Mariam Jaafar
Singapore
“One trusted person who knows their story, who checks in, who believes in them when they do not believe in themselves can make all the difference. As we scale, how do we protect that relational core as numbers grow?”
“I thank Members for the robust debate. I think healthcare is probably one of the most complex Ministries. On behalf of this Health Government Parliamentary Committee, I would like to say thank you to the healthcare family, from everyone at MOH to the frontliners in the hospitals and community. With that, I seek to withdraw my amendment.”
“Every young Malay/Muslim deserves to know: they are seen, they are valued, they are supported – in faith and in life. When our youths are anchored in faith and supported in well-being, our community – and our nation – are stronger. Singapore College of Islamic Studies”
“We must adapt S+3M: financing not only healthcare, but health itself, not by abandoning the principles, but by fulfilling them fully. Shared responsibility must include shared prevention. Personal ownership must empower early action. Equity must recognise cumulative burden. This is not about spending more.”
“Could MOM share the uptake and outcomes so far? And could we expand practical models so seniors can pace themselves while staying engaged? And with the Tripartite Workgroup on senior employment, when can we expect key recommendations and how will success, beyond placements, be tracked?”
“Can we strengthen incentives for FWAs and provide structured coaching at key transition points, so caregivers do not have to choose between career and care. Third, re-entry. Can we create structured return pathways so that stepping up for family does not mean stepping back professionally. Supporting caregivers is not charity.”
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“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his very comprehensive clarifications. I wanted to follow up on the reinstatement of the underwriting criteria for the Optional Cohort. As we know this cohort is senior, you know, most of them are now in their 50s and 60s and I take the Senior Minister of State's point that the enrolment has dropped to a trickle, but I am concerned that the people who perhaps have not enrolled by now may fall more in the lower-income brackets who did felt that they did not have, you know, enough savings for the premiums or did not have the financial literacy for it. And also, mild and undiagnosed conditions may be more common in those cohorts that are in the lower-income segments than others. So, it is a little bit of a concern to me that those are most likely to get screened out, and this applies to the Optional Cohort as well as the new Citizens. So, three questions from me. First, what assurances does the Senior Minister of State have that the underwriting process will be fair, transparent and medical robust? In particular, the borderline cases for the mild conditions. Second, will there be clear appeals or a second opinion pathway so that one assessment does not mean that somebody is excluded for life. And third, this one I raised and I did not hear a response to it. Do we really have to take this all-or-nothing approach? Is there some way that you can consider some tiered or partial entry options for those who may have some mild disabilities and may be excluded under the underwriting criteria?”
“Let us build a long-term care system that does not just protects today’s seniors, but keeps faith with today’s young and stands strong for generations yet to come. Because how we care for the most vulnerable around us is a true test of the “we first” society that we are building together. I support the Bill.”
“Or creating targeted risk pools or options for partial entry for excluded seniors, even if it means smaller payouts rather than this all-or-nothing coverage? No senior should be left unprotected simply because they were born too early or became disabled too soon. Finally, design matters, but delivery matters more. Even the best financing design means little if services on the ground are stretched and wait times are long, whether it is for a nursing home bed, home personal care or caregiver services, including respite care. In Woodlands, new facilities like Ren Ci at Woodlands Health Campus have added beds and day places. But waiting times for some services still run weeks and longer for specialised care. Nationally, the median wait time for a nursing home space is four to six weeks, and longer for dementia care. When my Woodlands resident had to look for a nursing home for his brother, he had to put him in a nursing home in Jurong for the fastest enrolment, which means higher travel time and cost for the family. Families should not have to choose between speed and proximity when it comes to long-term care. Sir, payouts must translate into real, timely, accessible services, and not just paper entitlements. Mr Deputy Speaker, this Bill is timely and a significant step is ensuring the CareShield Life remains affordable, provides sufficient payouts and is sustainable. But our work is not done. To serve our ageing society well, we must build greater system coherence, keep the system affordable and payouts adequate, ensure fairness across generations, plug the coverage gaps for seniors and make sure the care we promise actually gets delivered where and when it is needed.”
“Younger Singaporeans are paying into CareShield Life, putting trust in a promise: that the system will protect them when they need it most. And let us not forget that some will never make a claim. Still, they contribute to make the system work for all. Yet disability rates and care costs could rise faster than current actuarial assumptions. Will the Majulah Generation and younger Singaporeans be looking at substantial premium increases over their lifetimes? Will coverage still be sufficient when their time comes? To preserve trust, can the Ministry commit to monitoring actuarial assumptions closely and adjusting premiums gradually and with transparency, integrating prevention with long-term care financing models? Could we explore risk-sharing models that protect vulnerable groups without overburdening the rest? There is a group we must not forget – seniors who are now excluded with the reinstatement of the underwriting criteria. Seniors who were too old, had pre-existing disabilities, even mild ones, or were not yet Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents at the time. People like my Woodlands resident, Mdm T, who told me quietly, “I’m not afraid of dying, I’m afraid of being a burden to my children.” She is not alone. Seniors who are excluded from MediShield Life, may have to rely on family or minimal social assistance. Yet these are the very people most likely to need long-term care soon. Schemes, like the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for Elderly (IDAPE), help but only partially. This underwriting gap is a coverage gap and a fairness gap. Will the Ministry consider expanding and extending IDAPE or similar fallback schemes?”
“For lower- to middle-income families supporting multiple dependants and those with lower MediSave balances, such as retirees and the self-employed, this can be a strain. A middle-income household with a per capita income of just over $3,600 but below $4,800 today gets no CareShield Life premium subsidy, even though they will later qualify for long-term care subsidies if disability strikes. This may make sense within individual schemes, but to families on the ground, it feels inconsistent and the “sandwiched middle” shoulders a heavier burden upfront. Will the Ministry consider increasing the subsidy income threshold so that greater alignment between financing and service subsidies exist across premium support, care subsidies and Healthier SG and Age Well SG programmes? A coherent, transparent framework will help families plan better and strengthen trust in the system. For those with very low MediSave balances, the Additional Premium Support scheme is critical. Can the Senior Minister of State share how much Additional Premium Support has been disbursed so far and what is budgeted for the next five years? Will the Minister consider expanding Additional Premium Support to ensure no one loses CareShield coverage due to affordability? And I am heartened to hear the Senior Minister of State speak and reiterate that many times in his speech. On payouts, 4% annual payout increases may not keep pace with actual long-term care cost inflation. And since the payout is also fixed at the point of claim or at age 67, their value may erode over time. Will the Ministry consider regular affordability reviews to monitor premiums, subsidies, payouts and inflation, and recalibrate quickly as needed? As we debate premiums and payouts, we must also look at inter-generational fairness.”
