Committee of Supply – Head X (Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth)

The Chairman: Head X, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Mr Alex Yam.

12.53 pm

Building a "We First" National Identity

Mr Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee): Chairman, I move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head X of the Estimates be reduced by $100."

In quieter times, discussions about national identity can feel philosophical, even abstract. But we certainly do not live in quiet times today.

The world around us is very much unsettled. War rages again in the Middle East. Major powers are contesting influence across regions and supply chains. Strategic rivalry is intensifying. Closer to home, regional tensions periodically flare as well.

For a small and open country like ours, these developments are not distant headlines. They are reminders that the global environment is becoming more fragmented and uncertain.

In such a world, national resilience cannot rest only on economic strength or military capability. It must also rest on something less visible but equally vital and that is social trust – the confidence that fellow citizens will stand together when it matters.

This is the essence of what we mean when we speak about a "we first" society.

But building such a society today is not so straightforward. Singaporeans, understandably, are focused on bread-and-butter issues. Families worry about the cost of living. Parents think about their children's future. Workers are adapting to technological disruption and economic uncertainty.

In a fast-paced and demanding society, it is natural for people to focus first on their own households. Yet if everyone looks only inward, the invisible threads that hold a nation together will loosen.

A "we first" national identity cannot be built by slogans alone. It cannot rely only on campaigns or occasional events. It must be experienced in daily life and reinforced through habits.

Singapore begins from a position of strength. Surveys by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) consistently show relatively high levels of trust in our public institutions. Community participation and volunteering have grown steadily over the years.

But trust is not a static asset. It must be continually renewed.

International comparisons are perhaps instructive for us. In many Nordic societies, more than 60 to 70% of citizens say they trust people they do not know personally. These are among the highest levels of social trust anywhere in the world.

Such trust did not arise by accident, of course. It is the product of social norms and institutions that encourage citizens to participate actively in community life.

Take Denmark, for example. There is a deeply rooted tradition known as föreningsliv. It refers to a vibrant culture of associations where citizens organise sports clubs, cultural groups and volunteer initiatives. Many of these organisations are run not by professionals but by ordinary citizens.

These associations build horizontal bonds across age, profession and background. They create the social networks that sustain trust.

In the Netherlands there is the concept of "gezelligheid". This word has no perfect English translation, but it captures a sense of warmth, togetherness and shared belonging. It reflects the idea that communal life matters, that it is not merely a collection of individuals pursuing individual goals.

In Japan, the Yakult Ladies play a vital social safety-net role, keeping a super-aged society connected.

These examples remind us that social cohesion is not automatic. It is cultivated deliberately through everyday practices. So. for us, we must begin with our young. Schools are places where students prepare for life. They are also where civic instincts are formed. Programmes that bring students into contact with different segments of society can deepen empathy and a sense of shared responsibility.

In workplaces, many Singaporeans spend a large part of their lives at work. Employers therefore have an opportunity to foster environments where collaboration across backgrounds, nationalities and skills is valued and where corporate volunteering helps employees contribute beyond their professional roles.

In our neighbourhoods as well, those are the most immediate setting where "we first" instincts can flourish.

Singapore's housing model has long been a quiet but powerful engine of social cohesion. But as lifestyles change, we need to reinforce face-to-face engagements so that neighbours do not become strangers. Initiatives that bring residents together can help restore that sense of familiarity with each other.

We must recognise that much of our national conversation takes place online.

Digital platforms have extraordinary reach. But they also amplify outrage, misinformation and polarisation. So, for a diverse and multicultural society like ours, cultivating digital citizenship is also essential. Our online spaces must reflect the same values of responsibility and mutual respect as we do in our physical spaces.

We must also continue to bridge differences across generations and socioeconomic groups between the old and the young. Creating opportunities for these generations to interact will help anchor our national identity in both memory and renewal.

We must guard against social silos forming as economic pressures rise. A "we first" society must ensure that compassion and mutual support remain embedded within our social compact.

Chairman, therefore, I look forward to hearing how the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) intends to further embed the ethos of "we first" across multiple aspects of society so that our national identity is formed through participation, not just persuasion.

It will be the quiet but enduring conviction amongst our people that our fate is shared, and that when the world is more turbulent, Singaporeans will instinctively do what we have always done best – to put "we" before "me". Because in this uncertain world, the greatest strength Singapore possesses will not just be our economy or institutions, but our people.

Question proposed.

1.00 pm

Religious Institutions and Youths

Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang): (In Malay): Our young people face a lot of pressure – school, exams, social media. Many are quietly asking themselves: "Who am I, and where do I belong?"

When stress, identity and belonging collide, our mosques can be more than just places of worship. They can be safe harbours.

Mosques can be powerful partners for youth well-being, because they offer community, meaning, trusted adult that provide guidance.

For many youths, struggles with anxiety or identity are not just emotional questions. They are spiritual ones. They are questions about purpose, about self-worth, about their relationship with their faith.

Spiritual guidance is not separate from well-being.

I am encouraged that MUIS and the mosque sector have been stepping up on youth engagement, including initiatives, like NEXTGEN. But we need to do three things.

First, listen. Give youths a real voice. Involve them in sustained youth co-design at district and congregational levels, so programmes speak to real challenges youth face.

Second, equip. When a young person is struggling, they may approach an ustaz or a youth leader long before they approach formal services. Are we ready for that moment? Can we consider piloting trained youth counsellors in mosques, peer support groups and formalising clear referral pathways? Spiritual guidance and professional care must work hand-in-hand.

Third, reach out. We cannot wait for youths to walk through the doors of the mosque. We must go to them instead. Bring mentoring and resilience workshops into community spaces and digital platforms. Meet them where they are.

Every young Malay/Muslim deserves to know: They are seen. They are valued. They are supported – in faith and in life. When our youths are anchored in faith and supported in well-being, our community – and our nation – are stronger.

Singapore College of Islamic Studies

Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi (Nee Soon): The Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) is an investment into the next generation of religious leadership and scholarship for the local Muslim community and builds on the existing work and contributions of our madrasahs and religious institutions here.

How will SCIS ensure that its programmes will maintain high standards of Islamic scholarship relative to other institutions around the world, with the aim of producing graduates who not only contribute to the needs of the Muslim community but extend their depth of scholarly knowledge, wisdom and expertise to also benefit wider Singapore society and, indeed, the world as a whole?

How does the Minister see SCIS' importance, centrality and development in the context of today's global developments and SCIS' potential contributions alongside Singapore's nation building efforts and forward aspirations as a country?

Mosque Construction Planning Parameters

Mr Fadli Fawzi (Aljunied): (In Malay): Mr Chairman, in January, I asked a Parliamentary Question about the population planning parameters used to determine whether a new mosque will be built, and whether these parameters include not only Muslim residents, but also the daytime Muslim working population and Muslim foreign workers.

The Minister's answer did not reveal the specific population planning parameter or the exact mosque-to-Muslim-resident ratio, that the Government uses.

My question was prompted by the planned closure of Masjid Al-Firdaus in Choa Chu Kang. Although located in an isolated area, this mosque has served the spiritual needs of the community, including National Servicemen stationed nearby and foreign workers employed in the area, for more than 60 years.

Masjid Al-Firdaus is to be closed once a new mosque in Tengah is completed. This raises the question: what are the specific planning parameters to determine whether and when a mosque should be closed down, relocated, expanded or newly built? Does the Government have a target mosque-to-Muslim-resident population ratio, and if so, may we have some clarity on it?

Moreover, while we rely on planning parameters to determine how many mosques to build, we must also consider heritage beyond numbers.

For example, because of historical settlement patterns, we still have kampung-style mosques in sparsely populated areas, like Masjid Omar Salmah in Bukit Brown or Masjid Hang Jebat in Queenstown. These mosques may no longer have large congregations but still have long histories that carry meaning for the community.

When new housing estates are built, will it be the policy to rationalise the number of mosques by relocating or closing old mosques, like Masjid Al-Firdaus?

As the Minister noted, mosques are funded by the community through the Mosque Building and MENDAKI Fund (MBMF). Mosques have always been community resources and anchors of faith, history and identity, built through sacrifice and collective effort. How can we strike a better balance between prudent urban planning with heritage preservation?

Leaving a Lasting Legacy with Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura

Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik (Sengkang): (In Malay): Since its launch on 3 August 2024, only 150 Muslims have designated Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura (WMS) as a beneficiary in their wills or nominations. This represents merely 0.1% of Muslims over 60 years old, and an even smaller fraction of our entire Muslim population. These numbers should give us pause.

WMS has the potential to become the financial backbone supporting the Singapore College of Islamic Studies, ensuring the continuity of our madrasahs, and covering the operating and leasing costs of our mosques. Beyond funding institutions and infrastructure, WMS funds are expected to flow toward social support programmes, education and youth development – investments that will shape the character and capability of future generations.

Without adequate contributions, we risk compromising the very institutions and programmes that preserve our religious heritage and nurture our community's potential.

WMS offers every Muslim in Singapore the opportunity to create this perpetual legacy, where there may be constrains to pledge other forms of Waqaf. Every contribution becomes a seed that continuously bears fruit – supporting students, sustaining places of worship and uplifting those in need.

I propose that we significantly expand community engagement through diverse platforms: mosques, community centres, schools, professional associations and student societies. These sessions should empower our community with knowledge of the potential profound spiritual and social impact of WMS.

I would like to ask the Minister:

First, how will the Ministry tailor outreach efforts to reach different segments of our Muslim community? Our community is beautifully diverse – Indian/Muslims, Chinese/Muslims, Arab/Muslims, Malay/Muslims, youth, professionals and seniors. Each group has unique perspectives and preferred communication channels. Will there be targeted programmes that resonate with their specific contexts?

Second, will the Ministry commit to full disclosure of the assets managed under the Fund and to provide regular updates to the estates of contributors once the Fund becomes active? When the community sees tangible evidence of the funds being used responsibly – that a student has graduated, a family has been supported, a mosque has been maintained – it reinforces trust and inspires others to follow suit.

From 150 contributors to thousands – this must be our trajectory. Every Muslim family should consider WMS in their legacy planning, not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to invest in eternity.

Journeying with Families

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio): (In Malay): Chairman, I want to address challenges facing many young families. Many belong to the "sandwich generation" and face pressure from rising cost of living, while balancing responsibilities of raising children and caring for aging parents. Sometimes they bear all this without strong family support networks, unlike previous generations.

As a mother, I have went through the early stages of marriage and parenthood that was filled with joy. But when facing new experiences, feelings of confusion, fear and exhaustion may emerge. Preparing breakfast, adjusting to new routines, staying up when the child is crying – all while balancing work and family demands. This can affect the family's well-being.

In this regard, the Bersamamu Programme and Project ARIF have helped many young couples in early marriage and parenthood, providing religious guidance, medical perspectives and practical skills like financial planning.

May I ask about the latest developments on Project ARIF and Bersamamu Programme – how many young couples have benefited from these initiatives? Are there plans to expand services, especially in mental health and wellness support for young couples?

Additionally, can we consider strengthening collaboration with programmes like KidSTART so family support can be implemented continuously?

How will Government increase its outreach and ensure young couples know about these programmes?

With an increasing number of multi-generational families and seniors, our social landscape is clearly changing. I have often advocated on the need to focus on our seniors. At the national level, there are many efforts supporting seniors in their golden years. But can we consider support programmes for multi-generational families living under one roof and our seniors?

Using MENDAKI Funds

Mr Azhar Othman (Nominated Member): (In Malay): Chairman, I would like to request that the Ministry consider allowing MENDAKI funds be used to establish a community of excellence. While we understand that most of the funds are set aside for education, it is important to recognise that the finances within this organisation is still robust.

