Poh Li San
Singapore
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil. I have two supplementary questions. The first one, will NEA consider adjusting gate fees for industrial and commercial waste collection to shift behaviour of businesses towards higher recycling rates, especially for food waste which accounts for about 11% of total waste b…”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil. I believe my questions in my speech were not addressed in the Senior Minister of State's reply.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. I have a supplementary question on such an arrangement for existing flat owners who require back-to-back sale of their existing homes to finance their BTO flats.”
“Singapore households can achieve dual savings by combining Government-provided climate vouchers with the direct import of efficient appliances from overseas suppliers, whilst business operators, particularly those in the food and beverage industry who need to purchase multiple appliances, can also avoid excessive energy costs by using ene…”
“Coastal protection is a candidate for the latter even if we want to harness the power of the former. I ask the Minister to consider a centralised approach towards the design and construction of all coastal protection measures to ensure the most robust outcomes.”
“Mr Chairman, on behalf of all hon Members who have participated in the MSE Committee of Supply, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Minister Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State Zaqy, Senior Minister of State Janil, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh and all members of MSE, PUB, NEA, SFA.”
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“This is the story of the past, which has given us our prosperity and our place in this world today and this can be the story of our future – and we must take to the skies and reshape our destiny once again. Mr Speaker, I support the Motion.”
“She shared that if there are more exciting R&D opportunities in aerospace, like designing and manufacturing an aircraft, her decision would have been very clear. Young Singaporeans want to be challenged and we can create opportunities for them. We can also attract world-class talents in aerospace engineering to work and live here. In time, Singaporean engineers and designers can become world-class leaders in this nascent field. More importantly, aviation manufacturing is a high tech, high value industry and these new career pathways will create many high-paying jobs. They can apply the latest AI and 3D printing technologies to design and build an electric aircraft from scratch. Adrian Gooz and Akim Niyonzimas, the founders of Nimbus Aviation, shared that his team used AI and 3D printing to design and build its aircraft prototype, massively reducing the cost of R&D and the time required to commercialise a solution. Moreover, many young people very much care about the environment and want to contribute to the decarbonisation journey. Creating an electric aircraft that can dramatically reduce aviation carbon footprint would be a dream career for many young engineers. Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, we are today at a critical juncture. It is our time for an ambitious goal for air transport, from Paya Lebar to Changi almost 50 years ago, from fossil to green aviation today. I hope the Minister for Transport and his team will carefully consider my proposal to create an international green air hub and grow the Centre of Excellence for electric aircraft manufacturing in Singapore. This will be a new engine of growth. This is the use of frontier technologies to secure good jobs for Singaporeans.”
“Next is to connect them with funding platforms, such as the National Research Foundation (NRF) and EDB, as well as the private and institutional investors and banking sector financiers. Under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE2025), significant R&D funding for aviation sector, for manufacturing, trade and connectivity purposes has been set aside. And finally, to connect the electric aircraft manufacturers with their potential customers, namely major airlines operating short-haul routes in the region, such as SIA, Scoot, Lion Air, AirAsia Group and VietJet. The value we bring as an established international air hub to these electric aircraft manufacturers is invaluable, because they can immediately plug into a robust and ready machinery, and fulfil fast-growing aggregated demand, financed by low-cost and abundant funding. The aircraft manufacturers can stay focused on their niche expertise and bring product to market in the shortest time. Finally, what is all this for? An international green air hub does not just benefit the aviation industry. It is an asset for all Singaporeans. We will be an R&D Centre of Excellence for the IHLs and young aerospace engineers for the long term. Currently, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University both offer undergraduate courses in aerospace engineering. Graduates may join MRO companies like ST Aerospace or aircraft engine companies like Rolls Royce, but doing mostly maintenance work. One of my young residents, N, 18 years old, is an aspiring final year student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, studying aerospace engineering. She is mulling over whether she should continue to pursue a university degree in aerospace engineering or a more traditional engineering degree in mechanical engineering.”
“We are an established international aviation and aerospace hub, with a mature and thriving ecosystem of aviation, original equipment manufacturer (OEMs), MRO facilities, IHLs training aerospace engineers and technicians, 80 airlines, three runways and we will have five terminals and a new aviation industrial zone. We have a biennial Singapore Airshow and a very pro-innovation, pro-investment funding and financing environment. Moreover, Singapore sits in the centre of the world's fastest growing region for aviation, comprising India, China and Southeast Asia. The carbon emissions in the supply chain logistics in terms of aircraft manufacturing, assembly testing and delivery would be minimised. There is a famous saying by a Chinese philosopher, Mencius: "To achieve success, the right timing, right place and right people must coexist." Now is the time, Singapore is the place, what is needed to turn us into an international green air hub is the right partners who share this ambition and are willing to work together to realise this vision. Our Singapore is already home to the regional headquarters of conventional aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, smaller aircraft manufacturers, such as Embraer and Avions de Transport Régional, and new players in the electric aircraft space, such as Elysian Aircraft, Heart Aerospace, Nimbus Aviation, Electra and Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, are mostly based in the Western world in North America and Europe. Similar to how the Chinese EV manufacturers are disrupting the automobile industry, this electric aircraft companies will be the new darlings shaping the future of the aviation industry. The first step is to attract this disruptors, electric aircraft manufacturers to set up base in Singapore for R&D.”
“As battery technology developments have been making rapid progress, hybrid-electric and eventually, fully electric aircraft could replace conventional aircraft for these routes. This is a game changer in carbon emissions reduction, and we must spot the trend and the technology early. If we can do so and establish ourselves as an international green air hub, that will not only address our growing carbon emissions challenge, but also cement our position in sustainable aviation and in turn, create many new opportunities for Singapore's aviation and aerospace industry. We have done this before for new technologies in the past. For example, the Economic Development Board (EDB) brought in Hyundai Motors Group to set up its electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing plants in Singapore, even though we did not have any car manufacturing track record and facilities. To become an international green air hub, Singapore can be established as a centre of excellence for the R&D of hybrid-electric and electric aircraft, manufacture the aircraft parts in land abundant Johor, under our Special Economic Zone collaboration framework, assemble the aircraft back in Changi East Industrial Zone and finally, test flight the aircraft in Changi Airport. This approach is how Toulouse became the home of Airbus and Seattle became the home of Boeing decades ago. However, with trillions of dollars worth of back orders, neither of these two hubs are focused on becoming hubs of the future aircraft. We are already halfway there.”
