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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“First, with more use of the funds in the Ordinary Account for property purchases, we may need to consider higher CPF contribution rate from employer and employees. Second, can the CPF Board consider increasing the interest rate of 2.8% for the Ordinary Account and 4% for the Special Account? This may be considered for such a long-term investment horizon and the large funds quantum. Giving better returns will help reduce the calls for increased employer contributions to CPF, which risks making our workforce less competitive. Mr Speaker, I would like to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Speaker, my speech underlines the difficulties faced by two groups within the young senior citizen demographic. First, those who are ready and financially capable, compared to the increasing number of those who are struggling to make ends meet. I am also concerned that more and more people are falling into the lower middle-income bracket and facing structural unemployment. A fundamental review of workforce strategy is urgently needed. This includes implementing mandatory retraining every 10 years, aligning the education system with job market requirements as well as co-financing of retraining programmes by the Government to maintain workforce employability amid rapid technological change, particularly in the era of AI. (In English): Mr Speaker, there are two sides to this issue and changes need to be made both on an individual level and the Government level. The first is, I think, the more radical. We need for Singaporeans to think of a meaningful working life as a fit companion for their adult life and not just a stage before the bliss of retirement.”
“Quite aside from dry policy issues of planning, providing and financing, there are personal decisions and convictions about meaning and connections. There is dignity and value in work. It is part of health and a good life. As a national conversation, we should include these important considerations in our planning and policies about working life. Many low- and lower-middle income groups cannot even meet the minimum retirement sum and yet we know that it has to keep increasing so as to keep pace with inflation and longer life spans. Many in these groups also do not have savings and may have to downgrade their flats or opt for Lease Buybacks. Over the years, I have assisted numerous residents in their 50s and 60s who struggled to repay their monthly housing instalments due to ill health or job losses or both in some cases. Eventually, many of them had to reluctantly downgrade into smaller two-room Flexi flats. One example is Mr N, who suffered from a chronic heart condition which rendered him unemployable. He and his wife do not have sufficient CPF funds to pay off their two-room Flexi Build-To-Order (BTO). After many rounds of appeals, they finally received special approval to use their limited funds in the Retirement Account for their BTO. But they had to pledge their flat to CPF Board because the funds in their Retirement Account were below the Basic Retirement Sum. While they now have a roof over their heads, they still worry constantly about their ability to cope with rising living and medical expenses for their retirement. This is a fact, a pressure point, for young seniors who are beginning to see the importance of their CPF in their retirement journey. How do we fix this shortfall?”
“Do we start our working life with the aim that it will be a short one and our life thereafter be a life of ease, comfort and plenty? The chance of a life of ease without labour may be true for the very few lucky enough to be born into wealth or marry into one, or with a magic touch at the races. But for the majority of us, life is a journey of work, meaning and growth, with most of our average 85 years of life spent accumulating judgement, skill and knowledge. But work, like life, is a long marathon and not a sprint to get rich quickly. Many who think about retiring young and may sacrifice their health with long and intense work hours in their 20s, 30s and 40s, only to find they end up with poor health in their 50s and 60s and are unable to live, let alone retire well. One often does not factor in the economic and psychological cost of poor health and often poor health is less a matter of genetic endowment or bad luck, than it is an accumulation of bad decisions relating to diet, lifestyle and sleep. Health is wealth may sound empty until one ends up on the wrong end of the hospital bed. So, in relation to work, I would suggest for us to think of healthy work as the key policy goal. I suggest three points. First, we ought to press on with Healthy SG for those aged 40 and above. The rules for healthy working life are quite simple – have enough sleep, make friends and observe some simple health guidelines relating to diet and exercise. Second, consider going back to school every 10 years, which is also a sabbatical from work. Last and most importantly, view working as a way of staying relevant, engage with community rather than retiring early. And to me, this is truly a life well-lived.”
“I ask for the Government to consider funding workers for retraining or reskilling for every worker reaching 40, 50 and 60 for six months. The Progressive Wage Model can be more aggressive with higher salaries for frontline or high-touch jobs so that Singaporeans will be keen to join them. To do this and still keep ourselves cost-competitive, we need to look at productivity. In this we can look at the use of AI and robotics especially for the “dull, dangerous and dirty” jobs and upskill our young seniors to operate and supervise the robots. For example, we have seen how senior cashiers in supermarkets, are now helping with self-checkouts. The self-checkout kiosks are reducing the need for manpower and offering each person a platform to increase their productivity. Government, businesses and people must work closely together to help this group of young seniors stay employable and prepare them well for retirement. In fact, the "back to school every 10 years" should start from 30 years old and be a Government co-funded programme as an investment in our people. From where we stand, going back to school at 30 years old when we have left school barely six or seven years ago seems extravagant. But this is the pace of new knowledge creation nowadays. We no longer can count on our initial degrees bearing us through our careers without supplements. Continuous education is a way of life, no matter our professions. This leads me to my second point about mental and physical health. Why do we work? This sounds like a philosophical question so let me ask it in a more practical way. Is the Singaporean Dream about building a million-dollar nest egg and retiring early?”
“So, it is understandable that sometimes, even with $155 billion spent, there could still be pockets of discontent and despair among those who feel the money is not reaching them. How can we break this cycle of discontent and bring in hope and optimism? There are three things we can work on: skills, health and money. In Singapore, people are our only asset and every worker matters. The Government must keep our people fit to work, acquire relevant skills and grow their retirement nest egg. So, we need to do three things: one, compulsory retraining and skill upgrade every 10 years; two, staying physically and mentally fit to work; and three, increase forced savings rate or CPF contribution rates. Businesses and employees must be responsive to changes in market trends and new job demands. IHLs and Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) must also be more aware of job market requirements and are nimble to offer short courses and skills certification. Mr Speaker, in my mind, SkillsFuture will be the key policy instrument which will help us ensure that we remain relevant and skilled. But we cannot just fund courses willy-nilly. No number of Japanese pastry lessons or scented candle classes will get us where we need to be to compete against a world which is AI-enabled and technology-powered. We need discipline and expertise, not just “busy work” in retraining. We need to offer the courses back in IHLs and ITEs with market-recognised certification. MOM, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and MOE must collaborate more closely to close the gap between industry needs in high-growth sectors, jobs projections and retraining or re-education courses, for example in sustainability, healthcare and information technology (IT).”