We need to look beyond education as the sole pathway to success and explore other forms of achievement, like the arts, sports and career development. We want to ensure that every individual receives the necessary support and becomes the best version of themselves.

MENDAKI should also look into providing holistic support to families that encompasses financial literacy education and strengthening family bonds.

MENDAKI should be able to envision how this community can be developed and ensure that the programmes designed to support it are implemented holistically and professionally.

1.15 pm

Preparing Malay/Muslim Children for an AI Economy

Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan-Toa Payoh): (In Malay): Mr Chairman, part of our AI transformation strategy must ensure that our children and youth are equipped not only to use technology, but are also able to create value with it.

In Toa Payoh recently, I met a Secondary 4 student who told me he was interested in AI. However, when asked further, he said he had never coded before and was not sure how to start. What he lacked was not aspiration, but exposure and guidance.

First, how do we assess the effectiveness of efforts to strengthen foundations in literacy, numeracy and digital confidence – especially for Malay/Muslim children who may lack learning support at home?

Second, how are programmes for Malay/Muslim youths aligned more closely with growth sectors – such as applied technology, advanced manufacturing and digital services – so that their participation truly opens pathways to good jobs?

Finally, beyond participation numbers, what outcome indicators are we tracking – such as participant progress and converting industry training into permanent employment – to ensure lasting impact?

Strengthening Support for Malay/Muslim Seniors

(In Malay): Mr Chairman, in our Malay/Muslim community, the family has always been the primary caregivers. Many of our seniors are supported by their children and grandchildren who provide companionship, financial help and daily assistance.

But as family structures evolve and working lives become more demanding, we should ask how do we sustainably support our seniors' social and mental well-being?

On the ground, we see seniors who are widowed and living alone, elderly parents who hesitate to burden their children, or caregivers quietly managing both work and eldercare responsibilities. Many of them do not openly express their difficulties.

This is why social and emotional support must go beyond the occasional event. It must be sustained, trusted and easily accessible.

First, how are we strengthening befriending programmes for seniors, peer support and community touchpoints so that seniors remain socially connected all year long? How can we bring back that "kampung spirit" amidst today's modern housing environment?

Second, what can we do to support caregivers within the Malay/Muslim community – especially those in the "sandwich generation" balancing work and parental care? Are there accessible support networks and early intervention channels to prevent caregiver burnout?

Third, aside from the number of programme attendees, what indicators do we use to measure actual impact – like reduced isolation, improved emotional wellbeing and stronger inter-generational engagement?

The Chairman: Mr Sharael Taha. You can take your three cuts together.

Developing the Potential of Our Youths

Mr Sharael Taha (Pasir Ris-Changi): (In Malay): Mr Chairman, our young people are the hope for our community's future. The MENDAKI Tuition Programme has greatly helped our students succeed in their studies. However, our children's future cannot depend on tuition alone.

The key question is: are we really preparing our young people for tomorrow's job market?

Today, the world is changing very rapidly. New industries, such as technology, artificial intelligence (AI), engineering and the digital economy are expanding. We want to see more of our young people dare to dream, be confident in their abilities and pursue future industries, such as aerospace, AI and cybersecurity.

The Government and community organisations need to have closer partnerships – not only in academic support, but also career exposure, mentorship guidance and real job opportunities.

At M³@Pasir Ris-Changi, we ran programmes, such as Learning Journey, RobotWars and Hackathons to expose our young people to the skills needed in new industries.

However, these efforts need to be expanded further. With the establishment of Professional Networks across over 10 industries, how can we leverage these networks to increase awareness about new skills, career pathways and job opportunities, especially for our young people?

How can these networks also partner schools, MENDAKI Tuition, M³ programmes and youth organisations, so that more young people get early exposure to future industries?

Ecosystem of Support for Malay/Muslim Seniors

(In Malay): By 2030, Singapore will become an ageing society.

Many seniors visit the mosque daily – not just to pray, but to also seek peace, support and companionship. Mosques play a key role in the lives of our community.

Imagine if mosques could work more closely with agencies, such as Health Promotion Board and the Ministry of Health (MOH), as well as partners in the financial sector to provide comprehensive health, financial and social support – everything in a place that they trust and are familiar with.

In Pasir Ris-Changi, Masjid Al-Istighfar together with M³ held a talk on Lasting Power of Attorney, conducted health screenings, as well as fitness activities, such as Yallah Run and Move with Mufti to support the well-being of our seniors.

My question is: How can mosques work more closely with these agencies to provide religious support as well as comprehensive assistance to congregants?

Supporting Malay/Muslim Businesses

(In Malay): Chairman, the economy is evolving rapidly and we cannot simply be observers. With the establishment of the National AI Council, National AI Mission and AI Champions programme, many new opportunities are opening up.

The question is: are Malay/Muslim businesses ready to step forward into this new world?

Job Transitions for Malay/Muslim Youths

Dr Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar): (In Malay): Sir, I would like to touch on youths transiting from higher education institutions, ITE, polytechnics and universities, to the working world.

This transition is an important occasion in every young person's life. In a rapidly changing economy, having a certificate or diploma is no longer enough.

Our youth need early exposure to growth sectors, an understanding of future skills, as well as closer relations with employers.

We want more youth entering good jobs in sectors, such as technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and AI-enabled roles, not by chance, but through clear and planned pathways.

Under Focus Area Four (FA4) of M³, there is scope to strengthen support for this transition in a more structured manner.

The unions and NTUC are ready to collaborate with MENDAKI, institutes of higher learning, employers and community partners, like MEMBINA Komuniti and 4PM, to enhance career guidance earlier on campus, provide channels to career coaching services and give advice on skills that are more targeted to growth sectors, expand access to industry mentors and professional networks, and lastly, open pathways, such as internships, place-and-train and entry-level roles in high-potential industries.

A more integrated approach like this can help ensure that our youth understand the available opportunities, build confidence and are ready to face the transition more assuredly.

However, this effort will be more effective if supported by strong coordination between Ministries, agencies and educational institutions, so that these transition pathways are well-structured, have clear outcomes and can be scaled up if proven effective.

Thus, I seek the Minister's views on: How does the Government plan to strengthen coordination between Ministries, IHLs and community partners so that this support for youth transition can be implemented more systematically, with measurable outcomes, and help more of our youth enter good jobs in growth sectors?

Malay Heritage Centre

Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi (Nee Soon): (In Malay): Language, tradition and culture are the pillars that strengthen our ethnic identity. These elements shape how we understand and appreciate our respective heritage, and help us find the balance that enables us to build together strength and unity within Singapore's diversity.

Could the Minister update us on the programmes in the works and the current status of the Malay Heritage Centre reopening, which is scheduled this April?

How can the Malay Heritage Centre continue to enhance awareness, knowledge and appreciation of Malay culture, particularly among young people, while contributing to wider efforts to strengthen social cohesion and our collective efforts in nation-building for the future?

Partnering Malay/Muslim and Indian/Muslim Organisations

Dr Hamid Razak (West Coast-Jurong West): Mr Chairman, Sir, here in Singapore, we are very fortunate to have strong Malay/Muslim Organisations (MMOs), Indian/Muslim Organisations (IMOs) and other committed partners. But when efforts run in parallel, residents can face repeated touchpoints, gaps between services or a confusing hand-off from one organisation to the other.

This is where the M³ network can play a practical, convening role, strengthening collaborations between MMOs and IMOs and other community partners, so strengths are combined and outreach is more coordinated on the ground. I have two questions for the Minister.

First, how can the M³ network strengthen collaboration between MMOs, IMOs and other community partners, including shared referrals and joint planning, so individuals and families experience one coordinated pathway of help? Could the Minister consider adopting a "no wrong door" approach?

Second, will the Minister consider a common playbook for MMOs, IMOs and partners with simple navigation standards and a small, shared set of outcomes, to make outreach more seamless. In Malay, please.

(In Malay): Mr Chairman, I call upon our Malay/Muslim community organisations and grassroots bodies to work hand in hand, rather than operating separately.

Each organisation has its own strengths – some are strong in youth matters, some are strong in family issues, some are strong in education, careers or social services. If we coordinate our efforts, we can reach out to more people, faster and more effectively.

Let us complement each other, share clear frameworks and contribute according to our respective strengths, so that our community can achieve the vision of becoming the best version of ourselves, confident in our identity and continue contributing to Singapore.

(In English): In Tamil, please.

(In Tamil): Mr Chairman, though the Indian/Muslim community is a small one, it has made sustained contributions to our nation building. The Indian/Muslim community today is diverse. There are many organisations. Every organisation has its own strengths. To seek solutions to the issues in our community, a whole-of-community effort is needed.

What does whole-of-community effort mean? Whole-of-community effort means that MMOs, IMOs and other community organisations must come together and work in unity to achieve our national objectives.

If we work together, our last-mile outreach will be more precise. Let us work together in endeavouring that our young people, our families and those in need progress forward together.

Building and Uplifting Bersama (Together)

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim (East Coast): Chairman, I will focus on three areas – the Singapore College of Islamic Studies, strengthening support for Malay/Indian and/or Muslim organisations, and increasing social mobility for our families. Sir, in Malay.

(In Malay): The establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) represents an important step towards developing local religious leadership that is capable and attuned to Singapore's unique multicultural society, as well as being well-versed in Southeast Asian dynamics.

Many have high hopes in the success and credibility of SCIS, which is seen as a long-term investment for our community and Singapore.

Last month in Parliament, I posed questions to the Acting Minister regarding SCIS and felt encouraged by his clarification that the establishment of SCIS has been well-received by our regional partners.

Therefore, to bolster confidence in SCIS, it is essential to share information about the efforts that will ensure its quality, governance and desired outcomes.

May I seek clarification on how SCIS will ensure quality control of its programmes, so that graduates will be able to guide our community in the future and concurrently contribute to Singapore?

Beyond academic qualifications, to what extent will the targeted standards emphasise strong religious understanding, comprehensive spiritual capabilities, as well as competencies of graduates guiding the Muslim community in facing current social challenges?

1.30 pm

Mr Chairman, as someone who has served over a decade at PPIS – one of the largest MMOs – and a member of the first cohort of the Tunas programme, I deeply understand, cherish and respect our MMOs and IMOs.

The majority of MMOs and IMOs were established before 1965, and have endured to this day – they weathered all storms and stood the test of time.

Each one remains focused on their individual objectives, be it strengthening families and empowering women, supporting workers, nurturing youth or guiding children.

They are experienced organisations that serve as pillars of community trust. MMOs and IMOs are assets to our community.

Therefore, they should be prioritised as long-term strategic partners, with their sustainability being given due attention.

At present, Yayasan MENDAKI has been working to ensure more can benefit from Community Leaders Forum (CLF) funds – a vital effort that must continue. I seek for a summary from the Acting Minister on the CLF fund utilisation rate by MMOs/IMOs and what new initiatives exist to encourage greater uptake.

Secondly, when Kurnia@WGS was launched with the opening of Wisma Geylang Serai in 2019, it sought to unite MMOs and IMOs, making it easier for the community to receive holistic support.

Since January this year, it is understood that these two offices have been merged with M³@Geylang Serai to foster closer cooperation.

I hope the Acting Minister can share more about the achievements and future plans of Kurnia@WGS, and whether this effort will be expanded to other M³ towns, especially M³@Bedok under my purview.

Mr Chairman, regardless of the operator, whether M³, MMOs/IMOs or social service agencies (SSAs), the mission remains the same – to enhance the quality of life of our community for a brighter future.

Therefore, Singapore's efforts to actively support vulnerable families must continue.

The challenges faced by these families, Mr Chairman, are extremely complex – ranging from financial pressures and health issues to family relationships, employment and even housing matters.

