direction.”
“When these issues remain unaddressed, even the best-designed course or job match may not last. With all of these, Mr Speaker, I have several questions for the Government as we look ahead to execution and the longer term. First, on near-term execution. How will the Government ensure that the transition from SSG and WSG to the new agency is seamless from the public's perspective? Second, on long-term plans in a changing economy. We know that the pace of change will accelerate as AI, demographic shifts and climate transition reshape entire sectors. Does the Government see the agency playing a concretely anticipatory role, working with industry bodies to prepare training and transition pathways before major disruptions occur, especially since AI drives structural workforce changes that may lead to substantial layoffs and job obsolescence. How will it move beyond reactive job-matching to help firms proactively redesign career trajectories, ensuring the wider labour force will be meaningfully uplifted, rather than being left to face these shifts alone? How might the agency evolve to support increasingly salient forms of work, such as gig workers, freelancers and those in informal care roles who may not fit neatly into traditional employer-employee models? And will the agency track and report not just training participation, but also outcomes, like wage progression, job stability and well-being, so that Singaporeans can see whether the system is truly working for all of them together? Third, on supporting those at greatest risk of being left behind. In this House, I have spoken before about what it feels like to be at the margins and to feel that the system is not set up for you. Many lower-income workers, older workers and caregivers express similar anxieties.”
“" I hope SWDA will consider my resident's requests and I also hope that SWDA, as a single agency, with responsibility for identifying current and emerging skills in close partnership with industries and tripartite partners, can help provide jobseekers with better clarity and concrete pathways that show which courses to take, which work-study options to consider and which jobs are realistically within reach. Second, this Bill strengthens safeguards and raises standards. When we encourage people to invest their time and savings into training, we carry a responsibility to keep them safe from bad actors. We have seen how some providers try to exploit subsidies or use misleading marketing to pull learners in. I, therefore, welcome the stronger tools enacted in this Bill to act against abusive funding arrangements and false advertising. Third, this Bill opens the way to a more lifelong and human-centred approach to work. Work is not only about income. It is often an outpouring of a person's purpose and sense of identity. When someone is displaced from work, the impact ripples through the household. Children worry about money, caregivers feel guilt and stress, and the family's collective mental health can suffer. The integrated mandate of this agency gives us a chance to design support that sees the core and the heart of the whole person, and not just the vacancy to be filled. I am encouraged that the agency will work with schools, IHLs, employers and tripartite partners. I hope it will also work closely with community partners and social service agencies. Many of those who struggle most with training and transitions face multiple stressors at the same time, including caregiving responsibilities, chronic illness, housing challenges and debt.”
“He completed a desktop support engineering course under the SkillsFuture Career Transition programme in 2025 to transition into an entry-level IT role in the hopes of improving his employment prospects. The training provider also said that they would support job placement efforts, but entry-level opportunities in this field are limited, competition is stiff, the market for such roles is niche and many employers prioritise candidates with relevant experience. Thus, despite acquiring the relevant certifications, he has not received any job offers. Despite these setbacks, my resident continued to persevere, attending career fairs and employment programmes, and he demonstrated openness to take up different roles, even taking on a part-time assignment-based respite caregiver role. He is waiting for confirmation on applications for programme executive roles, school administrative staff roles and even a role with the social service agency. It is a far cry from the IT role he had trained and applied for. Yet, he demonstrates diligence and determination. He wrote, "I remain committed to securing full-time employment and contributing meaningful to the workforce. I am sharing my situation as I feel that while training support is available, there appear to be gaps in translating training into actual employment opportunities, availability of suitable entry-roles for mid-career individuals, post-event follow-up and job matching support. In addition, it would be very helpful if there could be structured, on-the-job training, practical attachments or industry-based training opportunities to allow individuals, like myself, to gain relevant hands-on experience.”
“Mr Speaker, we used to think of building our careers as climbing a ladder of success – a clear, upward climb where each rung represents a promotion, a new qualification or a better job. If one works hard and steadily, one is expected to move up. But in today's economy, that is no longer the case. A more accurate image may be a rock wall – one that is constantly changing and where there is no single fixed path upwards. Different holds appear at different times. Some routes are visible only to those who have been guided or trained to see them. Success is no longer simply climbing higher in a straight line but about knowing where to move next, which skills to build, how to switch routes entirely and being able to try again after falling from the rock wall. This Bill responds to that reality. It supports Singaporeans in navigating a changing labour market by bringing skills and jobs under one roof through a new SWDA, so that Singaporeans experience a more integrated and truly "no wrong door" system. I support this Bill because it strengthens three things: it clarifies our mission; it tightens our safeguards; it lays the foundation for a lifelong and person-centred view of work. First, on clarifying our mission. I would like to share Mr Lim Boon Cheng's experience when he was laid off suddenly. He took a SkillsFuture course in coffee-making and with a strong, enterprising spirit, he launched Hans Coffee, a hole-in-the wall cafe right in the heart of a wet market in Bishan! These are the kinds of stories we want to see more of. However, not all SkillsFuture courses have had yielded such results. A resident wrote to me, just today, sharing his difficult mid-career transition.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I am glad to know that we have put together a substantial first response and that the Government has drawer plans to be deployed in the mid to long term to support Singaporeans. Beyond shorter-term measures, many in the broad middle are concerned about whether their wages can keep pace with the more volatile and uncertain economic and inflationary environment. Could the Government share its plans to work with employers and unions to support sustainable wage growth and job security for mid-career and middle-income workers so that they do not slowly slip towards vulnerability over time? Going further, will the Government keep track of economic stress indicators among the broad middle, such as rising unsecured debt, mortgage strain or increased reliance on informal help? And how will these signals inform whether more calibrated support for this group is needed if the current Middle East situation drags on for longer than expected? Before my next clarification, I would like to declare that I am the executive director of a social service agency that serves children from lower-income families. Passengers, such as lower-income shift workers, caregivers and those in essential services often have the least flexibility to change their travel patterns when global events occur and fuel-linked costs rise, not just for public transport, but also for private hire transport. In its medium- and longer-term plans for navigating this crisis and designing any transport-related interventions, how will MOT and the Government ensure long-term affordability for lower-income or vulnerable transport relief to those with no realistic ability to substitute or reduce usage?”