“Mr Speaker, I will focus my speech squarely on those nearing retirement, the young seniors, because I feel the coming changes that the Prime Minister has predicted in his Budget will hit this group the most. Here, there are two groups of Singaporeans in the young seniors demographics, the well-prepared and well-resourced, mainly the upper- and upper middle-income group, and those who are struggling and worrying about making ends meet. To be honest, this second group appears to be increasing in numbers. Whether warranted or not, many of us are worried. My concern is that these mega shifts have caused or will cause more to slip into the lower middle-income group. Once there, they may be unable to rise above this employment black hole on their own. Hence, deep Government intervention may be needed. I argue that we need to fundamentally review our strategy to keep our workforce relevant. Otherwise, we may end up with deeper structural unemployment. There is a growing number of a generation of displaced and frustrated young seniors. They become unemployable in their 50s and 60s, giving rise to deep discontent. In the marketplace, companies are unable to grow or even to stay above water, due to unfilled job roles. Also, longer life expectancy means that we have to make our retirement funds last longer. So, it will be a two-step reinforcing cycle. First, shorter economic cycles especially with AI, means higher chance of displacement. Second, higher property prices. With more Ordinary Account locked up in property, our Central Provident Fund (CPF) Retirement Account is no longer sufficient for retirement.”
“Mr Speaker, $155 billion is a big sum of money and this is a generous Budget. But numbers can get lost without benchmarks. Is $155 billion a lot to spend for a country of our size? In Southeast Asia, on a per capita basis, we are number two in 2024, at about US$22,000 per capita, behind Brunei. We are ahead of Malaysia which is about US$10,000; Thailand, about US$5,500; and the Southeast Asia average of about US$3,500 and we are close to the OECD average of about US$23,000. Compared to OECD countries, Singapore sits around the mid-pack, 24th out of 41 entries. The highest per capita spenders are Luxembourg, about US$69,000; Norway, about US$65,000; and Denmark, about US$40,000. The global top rankings are mainly small countries and very well-resourced ones, with relatively high tax rates. Within the OECD, Singapore is just behind the spending of US, which is about US$26,000; and the UK, which is about US$24,000; and ahead of Korea and Japan, both at about US$19,000. So, when I say this is a generous Budget, I say it with the confidence of these benchmarks. At the same time, there is some disconnect with the feelings on the ground. The ordinary man in the street will see the big numbers, including those set aside for AI and technology, but feel that very little of the money is actually trickling down to them. It is like a rich towkay who spends a lot of money to buy the best equipment and house them in gleaming big factories, but his employees do not feel that their bonuses are getting bigger or that their training is helping them. Instead, they feel like life is squeezing them dry, their commute getting longer, their food prices increasing and their lives a little more precarious.”
“Thank you, Speaker and the Senior Minister of State. My supplementary question pertains to those establishments with poor performance, especially now that the decal is not being displayed. These establishments with poor performance would likely expect more frequent inspections and that means there will be disproportionately more resources on SFA's side to keep inspecting these few outlets. In that case, if they consistently do not perform, would SFA consider a safety time-out for these food establishments to protect the interest of consumers, especially if the decal is not even displayed and most people would not take the trouble to check, so how would they know that these are the frequent ones that do not improve?”
“Wearing my Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment GPC hat, I hope LTA will set up collection points for these vehicles to be deposited and thereafter, arrange for them to be sold and be used in overseas markets. Alternatively, I urge LTA to arrange for these disposed PMAs and e-scooters to be scrapped and parts be recycled appropriately so that they do not create a new problem for our environment. This year, Singapore becomes a super-aged society. There will be more seniors who will need PMAs to move around. Let us reset the original intent of PMAs as a mobility aid. Let us protect and support our seniors and those with mobility challenges. Let us put a stop to unnecessary injuries and deaths due to PMA and PMD fires. Let us keep our homes safe for everyone. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill amendments.”
“The success of this new rule is highly dependent on the speed and comprehensiveness of enforcement operations. Enforcement officers are usually stationed at designated locations. The ineligible users will be on alert and will avoid these officers who can be seen from far, even though they may be wearing plain clothes. Some users may be still riding their PMAs late at night, which are hard to see from far. I would like to ask the Ministry, how many enforcement officers and for how long will they be deployed following the 1 June start date. The second enforcement process is related to oversized PMAs and non-UL2722 compliant e-scooters. Over the past years, I have received many residents' feedback on their neighbours parking or even charging their oversized PMAs or non-UL2722 compliant e-scooters along HDB flats' common corridors. They are not only a source of fire hazard. They can also become obstructions during emergency escape. The neighbours of these PMAs and e-scooters owners are a useful source of accurate information of where and when these PMAs and e-scooters are parked which would be valuable information source to LTA enforcement officers. May I ask the Ministry if LTA will provide a direct channel perhaps through an app, for residents to provide feedback and photo or video evidence to LTA, so that enforcement officers can act promptly? Also, should the non-compliant PMAs or e-scooters owners refuse to remove them, are LTA enforcement officers vested with the powers to confiscate these items? Finally, following the roll-out of this new rule, we can expect many non-compliant PMAs and e-scooters may be disposed of as there may not be a viable secondary market locally.”
“These behaviours cause dangerous situations when pedestrians are forced to give way, whilst also generating noise in residential areas that affects residents' rest at home. Although these issues are isolated incidents, their impact on the community's safety and quality of life cannot be overlooked. However, the current amendments focus primarily on usage eligibility and technical specifications, and do not directly address behavioural issues. I am concerned that some PMA users who meet the eligibility criteria but engage in inappropriate behaviour may continue to use their device improperly on shared paths. I understand that it is not easy to regulate such social behaviours through legal means. Eligibility for PMA usage should be based on objective need rather than subjective behavioural assessments. Nevertheless, these behaviours represent real situations that residents face in daily life and directly affect the peace and safety of common spaces. Beyond defining usage eligibility, I would like to ask the Minister whether LTA could consider complementary measures, such as establishing courses or workshops for PMA users to guide them in responsible usage of PMAs, enhance safety awareness and thereby, better safeguard the safety of both pedestrians and users. (In English): Another concern is related to implementation challenges. The rules will kick in from 1 June 2026. Although PMAs are currently not required to be registered with LTA and hence, we do not know how many PMAs there are nation-wide. PMDs, however, do need to be registered and currently, there are about 5,100 of these. While we do not know how many PMAs there are, retailers have reported increasing sales of hundreds of PMAs each year. They are everywhere and are mobile.”