Fortunately, assistance is available from various entities, such as Family Service Centres (FSCs), Social Service Offices (SSOs), MMOs, ComLink, Project Dian by M³ and others. Could the Acting Minister please summarise how effective this support ecosystem is for vulnerable families, and share the latest information as well as future plans to enhance Project Dian?

(In English): Chairman, good policy must translate in real life. If coordination exists only on paper, families continue to bear the burden of navigating systems. There has to be shared practice standards, clear referral pathways for continuity of care.

Beyond programmes and subsidies, social capital itself matters too. Community platforms that build social capital, such as professional networks, alumni networks or across community connections, play an important role for social mobility. For social mobility to be sustained across generations, we must be intentional to invest beyond services and subsidies, but in social capital to open doors of opportunities.

Chairman, as it is often said in the House these past two weeks: where you start should not determine where you can go.

The Chairman: Acting Minister Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

The Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim): Mr Chairman, with your permission, I will take clarifications after my speech.

Mr Chairman, let me say a few words on the situation in the Middle East. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent civilians in the affected region. The fact that these attacks took place during the holy month of Ramadan deepens the pain felt by many. We are closely monitoring the situation together with colleagues from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I had a video call last night with some of our Singaporean students in the Middle East. They were understandably concerned but are staying calm. I assured them that their safety and well-being is our top priority. We will continue to stay in close contact with them and render any support we can.

We are also in touch with the Association of Muslim Travel Agents (AMTAS). They have advised their member agencies to help affected Umrah travellers with adjustments to their travel plans when needed.

These recent events are a stark reminder that the peace and harmony we have in Singapore is especially precious, and we cannot take it for granted. There is a Malay saying: "sehati menghadapi, sepakat membangun," it means to stand united in overcoming challenges and to work together to build a better future.

This has always been a defining strength of all Singaporeans, and particularly of the Malay/Muslim community. It has helped our community achieve remarkable progress over the years. We have built stronger marriages and more resilient families. Our children are better educated, and many have found good jobs across different sectors of the economy.

We are able to practise our faith, celebrate our culture with pride and live in harmony with friends from other races, religions and cultures. Despite the progress, I recognise that everyone has a different lived experience. During my engagements with the community, I also hear concerns about job security. Some have shared difficulties in trying to access help, and others have called for greater support for those struggling in silence. It is crucial that as we move forward, we ensure that nobody gets left behind.

Mr Chairman, many have asked me what my vision for the community is. While we might each have different circumstances, I envision a Malay/Muslim community where every member can be the best version of themselves at every stage of their lives.

I speak not just for myself, but for my fellow Parliamentary colleagues, our Government agencies, our MMOs, IMOs, volunteers and many others who give of themselves generously every day. Because of them, no member of our community should ever have to walk alone.

By Moving Forward Together, With One Heart, we can achieve our vision to help every member of our community thrive. We will do so through three key pillars.

First, we will uplift individuals across all life stages to provide them with opportunities to succeed. Second, we will develop trusted religious institutions to enrich our community religious life. Third, we will nurture a vibrant cultural sector that celebrates our unique Singaporean Malay arts, culture and identity.

First, we want to uplift individuals and provide them with opportunities to excel at every life stage. Some are already doing well and with the right inspiration, they can reach even greater heights. Others may need an extra helping hand to succeed.

As Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin mentioned, strong families are key to this, as they are the bedrock of our community and society. They nurture values, like responsibility and empathy, shape our identity as a person and build our confidence to navigate life's challenges. Strong families begin with stable marriages, which is why the Bersamamu programme has been so vital to our Muslim community.

Since its launch in 2019, Bersamamu has supported over 36,000 couples, providing access to marriage support and guidance from our Kadi and Naib Kadi. They serve as trusted advisors throughout the couple's early marriage years.

As an example, Mr Radzi Barian Arlandito and Ms Risa Shigemi, a Singaporean-Japanese couple, have benefitted greatly from Bersamamu. Their Naib Kadi, Ustaz Mohammed Nazim Bin Rahuma Dulla, provided invaluable advice to help them navigate cultural differences, religious practices and family dynamics. As a mentor to the couple, Ustaz Nazim provided spiritual guidance, and connected them with like-minded couples facing similar situations.

To help more couples, like Mr Radzi and Ms Risa, we will be expanding the Bersamamu programme to further strengthen marriage support for Muslim couples.

We will increase the pool of Kadi and Naib Kadi by about 50%, to better support newly wed Muslim couples, especially those who need more assistance. These couples can benefit from additional post-solemnisation face-to-face sessions, to ensure they get a stronger start in their marriage journey.

We will also make it easier for the community to access marriage support services, by deploying family development officers to selected mosques around Singapore. These officers will guide couples through the various national and community programmes that best address their needs, including those with dual caregiving responsibilities.

Taken together, couples can get more help and targeted follow-up for those in higher-risk marriages, so that issues are addressed early before they escalate into crisis.

We will also expand the Bersamamu programme to include parenthood support, for more seamless assistance from marriage to parenthood.

Under the pilot run of Project ARIF, mothers received integrated support from their Kadi and Naib Kadi as well as the medical social workers and healthcare professionals from KK Women's and Children's Hospital. This includes those who do not qualify for KidSTART, so that they continue to receive the necessary support. Some 5,000 couples have benefitted from the pilot and demonstrated improved maternal and child health outcomes, in terms of babies completing mandatory immunisations and being breastfed for at least three months.

Starting from June 2026, we will include Project ARIF as a permanent component under the Bersamamu programme. From marriage guidance to parenting support, we are broadening the continuum of care to foster more resilient families and give our children the best headstart in life.

Mr Chairman, we want to provide every child the necessary support and pathways to enable them to seize opportunities for success, regardless of their background. Our community has made significant strides in educational achievement, and investment in education remains a key focus, but I agree with Mr Azhar Othman that we can do more to help every child reach their fullest potential in other areas too.

That is why MENDAKI's 2030 Workplan, which I recently launched with Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, goes beyond nurturing confident learners and includes building stronger families, supporting a future-ready workforce and growing a thriving community.

We recognise that excellence begins early and at home, which is why MENDAKI has strengthened its suite of programmes to support the parenting journey. From April this year, parents can look forward to ReadySetLearn (RSL) Roadshows held in the heartlands, providing convenient access to workshops and resources on supporting their children's holistic growth.

A key component of this support is RSL Maths Explorer, formerly KelasMateMatika, which prepares parents to guide their pre-schoolers in numeracy skills and prepare for math in Primary 1. The results speak for themselves – nine in 10 participating pre-schoolers of this programme entered Primary 1 without requiring Learning Support for Math (LSM).

MENDAKI will expand the efforts and roll out RSL Language Explorer, a reading programme designed to equip parents to nurture early literacy in both English and Malay. Together, these programmes will build confidence and strengthen learning, laying the foundation for long-term academic success.

Mr Chairman, for children from families facing greater challenges, attending school regularly can be difficult for various reasons, such as when parents work shifts or when they must care for younger siblings at home. These last-mile gaps prevent them from participating fully in their education, and in turn may affect their holistic development. We are determined to close these gaps by providing the customised support that these children and their families need.

So, I am glad that MENDAKI and MOE, with the support of MSF and MCCY, have embarked on a pilot programme at selected schools at Tampines to strengthen after-school care and support for our children from Malay/Muslim families who need additional help.

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For some families and their children, the help needed could be to provide them better nutrition, a study desk at home or alternative childcare arrangements. For others, it could be connecting them to a trusted mentor who can address motivational issues.

So, under this pilot, a MENDAKI Care Advisor will work with each identified child's family, school or other social service professionals to understand their unique needs and develop an individualised care plan for the child. The partnership between the school and community will provide academic and non-academic support to complement existing school efforts.

This pilot has been launched earlier this year, and I want to thank the participating schools and MENDAKI who have worked tirelessly to make this partnership possible and grassroots advisers Dr Charlene Chen and Acting Minister David Neo, for suggesting this approach to address the needs of students in Tampines who need that additional help. Together, we ensure that no child gets left behind because of circumstances.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked how Malay/Muslim educational initiatives are evolving to prepare our youths for an AI-driven economy, while Mr Sharael Taha asked how MENDAKI can better prepare our children and youths for the future through mentorship and awareness of pathways.

Mr Chairman, MENDAKI's Tuition Programme has helped many students improve in their academic journey. But we cannot rely on tuition alone to prepare our students for the future. This is why MENDAKI has enhanced the programme to the MENDAKI Achievement Programme (MAP) with two new focus areas.

The first is enrichment, where students will have opportunities to be exposed to programmes in areas, such as AI exploration and robotics. The second area is engagement, where students will be exposed to various education and career pathways.

Today, MENDAKI's Youth Mentoring Office has helped to match mentors to more than 2,500 youths, from Secondary 3 to undergraduates. MENDAKI will be expanding its mentoring programme to start earlier, from Secondary 1 students. This will enable more students and parents to be connected to support systems, such as MENDAKI's Professional Networks, to help them make more informed education and career choices.

Dr Wan Rizal asked how we can support our youths in job transitions. We will create more platforms for our youths to connect and learn from professionals who have succeeded in their chosen fields, as they prepare to enter the workforce.

MENDAKI has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Trades Union Congress' (NTUC) Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to strengthen AI readiness through targeted workshops and community engagement initiatives. It also seeks to expand access to career advisory services, skills development pathways and employment opportunities. These efforts will put our youths on a better footing to make informed decisions about their career pathways and seize opportunities in growth industries.

Last October, we launched the Malay/Muslim Youth Taskforce, led by Minister of State Rahayu and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Dr Syed Harun to hear from our youths their views on career development, identity and values and how they could contribute to society. Through this taskforce, we hope to keep our policies relevant, and our youths invested in Singapore's future.

The taskforce has since appointed 13 youth consultants, who are leaders from diverse fields including entrepreneurship, sports, digital media, technology, religion and the social sector. They have lined up a series of Youth Conversations in partnership with M³ agencies and the National Youth Council, which will capture the perspectives of youths on various issues close to their hearts and co-create initiatives in support of the national SG Youth Plan. I look forward to hearing their views on bringing the community forward at the upcoming M³ Youth Festival in August.

I have spoken in detail about our youths, but we must also remember our seniors who have given so much of themselves to build a better future for us. Both Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Sharael Taha have asked about how we intend to strengthen holistic support for seniors in our community. I share their concern.

We must ensure our seniors continue to thrive in their golden years. Our Malay/Muslim seniors shared with me that they are doing well but wish to connect more widely and meaningfully with others. Mr Chairman, ageing well is just as much about companionship, dignity and purpose as it is about health and well-being.

So, I was very heartened when Masjid Al-Muttaqin, in collaboration with Ma:een and Muhammadiyah Active Ageing Centre, initiated Santunan Emas, a holistic ground-up effort to provides our seniors and caregivers with religious guidance, social engagement activities and healthcare support.

The programme has since expanded with the support of other mosques, such as Masjid Darul Makmur and Masjid Yusof Ishak, benefiting close to 900 seniors weekly. These mosques also work with partners like the Agency for Integrated Care, National Healthcare Group and the Singapore Hospice Council to reach out to our seniors in nursing homes and hospices.

I recently attended the Santunan Emas roadshow at Masjid Darul Ghufran and witnessed how our mosques, partner agencies and volunteers engage our seniors and their caregivers to support them in different areas of need. This ecosystem of care affirmed the need for a targeted programme for our Malay/Muslim seniors that is developed by the community and for the community.

I have therefore asked the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, or Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) and People's Association (PA) to support Santunan Emas' efforts, and to help rally resources and agencies across health, social, financial and religious domains.