“We encourage Singaporeans to get screened, exercise and join Healthier SG. But those who do the right thing do not seem to see any tangible benefits here – no premium discounts, rebates, not even Healthy365 points. Should prevention not count for something? What we need is a continuum of care that connects prevention, early intervention and long-term care. This means standardising assessment, aligning payouts, subsidies and incentives, and making it easier for families to choose the right care, with structured pathways with less bureaucracy. Encouragingly, steps have recently been announced. From 2026, the income threshold for nursing home subsidies, Home Caregiving Grant and the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund will all be aligned at $4,800 per capita household income, and the severe disability assessment for CareShield Life will also apply the Home Caregiving Grant. Families would not need to apply twice. But we can go further. For example, offering premium rebates for active participation in Healthier SG programmes or automatically bundling CareShield Life payouts with Age Well SG community services. The CareShield Life Council, Healthier SG Office and Age Well SG agencies can be tasked to jointly look at how prevention and community care trends impact financing. This kind of system coherence aligns incentives across a person’s life course, so that we bend the cost curve, not just chase it. Let me turn to affordability and payout adequacy. With this Bill, premiums will rise, even with means tested premium subsidies, transitional support and additional premium support, the annual premium increase will be $38 on average but can go up to $75 during the transitional period. Without support, the average increase would be $126 annually.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, imagine this. The last 10 years of your life. You cannot walk, you cannot dress yourself or feed yourself. Maybe you had a stroke or dementia. Your body fails you, slowly, while your savings drain away. This is not a distant nightmare. MOH estimates that half of healthy Singaporeans aged 65 will develop severe disability in their lifetimes. This could happen to any of us or to someone we love. That is why long-term care is not a “someday” issue. It is a now issue. When CareShield Life was lauched, it was a bold, necessary move, one that showed the foresight of this Government in planning for our ageing society. The Council’s recommendations and the Bill before us today takes the next step: enhancing payouts, adjusting premiums and tightening administration to keep pace with rising care needs and healthcare costs. I support it. But let us not stop there. As we refine the mechanics, we must ask deeper questions. Is the system coherent? Is it fair? And it is ready for tomorrow? I will speak today on five areas we must strengthen – system coherence, affordability and payout adequacy, inter-generational fairness, coverage, and long-term care delivery on the ground. First, system coherence. Long-term care cannot exist in silos. Long-term care sits alongside Healthier SG, Age Well SG, S+3M framework, Home Caregiving Grant and other support schemes. There is an opportunity and a need to strengthen the linkages between these schemes. Today, long-term care is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle with pieces from different boxes. Assessments and eligibility criteria differ. Funding is fragmented. And families, especially middle-income households, sometimes find community-based care harder to access or less supported. Incentives are sometimes misaligned. Prevention matters.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your responses. I have three supplementary questions to my first Parliamentary Question and one supplementary question to my second Parliamentary Question. On coverage for seniors above 65, my supplementary questions would be – I understand that there are implications in terms of premium cost, but more seniors are remaining in the workforce beyond 65. In fact, our own Re-employment Age has moved to 67. And they are supporting dependants, both children as well as seniors, with our increased life expectancy. So, would the Minister consider the current age limit to remain appropriate and fit-for-purpose, given the current realities? Two, could the Minister share what actuarial studies have been done on the feasibility of extending DPS coverage to align with the current Re-employment Age and what the implications might there be for premiums? How much of an increase are we talking about? And thirdly, if a broad-based approach is too costly, could the Minister consider more targeted approaches or optional DPS extension, perhaps at a higher premium? Because I think of the cost of not having coverage, if something bad happens and DPS is a great scheme. It would be great for those who are still in employment to benefit from it. On the Parliamentary Question on non-payment, I appreciate the data that there is only 0.2%, which is quite comforting. Does the Minister have insights on the reason for non-payment? Is it mostly due to financial difficulties or is it lack of awareness? The Minister mentioned that members could apply, so, I am glad to know that there are grace periods. Could the Minister also consider additional safeguards, in terms of premium assistance and more flexible reinstatement arrangements to support people who really need it?”
“Thank you for the answers. My question is to MinLaw. I have two supplementary questions related to a particular step, which is the service and enforcement step of the process. You gave a lot of data on the number of cases, the number of resolutions. And I actually wanted to clarify if you had mentioned, maybe I missed it, was there data on the proportion or number of CDRT cases that are actually enforced? So, that is my first supplementary question, and I ask that because I hear from the ground that actually, that percentage can be fairly low. And my second supplementary question related to that is under the current framework. I understand that the affected neighbour who initiated the CDRT is actually the one that is responsible for service and enforcement of the orders from CDRT and that would involve either going through the process server, or, as you said earlier, to make an application to the court. These, of course, can be quite intimidating to the average resident. So, my question is, will the Government consider shifting the responsibility for service of CDRT orders to a Government agency, and related to that, are CRU orders treated the same way? Do those also have to be served and enforced by the affected neighbours?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. I have two supplementary questions. The first is on the rental increases by category. I think the Senior Minister of State talked about the increase for private-owned properties as well as properties rented directly by HDB. But I did ask about that category of a sublet rents. I understand that that has gone up significantly, and if HDB's increases are only in the 1.3% to 3.5% range to the master tenant, I do believe that is going up much more for their sublets. So, what is HDB doing about that? Secondly, on the medical clinics, could the Senior Minister of State share what are some of the quality measures that have been given priority? And in particular, do the opening hours of the clinics qualify as markers of quality? I ask this because I have asked this a few times in the House. In my area in Woodlands North Plaza, which is a big commercial centre, we have three medical clinics, none of which operate after 5.00 pm, and only till 12.00 pm on Saturdays, which is really unhelpful, especially for young families and families with seniors, where people have to take leave just to take their loved ones to the clinic.”