“Thank you, Chairman. I wanted to ask MCCY, given the encouraging utilisation of the SG Culture Pass and the good outcomes that we have achieved thus far, whether the Ministry has considered extending the SG Culture Pass to every child rather than limiting eligibility to those aged 18 and above, given that early exposure to the arts and heritage can play an important role in shaping cultural appreciation and developing creativity. I also wanted to check if there are plans to introduce a youth or family component to the SG Culture Pass so that parents can utilise it together with their children for arts, heritage and cultural activities. My next clarification. I am also very glad to hear that every 15-year-old will now be able to experience the OBS programme. I wanted to ask whether we can consider extending it to the cohorts who were affected by COVID-19.”
“Sir, in my Budget speech, I proposed third spaces in our heartlands where young people can socialise and access mental health support. Let me share why this matters. In Ireland, Jigsaw operates youth mental health cafes – low-stigma drop-in spaces that have significantly reduced barriers to help-seeking. In Australia, Headspace combines informal hangout areas with on-site mental health, work and study support. These models work because they meet young people where they are, without requiring them to formally seek help. In Singapore, traditional spaces like void decks have "No Football" signs put up and malls require spending, which may discourage youths from utilising them as third spaces. About one in three youths report severe mental health symptoms. Yet 84% of mental health illnesses go undiagnosed. We need intermediate spaces in our heartlands, not clinical settings, but places where young people can play, socialise and access support early before conditions escalate. Will the Government pilot third space hubs in our heartlands, co-locating informal hangout areas with access to mental health, mentoring and work-study support? Will MCCY develop a national plan to repurpose void decks and community spaces into free, youth-friendly spaces that facilitate social connection? Space to be Young in Singapore”
“Switzerland's St Gallen Zeitvorsorge, backed by their Federal Social Insurance Office, records volunteer hours in social security accounts for future use. Both have sustained community caregiving for decades. Singapore's rapidly ageing society needs similar infrastructure. We can co-design this with the community. The Government Partnerships Office under MCCY can pilot small-scale time-bank or community currency experiments for different purposes before deciding how to scale nation-wide. Time-banking gives dignity because no one is a passive beneficiary; everyone contributes. Skills like listening, visiting and mentoring, often unpaid and performed by women, are valued. It also reinforces interdependence: helping a neighbour today means someone will help you tomorrow. Time-banking is also democratising. As I shared in my Budget speech, Ain, a mother, volunteers in our community. One hour of her time visiting a hospitalised neighbour is as valuable as one hour of a lawyer volunteering at a legal clinic. Will the Ministry pilot time-banking, allowing Singaporeans to exchange skills and support through time credits? Could this be hosted on existing digital infrastructure like Giving.sg? If not, is the Government exploring alternative ways to strengthen neighbourliness and mutual aid?”
“Sir, in today's volatile world, Singapore cannot afford a generation retreating from mutual help. At home, our super-ageing population, complex social needs and weakening social ties strain both the social and health sectors. In my Budget speech, I spoke about community networks protecting against isolation. In Bishan, mothers gather at playgrounds, taking turns to host playdates and support one another. At Bishan Community Club, a group of young widows called HopeHerd ensures no widow journeys alone. Like elephants, they form a herd so mothers and children can grieve and heal together. Young people are stepping up too. The Rotaract Club of Raffles City runs community projects and has launched cross-border collaborations with their twin club in Kuala Lumpur, including the inaugural Rotaract ASEAN Young Leaders' Exchange. These ground-up efforts show that our communities already possess deep social capital. When trusted and supported, residents take ownership, supporting families, combating isolation, strengthening mental well-being. What would supercharge them is sustained, low-barrier funding. Will the Government, through the $50-million SG Partnerships Fund, ringfence support and simplify access for youth and parent-led ground-up initiatives? Will the Government consider expanding the fund to $100 million, given the demand in rental and vulnerable communities? Time Banking for Thriving Communities Sir, in my Budget speech, I spoke about combating social isolation. One way to build lasting mutual aid is time-banking – volunteers can earn credits for helping others, redeemable when they need help themselves. This idea is proven elsewhere. Japan's Fureai Kippu lets volunteers earn credits caring for the elderly.”