For example, MUIS will work with Santunan Emas networks at local mosques to identify needs and facilitate partnerships with other community organisations, as well as with healthcare providers to enhance healthcare. PA, with its grassroots network, can also rally fellow seniors to serve as befrienders, mentors and active members of the community. This way, we strengthen not only our services, but also the culture of care and dignity for our seniors.

Mr Chairman, let me turn to our businesses and workers now.

The Prime Minister has outlined comprehensive support measures for businesses in recognition of the challenging economic climate, including a corporate tax rebate. The Budget also provides a booster shot for our businesses and workers to transform for the longer term, including to expand to new markets, to reskill and upskill and to adopt new technologies like AI. Lower-wage workers, in particular, will benefit from the enhancements to the Progressive Wage Credit and Workfare Skills Support schemes, while workers making a career transition will benefit from the expanded SkillsFuture Level-Up programme. I encourage our Malay/Muslim enterprises and workers to make good use of these schemes.

Mr Sharael Taha asked how Malay/Muslim businesses can participate meaningfully in the digital and AI economy. The Government has announced that it intends to harness AI as a strategic advantage. The Champions of AI programme, enhancements to the Enterprise Innovation Scheme and expansion of the Productivity Solutions Grant will be implemented to help businesses confidently transform and grow using AI.

The pursuit of AI must translate into better outcomes, such as stronger livelihoods and more opportunities, so that our community can progress with confidence in this AI economy.

That is why we must make upskilling practical and accessible. As Minister of State Rahayu shared at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information's Committee of Supply (COS) debate, workers can upskill through Langkah Digital, an M³ initiative spearheaded by MENDAKI to strengthen AI and digital literacy amongst our community. This will be done through practical workshops and events to help the community understand how best to make use of AI. This will complement national measures announced by the Prime Minister, including the six months of free access to premium versions of AI tools, to help our community move from learning to applying AI and benefiting from it in their jobs.

Mr Chairman, the efforts I have shared reflect our unwavering commitment to uplifting every member of our community. In doing so, we hope that they are able to contribute back to strengthen the entire community.

Sir, our mosques are at the heart of our community religious life. They are not just places of worship, but community hubs that foster spiritual growth and promote wellness, where faith comes alive through collective prayers, learning and service to others. To stay relevant, our mosques must remain forward-looking and be able to adapt to the evolving needs of our community.

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked how we plan for the development and closure of mosques. As I have shared in this House, MUIS takes into consideration key factors that contribute to the demand for prayer spaces, such as projected population changes, as well as land development plans, including the building of new housing estates. Mosque heritage is important to us. Where mosques have heritage value, MUIS will work closely with mosque leaders and agencies to preserve them, including in situations where relocation is necessary.

We are committed to ensuring our community's religious needs are sufficiently met as Singapore continues to grow. Beyond infrastructure, our mosques provide various programmes that encourage community building. I agree with Ms Mariam Jaafar that our mosques can play a larger role in partnering youths to improve their well-being. Initiatives, like the NEXTGEN SG Mosque Youth Symposium and mosque dialogue with Mufti, allow our youths to engage our religious leadership on contemporary issues, explore specific concerns of the young and develop ideas to address real issues grounded in faith. Our pastoral care programmes also provide spiritual guidance and support to those facing life's difficulties. This also includes doing activities together. It is not only about dialogues. The mosque leaders and youth go out and spend time and that is where they learn from one another. We will look into the useful suggestions that Ms Mariam Jaafar has raised earlier.

Our asatizah help the community navigate modern issues, such as social challenges, technological advancements and geopolitical conflicts. Being an asatizah today requires not just deep religious knowledge, but the ability to connect with people and bridge different communities with wisdom and compassion. It is crucial that our asatizah embody these values, engage with empathy and develop relevant skills to be effective guides to the community in today's complex global landscape.

Mr Chairman, this is precisely why we must continue developing our religious leadership, and one of our most significant investments in this area is the Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS). Dr Syed Harun asked how we will ensure that SCIS' programmes will maintain high standards of Islamic scholarship while still meeting the needs of the local Muslim community.

SCIS will be led by our Mufti and supported by distinguished scholars. The curriculum will be inter-disciplinary, incorporating social sciences modules to give our future asatizah well-rounded perspectives and boost their employability in the religious and adjacent sectors.

We are making good progress. SCIS remains on track to open in 2028. We have signed an MOU with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and we are finalising other partnerships with institutions in Egypt, Jordan and Morocco. The SCIS campus development at Rochor is also underway.

Mr Chairman, our mosques, madrasahs and the SCIS are institutions collectively owned by our community. Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked for updates on the Wakaf Masyarakat Singapura (WMS). I am happy to share that MUIS has held over 20 outreach initiatives together with various partners, reaching out to different segments, including workers, seniors and the Indian/Muslim community. We have also appointed WMS ambassadors to expand our outreach efforts.

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As of February 2026, the WMS has raised over $8.5 million, with contributions from over 15,400 transactions. I strongly encourage those with the means to give back to the community, and this will ensure the financial sustainability of our social and religious needs for generations to come. Only when our religious institutions are strong, are we able to nurture an enriching community religious life.

Mr Chairman, our rich Singapore Malay culture and heritage anchor our identity and sense of community and define us as distinctively Singaporean Malay.

I have always enjoyed attending our community's cultural events. I had the privilege of experiencing Gentarasa SG60 last November. I was struck by the artistic excellence, passion and dedication of the performers who brought our traditions to life with such authenticity. Our cultural expressions serve as vehicles for storytelling, identity formation and intergenerational connection, helping our young understand their cultural roots while inspiring them to contribute their own creative voices to our evolving cultural narrative.

At the heart of our culture and heritage lies the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) in Kampong Gelam.

Dr Syed Harun asked for an update on the MHC's reopening. The MHC will reopen in April this year with Pesta Pecah Panggung – Transcending Boundaries, a festival featuring programmes by over 60 partners showcasing the best of Singapore and Nusantara arts, youth talent and community creativity. I strongly encourage everyone to join these celebrations.

The revitalised MHC will have an expanded mission that goes beyond its traditional role as a repository of artefacts and exhibits. It will become a vibrant hub that offers a variety of programmes, like festivals for children and youth, regular film screenings and community-driven showcases to take the cultural development and placemaking of Kampong Gelam to the next level.

Central to this expanded role will be the MHC's function in deepening documentation and research on Malay culture and heritage as a resource for practitioners and the community.

The MHC will establish a research unit led by an advisory panel with Dr Norshahril Saat as the chair to build a comprehensive body of knowledge about Singapore Malay heritage. This unit will work with stakeholders to identify areas of focus and support long-term aid research by academics and community groups.

Through this effort, we will ensure our cultural narratives are not just preserved, but actively studied, understood and shared with future generations.

However, research and documentation are not enough. We need living practitioners, like Puan Jumaini Ariff, to keep our traditions alive. Puan Jumaini is a passionate practitioner of traditional storytelling who never fails to dazzle with her craft. She speaks fondly of it and shares her hopes for a new generation to continue the tradition of a Penglipur Lara. As I was speaking, I could remember how she was doing it when I was engaging her.

The MHC has also launched an Intangible Cultural Heritage Mentorship Programme, connecting experienced practitioners with young enthusiasts over a 10-week structured programme. This initiative embodies our commitment to ensuring cultural knowledge and skills get passed down seamlessly from one generation to the next, culminating in showcases through MHC, where mentees can demonstrate their newly acquired expertise and contribute fresh perspectives to age-old traditions.

When our culture is alive and vibrant, it not only becomes a source of pride for us, but it enriches the multicultural fabric that makes Singapore special.

Mr Chairman, I have outlined our plans to strengthen our community across the three pillars.

We will uplift individuals by providing them opportunities to succeed at every stage of their lives. We will enrich our community religious life by developing trusted religious institutions. And we will nurture a vibrant cultural sector that celebrates our unique identity.

These goals build on the solid foundation that our community leaders have already established over the years.

For instance, M³ brings together MENDAKI, MUIS and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (PA MESRA) to address community issues through focus areas and M³@Towns. However, as Dr Hamid Razak and Ms Hazlina Halim have pointed out, we must broaden our collaborative networks to achieve these goals.

We will therefore expand and rebrand M³ to M³+. We want to emphasise greater collaborations between M³ agencies and our community partners as we strategise nationally in each of the focus areas and deliver programmes at the M³@Towns level.

I hope that M³+ will better recognise the specialised knowledge and community links of MMOs, IMOs, informal groups and individual contributors who are already doing excellent work on the ground. In fact, this is already being done in some areas.

For example, MHA and the M³ Engagement Coordination Office at PA have been working with Jamiyah's Darul Islah Halfway House, Pertapis's Halfway House and PPIS's Rise Above Halfway House to strengthen the rehabilitation and reintegration efforts. They have facilitated training sessions for over 300 ex-offenders to develop financial and practical skills that will empower them to build sustainable futures for themselves and their families.

At the town level, the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) has also worked with M³@Woodlands to conduct a micro business programme to equip budding entrepreneurs with knowledge, such as financial management, business ideation and marketing to build sustainable micro businesses. One of the programme participants, Mr Muhammad Nor Hafiz, was able to transform his seasonal cookie sales into a thriving family business called Chonkery.sg.

MMOs, IMOs and other community partners can tap on a variety of community resources to support these efforts. For instance, in 2025, MENDAKI disbursed more than $2 million from the Community Leaders' Forum Fund, which Ms Hazlina spoke about.

As Dr Hamid Razak and Ms Hazlina rightly pointed out, many of our MMOs and IMOs also provide services directly to families. It is important that we facilitate collaboration and improve coordination by bringing together M³ agencies and our community partners to develop better ways of working together.

This includes ongoing efforts under Project DIAN, where we have reached out to over 900 families as at end 2025. We will launch this exciting next phase in April 2026, beginning with an M³+ Networking Session.

Some of the ideas include putting together a directory of services that our MMO and IMO partners offer so that our M³ Focus Area leads and M³@Towns can systematically work with these community organisations to identify new opportunities and greater synergies for better programme delivery and to close last-mile gaps.

I thank Dr Hamid and Ms Hazlina for their suggestions and encourage our MMOs, IMOs and individuals to step forward and co-create M³+ with us.

Together with this effort, we will continue to develop the next generation of community leaders through the TUNAS programme.

TUNAS brings together emerging community leaders to build their capabilities through knowledge exchange and networking, developing common projects and mentorship from senior community leaders. To date, two cohorts of leaders have completed the TUNAS programme. We will welcome the third cohort later this year.

These TUNAS graduates will help drive M³+ forward by connecting partners, identifying opportunities for collaboration and leading ground efforts so that support reaches those in need more seamlessly. Mr Chaiman, in Malay, please.

(In Malay): Mr Chairman, my vision for the Malay/Muslim community is for us to move forward together with one heart and a shared purpose. With the spirit of "Moving Forward Together, With One Heart", we aim to provide opportunities and support so that every individual can be the best version of themselves at every stage of their lives.

We can achieve this vision through three key pillars. First, by uplifting the social and economic outcomes of the community; second, by strengthening religious institutions and cultivating a vibrant religious life; and third, by nurturing Malay arts, culture and heritage.

The Bersamamu programme has supported over 36,000 couples, will be enhanced by increasing the pool of Kadi and Naib Kadi by about 50%, and deploying Family Development Officers to selected mosques. In addition, Project ARIF will become a permanent programme to help couples throughout their journey from marriage to parenthood.

In childhood education, the ReadySetLearn programme will be expanded through roadshows held in the heartlands, while the RSL Language Explorer will be launched to complement the RSL Maths Explorer. The MENDAKI Achievement Programme will provide students with early exposure to AI and robotics, while MENDAKI's Mentoring Programme will be expanded to include Secondary 1 student, to support students comprehensively in their education journey.