“I thank the Minister of State for all the explanations. I understand that it is really a difficult knot to crack. I have a few supplementary questions, but I will make them short. First of all, on fairness and patient interest, I think patients really care that many of them have been paying for a very long time. It is an annual product, but they have been paying for years and years and years. And now they see premiums rising and they are facing more exclusions and tighter panels. So, how is MOH ensuring that patient protection actually is at the heart of the regulatory framework rather than insurance profits? Second, the Minister of State mentioned about education of the consumer. I think part of education involves transparency. If insurance premiums include administrative costs, including the costs around the panels that we were talking about, and their profits are not quite visible to patients, will MOH require clearer disclosures so that patients can make more informed choices about the value of their coverage? Third, since MOH currently relies on persuasion rather than statutory authority over the private component of the IPs, how can patients be assured that insurers cannot prioritise profits over their interest? And related to that, MediShield Life is tightly regulated by law, so a lot of basic IP protections are there. But is MOH considering stronger statutory powers over the private portion of IPs to better protect patients? The Minister of State mentioned that patients can also go to FIDReC if they have any disputes. But FIDReC, the name itself suggests that the primary lens there is financial. And so, would MOH be open to a separate panel that also looks at it more from a health and a patient protection standpoint?”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I think the Member now says that his point was if meritocracy is taken to the extreme. But that is precisely the problem of his argument. In Singapore, we do not take meritocracy to the extreme. We adapt it, we make it work and we are practical in our application of meritocracy. As I said in my speech, I do not discount that there are people who are really struggling. I meet them every day and I try my best to help them every day. But you cannot blame that on meritocracy.”
“The Minister of Health who is also now the Coordinating Minister for Social Policy happens to be my anchor Minister in Sembawang group representation constituency (GRC) and I seek his understanding that no matter how good a job the Government is doing on this topic, I will always press us to do more, do better. Because social mobility is not just a policy goal. It is the promise of Singapore. Mr Speaker, it is an enormous honour to stand here in this House again. I look forward to working with Members of this House to heed the President’s call. 3.38 pm”
“And certainly, there is no need to mischaracterise it to our community as promoting the belief that "those who succeed are entitled to their success because they have worked hard, while those who are left behind deserve to be left behind because they have not worked hard enough". Firstly, I am sure that, like me, Member Fadli Fawzi eschews this belief. But secondly, words like this do not help families who are struggling. What helps them is when we, as leaders, acknowledge the gaps honestly and work together on solutions. This includes lingering experiences of prejudice and discrimination, perceived or otherwise. Our work to strengthen our multiculturalism is itself a work-in-progress and must continue to go on. A "we first" society is not built by tearing down the ladders of opportunity, it is built by strengthening them and adding rungs below, so no one is left behind. Sir, when I entered this House five years ago, my primary motivation was clear: to keep social mobility alive. This is not an abstract goal to me. My own journey, I know that of many in this Chamber and many, many more outside this Chamber, and it is proof of what Singapore has made possible. But 60 years after Independence, our society has changed. If we do nothing, cycles of disadvantage will harden. But if we act boldly, we can give dignity, stability and hope to every family, no matter their starting point, and benefit from the talents of our only natural resource – our people. So, we must be more ambitious and that is why I rise today, to urge us to look harder at the evidence, to think deeper about the gaps and to act with courage, using my vantage point as Chair for the Health GPC, a member of the Social and Family Development GPC and a past member of the Education GPC.”
“And among the most visible are in our Malay community, where under the auspices of M³@Towns, our "gotong royong" spirit shines through, whether it is in Kelas MateMatika (KMM), Mendaki Tuition Scheme (MTS) or youth mentoring. And lastly, we celebrate values and character, not just grades or how much money you make. At every Edusave awards, we give the Edusave Award for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES) award and the Edusave Character Award (ECHA) award. Resilience, service and contribution to society are part of how we define merit. What I have just described cannot possibly be seen as an elitist meritocracy. Ours is a progressive and compassionate meritocracy, one which recognizes effort and ability, while also investing heavily in those with fewer advantages and we keep improving. Framing meritocracy as an ideology risks dismissing these hard-won efforts. I do not discount that there are many families, including many in our Malay community who are really struggling. I see them at my Meet the People session. I shared some of their stories today. But there are many issues at play, that weigh families down regardless of effort or merit. And while we must keep improving our system, I humbly remember both Member Fadli Fawzi and I are, ourselves, beneficiaries of Singapore’s meritocracy. It is this system that enabled us, children from ordinary families, to study, to work and now to serve in this House. So, there is no need to disparage or dismiss the system that has uplifted and continues to uplift so many.”
“The danger is not in practicing meritocracy but in abandoning it, because success would depend not on effort or talent, but on connections and privilege. That is not a "we first" society. That is a “some first” society. Our meritocracy is not a perfect system. And that is why we are here, to refine it, to strengthen it, to make sure that meritocracy in Singapore remains fair and real, not just in principle but in practice. The truth is meritocracy in Singapore has never stood still. We have broadened and deepened the definition of meritocracy precisely to address the risks Mr Fadli Fawzi raised. Let me elaborate on how this has played out in practice. First, merit is no longer exclusively seen through your exam scores and the schools you go to. Today, we have multiple pathways – university, polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), SkillsFuture, we have subject-based banding. Success is not one-size-fits-all. Second, we have moved from equal treatment to equitable support. Those who have less, get more help. I have talked about KidSTART, UPLIFT, Comlink+ earlier. Yes, we can push further, but all are designed to level the playing field. Third, we now explicitly recognise unequal starting points. This has been mentioned by both our Prime Minister and our President. Our policies deliberately give more subsidies in housing, healthcare and education to lower-income families. Fourth, we also now recognise that merit is not just about individual effort, but as something shaped by community, family and society. Many initiatives bring together Government, volunteers, employers to uplift families together.”
“For individuals or families facing homelessness, unstable arrangements or constant conflict at home, or those who are returning from prison or institutionalization, providing stable housing by granting that rental flat or allowing that third HDB loan. It is not just about shelter. It is a health intervention. It is an education intervention. It is a social intervention. Policy must empower our offices to act holistically and not within narrow silos. If we can link the pathways effectively, we should end up achieving more by doing less. Without linking them, each silo can feel like it is pushing on a string – much effort, little outcomes – and gets pressured to invest even more in its own silo. Underpinning all of this is our care workforce: family coaches, social workers, healthcare teams. They are the ones who journey alongside families on each pathway, not for weeks, but for years. Studies have shown how having that one mentoring figure, whom you have a genuine connection with, a genuine relationship, can make all the difference in changing the life of a low-income person. We must invest in their training, understand their workload and reward them fairly. We must select and empower them to be not just case workers, but life-changers. Mr Speaker, I also want to address a point raised by the hon Member Mr Fadli Fawzi in his maiden speech yesterday, which he delivered in Malay. I listened quite carefully to it. He paints meritocracy as corrosive, an ideological belief to justify and explain away inequality and the lot of those left behind. I must disagree. Meritocracy in Singapore is not an ideology. It is a principle of fairness.”