“Moreover, feedstock availability to produce sustainability aviation fuel is limited, so the ability to meet long-term supply capacity at the market competitive cost may still be in question. Like all fossil fuels, the supply of aviation fuel will one day run out. In recent years, there are two other streams of technology development for aircraft powered by clean energy. In 2020, Airbus announced the hydrogen powered aircraft concept, ZEROe, for roll-out in 2035. However, presumably due to uncertainties of hydrogen as a fuel and the challenges of deploying hydrogen in an operational environment, Airbus has shelved the ZEROe prototype from 2035 by five to 10 years. Instead, Airbus announced, in March 2025, the Open Fan engine, next-generation single-aisle hybrid-electric aircraft that will enter operations in the second half of the 2030s. Meanwhile, another track to design and manufacture battery-operated hybrid-electric and electric aircraft has been progressing steadily. With the rapid improvements in battery technology, it is estimated that in 15 years' time, hybrid-electric aircraft flights for short-haul flights within a range of 1,000 nautical miles will become a reality. From Singapore, popular destinations within a 1,000 nautical mile radius include Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Phuket, Langkawi, Medan and Tioman. Worldwide, about half of flights operated are short-haul flights under three-hour flight times and up to 1,000 nautical mile range. Short-haul flights create four times more carbon emissions per seat, compared to long-haul flights. Hence, decarbonisation of short-haul flights should be prioritised and switching them to fully electric flights will reduce overall aviation carbon emissions by an estimated 20%.”
“Also, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched the One Aviation Manpower Fund to attract and retain talents in the aviation sector, with some $200 million of government grant allocated. The third constraint in carbon emissions is probably the hardest to crack. In a recent report published by Transport and Environment, an aviation think tank, Changi Airport is ranked ninth in the world in terms of Scope 3 carbon emissions. As an expanding air hub, Changi Airport will inevitably chalk up higher carbon emissions so long as aircraft engines continue to burn jet fuel. In 2024, CAAS released the Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, the key recommendations included improving the efficiency of air traffic management, increased solar panel deployment in Changi and Seletar airports, expand the use of clean energy around ground vehicles and adopting sustainability aviation fuel by airlines. The Sustainability Aviation Fuel Levy Bill was passed in October 2025 in this House and will take effect from 2027, barring further delays. The goal is to create certainty in aggregate demand, so as to prime local sustainability aviation fuel production at-scale by key producers, such as Neste. In 2022, Neste established the world's largest sustainability aviation fuel production facility in Singapore. The intent is to start small with 1% to 3% sustainability aviation fuel uplift, because the price of sustainability aviation fuel is currently at least two to five times the cost of normal aviation fuel. Coupled with the recent war in the Middle East that already drove fuel prices to double their original levels, aviation authorities worldwide will be reluctant to mandate a more aggressive sustainability aviation fuel policy.”
“The aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry houses regional headquarters for more than 130 companies, including leading ones such as Airbus, Boeing, Rolls Royce, Pratt and Whitney, and so on. And Singapore's aerospace output exceeded $18 billion in 2024 and accounts for about 10% of global MRO output. This series of successes in our aviation sector are not coincidental. It took many years of long-term planning, significant investment, systematic development and well-coordinated implementation. The same big leap to create our new and next competitive advantage must begin now. Our Singaporean psyche of "never rest on our laurels" and "plan for rainy days" will keep us thinking of how do we stay ahead of competition, not just by doing more of what we excel in, but to identify critical weaknesses and develop new competitive advantages. In key air hubs around the world, there are three constraints limiting growth. First, capacity; second, manpower; and third, carbon emissions. With the third runway completed and T5 construction underway, the first constraint on capacity growth is being addressed. The second constraint on manpower is an ongoing challenge. Many airport staff had left the industry during the pandemic. We have an ageing population and worsening climate conditions. To tackle this, we have started concerted R&D innovation efforts in Changi Airport over the past few years, leveraging technology developments in AVs, robotics and AI. In the next decade or so, we should see a new generation of autonomous solutions deployed, particularly in traditionally manpower heavy roles, such as in-ground handling and facilities management.”
“Mr Speaker, as we debate on the future of transport in this Motion, I would like to propose establishing Singapore as an international green air hub as a new growth engine for our aviation and aerospace industry. In relation to the language in the Motion proposed, I will focus on two points: frontier technologies and good jobs in Singapore. I hereby declare my interest as an employee in the aviation sector. We are at the critical juncture today. We are committed to specific green goals, including on carbon emissions. We are also committed to building a vibrant aviation industry to provide good jobs and continued growth, but we cannot meet both ambitions under the current "business as usual" paradigm. We need a leap of imagination and technology, a completely new way of doing things. It is a risky move, but we have made decisive breaks before. Five decades ago, we made a big bet to move our airport from Paya Lebar to Changi. We put in place attractive air hub policies, make concerted efforts to grow airlines, airports and ground-handling capabilities. Today, we have a successful and multiple award-winning Changi Airport and SIA. Changi Airport is now ranked fourth business busiest airport in international passenger traffic and SIA has clinched the world's best airline successively. Changi Airport is also one of the world's largest air cargo transshipment hub. Today, the aviation industry accounts for 5% of Singapore's GDP, or around $30 billion. Planning and construction for T5 is currently underway to create future capacity to handle up to 114 million passengers per annum, and SIA currently has 164 aircraft in its fleet, with another 49 aircraft on its order books.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil. I have two supplementary questions. The first one, will NEA consider adjusting gate fees for industrial and commercial waste collection to shift behaviour of businesses towards higher recycling rates, especially for food waste which accounts for about 11% of total waste but has a very low recycling rate of only 18%? My second supplementary question pertains to the blue bins. The Senior Minister of State mentioned there is a high contamination rate, which renders the recycled or collected items non-recyclable. Will there be any plans for NEA to consider a national recycling campaign to reduce blue bin waste contamination?”