For students who need additional help, I am pleased that MENDAKI and MOE have launched a pilot programme in selected schools in Tampines. With support from MSF, MCCY and community partners, we can strengthen after-school care and support, helping students attend school consistently and improve their academic performance.

For our seniors, MUIS and PA will support the Santunan Emas programme and its holistic approach which is crucial in an ageing society. It will provide religious guidance, social engagement activities and healthcare support for seniors and their caregivers. This programme requires strong partnership with all stakeholders: mosques, community partners, families and Government. Through this collective effort, we can ensure our seniors receive the support they need and lead meaningful lives in their golden years.

Mosques will continue to play a key role as dynamic community hubs to strengthen community bonds, address social needs and meet the needs of religious life that is constantly evolving.

The Singapore College of Islamic Studies (SCIS) will open in 2028. We have signed an MOU with SUSS to offer an inter-disciplinary curriculum for undergraduate programmes. We are also finalising partnerships with Islamic educational institutions in Egypt, Jordan and Morocco. These efforts aim to produce a pipeline of asatizah who are more capable and ready to guide the community in addressing complex contemporary issues.

The Malay Heritage Centre will reopen in April this year. It will serve as the cultural heartbeat of Singapore's Malay community, bringing together festivals, film screenings and community-based exhibitions, to enliven and enrich Kampong Gelam. The centre will shape the future direction of our culture, supported by a research unit, with an advisory panel led by Dr Norshahril Saat.

The Intangible Cultural Heritage Mentorship Programme was launched to connect practitioners with the young generation. This programme will run for 10 weeks to ensure our knowledge and traditions continue to be preserved and developed across time.

Sir, to expand M³'s impact, we must broaden our collaboration with partners beyond the MENDAKI, MUIS and MESRA network. Therefore, I will launch M³+, to involve MMOs, IMOs, informal groups and individuals who want to contribute more comprehensively.

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M³+ will strengthen the support provided. Each M³@Town and Focus Area will work closely with MMOs and IMOs, informal groups and individuals who aspire to serve the community. They will explore new opportunities where efforts can be coordinated more effectively.

This network will be launched in April 2026, starting with an M³+ networking session.

Additionally, the TUNAS programme will continue developing the next generation of community leaders through knowledge exchange, networking and mentorship from senior community leaders.

M³+ represents a continuation of the spirit of cooperation that has long been our community's strength, based on the principle of Moving Forward Together, With One Heart.

Let us move forward, with one heart, and strive to be the best version at every stage of our lives.

For example, Mdm Latipah Binte Abdul Rahman first joined the Santunan Emas programme as a participant in October 2024 to seek spiritual guidance and social support. Now, she serves as a volunteer coordinator who organises the welcome committee, prepares refreshments and conducts exercise sessions and craft classes. The knowledge and experience gained had motivated her to give back to the community. Madam Latipah's story shows how a programme participant can embody the spirit of One Heart, and subsequently emerge as a contributor who helps the community to progress. This is the transformation we want to see in every member of our community.

(In English): Mr Chairman, I spoke about the recent developments that have unfolded in the Middle East at the beginning of my speech. During times of global uncertainty, it becomes even more important for us to strengthen the bonds that keep us united. External conflicts must never divide us. As Singaporeans, we must stand together, support one another and maintain the mutual respect and understanding that define our society.

I have shared my vision for our community, to cultivate a thriving community where every member can be the best version of themselves. I have outlined how we will achieve this vision through three pillars that address every dimension of our community's development.

Through these three pillars, we ensure that every member of our community can build secure and prosperous futures while remaining grounded in the values and rich culture that define us as a community.

Throughout this speech, I have shared stories of individuals who embody the spirit of "Bersatu Hati, Maju Bersama", each serving as sources of inspiration in their own right.

Mr Radzi and Ms Risa show us how strong foundations enable families to thrive. Puan Jumaini demonstrates how dedication to preserving heritage becomes a valuable contribution to future generations. Mr Muhammad Nor Hafiz exemplifies how entrepreneurial spirit, when supported by the community, transforms aspirations into success and opportunity. Puan Latipah's journey from participant to volunteer coordinator embodies the meaningful cycle of receiving support and giving back that strengthens our community.

These individuals illustrate the essence of a "we first" society, where personal development contributes to collective progress and where every act of service creates positive impact throughout our community. This is the spirit we hope to see everyone in our community embody.

As we move forward, we will continue strengthening support by building capable, trusted institutions and more importantly, by engaging one another closely on issues that are close to our hearts.

Our true strength lies in our collective spirit, the same spirit that sees neighbours helping neighbours, organisations collaborating across boundaries and leaders emerging to serve the greater good. We have much to look forward to in our collective future. Let us do so by moving forward together, with one heart. [Applause.]

The Chairman: Are there any clarifications for the Acting Minister? Ms Hazlina Abdul Rahim.

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim: I thank the Acting Minister. Having shared with us the developments of your engagement with students in Middle East, could you also give us an update as to some early plans the Government may be making with regard to planning ahead of the Haj season?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. I shared about how we are continuously engaging our students in the Middle East. In fact, I had a very good session with them last night, more than an hour. No doubt, they are very concerned, but they asked mainly for advice on what they should do and the various scenarios. And we just also heard Minister of State Gan Siow Huang's message earlier.

The message that I shared with them was to continue to be connected and also, look after one another. This is something that they have been getting. MUIS have been working very closely with them. Quite a number of them also experienced incidents in June. For the seniors, they are able to handle and manage this better than the juniors. Quite a number also shared about how they can continue attending classes. So, you see a different type of steps being taken by the different countries: some are doing it online; others still have face-to-face classes.

One thing that I also shared with them is to also keep in touch with their families. As expected, many of the family members are very concerned. I, in fact, asked them to give more updates. For many, they update their families once a day. I suggested, maybe up to two times, so that their families/parents can be assured.

For Umrah, as I shared, we are in touch with AMTAS. AMTAS released an advisory where it concurred with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (MFA's) advisory. For those who are already in Saudi Arabia, I urge them to register with MFA so that they can receive timely updates, as the situation develops. And for others who wish to make changes to their travel plans, I would like to thank AMTAS who have been reaching out to the travel agents to exercise understanding and to see how we can help travellers to review, postpone, or make travel arrangements for affected travel plans.

For Haj, as at today, we are in close contact with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. To-date, all preparation for the Haj 2026 season continues uninterrupted. So, we will closely monitor the latest developments. Above all, the safety of our pilgrims remains our utmost priority.

The Chairman: Dr Syed Harun.

Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi: Chairman, I thank the Acting Minister for sharing about the revamped Malay Heritage Centre, as well as setting up the research unit. In some ways, we are looking back towards wanting to preserve the heritage and traditions of the Malay community. But I wonder whether there are initiatives to be able to celebrate and also share and showcase our unique Malay identity towards others, so that we can celebrate the diversity that we have here in Singapore.

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. You can see the expanded role of the Malay Heritage Centre goes beyond just cultural preservation. It will showcase how Singaporean Malay identity has evolved into something truly distinctive. It comes along with a deeply rooted Malay identity and traditions perspective, but we have to recognise that our identity is uniquely and precisely being shaped by our multicultural environment. And this is where you see many Malays have excelled across many sectors and they come forward to contribute, regardless of race, language or religion, and all these are also being done while deeply rooted to our culture and faith. So, this balance is what sets our Singaporean Malays apart from the rest.

And if you look at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Mentorship programme, it will help us to continue this journey. We have built this process of building our community and nation over the years, where you can see certain values in the Malay community that exemplify Singapore as a whole as well, in terms of its self-determination, openness and resilience. And that has enabled the Malay community here to be able to continue, while keeping to its tradition and identity, to strive for success and excel in their life.

We are also setting up the research unit. The research unit will look at various aspects of this journey as well, but looking at, in terms of the heritage tradition, the arts and culture and cultural history and Nusantara. Some of these will present opportunities for our people, including non-Malays, to come on board this journey and share the joy of our nation building.

So, it is something exciting, something that we have built together. I would like to deepen this journey with the community. My hope is that anyone who visits Malay Heritage Centre or takes part in the programme will know that this is a distinctively unique Singaporean Malay identity that has progressed and something that we should be proud of.

The Chairman: Mr Saktiandi Supaat.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: Chairman, can I ask my first clarification in Malay?

(In Malay): Mr Chairman, caring for our elderly is not just about programmes – it is about strengthening values like respect, responsibility and compassion in our families and communities. So I welcome the holistic approach the Minister described for helping our elderly.

I would like to ask whether this programme's budget and resources can be given some kind of stimulus to cover infrastructure costs at mosques and other venues, because Singapore is ageing so rapidly that it is crucial we improve these facilities.

Secondly, will the Santunan Emas assistance consider the caregivers in our community, especially the "sandwich generation"?

(In English): The second clarification, Mr Chairman, the Minister mentioned about the MENDAKI Achievement Programme (MAP) about helping AI exploration and robotics. I was wondering if the Minister can share a bit more, whether we can enhance and increase the budget and resources for MENDAKI, so that these efforts can be increased, especially when the Government, in this year's Budget, has been talking about AI Missions and AI Champions. So, whether within the Malay/Muslim community, we can get extra budget for this course as well?

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Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions.

Relating to the second supplementary question about enrichment, if you look at the MENDAKI 2030 Workplan, you will see that there are elements of, not only about education, but about how we want to support workers on this journey of AI and preparing our community for the future.

As shared, the programme is spearheaded by Minister of State Rahayu "Langkah Digital" is another area where it gives us another opportunity to expand our outreach in a way that can help the community.

I also am very heartened that not only the programmes done by MENDAKI are reaching out to the people, but the professional networks that we have developed over the years have really grown significantly. A few of us or all of us may have attended some of the programmes of the professional networks. I was very heartened. I attended one on the aviation sector. Professionals in the past were not there to be part of the engagement. Today, they are there and they provide the additional impetus, support. This also goes beyond funding.

I think in the way we develop our community, we have to bring in as much resources as there are out there. Especially those who have done well, to come back, give back, and mentor and nurture and provide the impetus for each and every one of our children, even those who are still working, to have that aspiration to develop further.

On the first point.

(In Malay): On the first point, the Santunan Emas programme is a ground-up programme that is also holistic. But what is interesting about this programme is how it collaborates with organisations or agencies, like AIC and NHG.

When I heard about this programme, I received feedback that it is very engaging and sparked the interest of our seniors. They told me they want to hear religious sermons or words of encouragement from Ustaz Fatris, and I can see this is something very appealing.

When I explored further, I found that this programme is not just about religion, but it also provides life guidance like taking care of one's health, and for caregivers and their family members, as well as how we can prepare for our golden years. I see it as a very good platform for us to extend our outreach.

Therefore, as I mentioned, I have instructed MUIS and PA's MESRA to look at how we can support this effort so that we can reach out to more members of our community and help them age gracefully.

So I agree with what Mr Saktiandi said earlier, and we will expand this approach. I am very grateful to everyone who started this programme, because they started small, not knowing its potential, but we can see that it is able to generate interest as well as provide development opportunities for the seniors.

I also heard about this programme from my wife. She told me her friends enjoyed attending it, getting support from the community. I have also heard about the one at Masjid Darul Ghufran and attended it, where I could see its very positive impact. So we will work hard to take care of our seniors.

The Chairman: We have actually used up a lot of the time for clarification. If I may seek the indulgence of Members, because there are almost six other hands raised to ask questions, my suggestion is that we defer this because I am worried if we do not, the rest of the MCCY cuts and clarification may all be taken up.

We will sacrifice break for today as well. I will save 20 minutes. All these clarifications, let us push it to the back, at the end of the rest of the cuts. I would ask for Members and Minister for your indulgence on this. Mr Mark Lee.

