SINGAPORE – Parliament opened on Sept 5 with the President’s Address.
In his speech, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam outlined the Government’s
priorities for the new term
amid an uncertain geopolitical environment.
The 15th Parliament has 99 MPs – the most ever. The Straits Times spoke to some for their take on the most pressing concerns Singaporeans face.
Ms Indranee said the 15th Parliament is sitting at a time when there is much uncertainty in the world.
“It is incumbent on this Parliament to have the right approach, debate vigorously, examine policies and come up with ideas or measures to steer Singapore safely,” she said.
Mr Tharman’s message of inclusive growth stood out for her. “Inclusive growth against a background where there’s a lot of uncertainty is going to be challenging to do, but I think what we are really committed to do as a government is to make sure that we still can progress in this environment, and no one is left behind,” she said.
Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development, also concurred with Mr Tharman’s point
that the old playbook for Singapore’s economic growth may not work anymore
. Against the backdrop of shifts in US leadership and tariffs, Singapore has to make new partnerships, find new avenues and groupings, and diversify to ensure the country always has the ability to pursue different opportunities, she said.
Mr Zhulkarnain said he was struck by the President’s call for issues to be viewed through the collective lens of Singapore society, and not be clouded by differences in race, religion or values.
“We don’t want to go into that slippery slope of other jurisdictions where the populist approach or community-centric approach trumps national interest, to the detriment of the nation as a whole,” he said, noting that the Republic has progressed over the past 60 years because Singaporeans put the collective before the individual.
Mr Zhulkarnain has been
promoted to the front bench
, and the lawyer will take up the posts of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development in 2026 after he wraps up his legal work.
He hopes to work on strengthening the family unit to strengthen the collective in Singapore’s society. On the international stage, he aims to showcase how Singapore is principled in terms of values like its adherence to justice and the rule of law.
In a highly dynamic and unpredictable world, Singapore can be a beacon by being a hub that is stable, trusted and predictable, said Ms Tin.
With global superpowers in stiff competition and supply chains getting disrupted, Singapore can be a middle ground where trade and financial capital continue to flow, she added.
“Certain talents may feel concerned about travelling to certain geographies or countries because of geopolitics and local sentiments, so maybe Singapore can be that safe, or at least stable, place for these people to come together and keep the world going,” she said.
Mr Loh said the President’s Address has raised the level of ambition for the Government in its new term, and it is the job of MPs to ensure that the Government not only succeeds in delivering its policy agenda, but also pushes the envelope further.
Noting Mr Tharman’s
point on tackling inequality
, Mr Loh said social mobility in the past used to be about income inequality and starting positions in life. But going forward, it is more so about wealth inequality and the entrenchment of privilege.
It is an issue he has noticed in his constituency, where there are low-income residents who need help lowering the HDB rents they pay. At the same time, a record-high price was set for the sale of an HDB Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flat.
“Wealth inequality is an issue we have to tackle together,” he said.
Dr Hamid said what stood out in the President’s Address for him was the quote that “birth does not determine destiny”, and no Singaporean will be left behind.
He added that his job as MP is to instil confidence in Singaporeans who feel that because they come from a disadvantaged background, their journey will continue to be disadvantaged.
While some of his residents are concerned about the geopolitical situation and how it can impact Singapore’s economy, most are largely anxious about bread and butter issues.
“Students are worried about job opportunities when they graduate, and seniors are worried about ageing in place – whether there will be enough for them in their retirement years.
“These are the pressing issues that my residents have brought to the forefront,” said Dr Hamid.
Mr Hoe hopes to champion a more equitable Singapore for disadvantaged families and youth, and put forth his idea of SkillsFuture for children.
“How do we ensure that there is more access to opportunities for them to discover their own interests, their own strengths?” he said.
Citing the high cost of enrichment activities like music lessons, he said: “I feel that your ability to learn things that are beyond school should never be a function of a family income.”
He gave an example of how the Child Development Account could be tapped for a wider range of uses to support lower-income families.
Singapore ParliamentSingapore PoliticsIndranee RajahZhulkarnain Abdul RahimTin Pei Ling