“This includes providing retraining and expanding the scope of education, creating higher-value jobs so that more Singaporeans can adapt to these changes as quickly as possible. Physical AI – robots combined with generative AI – can ease labour shortages by taking on tough and risky work in sectors, such as construction, aviation and maritime, while reshaping roles into human-machine teams. I would like to propose several key steps to support the AI transformation: First, companies should automate and redesign jobs; second, unions should flag at-risk roles; third, workers should keep learning; and fourth, Government should set clear AI rules. A national transformation should not merely be pursued for the sake of higher economic growth, but should ensure that all segments of society can benefit. (In English): Mr Speaker, the Motion on which I rise to speak today asks for us to affirm that AI transition "must not lead to jobless growth". And this "must" is not an empirical prediction, nor is it empty rhetoric. It is political resolve. AI in this free market may or may not be the new model of freedom and empowerment for our people. It is our resolve that makes it so. Mr Speaker, I support the Motion. [Applause.]”
“] Mr Speaker, Singapore's AI transition must be managed jointly by Government, businesses, unions and workers to avoid uneven gains. Physical AI can ease labour shortages and reshape work into human machine teams. With job redesign, upskilling and education reform, workers can move into higher value roles, while businesses can grow with higher productivity. To support this transition, Government support and regulation are crucial to fund retraining of workers, create higher value jobs, attract leading AI firms and ensure that AI is used ethically for broad societal benefit. (In English): In the near future, a new AI ecosystem will emerge. Technology companies create AI solutions, businesses own them and workers leverage them. But the Government must set the rules. AI must be used as a force for good and not for criminal and harmful exploits. Establishing the ethics around AI use will make the difference between our society benefiting from the use of AI or becoming enslaved by it. But there is also a deeper moral question relating to AI. AI is artificial; it has no intrinsic good, no value in and of itself. We, in this House, have a duty to bend the market in the use of AI, not just to forbid what is criminal but to enable what is fair, good and just. We must ensure that the AI transition does not merely create growth but creates jobs, benefits workers, strengthens businesses and elevates communities. Mr Speaker, I would also like to conclude my points in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, Singapore's AI shift needs a coordinated effort by Government, businesses, unions and workers to ensure that both businesses and employees stand to benefit, and to support and assist those who are affected.”
“Mr Speaker, the transition to AI-powered robots is my area of work, and this is the vision we are working towards – to solve real problems for businesses and elevate the quality of life for workers. I feel strongly that our AI transition should be focused on customising physical generative AI solutions for our industries, so as to help every Singaporean on this journey of empowerment. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined four key pillars for our National AI Strategy. In particular, in the Advanced Manufacturing and Transport Connectivity sectors, AI-powered robots will indeed be the force-multiplier. Are we ready for this transition? Not yet. We are well-positioned for it, but we must move fast. And I would suggest the following six steps. One, unions should forecast which are the types of jobs and sectors at risk, as well as numbers of workers that may be displaced. Two, MOM should fund retraining for affected workers, to prepare them for other roles or other industries. Three, workers should also step up, learn new skills and be open to new job opportunities. Four, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and IHLs should redesign academic programmes to shift students away from fields already taken over by AI. All IHL students should learn AI tools relevant for their disciplines. Five, the Ministry of Trade and Industry should attract more world-class physical generative AI companies to set up headquarters in Singapore and attract talents for research and development (R&D). Six, businesses should be open to work with AI companies to automate and redesign work processes, revamp job roles and create man and machine hybrid teams. Mr Speaker, I would like to share a few points in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“Put simply, robots and humanoids capable of thinking and even perceiving, can be deployed in unstructured and dynamic environments, to assist or even replace human workers. In recent months, companies such as Dexterity AI, Figure AI and Unitree Robotics have demonstrated their capabilities in AI-powered robots and humanoids in specialised roles. Unlike generative AI tools like ChatGPT that trawl the Internet to train its models, physical generative AI tools need to be trained in contextualised environments for the roles and tasks they are set out to do. Over time, these physical AI capabilities will mature and become accessible to businesses facing manpower shortage. These AI-powered robots can help our businesses overcome manpower constraints, lower costs and increase profitability. Physical AI robots are good at repetitive tasks but cannot replace every single role. Jobs and process redesigned into man-machine hybrid teams will be the new norm. Seniors and women can join the transformed workforce – with repetitive, heavy-duty roles done by robots and complex supervisory roles performed by humans. It will be a new model of freedom and empowerment, unimaginable today but a reality in the very near future. Singaporeans can be upskilled as supervisors of robots. New high-value job roles such as design, build and maintenance of these AI robots will be created for young engineers and technicians. More Singaporeans can retire at a later age if they wish to, since their roles will become less physically demanding. Seniors and women can join industries previously dominated by those with stronger physical abilities. And robots also do not carry any social baggage.”
“We have built Singapore on solutions that met both interests in the past, and we must do so again in the future. Let me talk concretely about two ways that AI can benefit our workers. We used to say that people are Singapore’s only resource. We are now a superaged society with a total fertility rate of 0.87. Our resource pool is shrinking. Human resource is now the key bottleneck and cost driver for most businesses, especially SMEs which are hiring 70% of local workforce. If businesses close down, more workers will lose their jobs, even those not threatened by AI. Our businesses have faced worsening labour shortages over the past decade. The 2025 ManpowerGroup's latest Talent Shortage Survey reveals that nearly four in five employers in the Asia Pacific region are struggling to find skilled talent, with 77% reporting difficulties. In particular, many jobs that Singaporeans cannot or will not do are done by non-Singaporeans. But there is a limit to our dependence on foreign workers, including political and social constraints. We need AI-powered robots to replace foreign workers in roles that no Singaporeans would want to do or can do. For instance, heavy duty roles in construction, maritime and aviation sectors, that are exposed to the harsh elements of a warming climate. This will be a game changer for us. The next frontier is in physical generative AI or embodied AI. In more recent times, generative AI technologies have been integrated with physical systems, enabling machines to interact with and adapt to the real world. It enables robots to learn complex tasks, such as manipulation and navigation, via simulation and transferring intelligence from digital models to real world hardware.”