National Confidence and Identity

Mr Mark Lee (Nominated Member): Chairman, when we speak about social cohesion today, the deeper question is not just how well we get along, but how confident Singaporeans feel about who we are becoming.

Singapore is undergoing two shifts. Externally, the world is becoming more uncertain, contested and polarised. Internally, Singaporeans, especially younger Singaporeans, are thinking more actively about identity, voice, fairness and belonging. Together, these shifts mean that social cohesion today is no longer just about co-existence, but about whether people feel anchored in a shared sense of who we are.

In this context, I welcome MCCY's clear decision to position multiculturalism as an anchor of our Singapore identity. It recognises that Singapore has always been open and evolving, and that with a strong sense of self, we can remain open without insecurity.

But if multiculturalism is our anchor, then the key question is how Singaporeans experience and live that anchor in everyday terms.

What does it mean today to be a Singaporean Chinese, a Singaporean Malay, a Singaporean Indian, Eurasian – not as fixed categories from the past, but as identities shaped by shared experiences, common values and participation in modern Singapore? How do our arts, sports, heritage spaces and youth platforms help people internalise this rather than just leaving identity to be shaped implicitly by fragmented or external narratives?

This matters. When identity is under-articulated or not felt, it creates space for pessimism and quiet social distancing even if surface harmony remains.

As such, beyond delivering strong individual initiatives, how is the Ministry intentionally shaping a coherent narrative of what defines us as Singaporeans today, one that builds confidence in our multicultural identity and a shared sense of belonging, especially amongst younger Singaporeans? And how does the Ministry assess whether its work is strengthening this deep foundational long-term social cohesion?

The Chairman: Ms Valerie Lee. Sorry, Mr Alex Yam.

Making School Sports More Accessible

Mr Alex Yam: Chairman, beyond competition and medals, sports build resilience, teamwork, discipline and healthy habits for young people. However, many students today find it difficult to join school co-curricular activities (CCAs) unless they already demonstrate a certain level of aptitude.

Trials can be highly competitive and places are of course limited. As a result, some students who simply wish to try something new or participate recreationally find themselves excluded from school sports altogether. This risks narrowing participation to those who are already skilled when the developmental nature of sport lies precisely in allowing more young people to experience it.

Could MCCY share how it is working with MOE to broaden access to sports in schools so that participation serves not only competitive excellence but also serves youth development?

For example, are there plans to expand recreational tiers, modular programmes or learn-to-play pathways where students can pick up a sport without needing to pass a competitive trial? Such pathways could allow students to discover interest and develop confidence before deciding whether they wish to pursue a sport more seriously.

Sports also provide one of the most natural spaces for young Singaporeans of different abilities and backgrounds to interact. When students train and play together, they learn cooperation, perseverance and mutual respect. In building a "we first" society, such shared experiences matter.

School sports should remain both a pathway for excellence and a platform for broad participation.

I would therefore appreciate if the Minister could share how policy can better balance these objectives while ensuring that student well-being and academic balance are safeguarded.

Sports and Outdoors – Shaping Our Youths

Ms Valerie Lee (Pasir Ris-Changi): Chairman, sports and outdoor education play a formative role in shaping the resilience, confidence and sense of belonging for our youths.

I have previously declared that I was in the national youth bowling team. But beyond that chapter, my journey in sports began simply playing basketball at the community centre with my father and at school during recess with friends. It progressed to competing in bowling, javelin and shot put in school and having my Alex Honnold moments on the rock climbing walls as a young adult when I started working.

What stayed with me was not achievement or the medals, but the lessons in discipline, teamwork and perseverance.

For many youths, sport provides a constructive third space where they build identity, friendships and resilience. Studies have also found that youths who participate regularly in sports report significantly higher life satisfaction and lower stress levels than their less active peers.

In this House, we often focus on the Olympics, major games and elite performance. These are important and we should continue supporting high-performance athletes. But if our focus is too narrow, we risk overlooking the broader base where many youths are meaningfully engaged.

My sense is that the number of athletes represented by National Sport Associations (NSAs) which do not qualify for the Olympics greatly outnumber those in the few sports we often highlight. Many sports, such as tchoukball, rollersports, dragonboat and others, are sustained by passionate communities, many of whom are youths. These platforms may not carry Olympic status, but they play an important developmental role.

I would like to ask how does the Ministry intend to support such sports that house and nurture large numbers of young people? Could we consider a modest seed fund to help smaller NSAs build capabilities? Could the Government play a bigger role in facilitating greater after-hours access to facilities such as schools as training grounds?

If we truly believe sport is for youth development, then breadth of opportunity must matter as much as podium outcomes.

If sports shape youths in familiar community spaces, outdoor education shapes them in unfamiliar terrain. I am a grateful beneficiary of the Outward Bound School (OBS), having attended the five-day OBS course in Secondary 3 and later returning for longer programmes on the Ubin Campus and the final one in the mountains of Korea. Those experiences challenged me physically and mentally and strengthened my appreciation for teamwork and nature – lessons I carried on into adulthood.

I am heartened that the Government is extending OBS to every Secondary 3 student. But as this expansion progresses, may I ask, what is the next milestone for OBS Singapore? As we strengthen local access, could we also consider extending more overseas OBS experiences in a calibrated way? Exposure to different terrains and cultures stretches youths in ways sometimes our domestic environments cannot.

While OBS remains a national cornerstone, continued support for other outdoor education providers, working with parties like the Outdoor Adventure Education Council, would strengthen the broader ecosystem and widen access for youths with different interests and needs.

[Deputy Speaker (Mr Christopher de Souza) in the Chair]

Chairman, sports shape resilience in our young people. Outdoor education builds rugged confidence and character. By broadening support for participation in diverse sports and deepening the next phase of outdoor education, we invest not just in programmes or facilities, but in Singapore's future.

Managing Shared Spaces and Sports Demand

Ms Gho Sze Kee (Mountbatten): Mr Chairman, I am sure every Member of this House is aware of the issues arising from the increasing popularity of pickleball in our neighbourhoods. This growth comes with much friction.

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I received some very angry complaints from both players and residents right after I became a Member of Parliament. It is, let us face it, a noisy game.

Different wards dealt with it differently. Some restricted playing hours. Others banned it entirely. But the tensions are not limited to our Housing and Development Board (HDB) neighbourhoods too. I have had complaints about pickleball noise from the grounds of a private club.

For my ward, I have been pushing for what I call an 80% solution. I met a Mountbatten resident, Ms Pauline Tan, at a house visit and she happens to be a competitive pickleball player. She showed me a set of pickleballs made of foam. She is a very considerate neighbour and had started using them because they reduce noise levels considerably.

The difference at our neighbourhood courts were dramatic. We organised a pilot community event to roll these out more widely. We gave out free foam balls to many players and we organised a stealth mode silent pickle ball using these foam balls.

But it is only an 80% solution because it is, of course, impossible to please everyone. Some players resisted the foam balls because they felt different and were not competition ready. They were happy to take the free foam balls, they just will not use them. Which is ironic, because our neighbourhood courts are not competition-compliant either. Some residents, on the other hand, feel that this does not go far enough and would prefer pickleball to be banned entirely.

In political science, there is the concept of positive and negative rights. Our pickle over pickleball can be a classic case study of the tensions between both. The right to play clashing with the right to peace and quiet. Political scientists will tell you that this is a zero-sum game.

In a dense city like ours, neither right can be absolute. We must approach it from a framework of compromise and give-and-take. That is the only way to preserve harmony in our society. Participation in community sports is growing and demand for neighbourhood and precinct level facilities is rising. We should welcome this, but yet, as we have seen, it can also easily become a source of discord, instead of bonding in our communities.

So, this cannot be just about trying to meet the demand. It would be very easy to turn many under-utilised spaces in our neighbourhoods into more pickleball courts, or other sports courts for that matter. But the most convenient place may not be the best place, or even the right place. Would noise and human traffic be an issue? Would it disturb the residents in the neighbourhood? Can the noise be contained at the location chosen? We should learn the lessons and we can preamp much of these tensions.

The last thing that we want to do is to create more tensions and unhappiness in our communities. In this context, I would appreciate it if MCCY could provide an update on the roll-out of new sports facilities in our neighbourhoods and how are we planning ahead to meet this increasing demand at community level? Is MCCY addressing facilities demand in a way that anticipates and addresses such friction?

New Locations for Pickleball Courts

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Pickleball has taken Singapore by storm. The sport now boasts at least 5,000 serious players and many more causal ones. It is likely to become even more popular. While many enjoy the physical and social benefits of play, complaints abound. Some grouse about limited availability of shared courts, while others object to the noise.

In response to the hundreds of noise complaints received, some Town Councils have chosen to restrict playing time or to ban play altogether. Yet as many have faced intense lobbying efforts for expanded hours. Competing interests make this MP feel knocked around much like a pickleball.

I propose that we allow the conversion of underutilised second-to-top floors of multi-storey car park into pickleball courts. There is generally sufficient space for the game and the ceiling will limit upward noise transmission. To further contain noise, retractable sound curtains can be easily installed along the parameter.

There is some precedence for conversion of existing infrastructure into pickleball courts. Indoor badminton courts at Community Clubs have pickleball lines drawn to permit dual use. And sections of the Little India bus terminal are to be retrofitted to accommodate eight pickleball courts.

One objection is that there is an opportunity cost to forgone income, since such lots may generate potential revenue. This has sometimes been the Ministry of National Development's (MND's) response to requests for converting carpark spaces to other uses, such as community gardens. But in many newer estates, including Sengkang, these lots are already underutilised, and almost always empty. The opportunity cost of forgone income is entirely imaginary. Moreover, even if guest parking needs are elevated in certain periods – such as during holidays, where visitations are more common – swing barricades can easily be installed and opened to allow access on such occasions.

Another objection to safety, is that safety might be compromised when carparks are used beyond their designated purpose. Indeed, when Sengkang Town Council proposed this idea to MND, the response begged the question: "The playing of pickleball and any other recreational activities are not an approved use of the HDB carpark currently as HDB multi-storey car parks were designed and built primarily for parking only."

But multi-storey car parks are already used for other functions. Temporary office space, such as HDB site offices, is sometimes located at the upper floors. There is also the Courier Hub Scheme that is applicable in select multi-storey car parks. In response to a Parliamentary Question I asked in 2021, then-MND Minister Desmond Lee stated that HDB is, in principle, open to alternative uses of multi-storey car parks for social communal facilities.

A third objection is that regulation pickleball courts often call for a five-metre height minimum. But there are multi-storey car parks, including those in Sengkang, that fulfill this requirement. And while the five-metre clearance is preferable for professional courts, causal players may well be content with less.

Hence, while not currently approved, there are good reasons why we can have pickleball courts in multi-storey car parks. Let us get this done, for the sake of players and non-players – and perhaps, long-suffering MPs.

Free Access to Strength Training for All

Mr Low Wu Yang Andre (Non-Constituency Member): Chairman, to go for a run, all you need is a pair of shoes. You step outside and go. There is no membership, no queue, no need to travel to a gym. Strength training has no equivalent and I want to make the case today that it should. The science is clear. Strength training is not just for the muscle bound body builder, it is for everyone. Bone density peaks around age 30 and decline steadily thereafter.

Aerobic exercise slows the decline, but strength training has the potential to reverse it. Building bone, building muscle and reducing the risk of falls and fractures in ways that cardio alone cannot. The World Health Organization recommends two full body strength sessions per week for all adults. I think most Singaporeans are not meeting that target. I will speak personally. Before my daughter was born six months ago, I went to the gym two or three times a week.