“The ComLink+ Employment Package is a step forward – with coaching, training, retention incentives and wraparound support. But we must aim higher. Jobs should not be just any job. They must provide progression, skills and dignity and build confidence. Here we can learn from the US programme "Year Up" , which offers six months of intensive training, tuition free, in skills that today's employers need followed by six months of corporate internships – coupled with mentorship, coaching, professional development and the possibility of college credit for coursework, along with stipends and other support services and essential resources, such as, housing, food, transportation and childcare to remove any barriers to participants' success. Its graduates earn significantly more – 30% more – than similar peers who did not participate six years later. And while the program structure is very resource intensive, over a seven-year study period, every $1.00 spent on" Year Up" produced a $2.46 benefit to society. A good return-on-investment. We could roll this our in Singapore, where a young person from a disadvantaged family who once felt locked out of opportunity, gains not only skills and networks, but also confidence, dignity and hope. I believe talent is Everywhere. Opportunity is sometimes not. But we can build this. The three pathways: education, healthcare and career cannot stand alone. They must be linked and linked by ComLink+. If a child struggles in school, it should trigger a check on nutrition or sleep. If health appointments are missed, it should prompt a check on school or work attendance, because no one lives life in silos, and neither should our policies. Housing is a good example.”
“It is time that we make preschool the default for ComLink+ families, unless they opt out. And the journey should not stop there. It must continue though primary and secondary school, not only after school and tuition, but also enrichment in arts, sports and coding, because talent is not the exclusive domain of the wealthy and must not be capped by income. Integration between KidSTART, UPLIFT and ComLink+ must be seamless – no six-month gaps, no missed transitions. A child's progress should be tracked, with early interventions when they fall behind – whether in literacy, attendance or well-being. The goal is not just to graduate more students, but to graduate them resilient and ready to seize the opportunity. Secondly, a health pathway. Here, too, we need integration. From KidSTART to Grow Well SG, to Healthier SG, to Age Well SG, a continuum of care, one longitudinal journey. Family coaches, or dedicated health coaches must go beyond health coordination and referrals. They must actively intervene. If a child misses a vaccination, reschedule it. If medication is not taken, find out why. If meals are not nutritious, connect the family to food support. Families "graduate" only when children are healthy, with acceptable body mass index (BMI) and vaccinations, adults are enrolled in Healthier SG and adhering to chronic disease plans and the family has demonstrated health literacy and food security. And for working adults, let us pilot Health Secure Jobs – workplaces where chronic illnesses or caregiving duties do not mean job losses. Instead MOH and MOM partner with employers to keep workers employed in jobs, while managing conditions like diabetes or depression, because health must not mean unemployment. Third, a career pathway. Employment remains the engine of mobility.”
“Months of trying to re-apply failed. In despair, he asked me, "Should I just stop taking her and let her die?" Mr Speaker, when poor income, poor health and poor education reinforce each other, the cycle of disadvantage is brutal. And breaking this cycle must be a most urgent duty. We have strong foundations. KidSTART supports parents and children from the earliest years. The Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Task force (UPLIFT) narrows achievement gaps, improves attendance and well-being. Grow Well SG and Healthier SG help families build healthier habits and access preventive care, Age Well SG keeps our seniors active and ComLink+ brings in family coaches and Progress packages. Each is valuable. But support today is still too fragmented. Families face many schemes, many officers, many forms that strain their already strained mental bandwidth. There is a lot of coordination and referrals, fewer active interventions. Too much is left to chance – whether a child or senior shows up for vaccination, whether a family completes a form correctly. What we need are not more and more piecemeal programmes, but joined-up longitudinal pathways that follow a family through an extended period of time – structured where necessary, empowering where possible, that provides support, while building personal agency. Pathways that ensure no child, no parent, no senior falls through the cracks. I propose three pathways: an education pathway, a health pathway and a career pathway, all linked together with ComLink+. First, the education pathway. We know early childhood education is one of the strongest levers of social mobility. Yet, today, about one in four children from ComLink+ families do not attend preschool regularly. That is too high.”
“When we speak of social mobility or inequality, we often talk about wages, jobs, housing, even cars. But we talk less about how socioeconomic background also shapes health, education and opportunity – across a lifetime. And the data is stark. In the domain of health, a 25-year-old Singaporean with below secondary education can expect to live almost six years less than a peer with higher education. Six years less time with their loved ones. Those with primary education are up to three times more likely to have diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Residents in rental flats are hospitalised and re-admitted more often, even after adjusting for their conditions. And preventive care – the very thing that could break the cycle – is patchier, with fewer screenings, fewer follow-ups, fewer regular doctors. Behind these statistics are people. Like my Woodlands resident, Mr K, a lift technician and father of two who came to my Meet the People session to appeal some parking fines. His wife had walked out on the family. He works nights, so he brings his children along. They wait in the car in the unloading bay, hence the parking tickets, while he does his work. This happens a few times every night. His children lose sleep, lose focus in school and sometimes, they skip school. He himself suffers from depression but cannot afford treatment. Or Ms S, living with chronic mental illness and hypertension. She wants to work, but her workplace makes no accommodations. Each day she cannot bring herself to go in to work, she slips further away from the stability she craves. Or Mr Z, whose wife has diabetes. When the dialysis centre in Woodlands was closed for renovations and her dialysis treatments were transferred to Ghim Moh, their transport subsidy lapsed.”
“I have two supplementary questions. The first supplementary question is around the postal channels. I understand that some of the recent raids arose out of reports by courier staff who discovered vapes or etomidate-laced vapes in the parcels that they were delivering. I would like to know how are the courier and parcel companies being engaged, enlisted to assist in detecting and reporting the issue of vapes, especially those that have probably slipped through our border controls before? My second supplementary question is, how is technology being used to screen for vapes in small parcels? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, a very important supplementary question, because many of our products or services are undertaken at this platform, that is, the postal channels. All inbound postal articles are subjected to screening by ICA officers with the aid of screening equipment, such as X-ray scanners. Upon detection of any e-vaporises or related components, the article will be referred to HSA for further investigation. The Member may be interested to note that during the period I shared, from 15 September 2024 to 14 September 2025, we have seized more than 3,000 e-vaporises and related components across these cases.”