“Thank you, Chairman. Given the multiple road diversions and traffic disruptions that residents along the North-South corridor construction zone have had to endure since 2020, including the ongoing closure of Marymount Flyover and the successive road reconfiguration in the Bishan-Sin Ming area, what is the current construction timeline for the tunnel section of the North-South corridor from Lentor Avenue to the city? And what measures is LTA taking to minimise further disruption to residents and road users for the remaining construction period leading up to 2029? My second question. I welcome efforts to also normalise asking for a seat on buses and trains, especially for seniors, pregnant women and those with less visible conditions. Encouraging commuters to communicate their needs can help to build a more gracious and responsive public transport culture. At the same time, we have seen incidents overseas where disputes over priority seating escalated into confrontations, such as the case in Taiwan, when a woman calmly handed over her shopping bag to a fellow commuter and then proceeded to kick an elderly woman across the aisle just as the elderly woman was demanding that the younger woman give up her seat. As we promote the norm of asking, how will the Ministry also ensure that commuter education emphasises mutual respect and a zero tolerance for aggressive or entitled behaviour?”
“Chairman, when my son goes to the army in the future, he will carry a 15-kilogramme Standard Battle Order every time he goes outfield. Today, when I carry my 13-kilogramme son and his diaper bag onto public transport, I also feel like I am going outfield. Once, when I was solo parenting, I almost tipped my son out of the stroller while trying to single-handedly board the bus with a stroller and the diaper bag. Many parents of young children have shared similar challenges navigating public transport safely and smoothly as a family. Parents have also highlighted inconsistencies across operators, particularly on ramp deployment for strollers. Boarding and alighting during peak hours remain difficult for parents and persons with disabilities, with limited space at stroller and wheelchair bays. Supporting safe, smooth commutes is essential if Singapore is to be a home for families. I thank the LTA and public bus operators for the steps they have taken to make public buses more accessible for young families and persons with disabilities. But we can do more. Can the Ministry share what further measures are planned to make buses and trains more inclusive for young families and persons with disabilities? Will LTA study their commuter experience? And can standard operational procedures (SOPs) on ramp deployment be standardised across operators alongside a public education effort? Parents carry heavy responsibilities. Let us lighten their load by making sure public transport is safe, accessible and supportive for families. Public Communications for Deaf Persons”
“Chairman, hon Member Hui Ying has already asked my question. So, it is fine, thank you.”
“By bringing the arts into education, we can help our students grow not just academically, but as empathetic, resilient and creative individuals. Students with Special Education Needs (SEN)”
“Sir, in my Budget debate, I spoke about the power of the arts in promoting mental well-being. The Minister has outlined efforts to support disadvantaged students, nurture human-centric qualities in the age of AI and refresh the CCE curriculum. The arts are a natural complement. In 2023, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra brought 200 students to a concert. Half had never attended one; a third lived in rental or smaller flats. Students reported a 13% improvement in well-being, a 17% rise in positive emotions and a 41% drop in negative emotions and a stronger social connection, all from a single concert! If one shared arts experience can do this, imagine what sustained engagement could achieve for bullying prevention, socio-emotional development and social mixing. The arts also engage kinesthetic learners, foster creativity and strengthen problem-solving. This is not about adding to teachers' burdens but equipping them with trained partners. I saw this firsthand at a Playback Theatre session by the Singapore Drama Educators Association, where audience members share real experiences of bullying and trained facilitators play them back through improvised performance. The practitioners proposed this as an avenue to address bullying by building empathy and supporting restorative approaches. They stand ready to partner schools. I would like to ask the Minister: will MOE commission a study on how the arts affect student mental well-being? Second, will MOE partner arts practitioners to address bullying and build socio-emotional competencies in schools? As Singaporean artist Tan Swie Hian said, "Art is not just a reflection of life; it is a catalyst for change". Our children are works of art themselves who can be powerful catalysts of change.”