“Many of them are plying on shared paths with pedestrians. Several residents, especially the more elderly pedestrians, have given feedback that some PMA users are rude and dominate the shared paths, sometimes, in a dangerous way while others blast loud music even late at night. These bad behaviours cause near-accidents, especially when pedestrians are forced to make way for them. They also cause noise pollution as the loud music reverberates, sometimes, jolting residents resting at home from their sleep. However, the new rules in the Bill's amendments do not address these behaviours and I am concerned that such eligible but errant PMA users may continue to behave like they own the shared paths. Again, I recognise that it is difficult to use laws to constrain such behaviour, as eligibility criteria should be based on objective need, not social behavioural norms. Yet, the latter are the stuff of our everyday experience in our homes and towns, and they make a big difference between the safe, quiet enjoyment of our space, or an experience of risk, danger and high emotions. In addition to eligibility criteria, can LTA consider a basic workshop or course on responsible use so as to reduce instances of anti-social PMA users? Mr Speaker, I would like to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Within the Sembawang West constituency, the use of PMAs is quite prevalent, with a considerable portion operating on paths shared with pedestrians. I have received feedback from many residents, particularly the elderly, regarding some PMA users who are rude on shared paths and dominate lanes inappropriately, sometimes, in a dangerous way. There are also users who blast loud music late at night.”
“And given their physical limitations, it may not be possible for them to switch to using other transport modes like PABs. Also, for those in their 50s and 60s, they may not be able to secure other forms of employment. While this may be a small group, I hope that LTA will consider extending conditional PMA user eligibility to them if they have not chalked up speeding offences in the past. I do recognise that this is indeed a difficult provision to make in terms of legislation. Mr Speaker, please allow me to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Although the age of 70 may be considered reasonable for automatic eligibility, there are also many younger individuals who are unable to walk far due to being overweight or having temporary conditions like gout but are unable to obtain a certificate of eligibility from a doctor. I agree that the inclusion of all senior citizens aged 70 and above is an efficient way to implement the policy, but my concern is the possibility of over-exclusion of a specific group. There is a small group of individuals who require PMAs but may no longer be eligible. Some of them also use PMAs to earn a living, such as food delivery. Given their physical limitations, it may be difficult for them to switch to other modes of transport such as PABs. Furthermore, for those in their 50s and 60s, they may face difficulties securing other forms of employment. Although this group is small, I hope that LTA will consider extending conditional PMA user eligibility to them, provided they have no record of prior speeding offences. I do recognise that such provisions are indeed difficult to implement from a legal standpoint. (In English): Sembawang West constituency happens to have quite a lot of PMAs.”
“Mr Speaker, PMAs are wonderful inventions that are meant to give independence, dignity and an opportunity to earn a livelihood to seniors and people with mobility challenges. Unfortunately, self-regulation by users is weak. Over the past few years, misuse of PMAs have resulted in nuisance to pedestrians, injuries and even deaths to PMA users. They have also caused severe negative externalities including fires that result in property damage and loss of lives. It is finally time to reset the original intent of PMAs. The Bill's amendments to tighten PMA users' eligibility, operating rules and specifications are overdue. But better late than never. The Bill's amendments are well-thought out and eliminate most scenarios of misuse, while preserving as much inclusivity as possible for genuine users. Notwithstanding, I would like to raise a few concerns. I would like to address concerns of residents below their 70s, who cannot walk well or depend on PMAs for their livelihood, yet are physically unable to use PMDs or PABs. They are also worried that they are unable to get a doctor's letter. While 70 years old may be a reasonable eligible age for automatic eligibility, there are also many instances of younger people who are unable to walk far due to excessive weight or temporary conditions such as gout but are unable to obtain a doctor's certificate of eligibility. I would like to ask if age, rather than need, is a good way to delineate the eligibility? To be clear, I agree that the inclusion of all seniors above age 70 is an efficient way to implement the policy. What I am worried about is over-exclusion of a specific group; that is, a small group that needs PMAs but may now be excluded. Some of them may even have been using PMAs to earn a livelihood, such as food delivery.”
“Thank you, Speaker and the Senior Minister of State. I have two supplementary questions. First, we expect this collection of return containers, with over 1,000, to even in future, 2,000 return points to be quite a substantial operational and logistical effort. What is the estimated additional manpower that is needed for collection and transportation of all these collected containers? And related to this, my second supplementary question: how would consumers be protected? Should the cost of drinks go beyond the three to four cents of operational costs, as imputed in these logistical operations, will that lead to much more expensive drinks in future for consumers?”
“Thank you, Speaker and Minister. Many of our small businesses, hawkers, for example, they need their vehicles for their businesses, and because of the high quantum of the COE, it is difficult for them to sustain their business because of a very huge, lumpy sum that is needed to pay for the COE. Hence, the suggestion to consider shorter tenures or shorter terms for the COE. Will there be any possibilities to consider only for the commercial vehicles, for example, in this case, to have a shorter term for renewals, just to help these smaller businesses tide through?”
“Despite being called on by her coach to replace her injured teammate just 20 minutes before the race, Julia – who had to borrow a swimsuit and a cap – did her personal best and helped the women's swim team win the women's 4x100-metre medley gold in a meet record time. Julia is a symbol of all that sports can do – physical and mental strength, a spirit of overcoming and a pride and commitment to the process. In 2029, Singapore will be hosting the 35th SEA Games and I hope that our whole nation will come together to support, volunteer and cheer for our athletes, coaches and other members of our sports community. The home ground support will give our athletes the extra boost to go the extra mile. Sir, 2029 is just three years away. I look forward to the expanded SportSG Board, leading the sporting community towards this milestone SEA Games, rallying the whole of Singapore and bonding Singaporeans through sports. This Singapore spirit will be the most precious achievement, more than any number of gold medals. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the amendment Bill.”