“At M3, we have established the Woodlands Health Club, a programme for various exercise interest groups, including Jalan Kakis, Trekking, Zumba A Go Go, Piloxing, Kampung Cycle, Football, and soon, we will be starting Yoga and Gym Buddies. I met an 83-year-old resident at the Zumba A Go Go class, thus proving that age is not a barrier to staying active. These interest groups also frequently participate in programmes that provide health education and health screenings. For us at M3, these efforts are highly encouraging. Could the Minister provide an update on the overall community health outcomes?”
“Mr Chairman, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] M3 celebrated its fifth anniversary last year. MUIS, MENDAKI and Mesra have doubled the impact of their community efforts through close collaboration. During the COS debates in 2021, I shared that many in the Malay community did not know what M3 was. Thankfully, people are becoming increasingly familiar with the name M3, aware of M3 programmes, and an increasing number of people are coming forward to get involved with M3. Could the Minister share how M3 has laid the foundation for the Malay/Muslim community to become a "Community of Success" and how we can continue to build this momentum for the future? Rallying Community Assets (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Volunteers play a vital role in M3 programmes, serving either as ad hoc volunteers for specific events or through long-term commitments, such as mentoring our youths. At the recent launch of the fifth edition of the PEER mentoring programme for secondary school students at M3@Woodlands, I was delighted to meet Umar again. Umar was a mentee in the first edition of this programme and is now the first mentee to return as a mentor after completing his “A” levels. Having benefited from this programme, he wants to give back by contributing to the community. Such conduct should be encouraged. Volunteers should also be empowered with community engagement and leadership skills. How have we mobilised community assets, including our programme beneficiaries, as volunteers? 1.30 pm Community Health (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Over the past few years, several M3@Towns have stepped up their efforts to encourage the Malay/Muslim community to take care of their health and practice an active and healthy lifestyle.”
“Yes, Madam. Our physical healthcare system is truly world class, our mental health system must match that standard. What steps is the Government taking to close these gaps? 4.30 pm”
“Doctors, psychologists, social workers and allied health professionals must work together to provide holistic treatment for patients with both mental and physical health needs.”
“And how will the Ministry ensure that both sectors work together to continue to provide accessible, affordable and sustainable healthcare for every Singaporean? Closing Gaps in Mental and Physical Health Mental health and physical health go together. We have made significant strides in how we address mental health in the last few years. Yet, there remain gaps in the level of attention, resources and recognition that mental health has received versus physical health, whether it is in terms of access to care, societal attitudes and in the way mental and physical health services are integrated. First, the access gap. Wait times for mental health services remain long. I have had many residents and mental health professionals tell me that even urgent cases can face delays in securing appointments. And while MediSave and MediShield Life now help with hospitalisations and chronic diseases, outpatient mental health consultations and therapy sessions remain quite costly. Last year, we heard that the Government is expanding mental health services, including in the polyclinic and primary care setting, as well as in the community. I urge the Government to expand and accelerate this further. Second, the gap in the Healthier SG framework. Mental health is yet to be integrated in Healthier SG. This is needed if we are to promote a truly holistic well-being approach. Our GPs and family doctors need to be equipped to diagnose and manage common mental health conditions. We should have mental health screenings in Healthier SG checks and more resources and incentives for mental wellness programmes in the community. A related gap is the integration of mental health and physical health in integrated care teams.”
“Public-private Share and Healthcare Costs The share of public healthcare versus private has been growing over the years, with the Government’s increased investments in healthcare. Public healthcare institutions now provide a broader range of services, from primary care to highly specialised treatments and indeed, some of the top doctors in certain specialisations are found not in the private hospitals, but in our public hospitals. Our public hospitals do also take in private patients. It raises the question. What is the optimal public-private mix that best serves the needs of our people and keeps healthcare costs sustainable? Madam, this optimal mix has several considerations, including access and affordability, financial sustainability, quality and equity. For example, allowing public hospitals to take on private patients should not come at the expense of long waiting times for subsidised patients, which could in turn lead to pressure to build more hospitals, putting a strain on state coffers. Ancillary services too, something as simple as meals, must not drive up costs for the masses. We must continue to monitor how public and private sectors impact overall healthcare expenditure. At the same time, as we saw during COVID-19, and also with the integration of GPs in Healthier SG, greater collaboration between the public and private sector can help streamline patient care and make the best use of resources. Healthy competition between the private and public sector also drives innovation and patient outcomes. Madam, the public sector must continue to be the cornerstone of our healthcare system, but the private sector’s role cannot be denied. Does the Ministry have a view on the evolution of the public-private mix going forward?”
“Madam, I declare my interest as managing director and senior partner of a management consulting firm that does work in the healthcare space. We are all aware of the pressures that rising healthcare costs place on our families, the healthcare system and Government finances. An ageing population, coupled with medical advancements and the increasing complexity of care, managing healthcare spend is exceedingly challenging, and healthcare may soon become the largest Government expenditure. First, let me say that we have done very well in achieving a high-quality healthcare system, one that is admired worldwide. The 3Ms form the bedrock of the healthcare financing model, where which we have continued to evolve the system to deliver world-class care, without compromising affordability or sustainability. The roll out of Healthier SG is a key pillar. Another key pillar is the shift to deliver more care at the community level – community hospitals, polyclinics and intermediate and long-term care facilities. Value-based care, integrated care models, technology and digital healthcare solutions and procurement reform efforts are also inflight to reduce costs. Enhancements to MediSave and MediShield Life, have also been made and will no doubt continue to be refined, to reduce the financial burden on both individuals and the Government. While we have reason to hope that these efforts will help to bend the cost curve in the long run, it is also important to achieve costs efficiencies in the short term. What level of shorter-term cost efficiencies have been achieved from current efforts? What are we doing to ensure that healthcare remains accessible, affordable and sustainable for all Singaporeans?”
“On this front, enterprise adoption of AI in Singapore remains very uneven, especially amongst SMEs. Having done some research on this topic, I can share that the main challenges are setting the right ambition and alignment on AI, scaling from AI proof-of-concept to generating value at-scale, and finding the right talent. Smaller companies also find access to Cloud and AI infrastructure expensive. Sir, we need to democratise access to infrastructures, ecosystems and talent, and raise the AI ambitions of our enterprises. How is the Ministry supporting our local enterprises to accelerate the adoption of AI for larger scale value creation, so that Singapore can continue to harness AI for economic gains and social benefit?”