“This will solve the chicken and egg problem of teachers who otherwise wish to remain in the profession but leave due to burnout. As any human resources professional knows, retention is more than half the battle compared to recruitment. Even if we believe that the transition to smaller class sizes will take time, there is a more immediate solution. We can reduce the effective size by adding a teaching aid or Teaching Assistant for every classroom. Such Teaching Assistants can guide students that lag behind during breakout sessions or handle disruptive students so that the teacher can carry on with the curriculum. Another upshot of such professionals is that they can also take on administrative and planning tasks or at the very least, do so in collaboration with the main teacher. This burden is clearly something that teachers struggle with, as it occupies the majority of their time, distracts them from what they were primarily hired to do and adds unduly to their stress levels. Sir, even if we accept that learning journeys and co-curricular supervision are valuable parts of holistic education, they are undeniably secondary to instruction per se. Redirecting the workload of teachers away from non-teaching tasks can only improve educational delivery. I, therefore, reiterate the Workers' Party call to cap class sizes closer to the OECD average, which is currently at 21, especially at the primary level; failing which to complement every classroom with teaching and learning Allied Educators or Teaching Assistants that will serve the students and ensure that they succeed in the classroom of tomorrow. Education Arms Race”
“Furthermore, the most recent edition of the Teaching and Learning International Survey points to another clear problem with large classes. It taxes our already overworked teachers. Our teachers spend more than 47 hours a week working, six hours more than their Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) counterparts. Paradoxically, these added hours come at the expense of classroom hours. Teachers in the OECD managed to squeeze in almost 23 hours teaching, compared to only 18 here. Disappointingly, however, the news that Singapore will increase teacher recruitment from 700 to 1,000 annually was followed by a sucker punch. The Allied Educators in teaching and learning would be scaled back. This is the opposite direction of where we should be heading. Taken together, it is clear that the debate is not so much about whether we should reduce our class sizes, but about how. The straightforward solution is, of course, to hire more teachers. The Ministry standard response to this has been that this will compromise the quality of the teachers that we hire while robbing other sectors of talent. MOE also says that there is a dearth of teaching talent. I have always found such arguments to be disingenuous. After all, are we implicitly suggesting that teachers from two decades ago, where there were more of them as a share of the workforce, were somehow not of the same quality as teachers today, or the investments in our future workforce are somehow a lower priority than those that drive our economy today? In a sense, economics also tells us the solution. Should we worry about the ability to attract talent into teaching? And the answer is simple. We should pay our teachers more or reduce their workload.”
“Making Classrooms Effectively Smaller Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Sir, Singapore's class sizes remain large. As of 2024, classrooms averaged 34 pupils at the primary level and 33 in secondary schools. This is significantly larger than the average in advanced industrialised countries where the numbers are 21 and 23 respectively and speak to the disparity that still exists in the amount attention our kids from their teachers in our public schools, relative to other countries. To be clear, this is not an argument that smaller class sizes automatically translate into superior outcomes. That evidence is, indeed, mixed, although there is indication that the greatest benefits do come in the early grades and when egregiously large classes of 40 are moderated into something closer to 30. However, that is far stronger evidence that smaller class sizes improve things like classroom management, strengthen student learning and reduces teacher's stress. This is eminently commonsensical and is one that is already abundantly clear when one actually speaks to teachers. Notably, the Ministry has also considered that smaller class sizes have clear benefits in certain specific circumstances. For instance, in recognition of the challenges faced by the young learners adapting to a new educational setting, Primary 1 and 2 classes are kept at 30 students. Children in the former GEP, who may require more customised learning to fully unlock their intellectual potential, enjoy classrooms of closer to 20-plus, and foundation classes, which focus on building fundamentals for students who require additional support, range between 10 and 20 students. I argue that the benefits of smaller classrooms should not just be limited to these special cases.”
“Sir, for 40 years, the GEP concentrated differentiated instruction in nine schools. From 2027, it will be discontinued in its current form. [Deputy Speaker (Mr Christopher de Souza) in the Chair] At its best, the GEP fostered curiosity and independent thinking. We should preserve that spirit, empowering bright and motivated students to take ownership of their learning. The expertise built over four decades should also be spread system wide. More teachers need professional development in differentiated instruction, and more students should access enrichment beyond the examinable syllabus to prepare them for future-oriented work. We must also manage the risks even as we seek to develop our high-ability learners and avoid students feeling like they are in a pressure cooker, with stiff competition between peers. A National Institute of Education (NIE) study in 2024 of intellectually gifted secondary students in Singapore schools found that their academic environments often produced a socio-emotional state of lowered self-esteem, heightened stress and increased effort, despite outward success. May I ask how will MOE resource teachers across schools to deliver differentiated instruction well? How will this expertise be scaled across the system? Will MOE adopt more child-led approaches, given that higher-ability learners can be self-directed? Will MOE encourage more peer learning, so high-ability learners shift from a competitive mindset to a collaborative one? And how will schools safeguard students' psychosocial development and self-actualisation in a high-pressure environment? Let us ensure that in nurturing our brightest minds, we cultivate not just their knowledge, but their confidence, curiosity and capacity to thrive as whole, resilient individuals.”