“Mr Speaker, in this Sitting and indeed, in the past few Sittings, few speeches have been made without mentioning the age of AI. Much has also been said by the Government about how the global disruption will impact our play, our work and our lives. In policy-making, there is always the binary choice: ride this AI wave or be submerged and be left behind. This is Hobson’s choice and the answer is obvious. But we cannot ask a question of a strawman. Singapore is a small, open and digitally connected economy. AI will be a fact of economic life. The Government has said that it will grow our economy, support our businesses and take care of our workers. But there is a difference between policy-making in the Ministries and implementation on the ground. At street level, the AI transition looks intimidating, expensive, and for many middle-aged workers, a place of anxiety and confusion. This is the first wave of change and may be the hardest. The Government, businesses, unions and workers must struggle together to ride out this wave. During the transition, some jobs will disappear, but new jobs will also emerge. Left to the market, there will only be growth where the strongest, fittest and most able benefit. In a city where the law of the economic jungle operates unfettered, let us be honest, the AI transition will benefit some, but not all. This growth will not lead to better and more prosperous lives for all. But that is not the job for the market. That is our job; all of us here in this House must bend the market to our will: to create more high-value jobs for Singaporeans and retrain displaced workers but to do so in a way that also meets the business imperative for profits, so that our economy can continue to grow in the long run.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State Janil. I believe my questions in my speech were not addressed in the Senior Minister of State's reply. I asked at the end of my speech, regarding the food and beverage sector alone, with the large numbers of restaurants and food and beverage establishments in the high churn, there must be a lot of freezers, chillers, refrigerators; and what would be the estimated annual consumption, and with this transition to all MEPS-compliant equipment, what will be the reduction like, in terms of the energy savings? And secondly, with these large numbers of end users and end equipment, what is the process that is needed to actually enforce this new requirement? And I hope that this process and the requirements will not be too onerous. Otherwise, it will just end up conserving energy on one part and expending more energy in terms of human resources to carry out the enforcement.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. I have a supplementary question on such an arrangement for existing flat owners who require back-to-back sale of their existing homes to finance their BTO flats. So, if there is an earlier-than-expected BTO readiness, they do not have sufficient time to sell the flat, especially in a down cycle market. Will HDB further extend beyond the usual six months period, to allow them a bit more time to do so?”
“Singapore households can achieve dual savings by combining Government-provided climate vouchers with the direct import of efficient appliances from overseas suppliers, whilst business operators, particularly those in the food and beverage industry who need to purchase multiple appliances, can also avoid excessive energy costs by using energy-efficient models. This amendment aims to strike a balance between cost savings and environmental responsibility. However, the key to achieving energy conservation lies in implementing these new regulations in an efficient and effective manner. Otherwise, we would merely be conserving energy in one form whilst consuming more human resources in another. (In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, it is important that we do what is right for the environment, especially at this time of threatened energy supplies. I support the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill.”
“Also, there is a high churn in this industry. In 2024, close to 3,000 restaurants closed down while nearly 3,800 new food and restaurant businesses opened. Given the large number of F&B businesses, coupled with the short average lifespan of two to three years for refrigerators, chillers and freezers, does NEA have an estimate of the total number of electrical appliances and equipment that may be procured annually, as well as the total annual energy consumption? With the amendment Bill, what is the projected reduction in energy consumption, should all F&B businesses deploy MEPS- and MELS-compliant appliances and equipment? Secondly, given the large number of end users, how does NEA intend to police and enforce this new requirement? I hope the process and requirements will not be too onerous both for the NEA enforcement team and on the part of end users. We should not want to conserve energy in one form, only to expend it in another form. Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to make a few points in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Deputy Speaker, the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill requires end users who import regulated electrical products for personal or commercial use to register these appliances with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and demonstrate compliance with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), thereby closing the regulatory gap where such imports were previously unregulated. NEA will be granted enforcement powers to take action against non-compliance. The global energy crisis will drive manufacturers to produce more energy-efficient models, thereby benefiting end users who can save on both initial costs and ongoing electricity expenses.”
“5 to two years, while reputable brands with higher energy efficiency from local supplies may last longer, around two to 2.5 years. Despite the poorer efficiency and lifespan, many food business owners would still rather take advantage of the substantial upfront cost savings by importing these electrical appliances directly from the OEMs and wholesalers. The amendment Bill will address this. It will place the onus on end users, to register the imported regulated goods with NEA and demonstrate evidence of compliance with the MEPS and MELS. NEA will also be empowered to take enforcement action against businesses and households that import non-compliant regulated goods for own use. Overall, we will see more efficient appliances on the market soon – not because of this amendment Bill but because of the global energy crisis. OEMs will be motivated to produce energy efficient models because end users will care about both upfront capital expenses and recurring electricity costs. The outcome of this amendment is that end users will have more choices of energy-efficient models as well as savings both in capital expenses and recurring electricity costs. Singaporean households can use the $400 Climate Vouchers for purchases of energy-efficient models from local suppliers as well as importing energy-efficient electrical appliances directly from foreign suppliers. I do have two questions for the Minister. The amendment Bill would empower NEA to take action against businesses and households which import non-compliant regulated goods. In the food and beverage (F&B) sector alone, there were 6,355 registered restaurants as of 2023. This figure would be a lot higher if we include the broader F&B sector, such as cafes, bars, food courts, hawker stalls and other specialised food services.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, this Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill could not have been more timely. The Iran War is affecting our energy supply and our daily lives – rising petrol and diesel prices and higher electricity prices. In fact, if the war prolongs, the supply of fuel and electricity may have to be rationed too, which is already happening in our neighbouring countries. We must be prepared for the worst. This is a stark reminder that we must conserve energy to the best we can and use energy-efficient equipment and appliances in our industries, in our factories and in our homes. Sir, this is not a new effort. The MEPS and MELS for local supply of regulated goods were first introduced back in 2012. However, there was a gap as the Act did not cover regulated goods imported by end users for own use. Over the years, as business practices evolved and consumers import equipment and appliances direct from foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or wholesalers, there is a growing volume of imported electrical appliances being used by end users in businesses and in households which may be non-energy efficient. These direct imports are usually significantly cheaper than regulated goods sold by local suppliers, because of the removal of a layer of middleman cost. Most end users buy these imported goods to save money upfront – they may not care about energy efficiency or longer-term higher electricity prices. A local catering business owner told me that he imports refrigerators, chillers and freezers directly from OEMs because of the lower prices, which can be 60% to 70% cheaper than similar models sold by local suppliers. But there is a trade-off. These appliances typically last only around 1.”