“In October 2021, I spoke in this House on how sports can bond Singaporeans together. Sports can strengthen our bodies and minds, toughen our fighting spirit and uplift our spirits during difficult times. Sports can also bring Singaporeans of different races and religions, socio-economic backgrounds together and be the unifying force that bonds and builds Singapore. In the recent 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, Singapore sent the largest ever contingent of 930 athletes across 48 sports. A total of 202 medals were won, namely 52 golds, 62 silvers and 89 bronzes, the biggest medal haul ever. I was in Thailand, Nonthaburi province to support our table tennis team which contributed four golds, one silver and two bronzes. I know how hard our athletes trained, the sacrifices they made and how hard they fought for every point. Each time the Singapore flag is raised and Majulah Singapura is sung, I felt immensely proud of what our young athletes have achieved. I also met many Team Nila supporters, more than 200 of them who took time to travel to Thailand in support of our athletes competing in various sports. I also know of many Singaporeans back home who were glued to MeWatch, following the competitions and cheering for our athletes. There were many inspiring moments that stole our hearts, seeing how our young athletes fought against their competitors to fly our Singaporean flag high. Many would remember how fencer, Amita Berthier, made a spectacular consecutive seven-point comeback to claim victory over her opponent and eventually claimed her third title in Women's Individual Foil event. There was also 14-year-old swimmer Julia Yeo and her gungho can-do spirit.”
“The current Sport Singapore Board has a bench strength of 15 members and comprises members from the private, public sectors as well as national sports associations and athletes, directly appointed by the Minister for Community, Culture and Youth. In the current Sport Singapore Board composition, seven out of 15 members have a finance-related professional background. Four members are from the public sector. Only one member is from a National Sports Association, one member from the Singapore National Olympic Council and one member is a Paralympian. I would suggest that with 10 additional Board seats, the Board members should have a greater diversity of professional backgrounds and would, in turn, bring to the table wider industry networks. For instance, professionals or experts in sports education, sports psychology, sports tourism, community sports and senior sports would bring valuable insights and perspectives into technical capability building, community sports programming and sports excellence for the elite athletes. Aside from looking at the number of members alone, we might also introduce other measures, such as term limits, which is good practice in the spirit of renewal. I recall that one previous Board Chairman had served 16 years. Last, when it comes to Board seats, it is not merely a numbers game but one of commitment, interest, expertise and passion. With more Board members bringing a wider breath of experience and networks as well as deeper expertise, SportSG is well placed to bring sports in Singapore to new and greater heights. I would also like to pose a challenge to the better-resourced SportSG board, to aim for a more aspirational vision. Beyond improving the lives of individuals, sports can also uplift and bond the entire nation.”
“There will also be a new national training centre for local athletes and a new 18,000-seat indoor arena. As part of the Kallang Alive Masterplan, the Singapore Sports School in Woodlands will shift to The Kallang. Sports tourism in Singapore is also experiencing a boom as more international sporting events are held here. For instance, the Standard Chartered Marathon, Singapore Rugby Sevens and the World Table Tennis Singapore Smash are some of the world-class sporting events that have attracted sports fans and their families to Singapore every year. To realise Vision 2030 and live out the goals set for The Kallang Masterplan, there is indeed a need for deeper expertise and experience to develop the new specialised functions, such as precinct and infrastructure development, international sports events organisation as well as sports education and professional skills development. Moreover, significant Government funding for these infrastructure development and programme development will be required. Therefore, strong leadership and governance from the Sport Singapore Board is critical to ensure taxpayers' contributions allocated for sports development are not for an idealistic dream but is well-spent and will uplift our entire nation towards achieving better lives through sports. The Sport Singapore Board will play a crucial role in this transformation journey. As with any Board, its duties include ensuring strong governance, management, accountability and alignment with key sporting goals. I, therefore, agree with the amendment to increase the Board from 15 to 25 members.”
“Mr Speaker, I would like to declare that I am the President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association and hence, may be an interested party in some parts of this speech. The Singapore Sports Council was set up in 1973 and renamed as Sport Singapore in 2014. The local sporting landscape has grown significantly and become more vibrant, especially over the past decade. The sporting ecosystem has also become more holistic and well-resourced. Our national athletes are flying our Singapore flag high, with more podium finishes in the Olympics and other Major Games and world championships in recent years. More Singaporeans and residents are also participating in sports across different age groups and sports participation in Singapore has reached an all-time high, with 74% of residents aged 13 and above engaging in sports at least once a week, according to the latest National Sports Participation Survey conducted in 2022. Across different parts of Singapore, there are high quality recreational sports facilities, such as ActiveSG sports stadiums, swimming pools, gyms and world-class competition venues, such as the OCBC Aquatic Centre. There is the MyActiveSG+ platform to book and use these facilities conveniently and affordably. Indeed, we have much going on for us in Singapore. This is a landscape populated by a whole community of sports administrators, coaches, athletes, guided by the vision to Live Better Through Sport, a vision set for Singapore sports for 2030. Singapore sports is growing in ambition and reach. The Singapore Sports Hub, which is now known as The Kallang, will become an integrated sports and events hub and will host major events, like the Women's Tennis Association 500, the HSBC Rugby Sevens Series and the National Day Parade in 2026.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you Minister of State for the reply. I just like to know one week into school opening so far, what has been the feedback on the ground. Do the teachers feel or face any challenges and also, would this ban extend further to handheld gaming devices that are similar to smartphones in that sense – that is, they are taking up a lot of time and screen time for students?”
“Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the Senior Minister of State. Well, if the 2030 goal was a moonshot, then I think it does make sense to come back to earth and find spots that will work as well. On that note, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State, can you share more about our diversification strategy and which are the non-traditional countries that we have started importing more food from?”
“Thank you, Speaker and Minister. I have one supplementary question. How would MOH prevent adverse selection, that is, those who have existing riders continue to over-consume medical services; or those who actually do not have the means to finance the co-payments and deductibles, then, decide to give up their existing riders and may, possibly, end up delaying their treatment?”
“Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, Minister. Many people are quite concerned about the health and also the safety impact of nuclear energy. I would like to understand what the communication and engagement strategy is to reach out to more members of public on this aspect.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you, Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad. I would like to know what are the considerations for selecting or mandating some of these food suppliers to set aside food for the stockpiling and also, how may they be compensated, especially when some of these food may have to go into the stockpile? Also, what are the considerations in terms of sustaining the freshness of the food that is in the stockpile?”
“In fact, a standard of living would be better measured in health and sustainability than it is by GDP, because all the wealth in the world cannot buy back ruined health nor a damaged environment. I hope the Government will carefully consider my two proposals. In fact, we should continue to incentivise and implement more good ideas that will drive the reduction of single-use plastics in our society. Additionally, with less trash generated, the cost of waste collection and incineration will reduce. The savings should be ploughed back to promote more circular economy solutions. This move will not come without sacrifice – inconvenience, time spent, old habits disrupted, new behaviour and change is seldom welcome. But it will be worthwhile. Every big change starts with a single small act. Ultimately, it is our choice. I choose good health and a green environment, over the convenience of single-use plastics. I hope more Singaporeans will make the same choice. And I call for our Government to make the right policies that will help people make the right choice. Because the real carrots are not the two small ones I have outlined, but the innumerable benefits we reap in good health and a green planet. [Applause.]”
“A Green Mark rating could be given to F&B operators that adopt environmentally-friendly measures such as offering BYO discounts to customers or use sustainable packaging materials. This Green Mark rating will be an effective differentiator for discerning customers who care about the planet and their health and saving some money will be a bonus. From 1 April 2026, NEA will roll out the Beverage Containers Return Scheme. This is a good scheme to incentivise recycling and reduce waste, by returning 10 cents for each plastic or metal container returned to the reverse vending machines. Hopefully, over time there will be fewer plastic bottles and metal cans trash on our streets. More importantly, I hope the Beverage Containers Return Scheme will boost our dismal plastics recycling rate. We also need to drive greater consumer awareness about the harmful impact of single-use plastics, to both our environment and our health. Perhaps what we need now is a new slogan to reignite the BYO movement. It could go like this: BYO: A Greener Planet, A Healthier You. I was recently in Switzerland. The streets and the lakes are clean and there was hardly any trash. In cafes and supermarkets, few items were placed inside plastic containers. People bring along their own cups and bottles. The BYO culture is a big part of the Swiss society. Back in 1984, our then Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, had set a target for Singapore to meet the Swiss standard of living. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, we have indeed caught up with the Swiss. But in terms of our respect for the environment, I think we will need to do more. I hope our Government and our people will continue to strive towards the Swiss standard of sustainability.”
“In August, a BYO campaign was started in the National University of Singapore (NUS) campus to encourage the community to bring their own cups, bottles and tumblers. Previously, a takeaway drink would cost $1.70, whereas it is now $1.90 if a disposable cup is used. If one brings his or her own cup, one would get a 60-cent discount, making it $1.30. This BYO campaign is supported by all nine food courts and canteens across the entire campus. Three months in, many students have started to bring their own cups, so they do feel that this discount has incentivised them to reduce plastic waste and they are quite happy about the money they are saving! This is a positive example of how concerted efforts by NUS and their business partners can change consumer behaviour. The Government and businesses can certainly do a lot more to accelerate the BYO movement. I would call for all our coffee shop and food court chains, to join in this BYO movement, to give a discount to customers who bring their own cups. After all, for every cup that is not used, the drink stalls will also save on their operating costs. The Government could also encourage large F&B chains and public venues such as malls, campuses and hawker centres to adopt returnable cups and containers for dine-in customers. Where feasible, they should track return rate and litter reduction metrics. The Government can give a carrot to reward businesses that are pro-health and pro-environment. This carrot will hardly cost the Government any resource. I would ask the Singapore Food Agency to consider adding a new criterion in their Food Hygiene Recognition Scheme.”
“Currently, NEA’s 3R instruments have strong collection and recycling levers. I recommend an explicit "Prevention & Reuse" pillar with budget lines for pilot siting, rental offsets, measurement, reporting and verification, as well as community engagement. I ask NEA to consider grant schemes to incentivise re-use solutions, on top of its current emphasis on recycle and waste management. The 3R Fund, Eco Fund and related grant schemes should also recognise measurable avoidance, so prevention is funded on outcomes, just like in the case of recycling tonnage. Recently, it was reported that 84 paper SGRecycle bins were removed due to lack of sponsors. The Government could consider reclassifying some of these recycling points into reuse or refill points as waste-prevention infrastructure, so that public sites can host them under green allocations. Such reuse or refilling points would help to reduce packaging upstream, avoiding what would otherwise go into the blue recycling bins or the green general-waste bins. I hope the Minister for Sustainability and Environment will consider this request and review the scope of its incentive schemes. The second carrot is to incentivise BYO – or the acronym for “Bring Your Own”. Businesses in support of sustainability have put their money where their mouth is, to reduce single-use plastic cups. For instance, customers of Starbucks and Toast Box, who bring their own cups, will enjoy savings of 60 cents and 10 cents respectively for their beverages. This practice is a four-time winner because customers save money, businesses enjoy green branding, Government spend less on waste collection and incineration, and toxic waste and CO2 on our planet is reduced.”
“Economics also fails for single-use plastics because the price does not reflect its true cost. Because when we include the cost of removal, to collect, transport and burn, plus the cost of carbon emissions to the environment, the real costs are actually much higher. It is just that they are unpriced, or not paid directly by consumers, unless we count the price of poor health. Government, businesses and communities can work together to encourage and incentivise businesses to offer re-use solutions. In every household, many consumer items can be stored in re-usable containers. If there are more options for refills stations for common household items such as laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, or even hair and body shampoos, especially if they are offered at a discounted price, consumers will be motivated to switch to reuseable options. This shift in consumer behaviour would directly cut down the usage of single-use plastics. One good ground-up commercial solution is the EcoWorks vending machines that dispense laundry detergent and washing liquids. Residents save money too as the average cost of $3 per litre is about 20% to 30% cheaper than individually packed ones. I am happy to share that four out of eight members in the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and Environment have implemented the EcoWorks vending machines in their respective constituencies. The residents of my colleagues, Mr Foo Cexiang, Ms Valerie Yap, Mr Ng Shi Xuan and myself, have been enjoying the convenience and cost savings from refilling laundry detergents and washing liquids into their own bottles. I call for the Government to do more to support start-ups with environmentally-friendly and commercially scalable ideas.”