“Chairman, over the past 30 years, many MNCs have based their Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, positioning us as a gateway for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In a volatile global environment, economic connection is more critical than ever. Regional collaboration with ASEAN, including initiatives, like the Johor-Singapore SEZ, has unlocked competitive and strategic advantages for all parties. In my Budget speech, I shared that four in five Singapore SMEs plan to expand overseas. Yet only 3.1% of our resident workforce has worked overseas full-time for at least six months. Many businesses and workers lack experience operating beyond Singapore. This may deter regional expansion. Schemes, like the Enterprise Development Grant, help defray the costs of setting up businesses abroad. Will MTI consider strengthening such support to provide smoother, lower-risk entry into foreign markets? On the manpower front, will MTI expand the Global Ready Talent Programme or explore grants to co-fund Singaporeans' relocation costs within ASEAN? If not, can MTI share how it plans to build capacity in three areas: first, increasing international firms' readiness to appoint Singaporeans to regional roles; second, strengthening business leaders' ability to operate in diverse markets; and third, encouraging Singaporeans to relocate for regional opportunities? If Singapore is to remain a gateway to ASEAN, we must not only host regional headquarters, we must raise a generation of Singaporeans ready to lead beyond our shores. Risk-calibrated Global Expansion”
“Thank you so much. I thank the Senior Minister of State for the answers as well. I wanted to ask whether the Ministry will consider more deliberately integrating peer support structures into the tiered care model for mental health, so that peer supporters in the community and workplaces are clearly recognised as part of the national mental health ecosystem with defined roles, referral pathways and outcome indicators. I ask this because many times they are the first line of defence, and HR or a trusted adult or a peer can be someone who can make a difference. Secondly, I would like to ask if the Ministry intends to ensure that strengthen peer support structures are accessible to groups who may be less likely to seek help through formal services, such as older adults, caregivers and persons in lower wage or more precarious forms of employment, and whether targeted outreach or tailored peer support initiatives will be developed for this for these groups?”
“These parents have already adjusted to a single income and simpler lifestyle. They should not be penalised a second time when they seek to return. In truth, stay-home parents possess highly employable skills – they manage budgets, coordinate complex schedules, resolve conflicts and navigate crises daily. They are resilient, adaptable and resourceful. A country in the region has instituted a Career Comeback Programme, providing mothers returning to work with job databases, career coaching and a 12-month income tax exemption. Companies hiring returnees may qualify for a 50% tax deduction on the employee's salary for up to 12 months. May I ask PMO: what measures are being considered to support the economic reintegration of stay-home parents and caregivers? Will the PMO explore a career comeback tax incentive to provide relief for employers who intentionally hire them, signalling that both society and Government support their return? Just as parents care for our next generation, it is our responsibility to care for them – with support at home, guidance in their journey and opportunities to return to work. When we do, we strengthen families, nurture children and secure Singapore's future.”
“Mr Chairman, supporting parents of young children is key to making Singapore a home for families and addressing our population decline. Strong postpartum and caregiver's support can make a real difference. The founder of Safe Place, Ms Jennifer Heng, who works with women in unsupported pregnancies, shared that many consider abortion because they feel they lack the help to raise a child. I was also deeply saddened by reports of mothers with postpartum depression who took not only their own lives but also those of their newborns, feeling overwhelmed and alone. While we already have follow-up healthcare after delivery, I propose enhancing this with structured in-home postpartum visits in the first year. Trained maternity nurses could provide guidance on newborn care, breastfeeding, physiotherapy and mental health screening. They could also identify signs of family stress, isolation or financial difficulty and coordinate follow-up support with health and social services. What are the PMO's plans to further address the concerns of parents in having more children? Has the PMO considered plans to enhance postpartum care for parents as a means to support parenthood and address our TFR? Are there plans to consider such comprehensive and coordinated support programmes or expand community-based support programmes of young children? Career Comeback Credit for Caregivers Supporting parents does not end with the first year. Some parents leave the workforce to care for their children during these formative years. Many intend to return once their children are older, but career gaps often become barriers. Employers cite skills obsolescence and for those contemplating parenthood, this risk can influence their decision on whether to have children at all.”
“I am working on an initiative in Bishan Community Club to make it a comfortable and conducive space for those with special needs, so they know they are welcome at our events. We are doing this by setting aside calm corners, training volunteers to know how to engage such families and designing wayfinding features. I also started an initiative to promote bonding between parents, grandparents and children. It is called Play Date. It is an indoor space with loose parts free play, which is going to expand to serve children with special needs. Our efforts are modest. Punggol Regional Library and the National Gallery have far more beautiful and well-equipped rooms for those with special needs. But wherever we can, let us provide more of such spaces across our country. I would like to issue a call to every operator of a public space, to be like the National Gallery and the National Library Board and to consider making accommodations to make their spaces more welcoming to persons with autism and special needs. Let us break down the barriers that have kept those with special needs apart from us.”
“I would therefore like to explore the power of the arts in promoting mental well-being and social connection among our young. I would like to call on the Government to commission a nation-wide study on how the arts strengthen the mental and social well-being of our students. There is an opportunity to scale up the work that arts practitioners are already doing. Some are using theatre to address bullying and build empathy in schools. I propose that MOE increase partnerships with them to build socio-emotional competencies, complementing what teachers and counsellors already do. Further, participating in arts programmes also reaps significant socio-emotional benefits. A study by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra shows that just bringing students to attend a concert together resulted in significant improvement in their well-being and sense of social connection. Therefore, I propose that we expand the Culture Pass to cover every child, rather than only applying it to citizens aged 18 and above. This provides access to the arts to every child, strengthens family ties and involves parents in the artistic development of their children. Most of all, doing so also benefits their overall health and well-being. We also have to combat the isolation of those with special needs. One particularly heartbreaking instance of social isolation that I came across was during the Walk of a Lifetime, organised by Saint Andrew's Autism Centre. During the briefing, I learnt about how some parents keep their autistic children at home for fear of the social rejection they would encounter should their children go through a meltdown in public.”