Since she arrived, I have gone fewer than 10 times in total, not because I do not want to go, but because 15 minutes travelling there and then 15 minutes back, is 30 minutes that a young father cannot find. If there were a resistance station at my void deck, I would use it every other day, I am sure of this. I am not alone. The elderly resident maintaining muscle and bone density, the beginner who would not know where to start in a commercial gym, the time press parent. The barrier looks different for each, but it is the same barrier.

Active SG Gyms deserve credit. They are affordable, well distributed, well equipped, but they require a trip. You need to check if the capacity is full and often, at peak hours, you need to queue for equipment. And for many who have never set foot in a gym, the sign-up and the unfamiliar environment are barriers they never overcome.

Our fitness corners could bridge that gap. There are over 3,400 of them – free and accessible across our estates and parks. Many already include strength oriented equipment, but effective strength training requires progressive overload, the ability to increase resistance as you get stronger. The beginner starts at five kilogrammes and then moves up to 20, 30, 40 over time. Variable resistance machines make that possible, but our fitness corners today largely do not possess them.

Instead, they largely feature equipment that focuses on encouraging mobility and fixed resistance machines. In their current guide, they serve a limited demographic. We should increase their utility and therefore, I have three suggestions for the Ministry.

Firstly, lead by example, Sports SG already directly manages 10 sport in precinct facilities with more to come. You can upgrade these first, and for upcoming plan builds, incorporate variable resistance equipment from day one.

Two, we should work with NParks to incorporate variable resistance equipment into park fitness corners as they come up for renewal or upgrading. And lastly, for HDB fitness corners under town council management, we should develop a national framework with pre-qualified standards, recommended suppliers and co-funding pathways through Sports SG, so Town Councils can upgrade without running full procurement exercises.

Chairman, aerobic fitness is inherently accessible. Let us make strength training so too.

Consolidation of NYSI, SSI and SSP

Mr Alex Yam: Chairman, at last year's Committee of Supply, the Ministry announced an important restructuring of our high-performance sports ecosystem. This included the consolidation of the National Youth Sports Institute and the Singapore Sports Institute and the Singapore Sports School into the High Performance Sports Institute (HPSI).

The Ministry also alluded to the eventual consolidation of the HPSI and the Singapore Sports School. This is a significant structural shift. For many years, Singapore's sports landscape has involved multiple institutions working across different stages of the athlete's journey, from youth identification to elite performance.

The intent behind this consolidation is therefore an important one: to create a more integrated system that supports athletes more effectively throughout their development. Could the Minister provide an update on the progress of this consolidation? In particular, how will the new structure strengthen athlete development pathways, ensure smoother transitions from youth potential to elite performance? How will the system better coordinate coaching, sports science and athlete management so that promising young athletes receive consistent support as they progress?

At the same time, I seek to ask how the Ministry will ensure that sporting excellence is balanced with education and well-being, because many of our young athletes must juggle training commitments with academic responsibilities?

Finally, from the perspective of athletes, coaches and parents, what improvements have been observed so far? How will MCCY and SportSG ensure that this integration reduces fragmentation across agencies and ultimately leads to stronger long-term outcomes for Team Singapore? I would therefore appreciate the Minister's update on how this new structure is taking shape.

Strengthening Support for National Sports Associations

Mr Jackson Lam (Nee Soon): Mr Chairman, I declare my interest as a Vice-President of a National Sports Association. Sports play an important role in national identity, community health and youth development. Singapore has enjoyed notable successes on the international stage and grassroots sport participation has grown.

But if we look more closely at the institutional backbone of our sporting ecosystem, the National Sports Associations (NSAs), there are structural pressures that deserve attention.

Recent public reporting has shown that private sponsorship for sports remain limited. In 2023, sports donations amounted to about S$13 million, representing less than 1% of the total charitable donations in Singapore. Many NSAs and athletes have acknowledged the difficulty of securing sustained corporate backing. This means that associations remain heavily reliant on Government subventions and short-term grants.

Whilst NSAs are mainly run by volunteers, MCCY shared in Parliament that Sport Singapore and the Singapore National Olympic Council are working to strengthen their governance and operational capabilities. This is an important recognition. But it also underscores the reality that many associations operate with lean secretariats and limited professional depth.

Furthermore, SportSG funding is tied to governance and strategic planning requirements. Currently, funding is provided to 45 out of 63 eligible NSAs, subject to meeting capability criteria. While this promotes accountability, it also means that associations with weaker institution capacity may struggle to secure stable, multi-year support, reinforcing a cycle of fragility.

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Against this backdrop, feedback from athletes and NSA leaders continues to highlight structural constraints: difficulty retaining coaching talent due to funding uncertainty; challenges in building robust athlete development pathways beyond the elite tier; limited resources for sports science; injury prevention and sustained grassroots outreach.

If we expect NSAs to widen participation, strengthen safeguarding standards, develop youth pipelines and support high-performance ambitions, episodic programme-based grants may not be sufficient.

I therefore ask the Minister, has MCCY conducted a recent capacity assessment of NSAs to understand where structural gaps, not just financial shortfalls, are impeding long-term development? Beyond periodic funding grants, will MCCY explore multi-year core funding frameworks or partnership models that build organisational stability for NSAs?

As Singapore faces an ageing population and persistent physical inactivity challenges, what additional structural support will be provided to NSAs to expand community engagement and broaden participation safely and sustainably?

If sport is to remain a pillar of national well-being and identity, then our NSAs must be equipped not only with passion, but with stability, professionalism and long-term resilience.

Sustaining Arts and Sport Ecosystems

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh (Nominated Member): Thank you, Chair. In this changed, turbulent world, we must invest just as deliberately in the arts, sport and the cultural ecosystems because these are the human and societal foundations that shape who we are as Singaporeans.

In an AI-led world, creative work, sport and cultures will not disappear. They will become even more valuable as distinctly human pursuits.

Allow me to make four points in my cut.

First, on the sustainability of our arts and sports practitioners. In both sectors, talent alone is not enough for excellence. Practitioners must be financially secure. Many artists and athletes face income uncertainty. Career spans can be short, income streams uneven, with the burden of support often falling on their families.

In the arts, many operate as freelancers or pursue portfolio careers. But to sustain their work at a high level, practitioners must be equipped as professionals able to protect and sustain their work.

For self-employed artists, could MCCY consider strengthening advisory and support platforms to better equip them in navigating contract negotiations and protecting their intellectual property (IP) and rights, areas where freelancers can otherwise be vulnerable?

For our athletes, given the finite duration of sporting careers, MCCY has already put in place important schemes such as Sports Excellence Business (spexBusiness) and spexEducation to support dual-career pathways. But could the Ministry consider further strengthening these efforts with more structured support for career transitions? This could include providing modules in areas such as sponsorship management, personal brand development and entrepreneurship so that our national athletes are better equipped to support themselves beyond their competitive years.

Financial viability also matters in heritage cultural enterprises. As long-standing businesses close, could MCCY consider establishing a targeted succession support initiative, providing advisory support, mentorship and transition planning to help heritage cultural enterprises pass sustainably to the next generation?

Sir, we have spoken a lot of cost of living in this Chamber during this debate. Let us ensure that rising cost of living does not hinder Singaporeans from pursuing their talents in these domains.

Second, on the participation in the arts and sports. A vibrant arts and sporting culture also depends on broad participation. A broad base helps to strengthen the talent pipeline. I am encouraged by arts programmes in community spaces and the showcasing of our national athletes in our neighbourhoods. These initiatives embed culture and sport in everyday life.

The SG Culture Pass was introduced in Budget 2025 to encourage greater participation in the arts. I would welcome updates by the Ministry on utilisation – whether it is reaching new audiences and increasing regular engagement.

Similarly, could the Ministry consider piloting a participation-based mechanism such as an SG Sport Pass, where funding is directed specifically towards programmes delivered by accredited coaches? Not only will this broaden access to structured sports participation, it will also incentivise coach certification and upscaling and strengthen the likelihood of our coaches, many of whom operate as small businesses and enterprises.

My third point is on enhancing ecosystem financing. In 2024, sports and the arts received just 3.9% of total charitable giving, suggesting that there is considerable room to crowd in sustained private support, a point that Member Jackson Lam also highlighted.

I welcome the extension of the 250% tax deduction for qualifying donations to Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) until December 2029, announced in the Prime Minister's Budget. But we can do more to crowd in and catalyse sustained giving in the arts and sports by corporations and private donors.

To do so, can the Government consider extending enhanced tax deductions of up to 400% tied to long-term support for these sectors, given their importance to national resilience and unity? A structure that supports multi-year giving pledges with higher deductions will provide planning certainty for arts groups and our sporting organisations.

If we are prepared to incentivise investments in technological capability because it strengthens economic competitiveness, we should also be deliberate in incentivising cultural investments that strengthen cohesion.

My fourth point is on projecting our national identity. The arts and sport do more than bring us together at home. They also project who we are in the world.

Just as our athletes proudly fly the Singapore flat at major international games, could MCCY consider developing a strategy for high-potential arts and cultural groups to perform on the world's most prominent stages and international festivals?

When our artists and creators showcase their work on these international platforms, it helps to project confidence in who we are as a nation. If we are proud and confident of our identity, we should also present that identity to the world with equal confidence.

Chairman, as we build a future-ready economy, we must also build a future-ready society, one that can help us thrive in these uncertain times. A resilient society invests in its cohesion. The returns may not always appear in economic numbers, but they will be reflected in our pride that we share as a nation.

Oxley – National Monument

Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar): Last December, the former home of our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at 38 Oxley Road was gazetted as a National Monument. This January, the Government commenced the process to acquire the site.

As the Government now moves forward to develop the site into a public space, it is important that the process takes into account national heritage needs, exercises sensitivity and respect for the dignity of the site, and also to take into account the concerns and needs of neighbouring residents at every stage of the planning process. After all, for neighbours, they will be the most greatly impacted by this development.

The historic significance of 38 Oxley Road is beyond dispute. The Preservation of Sites and Monuments Advisory Board assessed the site to be of strong national significance, having borne witness to pivotal events in the 1950s that marked our country's transition from colonial rule to independence. It was here that our founding leaders held the consequential discussions that led to our governance.

On the other hand, let us be mindful that 38 Oxley Road does not exist in isolation. It sits within a quiet, established residential enclave. The daily lives of residents in the vicinity will be directly affected by the transformation of 38 Oxley Road from a private residence into a public heritage space.

Since the Government announced its intention to gazette the site, residents have come forward to share their concerns with me.

First, traffic congestion. Oxley Road is a narrow two-lane road that already carries heavy vehicular traffic as a thoroughfare between Orchard Road and River Valley Road. Multiple residents have expressed worry that the conversion of the site into a public space could bring significantly more vehicles, tour buses and pedestrians into an area that, as one resident put it, "isn't built for that purpose".

Second, illegal parking. Residents have highlighted the longstanding problem of non-residents using their private car parks, given the absence of gantries or security at their entrances. If the site attracts large numbers of visitors, where will they park?

Third, the impact of human traffic – noise, crowds and the disruption to the tranquil character of the estate. Residents recalled the surge of visitors in 2017 during the public dispute over the site's future and fear a repeat on a far larger and more permanent scale. They understand and can agree that it is important for visitors, including our future generations, to visit and understand the significance of this site, but they also worry that the place will lose its sense of dignity.

These are not abstract concerns. They are practical everyday realities and they deserve to be treated with the seriousness they merit.

Addressing these concerns requires a whole-of-Government approach. MCCY, as the lead Ministry responsible for the preservation and development of the site, will need to plan and coordinate with the relevant Ministries and agencies very carefully.

The Ministry of Transport must be engaged on traffic management, parking solutions and public transport access. Proposals such as designating alternative access points, creating drop-off zones for tour coaches and improving pedestrian infrastructure along Oxley Road should be seriously studied.