“According to a recent release by Harvard School of Public Health, microplastic exposure can lead to damage to cells, DNA and the immune response. Observational studies have shown an association of microplastics with increased risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, or early death. We need action on two fronts: first, internationally, everyone on this planet – countries, businesses, people – need to limit plastic pollution and to find environmentally-safe alternatives; second, on the individual, consumer front – we can and should make changes to our habits and lifestyle, to reduce the use of single-use plastics in Singapore. Here, let me speak about the two carrots. The first carrot is to incentivise re-use of plastics. First, let me talk about why reuse and not recycle. Re-use is always greener than recycle, but in the case of plastics, especially so. Singapore’s current plastics recycling rate is a dismal 5%. This single digit phenomenon is not just prevalent in Singapore but in the United States and many countries as well. It is not the fault of the National Environment Agency (NEA) nor Singaporeans. It is an intractable economics problem because it simply costs more to recycle than to produce new plastic products. Global plastics production jumped from 234 million tonnes in year 2000 to 435 million tonnes in year 2020 and is expected to jump by another 70% by year 2040. Last year, in Singapore alone, we produced 957,000 tonnes of plastic waste and about four in 10 items are single-use plastics. Since plastics recycling rate is very low at around 5%, even if we double plastics recycling, nine in 10 items will still become trash. Hence, there is an urgent need to step up upstream prevention. And this is the real solution in the long run.”
“Mr Speaker, I must thank Members for staying back for this Adjournment Motion despite this late hour. In this Adjournment Motion, I will outline the significance of the problem of microplastics, the need for sacrifice from all of us to address it and to propose two carrots that the Government could implement, to reduce single-use plastics. Doing so will not only be good for the environment, it will make a material impact on our health. Plastics are artificial beings called into reality by humans – often, they are used only once, but live forever. Today, we are living with the disastrous consequences of global plastic waste because of its non-biodegradable nature. Plastics poses a significant threat to wildlife, when animals ingest plastics debris. Production of plastics relies heavily on fossil fuels and contributes significant greenhouse gas emissions. Burning plastics releases toxic chemicals into the environment. The damage to our health from microplastics leeching is even more urgent and deadly. Microplastics enter our body because of what we eat and drink, we breathe them in and absorb them through skin contact. Some researchers show that we are probably ingesting the weight of a plastic credit card every week without realising it. When we drink from low quality, single-use plastic cups or microwave food wrapped in plastics, we are sprinkling microplastics into our food and drinks. While the research on microplastics and their health impact is still developing, there is significant evidence that microplastics are related to health issues in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, reproductive, cardiovascular and autoimmune systems.”
“Thank you, Speaker. And thank you, Minister. I would like to understand with this shift of travel patterns to an earlier timing, would there be more resources required of the operator, SBS Transit? The other question is, what is the expected revenue leakage and is this sustainable in the long run?”
“This makes Singapore the largest producer of the renewable jet fuel in the world. The expanded facility is owned and operated by Finnish energy company, Neste. With Neste being the only SAF producer in Singapore, how does SAFCo then ensure that SAF procured is most cost effective? How will SAFCo bring more producers in to increase competition? Currently, airlines have their own teams that will procure Jet A-1 fuel. Many airlines hedge forward fuel prices and some, which predict the trend wrongly, may turn airlines into huge losses. How can SAFCo ensure they have the talents who have the expertise, experience and the market network of oil traders, who can trade on behalf of the airlines and seek best value for the SAF levy collected from passengers, which is likely to be in the tune of a few hundred million dollars per annum. SAF is just one of the many ways to decarbonise the industry. At present, it is the most mature and easy to use as it is a drop-in fuel. However, its scalability is limited by the high price, which is, in turn, caused by limited feedstock. There are ongoing studies and trials on other pathways to reduce carbon emissions by airlines, such as hydrogen powered aircraft, battery operated aircraft for short-haul flights and contrail avoidance flight routes, and so on. While we get started on SAF operations, we should also keep an open mind on other viable options along the way. Mr Deputy Speaker, I would ask for serious consideration on my first question, on whether passengers ought to be paying the levies. Notwithstanding, I support the Bill's amendment.”
“And rather than levying taxes on those restaurants using styrofoams, the Government has decided to tax the diners instead. Further, this tax is not only on diners at restaurants with styrofoam packaging, but on all diners, even those dining at establishments that are already using green packaging. This is, to say the least, a very odd state of affairs. I hope the Minister can clarify why is Singapore's approach different from all other countries in the world. Was there public engagement with passengers on the imposition of the SAF levy? Also, can the Minister clarify if there is a plan to roll back on the SAF levy if more airlines are voluntarily committing to decarbonisation? The Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint has recommended a 1% SAF by 2026, rising to 3% to 5% by 2030. This is a small step in the right direction. In 2024, Changi Airport contributed only 0.13% to global aviation's carbon emissions. With a 3% to 5% SAF blend, what is the effectiveness in reducing the global aviation's carbon emissions? In order for Singapore to contribute more meaningfully to ICAO's Net Zero by 2050 goal, do we expect a steady increase in the SAF blend requirement above 5% after 2030? If so, will the SAF levy, correspondingly, increase in the future? Currently, SAF is two to five times more expensive than Jet A-1 fuel. As demand for SAF increases, the cost may also increase, if supply of feedstock continues to be limited. If the revenue from levy collected is insufficient to cope with the SAF price increase, will the SAF levy be expected to increase in the future? Following the successful expansion of a renewable diesel refinery in Tuas, up to one million tonnes of SAF can now be produced per annum at the Singapore facility.”