“For youths who want to do more and who are not content to be mere spectators, but want to build our nation together, I see immense potential in the Budget announcement of a $50 million SG Partnerships Fund, so we can support more ground-up community initiatives. But turning to those who are struggling, I wonder if we can recruit and train befrienders and mentors trained in psychological first aid so we can form a first line of defence for our young people. I would like to propose tapping on the schools' peer support leaders for this role, with the long-term hope that building such capacity also builds capacity for such individuals to eventually serve as community volunteers. In my community, I have seen mothers and volunteers form support networks on their own, from playground groups to a group of young widows who call themselves Hope Herd and who ensure no one journeys alone. They are resilient. But what about our youths who may be struggling on their own? While we have Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health (CHAT), which provides mental health assessments at *SCAPE and CREST-Youth to do outreach, we lack intermediate spaces in the heartlands. Traditional spaces like our void decks have "No Football" signs put up and malls require spending. Without free, unstructured spaces to congregate, our youths have nowhere to go. Is it any wonder they are retreating into their digital worlds? Overseas, youth-friendly spaces that combine drop-in socialising with mental health support have shown real results. I would like to propose third spaces co-located with ActiveSG gyms or libraries, where young people can socialise and access early mental health support before conditions escalate. There is also compelling evidence for the arts as a driver of health and well-being.”
“There are young people in China lying flat, or "躺平"; in Japan, we see hikikomori, directly translated, it means "pulling inward and being confined". In Singapore, about one-third of youths aged 15 to 35 reported severe or extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress. Students dealing with these conditions miss about 190 hours – or 24 days – of school annually and mental health struggles cut down school performance by 63%. Research by IPS has found a direct statistical link between high screen time and greater loneliness. Yet, the young people of the Rotaract Club defied these trends. They painted rental flats, ran community projects with homes for the disabled, homes for the children, and even launched cross-border collaborations across ASEAN, including launching the inaugural Rotaract ASEAN Young Leaders' Exchange to foster cultural understanding and youth dialogue across Southeast Asia. They are amazing! I saw how confident and how purposeful they are. I left that event shivering with excitement. But I also asked myself: how might we empower more young people to be changemakers? How might we connect with young people who feel so disconnected from real life that they have retreated into their digital worlds? With an increasing reliance on AI, how might we help people build strong social skills, strong communication skills and competencies to navigate cross-cultural environments with sensitivity, respect and moral courage, qualities that AI will never be able to replicate? In an AI-saturated world, with everyone upping the game on AI to improve productivity, for Singaporeans to remain competitive, we need to have more than just AI and that must mean more social-emotional and cultural intelligence.”
“Mr Daniel Yeow, who runs The Social Space, a social enterprise in the F&B sector, shared with me that it is becoming much harder to sustain their mission of providing dignified employment to vulnerable groups, such as single parents with caregiving burdens, at-risk youths and people with mental health conditions. These individuals are often unable to maintain long-term employment and not many employers are willing to give them even a chance. While this social enterprise is determined to help such workers, they are struggling to do more because of rising cost pressures and increasing Local Qualifying Salary thresholds. Yet it is challenging for such enterprises to fully benefit from the various AI and productivity related schemes in order to provide employment to such groups of people. I would like the Government to consider a "Take A Chance" grant for employers who hire such vulnerable persons. There are already the Senior Employment Credit for hiring seniors, Enabling Employment Credit for hiring persons with disabilities and the Uplifting Employment Credit for hiring ex-offenders. We can introduce another similar credit scheme for employers who take a chance on persons from other vulnerable and marginalised groups and offer them meaningful long-term employment. In the push towards productivity, it is important that the most vulnerable are not inadvertently made worse off or further excluded from employment opportunities. Beyond economic isolation, we must also address social isolation. Last year, I had the privilege of addressing a group of young people in the Rotaract Club of Raffles City at their 25th installation ceremony. I shared about how we were seeing quiet quitters.”
“But companies are looking for workers with global or regional experience to take on leadership roles or who are prepared to venture into the region to support growth initiatives. With the stiff competition from the global pool of talent, how can we provide this international exposure for Singaporean workers so our workers are ready and willing to take up opportunities? I will propose specific measures during the COS, including grants for companies deploying Singaporeans to regional roles and work exposure programmes for young graduates in ASEAN markets. Second, I wish to speak on the economic isolation of a group of people who have sacrificially taken time out for a noble cause. They are among the most capable people I have met. During their time out, these people have honed a range of valuable skills. They have experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, conflict resolution, multiple stakeholder management, event planning and execution and healthcare coordination. They have to manage competing priorities, optimise limited resources and lead with resilience under pressure. These super power workers I am referring to are stay-at-home parents. They have given up some of the very best years of their careers. I call on the Government to implement a scheme to support their return to the workforce. This is a crucial piece in the overall national effort to support Singaporeans to feel confident in starting families. It supports the long-term objective of arresting Singapore's local population decline and creates a pathway back for parents to be productive members of our economy. Third, as we strategise for Singapore to surge ahead and ride the AI wave to advance our economy, let us not forget that there are groups of people who may be left behind.”