“Sir, AI and Gen AI are transforming how government agencies around the world operate across all core government sectors and functions – to streamline government services, improve governance and improve citizen experience. For example, in healthcare to predict and manage disease outbreaks and growing medical conditions, in infrastructure to do smart traffic planning, in social services to speed up document processing or detect fraudulent activities, in customer service and citizen engagement. The Government as a lead user can also provide a base load for emerging AI infrastructure, and develop and stress test emerging responsible AI frameworks are tailored to our values. In Singapore, the Government is already using AI in use cases, like traffic management. What is the value that has been created? What steps is the Government taking to accelerate the adoption of AI and Gen AI, and value creation through AI in Government? Enterprise Adoption of AI Sir, AI is no longer a distance technology of tomorrow, it is here, transforming industries and reshaping jobs. Many enterprises are already using AI to drive productivity, especially individual productivity, deploying tools like Microsoft Co-Pilot – but these productivity-driven AI use cases typically deliver only 10% to 20% productivity improvement. For true enterprise value creation, enterprises must go beyond to use AI to reshape their critical core business processes, such as AI-driven fault detection, or to invent new products and services, such as by charging their customers AI credits on a pay-as-you-go basis for new AI features. Only then can we drive true value creation through higher revenue growths, dramatically transform operational efficiencies and enhance customer experience.”
“Sir, Budget 2025 has made enhancements to the Workfare Skills Support scheme to provide lower-wage workers more access to more substantive reskilling and upskilling and training allowances modelled after the level-up programme for those over 40 to those over 30. Sir, this is an important move – recognising that those over 30 are also at a critical stage in their careers, often balancing the demands of work, family and personal aspirations. Many lower-income workers also have children relatively earlier in their lives. This will provide a boost to those who are eager to take charge of their careers, lowering the financial hurdles they may face. Career growth and skills developments should not be bound by age. We want all Singaporeans, no matter where they are in their careers, to be equipped to succeed. The sooner they get on board the train, the better. Indeed, some low-wage workers aged below 30 have also been out of school and in the job market for a while and would benefit from more training opportunities. How will the Government educate and encourage lower-wage workers over 30 to take up the longer courses that lead to deeper upskilling and better employment? Will the Government consider expanding the Workfare Skills Support enhancements further, say to those over 25?”
“Madam, let me first declare that I am a managing director and senior partner of a firm that does work in the area of skills development. Budget 2025 continues to reinforce SkillsFuture as a cornerstone of our nation's commitment to lifelong learning and preparing Singaporeans for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow. In my conversations with my Woodlands residents, I am heartened that more and more of my residents are becoming aware and increasingly open to going for skills training, even though there are still many sceptics. A big part of it is from their own experiences or experiences of people they know, who have not been able to find a job even after attending multiple skilling programmes. Madam, landing a job involves more than just attending training. You need to select the right training. The training needs to be effective. You also need to have the skills to search, apply and interview for jobs, network, plan your next career move. All these can be non-trivial. We also need to build up agency and resilience in our people while we create an enabling environment around removing biases and encouraging companies to hire people with potential and fill in the edges rather than look for a ready-made hire. With the increased demand for skilling, how will MOE ensure that selected training providers have a good track record of positive employment outcomes? What more can be done to drive positive employment outcomes? School Sports for All”
“Sir, global supply chains are being reorganised amid the shifting geopolitical landscape and the emergence of tariff plans. The recently announced US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China are expected to place significant barriers on trade, increasing tariff costs in the three countries by a whopping $250 billion. Countries have responded with retaliatory tariffs as well as tried to delay and negotiate the way after the rollout. But just yesterday, stocks tumbled, as President Trump announced that he is moving forward with the proposed tariffs, adding that time had run out to reach a deal. More tariffs are expected to be announced in the coming months. Exactly what, it is unclear. But what is clear is that all companies will be affected. These, alongside other geopolitical uncertainties like increased protectionism, non-tariff barriers, such as subsidies and export controls, and disruptions caused by climate change, technological changes, among others, as well as changes in security of the world, will make companies reassess their supplier base and their own footprint. For a hub economy like Singapore, the impact on trade and our value proposition and attractiveness as a place for foreign direct investment (FDI) in key sectors like manufacturing, biopharma and the digital economy will be impacted. What assessment has MTI made of the potential impact scenarios on key sectors like manufacturing and Singapore's overall position as a global hub, and what responses are being planned? Surviving Geo-economic Uncertainties”
“Sir, the Fresh Start Housing Scheme was implemented in 2016 to help second-timer families in public rental with young children to buy an HDB flat. It has been enhanced along the way. Some rental families in Woodlands have highlighted to me the challenges they face with the scheme. Some are not eligible, for example, single parents and first-timers, who form a not insignificant and growing share of new public rental households today. Others are eligible but continue to struggle with financial stability or continuous employment and find the upfront of regular payments difficult. They are looking for higher grants or extended loan tenures. ComLink+-style support in terms of financial counselling and employment support would also help. Sir, we are committed to an inclusive and supportive housing system that ensures that every family has a fair shot at home ownership and a brighter future. To that end, can the Minister provide an update on the take-up and success rate of the scheme to-date? Budget 2025 announces new enhancements. How else can the Government support more low-income families that are currently renting to buy their home? Further, would the Government consider extending the Fresh Start Housing Scheme to families that are really struggling but not staying in public rental, as is being considered for the ComLink+ plans?”
“How is the Ministry working with tech companies and international partners to address the multifaceted nature of scams, and how can the community contribute to the fighting against scams? Combating Scams in Digital Space”
“Sir, the latest statistics show youth drug abuse continue to rise despite our strict laws. More young people are experimenting with drugs, often influenced by social media and peer pressure. We must strengthen early intervention, working closely with schools, parents and community partners, and rehabilitation must also be a priority. Prevention, enforcement and rehabilitation must go hand in hand. Can the Minister share what steps are being taken to ensure our youths stay drug free and have a future full of promise? Messaging/Social Media Platforms and Scams Messaging apps and social media platforms remain a keyway for scammers to reach victims. Many Members of Parliament (MPs) have had fake social media accounts created in our names. I want to share a recent personal experience. Recently, others have reported a fake Facebook page in my name. Facebook declined to take down the page, citing that it does not violate community standards. Residents have told me they have received friend-requests and messages from my Facebook page, asking for their email addresses and other personal details, which I find alarming. My experience is probably a drop in the ocean. Could MHA update on how cooperative messaging apps and social media platforms have been in combating scams? Can they do more? Evolving Threat of Scams Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim: Sir, the increase in scams poses a significant threat to personal, organisational and national security in Singapore. Effectively, countering these threats requires collaboration among government bodies, tech companies and international partners. On that note, what strategies are currently being employed by the Ministry to identify and respond to the new and emerging threats in a timely and effective manner?”