“In the recent ICAO Assembly, a collective global aspirational vision to reduce CO2 emissions in international aviation by 5% by 2030 was adopted. In fact, several airports and jurisdictions have already implemented mandatory SAF policies. For instance, the European Aviation Security Agency (EASA) has mandated, since January this year, a minimum 2% blend on Aviation Fuel Suppliers in European Union (EU) airports. Their long-term target is to increase to 70% blend by 2050. At the same time, airlines, such as KLM and Delta Airlines, have pledged a 10% SAF blend by 2030, while industry bodies, such as IATA's Fly Net Zero roadmap, lean on SAF for 65% of all emission cuts by 2050. Mr Deputy Speaker, it is clear from this that the specific behaviours we should target are at the airlines and not the consumer. At the same time, it is the airlines which will benefit from the carbon credits that accrue from the use of these clean fuels. It is, therefore, the airlines, and not the consumer, who should be the object of taxes. In many countries and jurisdictions, the cost of SAF is indeed directly borne by airlines or by aviation fuel suppliers. In fact, Singapore is the only country to have a SAF levy imposed solely on passengers. Hence, the first question is, why do passengers and not the airlines pay? Second, why does the Government even need to mandate a SAF levy on passengers, when some airlines have already voluntarily committed to decarbonisation through SAF for their corporate decarbonisation targets? Some airlines have also signed up on the CORSIA framework under ICAO, to reduce their carbon footprint. If I may draw an analogy, it is akin to restaurants using styrofoam packaging, and the Government wanting them to switch to green packaging.”
“My Deputy Speaker, I declare my interest as an employee in the aviation sector. Every passenger departing Singapore through Changi Airport will pay $16.90 for levies, that is $6.10 for Aviation levy and $10.80 for Airport Development Levy to CAAS, on top of the air ticket. With the SAF levy, the total levy per trip will increase to between $19.90 and $32.90, or an increase of between 18% and 95%, depending on the distance of the destination. This is a price which every departing passenger has to pay and while it may be a small amount, it is one in which consumers have no choice in, have no control over, in terms of adapting their behaviours to the change in price and actually, from which they enjoy no benefit, except indirectly. In my speech, I will request for clarifications on three points: one, why is the cost burden levied solely on passengers; two, will SAF levy rate increase in the future and; three, is the central procurement model necessarily the most cost-effective. The global aviation sector is responsible for about 3% of global carbon emissions. In 2024, Changi Airport reported 1.207 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, which is about 2% of Singapore’s carbon emission and only 0.13% share of CO2 emissions from global aviation, or only 0.0039% of global CO2 emissions. As Singapore has only one international airport, estimated at 0.0039%, our effective contribution to global carbon emissions is actually very small. Nevertheless, as a key leader in global aviation and Singapore Changi Airport being a leading regional and international air hub, we must do our part to support global efforts in sustainable aviation and meet ICAO's Net Zero goal by 2050.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Thank you, Minister of State. I would like to ask, what the long-term knock-on effects are on the pharmaceutical industry, given that the Government has invested quite a lot of money in this area. Would there be any strategies to diversify our investments?”
“And therefore, able to do more things and deal with more crises than we would have been able to do 30 or 40 years ago." This is indeed an uncertain, tumultuous time. But in some ways, the best of times. Our young people are hungry, our companies are ready and if we can design the policy well, the time is now. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion. 1.19 pm”
“(In English): We need to move quickly on this scheme so that young people do not lose more time looking for jobs. Otherwise, it will become even harder when later cohorts join the workforce. The last recession was in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Government responded swiftly and decisively, using our Reserves to cushion impact on jobs and livelihood with the Job Support Scheme and the Self-Employed Person Income Relief Schemes. It is a different world now with the advent of AI and we should make the best use of these opportunities. Mr Speaker, I must stress that these AI change agents are not an additional headcount for small companies. They do the traditional core functions of marketing, administration and corporate planning. But now, they are supercharged with the power of AI. So, this training scheme is not a way to disguise unemployment or to provide a temporary band aid. It is to perform a vital function – to jumpstart a structural transformation of our economy. I would like to share some wise words by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In a recent forum with National University of Singapore students, Senior Minister Lee warned young people of the challenges coming their way. Even as they could take advantage of AI and better education, they had to be, "prepared psychologically for things which human beings do to one another, like great rivalry in power and things which human beings do to the world, such as global warming. You did not live through the founding crisis of Singapore. But your challenges will come." Mr Speaker, our challenge has come. As the Senior Minister said, "In 60 years, we have become progressively one people – not complete, not permanent – but much more than before.”
“Meantime, we are also in early discussion with Singapore Manufacturing Federation and food manufacturing companies in the Woodlands Industrial area, situated next to my constituency. We hope to shortlist these companies and others who are keen to hire these AI change agents as our ground-up initiative. After one or two successful pilots, we can consider scaling this up at the national level. The Enterprise Singapore could work with more business groups, like the SBF, Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to extend this programme to more medium enterprises in other industries and maybe even the small enterprises. I ask the Minister for Trade and Industry and the Minister for Manpower to consider this proposal and allocate funding to e2i and Enterprise Singapore for this AI Traineeship scheme. Mr Speaker, I would like to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The world is being disrupted severely by geopolitical tensions, US tariffs and the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many businesses are holding back hiring because of uncertainties. Hence, young graduates are unable to find jobs in this soft market. I propose for the Government to turn this crisis into opportunity. Young people trained in using AI tools to digitise and automate many administrative processes, can help SMEs improve their business costs, expand marketing and increase their revenue. The Government can catalyse the business transformation by funding the AI courses and hiring of these young AI Change Agents by the SMEs. I hope the Government will consider carefully my proposal for this win-win collaboration, that will strengthen our SMEs and equip our young people with practical AI skill sets.”
“I should clarify that the AI traineeship is different from the GRaduate Industry Traineeship that was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the National Day Rally. It is also different from Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA’s) company-led training, which has included generative AI (gen AI) technical skills and competencies for AI users and practitioners. First, we start with a small group of 1,000 jobseekers. The National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC's) Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) can work with AI training companies and run training courses for this 1,000 batches. It will typically take two to four weeks to master this AI tools. Thereafter, e2i will match this trained AI change agents to SMEs who are keen to automate their business processes. The Government will then fund e2i to run these courses. There are more than 200,000 SMEs in Singapore so we should start with the medium enterprises in the manufacturing industry which may be most impacted by the American tariff hikes. Enterprise Singapore could work with SMEs and business groups to seek companies keen to join this programme. I propose that Enterprise Singapore subsidise 70% to 80% of the salaries of the AI change agents for up to six months and if the companies decide to convert them to become permanent staff, then Enterprise Singapore could fund 50% to 60% of their salaries for up to a year. In Sembawang West, I have started a pilot programme working with e2i and AI training companies with the relevant business AI tools. We plan to start the first run in the next few weeks for young jobseekers, keen to equip themselves with new AI skills.”
