Keep social mobility alive, maintain unity in Singapore: President Tharman

SINGAPORE – As Singapore looks beyond 60 years of independence, it must keep social mobility as a national priority, and maintain the unity that makes the country exceptional.

Delivering this reminder at the opening of the 15th Parliament on Sept 5, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said Singapore must resist the trend in mature societies that sees wealth entrench and inequality passed down, and find practical ways to narrow the gap.

Singaporeans must also not take unity for granted. “All of us must, through our everyday deeds and actions, put the collective before self: put ‘we’ before ‘me’,” he said.

Mr Tharman noted that social divisions are hardening in many parts of the world, with ethnic tensions in particular rising.

“What makes Singapore exceptional is our unity – built not despite our diversity, but by embracing it, and finding richness in our different cultures,” he said.

He warned that this unity cannot be taken for granted, urging people to resist any temptation to use race and religion for political gain, or view national issues through such lenses.

Mr Tharman was speaking at the first Parliament sitting since April, and after the

May 3 general election

.

As per tradition, the President’s Address sets out the Government’s priorities, policies and programmes for the current term; and comes after MPs are sworn in.

This time, there are 97 elected MPs and two Non-Constituency MPs,

both from the Workers’ Party

. They were sworn in earlier in the day and Mr Seah Kian Peng was re-elected as Speaker of Parliament.

Mr Tharman spoke for about half an hour, during which he outlined the challenges Singapore will face now that the rules-based global order, underpinned by America’s leadership, is fraying.

For one thing, international rules and norms that helped keep the peace and enabled global living standards to rise are losing their force.

In addition, aggression, coercion and unreasonable demands are “more readily tolerated, and even appeased”, while the weaponisation of trade and economic interdependence has made international relations more fraught.

“These are not transient headwinds, but fundamental shifts in the tides. The seas ahead will be rougher, and far less predictable than before,” Mr Tharman said.

Even so, he noted, Singapore is not a vessel adrift. “By charting our course with quiet confidence and resolve, we can shape our own destiny.”

Securing the home front

Given how tensions can abruptly flare up in the region or further afield, Singapore’s first priority is to secure its home and safeguard its place in the world, Mr Tharman said.

While the Government will continue to strengthen Singapore’s military capabilities, it will also focus on new threats, such as those that arise from the deliberate spread of disinformation.

“Foreign actors will seek to influence domestic public opinion to advance their own agendas… to spread disinformation, seed discord, and cause rifts in our society,” Mr Tharman said.

“We must therefore equip Singaporeans to discern fact from fiction, understand and uphold our national interests, and resist external manipulation from near and far.”

Domestically, other threats – such as terrorism, scams and drugs including narcotic-laced vapes – pose a danger to societal harmony, he added.

On the international front, Singapore will contribute to a “fair and stable” global order, including working towards deeper Asean integration and supporting reforms at the United Nations and World Trade Organisation.

“By standing with our friends and partners, we amplify our collective voice and enhance our influence,” he said.

Adapting to a changing economy

The President also outlined the broad strokes of Singapore’s refreshed economic strategy, which will help it adapt to sharper global competition and improve lives.

For example, the Government wants to make it practical for every business to harness artificial intelligence, even as it steps up efforts to reskill and upskill the workforce.

It will also use technology to help tackle existential threats such as climate change, focusing on areas such as decarbonisation and coastal protection.

The goal, said Mr Tharman, is to ensure that progress uplifts everyone.

“We seek not just growth, but inclusive growth – a society where every citizen shares in the nation’s prosperity, and every Singaporean has the confidence that tomorrow will bring brighter opportunities and a better life,” he said.

The President assured Singaporeans that they will not be left to face uncertain times on their own, and acknowledged more immediate concerns about the rising cost of living.

“We understand these anxieties. That is why we will continue to cushion these burdens and ensure that every citizen has access to life’s essentials.”

Mr Tharman noted that Singapore has worked hard to achieve fairer outcomes for its people. Its progress can be seen in indicators such as the decline of income inequality, rising wages and its high home ownership rate, he said.

“But the work is never done. We must keep social mobility alive with each new generation,” he added. “This has always been a national priority, and it remains our shared ambition for the future.”

Singapore’s success will never be measured by economic growth alone, but must be judged by how it enables every citizen to live with dignity, he said.

Building trust and bucking the trend

The President rounded off his speech by noting that public trust in governments and other institutions is eroding nearly everywhere. Many political systems are trapped in gridlock or neglect long-term challenges for more immediate ones, he said.

But Singapore has defied this trend – not because it is immune to such pressures, but because it has cultivated a different ethos of governance and politics, Mr Tharman said.

“We have valued stewardship over expediency, enduring responsibility over transient gain. And we have been able to do so because we have built trust – both between government and the people, and amongst citizens themselves,” he added.

This trust – which must be continually earned “through continuous dialogue, listening, accountability and a shared sense of purpose” – has allowed Singapore to make hard choices and plan for the future, Mr Tharman said.

He called on Singapore to let itself be guided by this spirit of trust as it embarks on its next chapter.

In a Facebook post after the swearing-in ceremony, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said MPs reaffirmed their pledge to serve with “commitment, integrity, and a shared sense of purpose”.

“We will continue to listen closely, address your concerns, and debate issues rigorously – so we can craft better policies, find better solutions, and deliver better outcomes for Singaporeans,” he added.

Government ministries will give details of their programmes next week. This will be debated in Parliament from Sept 22 to 26.