“But imagine if we and our neighbours could work together and uplift one another, sharing our resources, each of us contributing our strengths to create shared prosperity and more economic opportunities within the ASEAN region. What a world that would be! To achieve this, we need to first empower Singapore workers by helping them to be economically connected to the region. Global trade is fragmenting, with tariffs and the "weaponisation" of trade impacting ASEAN supply chains and raising uncertainty. Yet in this climate, around 82% of Singapore SMEs plan to expand overseas this year, primarily targeting ASEAN markets to drive growth, diversify revenue and build stronger regional brand presence. Tangible Government support is critical for Singapore companies seeking to venture abroad and helps Singapore stay economically relevant to the region. There are encouraging success stories, such as that of Happy Fish, an indoor swimming school which now has 10 branches in Singapore and 11 in Malaysia, with its first Jakarta branch opening this quarter. They plan to open more branches in Malaysia and Jakarta and expand into Vietnam, Thailand and Japan, with support from Enterprise Singapore. Such stories inspire confidence in the Singapore brand. We are competent and dependable. But such a brand alone is insufficient. Singapore enterprises or global companies which have headquarters in Singapore often require Singaporean workers who are prepared to venture abroad to take up regional or global leadership roles. Yet many Singaporean workers are reluctant to venture overseas. An MOM report in November showed that only 3.1% of Singaporean and Permanent Resident workers have had overseas work stints of at least six months.”
“Mr Speaker, I have recently been wondering, how do I raise my child in the kind of world we are living in today? The Prime Minister began his Budget speech by describing the profoundly volatile, fragmented and contested world we live in. The moment I wake up, my phone pings with negative news. In various parts of our world, we have armed conflict and wars. On top of that, we have trade wars and, increasingly, we are fighting tech wars, over AI, chips, data and digital dominance. AI and digital activities have also displaced healthy social connection and mental well-being. Our young people are experiencing what The Straits Times is calling a "contagion of despair". Many are also anxious about AI displacing their jobs. And as technology and the rest of the world advance at breakneck speed, some are left behind. We used to feel much more secure in our economic connections with other nations and our social connections with other people, but that has changed now. Therefore, apart from the threat of global instability, isolation is an equally pressing threat for Singapore. Despite the challenges that we face, I am glad to hear in the Prime Minister's speech a glimmer of hope. The various strategies and support systems highlighted will take Singapore forward as one people. Not an isolated Singapore from the rest of the world. Not isolated people within a land. But a connected Singapore, a shared Singapore, a Singapore that is for all of us. To do that, we need to turn from isolation to connection. There is great temptation to give in to the dog-eat-dog mentality, in a world where it seems like we are playing a zero-sum game. If you have more, it means I have less; and we start to compete against one another. This is the economic isolation I fear.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I would also like to thank the Minister for acknowledging the additional risks faced by vulnerable groups. With the current haze persisting since late-January and doctors flagging out the elderly, children and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions as disproportionately affected, has the Inter-Agency Task Force been convened for the current episode? And at what PSI threshold will the Government activate the distribution of N95 masks and the opening of haze sanctuaries, particularly for seniors, children and vulnerable families in non-air-conditioned rental flats who may not have access to air purifiers?”
“I encourage members of the public to show graciousness towards them and others like them to understand that the disabled person on a mobility scooter, navigating a crowded path, or an elderly uncle lumbering on a public sidewalk are not obstacles to go around, but people exercising their right to move independently. Second commitment regarding noise levels from PMAs using paths near residential areas. I have received several complaints from residents about PMA users who play music very loudly throughout the day, disrupting online meetings, children's naps and our residents' rest. As our city becomes busier, the noise in our environment, where the buses, trains, stations or footpaths has deteriorated. This is not merely aesthetic. Noise is a form of pollution that affects the well-being of all commuters, particularly the elderly and those with sensory sensitivities. Transport operators and enforcement officers should be empowered to enforce reasonable conduct standards. Commuters can be mindful that personal music, loud phone conversations and unnecessary noise in public are intrusions on the shared space. This is graciousness in its most equal form, the recognition that the time another person spent on public transport is as valuable as your own and that you have an obligation to protect their experience of that journey, that our homes and communities are places of rest and should be safe from noise and disruption. Accordingly, Mr Deputy Speaker, I commend this Bill to the House. May we move forward with the understanding that a gracious transport system is one that accommodates all of our citizens, young and old, disabled and able-bodied, with equal care for their safety and dignity.”
“If vehicle owners do not pay what they owe, they would not be able to renew their road tax or sell their vehicle until the payments are settled. These measures protect the community by ensuring that those who use our roads do so responsibly and the enforcement mechanisms serve the broader good. These three areas share a common thread. They are all expressions of a single principle: when we use shared transport infrastructure, we do so as members of a community, not in isolation. That community comprises the elderly gentleman on a mobility scooter, the young mother with a child, or a lorry driver navigating a residential area, the casual road user and all of us who depend on moving safely through Singapore. Graciousness does not mean the absence of rules. Graciousness means rules that protect the vulnerable while serving the legitimate needs of all. As this Bill moves towards debate and implementation, I wish to invite all members of our community to consider two commitments. First, a commitment to graciousness towards the young, disabled and elderly persons on our transport systems – the people whom we should be looking out for. They deserve safe and dignified passage. This is not charity. It is recognition of the equal standing in our community. They deserve the same freedoms that we enjoy, the same access to the transport infrastructure that we use and the same dignity as we commute together. One of my volunteers also shared about a time when he was unable to enter a lift after waiting 15 minutes even though he had a young child in a stroller with him. This was because the lift was full of able-bodied commuters. He eventually had to take the escalator even though it posed a safety risk. Can we do better for such commuters?”