“Speaker, I have three supplementary questions. Supplementary question one: what is the Government's assessment of the overall food supply situation and how the does Government stabilise the prices of essential food items and curb profiteering, so that seniors and also low-income families can still afford their meals and food expenses? Supplementary question two: the local bus transport companies are badly affected by the surge in diesel prices, and they are running diesel cost increases of more than $1 million per month for some of them. However, they are also bound by the prices locked in their contracts and are not able to increase their prices. These local transport companies are essential to ensure our workers can get to work on time. Other than transportation for school children and people with disabilities, how would the measures help such local transport companies tide through this crisis, especially if the war prolongs? Supplementary question three: jet fuel supply has been severely affected and fuel prices have surged dramatically. The sustainable aviation fuel levy has been postponed to apply for flights from first January 2027 onwards. How will the impact on fuel supply and fuel prices impact Singapore as an air hub, especially if the war prolongs?”
“Thank you, Speaker and thank you, Minister, for your closing speech. I have two clarifications. First one, in clause 30G, it was mentioned that the new section in this clause provides for the owner the obligation for connecting the coastal protection measure for its prescribed place, to the coastal protection measure for an adjacent prescribed place. As highlighted earlier in my speech, the crux of the problem is really the water tightness of the protection measure. In the event of a compromised measure due to the failure at the interface, would there then be a penalty meted out to the original landowner or on his neighbour? That is the first clarification. The second one is, Minister also mentioned that penalties will be metered out to landowners who compromise the continuous coastline of defence. PUB will force-enter or take over the works, especially in the event of imminent flooding events. My question is, if it is something that is quite an extreme weather, like a tidal wave that is expected to hit in the next hour or so, will PUB then be able to respond in time, put in some kind of temporary barriers?”
“Coastal protection is a candidate for the latter even if we want to harness the power of the former. I ask the Minister to consider a centralised approach towards the design and construction of all coastal protection measures to ensure the most robust outcomes. This also allows us to leverage economies of scale, working with qualified consultants and construction companies that have a good track record and quality of work. If the protection measures are well designed and well constructed from day one, the long-term maintenance will also be less onerous and better maintained. To be clear, the crux is this – the responsibility is private, but the good is public. We may have 100 possible points of failure. Even one point of failure can cause massive damage. Our strongest remedy, our best hope, lies in one coordinating power. That way, our little island-nation can be truly well protected against the tidal waves during extreme weather and rising sea levels for the long run. Mr Deputy Speaker, notwithstanding my suggestion, I support the Coastal Protection Bill. 3.22 pm”
“If the design and construction of individual coastal protection measure are not well-coordinated and constructed – and there could potentially be up to 100 such potential points of weakness – how can PUB ensure that when the high seas hit our shores one day, the collective assembly of multiple sections of differently designed measures can indeed withstand the forces of nature? I do not say this in anticipation of the shirking of individual responsibility. Even if everyone plays his or her part, even if all 100 companies or landowners have the best of intentions, they may have knowledge gaps and coordination failures. There is severe information asymmetry. This is a classic collective action problem. How can we have an integrated and cohesive approach? An alternative model would be for PUB to undertake the design and construction for all stretches of vulnerable coastal areas, both Government and privately owned land. The Bill would provide PUB the authority to access the site, coordinate with landowners and construct the required coastal protection measures. After the coastal protection measures have been constructed, the ownership will then be novated to the landowner. The long-term responsibility of maintenance and operations will also rest with the landowners. After all, the Government, as the largest landowner of coastlines, will be responsible for implementing coastal protection for majority of coastlines. In terms of funding, $5 billion had been topped up in 2025 to the national Coastal and Flood Protection Fund (CFPF). The cost of construction for all coastal protection measures could be recovered from this fund. Sir, there is a time for individual creativity and innovation, and there is a time for central coordination.”
“In response to this Bill, together with fellow People's Action Party (PAP) Members Nadia Samdin, Valerie Lee, Hany Soh, Lee Hui Ying as well as Cassandra Lee, we will cover concerns related to the integrity of water-tightness, clarity of Government funding, technical support from PUB, nature-based design solutions, impact on business operations, coordination between neighbouring companies, impact on land valuation as well as information asymmetry, defects and liability upon landownership change. Mr Deputy Speaker, most regulatory requirements stipulated in respective codes of practice, such as building code, fire code and so on, impose requirements on respective buildings or structures independently. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the coastal protection code of practice lies in the water-tightness of adjacent coastal protection measures so as to ensure a continuous line of protection against tidal waves and rising sea levels. Up to 100 companies are estimated to be affected by this Bill. The Coastal Protection Bill requires respective landowners to own, implement, maintain and operate coastal protection measures on their land premises. The purported rationale for placing the onus on landowners – no pun intended – is because landowners understand their sites best and thus have the flexibility to select measures that best suit their needs. They can even dovetail their infrastructure design and development with coastal protection works. As mentioned, the crux of the water-tightness of this continuous coastal protection measures lies in the integrity of the adjoining sections between two sections of seawalls or coastal protection measures.”
“Mr Speaker, 22 years ago, the Asian Tsunami happened and took away more than 200,000 lives. For weeks, my teammates and I were flying our helicopters to and fro along the coastline between Aceh and Meulaboh, distributing food, water and medical supplies to the survivors, as part of Singapore's humanitarian disaster relief efforts. Until today, I can still remember vividly the sight of the massive scale of death and destruction along the coast of Sumatra. We were helping those who survived but we also witnessed first-hand the final journeys of others who did not. The tsunami was a black swan event that no one had predicted. But had there been seawalls built along the coastline, the scale and impact of destruction may have been mitigated. Mr Deputy Speaker, I share this experience because Singapore's weather has always been uneventful. We were fortunate to be spared from this catastrophic calamity as well as other extreme climatic conditions such as typhoons and floods that often befall our closest neighbours. But with projections of rising sea levels of up to 1.15 metres by 2100 and up to two metres by 2150, we must remember that more than 30% of Singapore's land area is less than five metres above sea level. We must do all we can to protect our homes, our beaches, our parks and our factories from tidal waves and rising sea levels. Hence, I agree with the objectives outlined in this Coastal Protection Bill.”