“Chairman, as Singapore's emergency services demand grows with an ageing population and rising health concerns, the Singapore Civil Defence Forces (SCDF) may face challenges in maintaining a robust and ready workforce. This has already been seen in other healthcare-related fields. It was recently announced that SCDF will begin recruiting foreign paramedics and Emergency Medical Technician (EMTs) to complement our local workforce. Emergency personnel are entrusted with the urgent and crucial task of providing life-saving medical treatment during emergencies. It is imperative that they go through a stringent selection process, which includes an assessment of medical training and relevant certifications and familiarity with healthcare protocols, emergency procedures and cultural expectations. Can the Minister share what source countries are being considered and how the Government will ensure quality and fit with local needs? How will SCDF assure the public that this approach will complement rather than displace our local workforce?”
“Sir, strong bilateral and regional cooperation with our neighbours in Asia is important for Singapore against the context of the current geopolitical uncertainties. We have, as Minister Balakrishnan described earlier, deep engagements with ASEAN, China and India, but there are other important and long-standing relationships in the region. We will celebrate milestone diplomatic anniversaries with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan: 50 years with ROK this year and 60 years with Japan next year. How are we enhancing bilateral cooperation with both countries and in Asia overall? International Architecture and Norms”
“Singapore's next bound of economic growth can come from strengthening our position as a global hub for startups and innovation. Government Ministries and agencies can support this by employing the services and products of startups and also benefit from their innovations. However, startups face a lot of challenges in securing Government business. Beyond hackathons, pilots and proof of concepts, the reasons are quite understandable. Startups need more hand-holding, because they are smaller and have less management depth. There is also always a question of the longevity of a startup as a supplier. Government procurement is often stacked against younger firms, such as by asking for long track records, or in new innovation areas, procurement officers or buying departments may not yet know enough to define the procurement parameters intelligently. This feels "lose-lose" for the startups and the Government. How can we improve this? What form of change management is the Government doing to upscale and change mindsets of Government Ministries and agencies on working with startups? How can we prepare startups to serve Government clients? SME's Participation in Government Tenders”
“Sir, working couples often cite struggles in managing their work and family commitments. The Tripartite Guidelines on FWA Requests were a welcome step. My other colleagues and I in this House have asked about childcare leave, especially for families with many children. The Large Families Scheme is a step in recognising the increased financial burden on larger families. When might this be extended to recognising the increased childcare burden, that is, childcare leave? How can the Government do more to support working parents with their caregiving needs?”
“Yes, Sir. The years ahead could be stormy, where extreme weather patterns, disease outbreaks, protracted conflicts and great power competition converge to induce global disruptions of increased frequency and magnitude. We must view every disruption as an opportunity – an opportunity to strengthen our supply chains, to protect our planet, to empower our people and to increase our international influence. Together, as one united people, let us commit to building a resilient future, a resilient Singapore. [Applause.]”
“Despite our size, Singapore is respected for pragmatic, principles-based strategic diplomacy, balancing relations between the US, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Perhaps, Singapore now has a duty to step up, to be a bridge between China and the West, to reduce tensions and improve global cooperation and integration. We need Singaporean officials on global forums, and we need Singaporean talents to step up into leadership roles in companies that operate in the geopolitical arena, as their understanding of China and the US, uniquely positions them to add value. In closing —”
“Sir, undergirding all our strategies, we must continue to build a sense of togetherness and belonging, and reinforce personal and collective responsibility. Just as self-determination is a foundational value for Singapore, self-determination must remain a core value for Singaporeans, who must, in turn, be empowered and supported when they face job losses, health crises and personal setbacks. Collective responsibility breeds unity which breeds collective responsibility, a virtuous cycle. Belanja-a-Meal@Woodlands, which has been running for five years, giving hawker meals to 300 beneficiaries, and Store@Woodlands, which has been running for four years, giving 400-plus families groceries of their choice, are funded almost entirely by sponsors, schools, preschools, residents and the general public, not by Government funds, because they believe in our cause. Volunteers from all over Singapore, including Sengkang, help us run the store. I am reminded of the words of former Senior Minister, President Tharman, here: "No one has a monopoly over compassion." No one, no party, has a monopoly over trying our best, overcoming hurdles, to help our residents. We all have to use our ingenuity, creativity and networks to make it a collective responsibility in our communities. We are in this together. In this way, we make our people more resilient in a shifting geopolitical landscape. Will we be forced to pick a side? Sir, few discussions on geopolitics do not involve US-China tensions and the inevitable question: will we be forced to pick a side? We have maintained our neutrality, acting in our national interest, and we must continue to do so. But we must also recognise our geopolitical influence.”
“In tandem with skilling and job creation, we have done a lot to strengthen our social safety nets, make Singapore more family friendly, and promote physical and mental well-being. In my Budget 2023 speech, I advocated for more support for Singaporeans who had lost their jobs, ex-offenders and those struggling with debt, after seeing some of my Woodlands residents in these situations. Each of these groups is now receiving more support and will receive more support under Budget 2025. I will continue to push for vulnerable groups, and for policy implementation to go apace, not get overtaken by cost increases or other events that reduce the real value of the support. In the Committee of Supply (COS) debate, I will speak on the need to ensure that policies land in a human-centred way on the ground, with those at the frontline empowered to deliver support consistent with the policy intent, and to make the calls for deviations for deserving cases. On families, I have spoken for more paternity leave, flexible work arrangements and childcare leave for those with more children. The Large Family Scheme and lower childcare fee caps will help many families in Woodlands. In the COS debate, I will ask for more help for parents to cope with raising children, so they can enjoy the experience for the blessing that it is. And let us give more support to those who are trying so hard to have children. Together with Dr Wan Rizal and others, we tabled the Mental Health Motion. I shared the stories of my Woodlands residents, including one who succumbed to suicide. Many reached out to me after that. I am grateful for their support and input. In the COS debate, I will push for elevating mental health, closing the gaps between mental health and physical health support.”
