MPs call for greater support for those at the margins

SINGAPORE - Vulnerable groups, such as underprivileged youth and caregivers, came under the spotlight on Sept 25 as MPs called for the Republic to better support those at the fringe as Singapore moves forward.

The fourth day of the debate on the President’s Address saw 21 MPs speak, with a majority touching on the theme of ensuring no one is left behind as the city-state writes its next chapter.

Ms Valerie Lee (Pasir Ris-Changi GRC) urged lawmakers to remember that a “we first” society means those at the margins, who may be struggling quietly in ways not captured by statistics, matter just as much as those in the centre.

“As parliamentarians, our duty extends beyond representing the majority,” she said. “It is to ensure that those on the margins are seen, heard and supported.”

On this note, Mr David Hoe (Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC) called on the Government to give children from lower-income backgrounds means-tested Curiosity Credits to help them discover their aspirations in life.

Like a SkillsFuture scheme for the young, these credits would close the starting gap by letting these children access courses that would otherwise be out of reach, such as on robotics or speech and drama, said the former teacher.

In a similar vein, Mr Gerald Giam (Aljunied GRC) proposed a Junior SkillsFuture Credit scheme for Singaporean children below 18 from households in the lower 40th percentile income bracket.

These credits, which can be used for approved enrichment courses, such as in coding and public speaking, would democratise access to skills that are often the privilege of the affluent, said the Workers’ Party MP.

Mr Giam also suggested establishing a fund to provide financial support so that less-advantaged students can go on student exchange programmes, overseas internships and volunteering trips.

Speaking in Malay and Mandarin, Mr Xie Yao Quan (Jurong Central) said Singapore’s success was due to the hard work and sacrifice of the earlier generations, and the Republic has an obligation to better care for them in their golden years.

Noting that seniors are often eligible for fewer benefits when they live with their children, he suggested that the Government review the current eligibility framework.

Mr Dennis Tan (Hougang) likewise called for a review of medical subsidies, and said healthcare affordability should be de-linked from property values. He reiterated the WP call for the annual value of properties to be removed as a means-testing criterion for households with no income, such as retirees.

Mr Tan also urged the Government to consider providing active ageing centres with more manpower and space in the light of

the new Age Well SG initiative

, so that more seniors can participate in their activities.

Mr Henry Kwek (Kebun Baru) said he hoped more assisted living options can be scaled up nationally soon, so that seniors do not face only the binary choice of live-in help or institutional care.

He suggested creating tiered assistance options to let seniors who need some support age at home for longer, especially if they cannot afford full-time care.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth Goh Hanyan said Singapore must find its own way of ensuring that those who have more contribute more, so that the state has the resources to increase opportunity and social mobility.

“To be clear, this is not about culling tall poppies,” she said. “This is about giving greater considerations to one’s wealth, in addition to one’s income, within our tax system.”

When done well and more resources are channelled towards young people who are less privileged, they will no longer feel like they start 10 laps behind before the race has even begun, she added.

As family sizes decrease, the balance between work and caregiving will tip and force young people to choose between family and career progression, said Ms Goh, who is also Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment.

“We can do better... We must create systems where care is shared more fully, recognised more strongly and supported more holistically,” she added.

Ms Lee proposed new leave schemes that reflect modern caregiving realities, such as a “sandwich generation leave” separate from childcare or medical leave, and to cultivate a workplace culture that values families as much as productivity.

Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) suggested setting up a national caregiving hub, which could be both a digital and physical space where caregivers can find information and book respite care. This could also help agencies better identify gaps and respond more effectively.

She also called for more support for caregivers of people with special needs and for more to be done to address

the “post-18 cliff”

, which refers to the sharp drop-off in support and services that happens when a young person with disabilities turns 18.

Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC), who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education, advocated for the education system to adopt inclusive classrooms, where neurodiverse students can also thrive.

This means providing allowance for students who may need to stand and pace at the back of the classroom to think clearly, or to twirl an object to focus.

“These allowances might be the key to create a participative learning environment where every child can immerse himself or herself fully in learning,” he said.

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (Sengkang GRC) called on the Government to provide more detailed data, so that Singaporeans better understand the effectiveness of initiatives to rehabilitate and reintegrate former offenders.

The WP MP also asked that the Ministry of Education release more comprehensive research and data, such as on the percentage of lower-income Malays reaching university.

“Only then can we understand the full picture – where the Malay community stands, how their challenges compare with other groups, and what targeted policies are needed to close the gap meaningfully,” he said.

Assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Yeo Wan Ling called for continued effort to secure fair pay and a just future for platform workers and public transport workers.

This included tackling illegal work that undercuts platform workers’ earnings, and ensuring that the platforms’ incentive structures do not encourage overwork.

With the upcoming

Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link

and discussions to roll out autonomous vehicles and expand cross-border transport links, drivers must also be assured of a just future where they have support to transition and there will be jobs for them, she added.

NTUC is also committed to normalising

flexible work arrangements (FWAs)

in the workplace, and to ensure that workers on FWAs are treated and compensated fairly in performance appraisals and promotions, said Ms Yeo.

“Let us measure our progress on how we have moved as a society to improve the livelihoods of our workers, and the lives of the people around us,” she said.