“Thank you Chairman. Just a quick question on the status on the autonomous vehicle trials. Other than the Punggol one, there is one more that is running in Marina Bay and Shenton Way area. Just to have an update on the progress of that. Also, it is a busy area, how will we deal with traffic congestion if there are some issues with the trials?”
“Does LTA have plans to widen the shared paths used also by the residents to better cope with the potential increase in cycling and pedestrian traffic? New MRT Stations and Last Mile Connection”
“Mr Chairman, by the end of this year, the Rapid Transit System (RTS) to Johor is expected to open. It will connect to Woodlands North MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line. It may soon be a $5 to $7 ticket to a place of good bargains and family outings. Many of my residents in Sembawang West are looking forward to the RTS. Some have relatives in Johor, many go over to do their grocery shopping, for family trips and simple services such as haircuts, spectacles, dental treatment and facials. RTS will help Singaporeans stretch our dollar. But for every change, there will be ripples. There will be more Singaporeans using the Thomson-East Coast Line. At the same time, we have already read in newspaper reports that Malaysian workers who used to rent in Singapore now may move back and take RTS to work in Singapore. At $10 commute a day, this may work out economically against the rentals and spending in Singapore. We do want people to use the line and my prediction is that under-demand will not be a problem. The problem may in fact be over-demand. Due to these increases in movements, the morning peak period at Woodlands North station and the traffic on the Thomson-East Coast Line may see a massive surge. What are LTA's plans to ensure that Singaporeans staying at Woodlands and using the Thomson-East Coast Line to head down to town during peak periods can continue to enjoy smooth and accessible public transport services? Does the Minister have an update on how much the fares will actually cost? Many Malaysians work in the semiconductor and food manufacturing factories located within the Woodlands industrial area. Instead of renting a room here, the workers may choose to commute via RTS and cycle or walk two kilometres to their workplaces.”
“Today, only about 20% of the workforce in the aviation sector are women. With an expanding industry and increased demand for skilled labour, the sky is the limit. For all of us, men and women who find their passion in aviation. Autonomous Vehicle Deployment”
“There are groups in aviation, such as “Women Aviation International SG Chapter”, formed recently in 2021 to connect women professionals in aviation, providing mentoring support and offer scholarship opportunities. Here, I declare my interest as an advisor to this organisation and an employee in the aviation industry. I would like to ask the Minister how MOT can work with such organisations as well as aviation companies and institutes of higher learning (IHLs) to attract more women into this sector.”
“In July 2025, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced a 200 million One Aviation Manpower Fund to attract, develop and retain the aviation workforce. Given that the aviation sector is growing so quickly and that it is also very male dominant, what steps is MOT taking to attract talents, especially young women graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Airline pilots, aeronautical engineers, ground hand operators, air traffic controllers, airport planners – there are many opportunities, many openings for young women, aviation professionals, and more women are taking up these roles recently. These are good jobs in the blue sky. In the Asia Pacific region, Singapore has a conducive ecosystem to grow a strong network of women aviation professionals. We are leading Regional Aviation Hub with a thriving and well-connected airport, a major global air cargo hub, and a well-established MRO ecosystem. There are many jobs in these organisations, ranging from airlines, airports, cargo and logistics companies, as well as aircraft manufacturers and maintenance companies. Of course, ensuring that women land well in aviation is not the work of Government alone. A culture shift is needed if we are to change from a male dominated working environment into a more inclusive one. Let me cite two examples in the frontline roles, such as flying, ground handling and aircraft maintenance and repair operations. Considerations, such as the proper provision of basic amenities and facilities such as women's restrooms cannot be taken for granted. In addition, human resources (HR) policies during pregnancy and maternity periods must also be well considered, as well as scholarship and internship opportunities. Again, the Government does not have to do this alone.”
“Mr Chairman, when I became a pilot at 18, I was a minority because there were not too many women pilots in the Air Force. Today, there are more of us, but we are still very much the minority, not just in the Air Force, but across the skies. Mr Chairman, I must say that, from my experience as a search and rescue pilot, aviation as a career choice was the adventure of a lifetime and something I will not exchange for the world. But it is also a very personal choice. Hence, I target my speech not at setting a target or a quota of women in aviation, but as offering more opportunities and possibilities in our vibrant and world class air hub. First, I would like to ask for some figures. What is the representation of women in senior leadership in our aviation industry? We know that it is very likely to be in the minority, but there is a large difference between 1% and 20%. Second, I would like to offer some figures. The aviation industry is at sunrise. The global outlook is very bright. Global passenger traffic looks to double by 2040. Aviation hubs in the region are now racing to increase their runway and terminal capacities, following the slowdown during the pandemic period. Changi Airport will increase its capacity by another 50 million passengers per annum when T5 is ready around the middle of next decade. But we are not only ones by a long shot. Hong Kong International Airport is building its third runway. India, the world's most populous country, has built 75 new airports in the past decade and is set to build another 70 new airports soon. China will build more than 200 new airports by 2035. Third, I would like to say what this means for us.”
“Mr Chairman, on behalf of all hon Members who have participated in the MSE Committee of Supply, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Minister Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State Zaqy, Senior Minister of State Janil, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh and all members of MSE, PUB, NEA, SFA. Mr Chairman, I seek leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $2,890,738,400 for Head L ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $820,076,600 for Head L ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Minister, Senior Minister of State and also the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. I have a question for Senior Minister of State Dr Janil. I highlighted the expensive irony of food waste in Singapore and asked for MSE's plans and efforts to reduce food waste, and in his reply, Dr Janil mentioned only the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act. I would like to highlight that this Act was a Private Members' Bill led by former Member of Parliament Mr Louis Ng, Ms Hany Soh, Mr Edward Chia and myself, together with a large committee of green activists and stakeholders, through five years of consultation and ground-up efforts. At an average of 128 kilogrammes of food waste per capita per year, and this is an increasing trend, Singapore ranks amongst the top 15 countries worldwide with highest food waste per capita. The restaurants and hotels alone are responsible for about 28% of food waste and that is a substantial proportion for a small group. I would like to ask Dr Janil, will there be further plans and efforts by MSE to reduce food waste and will there be more targeted collaboration with the restaurants and hotel sector to reverse the growing trend of food waste?”