“We need to teach our kids that success is not a function of Tik Tok views and likes, but of hard work and discipline, struggle and sacrifice. Sir, I must say a few words on global talent. I must. While we build new growth areas for Singaporeans, the skills required to jumpstart and grow these fields are currently in short supply globally, and countries are racing to build the same skills. The competition for highly skilled workers is shifting into the geopolitical sphere, leveraging tools like immigration policy. Singapore has always been forward-looking in this area, attracting top science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talents, reaching out to our diaspora, developing Global Innovation Alliances. Back in the mid-2000s, as the Economic Development Board's (EDB's) Boston Center Director, my husband supported Mr Philip Yeo, who was then building up the biomedical sciences sector in his meetings with some of the biggest names in life sciences. They came to set up labs here, grooming Singapore talents. Today, we are a biotech hub. Now, we need highly skilled talents in AI, quantum, green energy, nuclear fusion, and people with experience commercialising and scaling these innovations in these areas. We should look at what more we can do to win the geopolitical competition for talent, such as better headhunting with network analysis, allocating global talent funds, tapping on remote talent and building global talent ecosystems. A credible strategy to attract the best and brightest globally requires solid political support, and that starts with improving the conditions for all citizens to thrive.”
“In my maiden speech in this House, I called for the Government, businesses and citizens to make us the nation that learns the fastest, to invest in our people and double-down on skilling and lifelong learning. I am heartened by how SkillsFuture has evolved since then. Budget 2025 continues that evolution, extending support to those over 30 and training allowances to part-time programmes. We must make sure that these programmes are properly curated to improve the chances of participants landing a better job. With SkillsFuture in full flight, the next area to focus on is economic empowerment. We need to continue to create job opportunities and push for fair wages to give Singaporeans financial stability. We need a national programme for career guidance and development that helps individuals navigate their career progression. And we need to do much more to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. Our people must dare to dream. They must want to work on moonshot projects: in AI, green energy and other critical areas. We must give them resources and support, across life stages. In Woodlands, we are launching a Youth Adulting Programme that will help young adults learn about careers, skills, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, along with financial literacy, mental health and building relationships, which I jokingly tell my team it starts with a healthy date. This next phase will require us to build a culture that is more open to failure, if you learn from it. We need to teach our kids and their parents that it is not just the bankers, doctors, lawyers, chief executive officers, Ministers with straight-"A"s and a fast-track career that deserve to be admired and emulated, but the business owner who overcame failures.”
“Importing energy and green and green hydrogen have their own high challenges. This not only has implications for our net-zero goals, but also limits economic development in growth sectors, like AI, advanced manufacturing, semi-conductors and biopharmaceutical. Thus, the potential deployment of nuclear power in the form of small modular reactors (SMRs) is noteworthy. It could also have significant economic impact. One of the first SMR programmes in the world, the Rolls Royce SMR programme in the UK, when fully operational, is forecast to create 40,000 regional jobs in the UK by 2050 and generate £52 billion in economic benefit. While critics say that SMRs are costlier than renewables and slow to deploy, the high cost of renewables in Singapore make us uniquely positioned to make the business case work. The $5 billion top-up to the Future Energy Fund to invest in nuclear electricity imports and hydrogen is timely. It must be complemented with strong regulatory support, capability build and very importantly, stringent safety regulations. To gain the political support needed to make nuclear energy a key pillar of our green economy, we need to assess and develop these conditions carefully. Finally, a resilient people, a resilient nation is one built on the strength, adaptability and courage of its citizens. Sir, this is our SG60 year. At milestones like this, we often recognise the struggles and sacrifices made by our pioneer generations in building Singapore. Sustaining the miracle of Singapore is not about resting on our laurels. Every generation must struggle and sacrifice. Ours is no different. The question is how we support Singaporeans. We need to invest in education and lifelong learning healthcare, including mental health and social well-being.”
“A lot of what is moving out is of lower value-add, too low for our relatively high-cost base. But there are indirect benefits in managing this new supply chain as a connector, as an orchestrator, enhancing our position as a trading hub. And so, we should build up supply chain and procurement centres of excellence here. Next climate change. We know climate change is existential for us. We know that whether 40 degree-days become the norm or flooding in Woodlands or Bukit Timah will become more frequent or whether parts of Marine Parade will sink under rising sea levels, will depend more on what other companies do than what we do. But we still need to be build climate resilience, even if it is the strong and stoic kind. I am glad Budget 2025 puts more in climate adaptation and resilience by topping-up funds for coastal protection, for example, alongside climate mitigation. In my Budget 2021 speech, I called for Singapore to act boldly on the green economy with President Trump's executive order to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement, US firms are awaiting clarity on the new administration's climate actions. But climate change is not waiting and refuses to be ignored with extreme weather becoming more common. Europe remains steadfast in its commitment to its Green Deal while adapting for economic realities; while Asian companies are primed to seize opportunities with many doubling down on investments in green business build builds, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, solar, green hydrogen, low carbon, agriculture technology – setting the stage for another revolution, clean energy. Singapore's geographic constraints lead to a limited ability to deploy large-scale renewable energy sources and high cost.”
“If the price of steel is very volatile, what happens to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their Singaporean workers in industries, like construction, that have traditionally kept very little wiggle room in their contracts? Or if tariffs, export controls or data sovereignty requirements are placed on data centres and AI infrastructure, what happens to our digital and AI hub ambitions? For countries and companies, the strong and stoic approaches to building supply chain resilience are stockpiling and onshoring or reshoring. But these can be expensive. And as geopolitical headwinds grow stronger, companies must diversify sources, rethink their logistics and supply chain strategies, refine their go-to-market, invest in new partnerships and try and shape policy and negotiation. To help them reconfigure their supply chains, companies will need a deeper level of insight into their supply chain. For example, insight into the landed cost of components that go into the products they buy that will help them figure out optimal so sourcing strategies for each component and not just the finished product. They can also break up their manufacturing processes and move different processes to different sites to improve trade compliance and reduce cost. Sir, the Government can help to open new markets and new supply with new trade deals and to negotiate tariff implementation, whether it is reshaping, delaying exemptions or other exchanges. The Government can also champion new partnerships and contracting models, focusing on collaboration. An ecosystem approach will benefit many sectors as supply chains around us reconfigure. Singapore can play a role now. I think whether China Plus One will directly benefit Singapore is arguable.”