“Alternatively, if the companies find the young change agents valuable to their businesses, they may go on to hire them and perhaps as their in-house AI officers together. The AI change agents and SMEs can create a win-win collaboration and drive an AI powered business transformation in our SMEs. Mr Speaker, I would like to say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] During my house visits and walkabouts to meet residents, I spoke with many young undergraduates facing difficulties getting internships. In fact, there are university and polytechnic graduates who sent more than 100 resumes but were still unable to secure any job offer. I hear their struggles and concerns, especially those from less well-off families, who need to contribute to family expenses and pay off their study loans. However, this crisis can be seen as an opportunity. Young people trained in using artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help to digitise and automate many company processes. They can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve their business costs, enhance their marketing and increase their revenue. Therefore, may I propose for the Government to fund the AI Traineeship Programme. By funding the AI courses and supporting the hiring of young people as AI Change Agents by the SMEs, the Government can catalyse SMEs business transformation and strengthen our country's economic competitiveness. (In English): It has been almost six months since the "Liberation Day" tariff announcement. We need partners to do this quickly and effectively and so I offer a simple sketch of this scheme which I call which I call "AI traineeship".”
“I want to talk about a very specific plug-in that will allow young Singaporeans to meet an immediate and tangible need. At the recent Institute of Policy Studies and Singapore Business Federation (IPS-SBF) conference, Prime Minister Wong said that "Singapore will have to put more thought into helping businesses, especially smaller ones, harness the use of artificial intelligence in their work processes." Artificial intelligence (AI) is now a general-purpose tool, powerful and highly accessible. However, the bottleneck is not in the availability of AI as a resource but in corporate attention. The problem is that many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) wish to transform their businesses but they are not familiar with AI tools available and they do not have the funds to hire consultants. My proposal is for the Government to provide funding, train up young people with AI tools that will help businesses reduce costs, automate work processes and increase their marketing efforts to drive sales. Today, there are already AI tools that can help businesses achieve these objectives. What our SMEs need are young people who are digital natives and adept in this AI tools to reduce repetitive manual work and boost efficiencies in their businesses and operations. This AI change agents could undertake a project-based assignment to help companies. They can introduce AI tools into their systems and work processes. They could customise the AI tools according to the nature of the business and the goals set by the management team. Upon the completion of the assignment and armed with the implementation experience, they can then move on to another company to help the next company with similar AI driven transition and transformation.”
“8% in March 2025, up from 4.6% the same time a year ago according to an April report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Job postings are down 15% or the number of applications has risen by 30%. In the United Kingdom (UK), graduate job postings are down 33% year on year, the lowest in seven years. Closer to home in South Korea, graduates now take an average of 14 months to secure their first job, the longest on record, about 30% remain unemployed a year after graduation. In Singapore, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) released unemployment data. Most recently, on 27 June 2025, the resident unemployment rate increased from 1.9% at the end of 2024 to 2.0% at the end of first quarter 2025, according to the 2024 graduate employment survey, full-time employment rate fell to 79.5% from 84.1% in 2023. Entry level job postings on one listing platform declined by 19% between January and April 2025, compared to the same period in 2024 and this marks the third consecutive year of decline. We are in the calm before the storm ahead during my house visits and walkabouts. I spoke with many young undergraduates facing difficulties getting internships. University and polytechnic graduates had sent up more than 100 resumes but still they cannot secure a job offer. I hear their struggles and concerns especially those from less well-off families who need to contribute to family expenses and pay off their study loans. Also, from my discussions with human resources (HR) professionals and from recruitment firms feedback many companies are freezing headcounts. Employers, including government agencies, are offering only one- to two-year contract roles, not permanent roles. That is the nature of the market now. What more can we do to help the jobseekers?”
“Mr Speaker, today is possibly the best of times for young Singaporeans. They have more computing power in their handphones than many of us have had in our personal computers. Growing up, they are well-educated, well-travelled, healthy and likely to live till their mid to late 80s. Meantime, the country is stable and prosperous. Our reserves and income generated from our investments mean that the majority of Singaporeans do not pay income tax. Income inequality has fallen. We are investing heavily in infrastructure, including in homes and hospitals. At the same time, the world is being remade, today is possibly the most uncertain and fragile of times. Unforeseen, perhaps in nature and direction of change but certainly in speed and in belligerence. Today can also seem like the worst of times, with rising costs, lower job security and continuing uncertainty. We are not going back to the golden age of globalisation but Singapore and young Singaporeans can continue to flourish and prosper if we take the right steps now – and we have to do it now. Today, I would like to speak up for my young residents as well as young jobseekers nationwide. They are coming of age in a weak market. They face great difficulties in securing jobs. Like all of us, they suffer from the economic uncertainties following the American tariff announcements. If the economy goes into recession for a protracted period, it could result in a generation stuck in a cycle of unemployment, career frustration and lost opportunities, or we can turn this crisis into an opportunity for young people by creating new roles in the economy. Mr Speaker, Singapore is not alone in experiencing economic shocks. In the United States (US), the unemployment rate for recent university graduates reached what 5.”
“Thank you, Speaker and Minister. I would like to first commend our PTOs and also LTA for keeping our MKBF one of the highest in the world. In light of that, I would like to ask the Minister, under the new rail financing framework, how does LTA ensure that the suppliers are held accountable for the contractual obligations for the train systems' availability and their lifespan? Because at the end of day, the quality of the train at the point of procurement is really important as well.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Minister. May I know if PUB or the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment will be relooking at the panel of contractors that PUB typically uses, particularly the very specialised ones especially, and also the star rate contractors, in view of these findings?”
“In view of the tightened measures to eradicate the use of vapes in Singapore, this has also caused a shift to more underground activities. What are the Government's measures to target this group of sales of vapes, especially Kpods, in underground activities?”