“Thank you, Speaker, and Acting Minister. I would like to ask, does this shift in the PARF framework indicate the Ministry of Transport's (MOT's) intent to accelerate the uptake of EVs further, given that in the past few years, the take-up rate for EVs has already increased quite a fair bit?”
“While those with deep pockets will continue to enjoy a wide variety of fresh foods, the average Singaporean may have to restrict themselves and change their diets. We do not need to ensure that everyone has asparagus and truffles, but we do want to make sure that fresh fish and vegetables are not out of reach for most homes. How would MSE address this issue? Last, while almost all the food in Singapore is imported and people are complaining about high food cost, Singapore produces more than 800,000 tonnes of food waste every year. When I say “produce”, I mean we waste the food that we have bought, cooked and flown halfway across the world on very expensive trade routes. This is an expensive irony. Even as MSE works out a strategy to procure more food, we must at the same time, waste less. Can the Minister tell us of plans and efforts to reduce food waste? Food Security”
“Mr Chairman, thank you for allowing me to speak on this important topic. First, we note that Singapore has shifted from "30 by 30" to Food Story 2. It is no great stretch of reasoning to surmise that this is because the original goal is thought to be out of reach – to fail to reach a target, by itself, is not a great failure. In policy making, as it is in sports, and in life, stretched targets are important. At the same time, there are two important differences. First, benchmarking. "30% of our food needs by 2030" cannot have been a target based on a simple gimmick of two numbers. It must have been made based on some policy assumptions. Can the Minister tell us what among its initial assumptions failed? These include – first, what lessons are learnt from the failures of businesses in big-scale urban farms and plant proteins? What can MSE do differently now to step up local produce? Second, the new food targets are different compared to the past in that they are more targeted to specific food types. For example by 2035, for us to produce 20% of our fibre needs and 30% of our proteins. Can the Minister explain how these targets have emerged. For example, are they due to the specifics of Singapore’s land size and our comparative advantages? Again, targets must be set based on specific and objective assumptions, and it would be useful to hear from the Minister what these are. Last, even as we strive towards these new targets, we must remember that most of our food remains imports. Can I ask the Minister about our food source diversification and global partnerships? Fresh, air-flown food has become increasingly expensive.”
“Hence, I would like to ask the Ministry how it intends to engage the public on the need for such adaptation infrastructure? How will the National Adaptation Plan build climate literacy and awareness within the community to foster a culture of climate resilience? Second, we implement these policies based on best current knowledge. I have also said that the Government has adopted novel solutions. Here, I would like to ask on the progress on Climate Science. What partnerships has the Ministry established with international climate research institutions to strengthen Singapore's climate science capabilities? How is Singapore enhancing its climate monitoring and forecasting capabilities to better understand local climate impacts and inform adaptation decisions? Climate change will impact us in many ways. How about underground spaces? If rainfall becomes too heavy, will our current drainage, crest and pump system still suffice to keep out rainwater and floodwater out? Do we expect building owners to do more to reinforce their infrastructure, like the case of Coastal Protection? Mr Chairman, I have spoken about the need to spend today for tomorrow and to convince Singaporeans that this is as a matter of national and fiscal responsibility. I have also asked for a holistic consideration of how science and evidence is brought to our service. Together, these will help Singaporeans like me, who want to support climate spending, to understand how and why we are doing so, and the careful consideration that goes into spending every dollar, of the billions in public monies committed for the future. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Island Systems Resilience”
“Mr Chairman, I move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head L of the Estimates be reduced by $100". The climate is a two-faced problem, global commons but local impact. In the latter, Singapore stands out in the world for being prepared to commit public funds today, to ensure the homes and jobs of tomorrow. Let me start off with Terminal 5 (T5) at Changi Airport as an example. T5 will be built on land topped up to 5.5 metres above main sea level, higher than the rest of Singapore. Meanwhile off Pulau Tekong, we have reclaimed a space the size of two Toa Payoh towns for military use. The Tekong Polder is 1.2 metres below sea level and protected by six metres seawalls. And to remind ourselves what long-term planning means, the "Long Island" project was first mooted in the 1991 concept plan 30 years ago as an integrated plan to protect the East Coast with an integrated mix of projects to ensure coastal flood protection, rainwater harvesting and land supply. These are all novel ideas, underwritten by billions in Government commitment to protect our low-lying areas and ensure Singapore's continued place in a changing climatic world. I must stress that I support our spending on these long-term problems because the time to build and prepare for the future, is now and today. The problems are real and urgent even as they are long-term and appear distant and far away. As human beings, we are all subject to the bias of long-term discounting. How can people care about long-term plans if we do not have enough for our daily lives now? Spending on the National Adaptation Plan can feel disconnected with our needs today. Put bluntly, many of us simply do not care about these plans.”