“The measures proposed – requiring medical certification, reducing speed limits and establishing device registration – serve to ensure that those with genuine needs can move safely and with dignity. When someone who cannot walk risks collision because an able-bodied person misuses a scooter, this affects the community. When an oversized device occupies space meant for a young child, the dignity of the disabled user is compromised alongside the safety of others. Good regulation is an expression of grace toward all, including our disabled citizens. It communicates that all our needs are real, that our dignity is protected and those around us will be safer when sharing space with us. This Bill affirms that commitment. Secondly, on accountability for heavy vehicles and PMDs without UL2272 certification, which are illegal on our roads, but can still be kept in our homes. The speed limiter, amendments for lorries between 3.5 and 12 tonnes will reduce road fatalities and protect our communities. The substantially increased penalties for illegal alteration of motorised vehicles, up to $10,000 for individuals and $40,000 for corporates, send a clearer signal on the non-negotiable ability of safety. The same can be said for PMDs without UL2272, which remain fire hazards. Seventy-two percent of AMD-related fires in the last three years were related to non-compliant devices, and I am glad that we are removing those safety hazards from our homes. Thirdly, regarding the ERP 2.0 system and the decriminalisation of charges. This change reflects a mature, refined approach to accountability. Vehicle owners will face real consequences, helping us to ensure compliance without the bluntness of criminal prosecution.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Land Transport and Related Matters Bill. Mobility is freedom. Thus, I appreciate Minister of State Baey's acknowledgment of the Bill's attempt to balance access and safety. Both access and safety are critical for this freedom that mobility offers us. Under this Bill, pedestrians have freedom from injury and neighbours, freedom from PMD-related fires. And the gracious use of our transport system helps to increase this sense of freedom. Recently, I met with parents of young children together with my fellow Group Representation Constituency MP Cai Yinzhou, to hear about their struggles on commuting, whether it is carrying strollers onto public buses or whether they are fearful of sharing paths with fast-moving personal mobility devices. As a mother myself who takes public transport, I completely understand the struggle. Singapore's transport infrastructure is a shared space. It is built on a social compact and understanding that we move through the city as members of one community, not merely as separate individuals seeking to reach our destinations. This is where graciousness comes in. We need to show grace, patience and kindness to one another as we travel together. This Bill addresses three critical areas where that graciousness is tested. Firstly, on disabled persons and mobility aids. The amendments to mobility scooters and PMAs do not punish disabled persons. They protect them and they protect our shared spaces. The issue is misused. Able-bodied individuals operating mobility devices unsuitable for pedestrian paths have created genuine hazards for the elderly and young children.”
“Sir, I thank the Minister for his response. It is heartening to know that MOE is already taking good steps in this direction. I wanted to ask the Minister, does the Minister agree that in a world with artificial intelligence (AI) disrupting the learning of content in a nation of smaller family sizes, it is even more important that children learn the soft skills which no machine can teach, and develop emotional and psychological strengths which only humans can nurture? And given that human mentoring and the learning of soft skills cannot scale so easily with technology, will MOE relook class sizes?”
“As we recognise new forms of competitive excellence, our duty is to ensure that every athlete we support is backed by strong institutions and clear accountability. When we invest in sport, we invest in the kind of country we want to be. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“Recently, I the privilege of meeting our SEA Games medalist Isaiah Tang, who started karate lessons in Bishan Community Centre (CC) when he was just seven years old. In his debut at last year's SEA Games Isaiah came back with a bronze medal. I was greatly touched when he asked about what young athletes like him needed. He did not share immediately about funding or recognition but shared instead about opportunities and exposure to competitions. He is the archetype of a home-grown champion that we as a nation should be proud of. All the same, support is instrumental for the growth, maturity and further development of home-grown talents like Isaiah. He shared that his family flew up to Thailand to cheer him on at the most recent SEA Games. More than just family support, however, our talent requires the resources and opportunities that institutional support brings. This Bill is a large step in the right direction, to further build up the kampung of support around our natural home-grown athletes and champions; but there is still space to grow. Mr Speaker, I envision a sports scene for Singapore where all people of all talent are given the resources and opportunity to thrive and excel on the regional and world stage regardless of their upbringing, privilege and family background. Where even those of less privilege, or rather, especially those of less privilege, see a clear path of opportunities to grow, excel, thrive and shine. The athletes we seek to support are giving the best they have to give; whether they compete on a track, a chessboard, or in an arena; therefore, they also deserve nothing less than the best our country can give. A nation that invests in sport is investing in more than medals – it is investing in discipline, character and shared pride.”