“Also, in terms of the split between manned and unmanned defence systems, in terms of capex investment, what is rough proportion now and what will it be in the future? Second, unmanned technologies are a double-edged sword. The same benefits that help us project war can just as easily be used against us. This dual nature of unmanned technology means we must be both users and defenders against these systems. How does SAF ensure high availability and reliability of unmanned systems, especially on cybersecurity attacks? Third, as we expand our unmanned capabilities, we must also consider supply chain resilience. Over-reliance on any single source or region for these critical systems could create vulnerabilities. Singapore’s National Cyber Defence Capabilities”
“Mr Chairman, as a former military service personnel, war is more salient for me than most in this House. In a recent moving speech at the Kranji War memorial, Senior Minister of State Murali reminded us that "peace is hard won, that war is not a story of the past, but a reality of the present" and that "today, the world is not at peace – a few countries are already at war, others are preparing for it and still others know they must." Singapore has been in a state of preparedness for all the years of our independence. But the nature of war is fast changing. Today, unmanned solutions are at the forefront of conflicts. The ongoing war in Ukraine has demonstrated their cost effectiveness dramatically. A drone costing around $20,000 can potentially destroy infrastructure worth millions while forcing defenders to use missiles costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to intercept it. Looking ahead, can I ask the Minister three related points on manpower, security and supply chain? First, in light of Singapore's falling birth rate, may I ask the Minister, how is SAF using unmanned technology in local and overseas training to improve effectiveness and reduce manpower reliance? What are some examples of unmanned technologies development strategies or trajectories in the next 10 to 20 years that can truly replace human operators? Can remote unmanned technologies truly fly aircraft, drive tanks and launch bridges? What is MINDEF's projected percentage manpower savings from the use of unmanned systems to mitigate the declining population? We ought, of course, to avoid a situation where we own many unmanned systems but in the end, manpower needs are not very much reduced.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to Minister of State Alvin Tan. I have three supplementary questions. First, given the latest update by Deputy Prime Minister Gan yesterday on declining population growth these few years and possible population decline in 2030s if there is no reversal of the trend, will the Ministry of National Development (MND) then review the green spaces allocation in the long-term land planning considerations, as a proportion of the total land usage? The second supplementary question: green spaces are essential for the mental well-being of Singaporeans. As mental wellness issues come to the forefront, can more cleared land be set aside for open spaces like parks and recreational spaces for people to unwind, to decompress and do sports? And the third supplementary question: vegetation is an effective means to counter urban heat. In view of rising urban heat concerns, will MND consider increasing the pace of the OneMillionTrees movement and in fact, even go beyond the one million trees target to perhaps, 1.5 million or even two million trees by 2030?”
“Can I ask the Minister, what is the expected impact to Singapore's climate goals from the United States' (US') stance on climate, including most recently its withdrawal from international climate organisations? Second, in view of the Prime Minister's mention during Budget on Carbon Tax pricing to possibly adopt the lower range of $50 per million tonne of carbon dioxide, I would like to ask what is the progress on Singapore's key domestic mitigation measures to meet our 2030 NDC target? What progress has Singapore made in procuring carbon credits to meet our climate targets? And if we do cut to $50, how do we ensure businesses do not back off on their green transformation plans? Target of Reaching Net Zero”
“Mr Chairman, climate has two faces and Singapore must deal with both of these with one budget. First, climate is a global commons. As in so many things for a small and open economy, Singapore is a price taker of global norms of behaviour. We cannot ourselves dictate how fast the sea-levels rise, how much human activity to curtail, how little carbon is emitted into the air. We must instead prepare and protect, as much as we can, this little piece of land, one degree north of the equator. This is the second face of climate change, that although much happens is a result of all countries acting in concert, the impact on specific countries must be dealt with by each country on its own. No global saviour is going to come and give us a helping hand. There are very few countries that can say with confidence and indeed, with enough bankability, to say what we are saying with this Budget – that we, as a country and as a people, are prepared to spend hundreds of billions of dollars for generations of the future to protect our sea line, our homes and businesses, because although we are price-takers in the global commons, we are not passive. We have the resolution and resources to ensure climate adaptability. This is in many ways the Singapore Story. As our forebears have done for us, so now, we must do for our future. Here, I would like to thank the National Climate Change Secretariat for its achievements in 2025, especially at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference at Belem, Brazil. 3.30 pm Singapore's 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aim to reduce emissions to 45 to 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide supporting our 2050 net-zero goal. This shows Singapore's commitment, even though we contribute only 0.1% of the world's emissions.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker and thank you, Prime Minister, for the round-up speech. Prime Minister, you mentioned in your Budget speech on taking SkillsFuture forward and strengthening the assurance for mid-career workers and seniors. In my speech, I asked to help our young seniors stay relevant and employable for the long term. I call for more fundamental revamp of the SkillsFuture and to retrain our workforce every 10 years or so, to counter the shorter economic cycles and the impact of AI. I would like Prime Minister to share more about beyond merging WSG and SSG, and involving the IHLs and Institutes of Education (ITEs) more for continuing education and training, will the Government be looking at more measures to help our young seniors, especially the PMETs to stay effectively more relevant and more employable?”
“I also advocate for continuous skills upgrading and regarding health as a key asset, so as to ensure our employability and competitiveness in the long term. (In English): Mr Speaker, there is great urgency and courage required of us to carry out this revamp. Urgency because otherwise, the young seniors will become a "lost generation", which the Singapore Government will need to support for the long term. Courage because this will require hard mettle and tough choices. No amount of CDC vouchers and subsidies would help us tackle this problem. The tide of discontent is borne out of uncertainty and fear about the changes that await us. Against this, we have a strong track record of collective action, strong policy-making and a united, cohesive framework between the private and public sector. Our country is small enough and nimble enough to find a living even in a turbulent world economy. We already have the financial foundation. Let us find within us the political will, the courage and the great urgency to transform discontent into hope and ability to remake our country and our people to meet the challenges ahead. Mr Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding my comments, I support the Budget.”
“We need for all of us to consider work differently, to see it as a long running endeavour and one that is important and meaningful in itself, rather than something we have to do in order to make enough money for retirement. With this mindset change, we have two important implications. First, we need to continually get better at work, and to become not just relevant but skilled and accomplished at our jobs. We should be confident in our abilities that we are better than and are more than machines, that we can stay ahead and abreast of new technologies, and we can continually master new skills. Secondly, even as we work, we must not lose sight of the need to continually invest in our mental and physical health. We must think of health as a key asset in our lives, not just our properties and other economic assets. If there is one thing that money cannot buy, it is good health. It is a better asset not just of national healthcare financing, but of personal quality of life. Mr Speaker, I would like to speak in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, in the face of rapid technological transformation, particularly in the age of AI, we need to conduct a fundamental review of our overall workforce strategy. Every employee is an important link in the chain. We should seriously consider institutionalising retraining arrangement, for example, allowing an employee to undergo training every 10 years, promoting closer alignment between the education system and market demands with appropriate Government subsidies to establish a more comprehensive retraining system, thereby maintaining employees' employability. I also encourage Singaporeans to view work as a lifelong meaningful endeavour rather than merely as a means to retire early.”