The Ministry of National Development must address building and estate maintenance issues. The surrounding properties are ageing. Residents have expressed hope that the gazetting will bring upgrades to the surrounding estate, including improvements to walkways and infrastructure. There is also the question of whether planning controls and height restrictions in the area may be adjusted, which will affect residents' property rights and interests.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry must work to minimise disamenities caused by tourism. If the site were to be developed into a heritage park, there must be careful management of visitor flows, operating hours and commercial activity to ensure that the residential character of the neighbourhood is preserved. Property consultants have noted that planners will need to facilitate adequate car and coach parking and drop-off zones.

The most important point I wish to make is this – residents must not be informed of decisions only after they are made. They must be involved in shaping those decisions from the very beginning. The Government should establish structured, regular consultation channels with the residents of the immediate vicinity. These should not be just one-off feedback sessions, but an ongoing dialogue throughout the planning, design, construction and operational phases of the development.

The preservation of 38 Oxley Road as a national monument is a significant step in safeguarding Singapore's founding history for future generations. But a monument that is developed in a neighbourhood, without mitigation measures, risks becoming a source of division rather than unity.

Let us build this heritage space the Singapore way – through careful planning, inter-agency coordination and, most importantly, through genuine partnership with the residents whose lives will be most directly affected.

Revitalisation of Our Heritage

Mr Foo Cexiang (Tanjong Pagar): Chairman, Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru is a place where many of Singapore's stories began. Our very first Community Centre in Tiong Bahru, one of our first Residents' Committees in Tanjong Pagar Plaza, our beloved Tiong Bahru Market set amidst a beautiful pre-war public housing estate and, over at Tanjong Pagar, shophouses filled with clan associations juxtaposed against one of our very first mixed-use public housing developments, Tanjong Pagar Plaza, juxtaposed against the towering 55-floor The Pinnacle ＠ Duxton – until it is overtaken by the 60-floor Pearl's Hill Build-To-Order (BTO) coming up soon.

Chairman, these are not just built infrastructure. They contain stories of our residents who have stayed here for many decades, and they are living repositories of memory, culture and identity. However, heritage by itself does not sustain itself. If it is to be meaningful, it needs to be refreshed and shared with each new generation.

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Today, our neighbourhood is home to many new families, young residents and international communities who may not know the stories of the earlier generation staying here. And it has been my mission to refresh our legacies and connect our generations in Tanjong Pagar–Tiong Bahru.

I would like to seek the Government's support to support more community-led initiatives that bring seniors, youths and new residents together to rediscover these stories through heritage trails, inter-generational storytelling programmes, as well as collaborations with schools and civic institutions. Where heritage is lived and shared, it will become a bridge between the past and the present and the future generations – and together, we will achieve my vision for Tanjong Pagar, Tiong Bahru, to be a living community where every generation finds its place in the Singapore story.

The Chairman: Ms Elysa Chen. Kindly deliver your two cuts together.

Supporting Ground-up Initiatives Together

Ms Elysa Chen (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Sir, in today's volatile world, Singapore cannot afford a generation retreating from mutual help. At home, our super-ageing population, complex social needs and weakening social ties strain both the social and health sectors.

In my Budget speech, I spoke about community networks protecting against isolation. In Bishan, mothers gather at playgrounds, taking turns to host playdates and support one another. At Bishan Community Club, a group of young widows called HopeHerd ensures no widow journeys alone. Like elephants, they form a herd so mothers and children can grieve and heal together.

Young people are stepping up too. The Rotaract Club of Raffles City runs community projects and has launched cross-border collaborations with their twin club in Kuala Lumpur, including the inaugural Rotaract ASEAN Young Leaders' Exchange.

These ground-up efforts show that our communities already possess deep social capital. When trusted and supported, residents take ownership, supporting families, combating isolation, strengthening mental well-being. What would supercharge them is sustained, low-barrier funding.

Will the Government, through the $50-million SG Partnerships Fund, ringfence support and simplify access for youth and parent-led ground-up initiatives? Will the Government consider expanding the fund to $100 million, given the demand in rental and vulnerable communities?

Time Banking for Thriving Communities

Sir, in my Budget speech, I spoke about combating social isolation. One way to build lasting mutual aid is time-banking – volunteers can earn credits for helping others, redeemable when they need help themselves.

This idea is proven elsewhere. Japan's Fureai Kippu lets volunteers earn credits caring for the elderly. Switzerland's St Gallen Zeitvorsorge, backed by their Federal Social Insurance Office, records volunteer hours in social security accounts for future use. Both have sustained community caregiving for decades.

Singapore's rapidly ageing society needs similar infrastructure. We can co-design this with the community. The Government Partnerships Office under MCCY can pilot small-scale time-bank or community currency experiments for different purposes before deciding how to scale nation-wide.

Time-banking gives dignity because no one is a passive beneficiary; everyone contributes. Skills like listening, visiting, and mentoring, often unpaid and performed by women, are valued. It also reinforces interdependence: helping a neighbour today means someone will help you tomorrow.

Time-banking is also democratising. As I shared in my Budget speech, Ain, a mother, volunteers in our community. One hour of her time visiting a hospitalised neighbour is as valuable as one hour of a lawyer volunteering at a legal clinic.

Will the Ministry pilot time-banking, allowing Singaporeans to exchange skills and support through time credits? Could this be hosted on existing digital infrastructure like Giving.sg? If not, is the Government exploring alternative ways to strengthen neighbourliness and mutual aid?

The Chairman: Assoc Prof Terence Ho. Kindly deliver your two cuts together.

Culture Pass

Assoc Prof Terence Ho (Nominated Member): Mr Chairman, in the age of AI, the arts and culture will be more important than ever. I am very glad that the SG Culture Pass, an idea raised by former Nominated Member of Parliament Terence Ho, has been launched. I hope that the arts will be seen as a staple of life in Singapore, alongside sports. In this regard, I would like to ask the Ministry if it plans to make periodic top-ups to both ActiveSG credits as well as the Culture Pass so Singaporeans can stay fit and healthy in body and spirit.

The Culture Pass covers a range of activities spanning heritage, visual arts, theatre, music, dance, film and now, Singapore literature. It would be wonderful if the Culture Pass could encourage Singaporeans to try something different from what they are accustomed to. For example, could it persuade a heritage buff to step into the theatre for the first time?

Assuming there will be regular top-ups of the Culture Pass, I would like to suggest offering first-timer discounts or bonus credits when a person spends Culture Pass credits in a new category that he or she has not previously used the credits for. A discount arrangement could be worked out with participating arts and heritage organisations.

Supporting Local Bookstores

Sir, I would like to declare my interest as a published book author. In the second cycle of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) conducted in 2022-2023, Singapore climbed to 18th out of 31 countries in literacy proficiency. However, the study also found a significant decline in literacy after the age of 35. Age-related proficiency loss also occurred in other countries but was particularly pronounced in Singapore.

This is a concern as literacy reflects the ability to handle and process new information. In the interest of promoting literacy, among other things, I would like to suggest that more be done to strengthen the literary infrastructure and ecosystem in Singapore by providing greater support to local publishers and bookstores.

I remember the days when bookstores could be found all across Singapore – from second-hand bookstores in Far East Plaza to the MPH flagship store along Stamford Road.

While the book publishing and distribution business model has changed with the times, and we cannot expect a similar density of bookstores as in the past, there is still something special about bookstores that is worth preserving. They are places to discover new authors, often serendipitously, browse the latest titles, and access the ideas that are trending across the world. In this sense, bookstores could be considered a public good that encourages reading and contributes to the publishing ecosystem, complementing our public libraries.

Independent bookstores are particularly important in giving visibility to local writers and serving as natural gatherings places for fans of local literature. They could be supported with grants to host book clubs and talks or to support the design and development of conducive spaces to host such events. Perhaps commercial developers could even be granted additional gross floor area if they lease premises to bookstores that fulfil certain community objectives.

Sustainability of the Arts

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, I speak today as a Singaporean who is an avid theatre goer. By the numbers, our arts ecosystem appears supported and healthy. The public sector outcomes review reports rising heritage awareness, stable graduate employment in the arts, and growing attendance at festivals and community programmes. The cultural matching fund has dispersed over $400 million since 2014. Last year, every Singaporean over 18 received $100 in SG Culture Pass credits.

And if, our arts ecosystem is so well supported, why does it remain so fragile? The Substation had already closed its doors back in 2021. Last year the Projector closed. Last month, Pangdemonium announced its final season after 16 years. Now each closure had its own reasons, but when established companies with a track record and loyal audiences cannot sustain themselves or choose to stop as the conditions have become too demanding, then it is not just a series of individual decisions.

Perhaps it is a reflection of an ecosystem that remains stretched, and the numbers bear this out: 90% of our arts ecosystem comprises small organisations; one in two arts and culture practitioners is self-employed and any work project to project. While the more accessible grants administered by the National Arts Council (NAC) cover between 50% and 70% of project costs, this also means that every production begins in deficit and need to fundraise the remainder cost. Yet, donation to the arts make up less than 2% of total charitable giving in Singapore.

On the demand side, there is a paradox. The 2023 population survey on the arts showed that while three quarters of Singaporeans agree that the arts benefit our community, only three in 10 consume local arts content. This same survey also points us towards answers. It found that Singaporeans with childhood exposure to the arts were significantly more likely to value, attend and advocate for the arts as adults. Students and youths already have among the highest physical attendance rates for performances. The data tell us both where the gap is and where the opportunity lies.

Sir, I have two suggestions. First, introduce micro grants for small scale community-facing arts projects. They should come with simplified administration criteria and should not be packed to a percentage of an overall budget. For small projects, such micro grants could be the difference between a project happening or it not happening at all. Second, make the arts more affordable and accessible for our youths. They are already the most willing attendees. Let us meet their enthusiasm with sustained, expand, expanded and subsidised access. This could mean expanded subsidised student pricing, extending the SG Culture pass to students aged 13 to 18, or even exploring co-payments for tickets using funds from their Edusave account.

If we believe that the arts build character, empathy and understanding, then we should treat access to them with the same seriousness we treat access to education and enrichment.

Empowering Self-employed Artists

Ms Gho Sze Kee: Sir, first, I declare my interests as a practising lawyer. Many of our arts practitioners are self-employed. They work project to project, commission to commission. While that gives them independence, it also means they are often disadvantaged when it comes to negotiating fees, contracts, or usage rights. Too often, they end up being price takers rather than price makers and take the short stick.

MCCY has done a lot over the years to support our arts practitioners in funding, talent development, outreach and capability building. That has helped grow the sector and strengthen our arts ecosystem. But there is one area that seems to have been left a little behind: legal support.

When you are self-employed, understanding contracts, intellectual property rights, and negotiating commercial terms is not just useful, but essential. However, without guidance and support, talented artists can find themselves underselling their work or signing away rights they should not. Many are particularly disadvantaged when dealing with large commercial organisations.

Professional help exists but, as I have noted in this House before, lawyers can be expensive. This affects not just their earnings, but also the sustainability of their careers in the arts.

So, I want to ask, would MCCY consider looking at ways to help self-employed arts practitioners navigate the legal aspects of commercialising their art? This could be through legal literacy programmes, templates for contracts, or access to affordable legal advisory services. Assisting them with commercial or legal negotiations would also be of great help for our arts practitioners.

Supporting them in this way frees them up to concentrate on their art and strengthen their careers. At the end of the day, talent alone is not enough. Artists need to be empowered to protect their work and negotiate on their own terms so that our arts ecosystem can continue to thrive.

The Future is Big-hearted and Young

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim: Chairman, I declare interest as the chief executive officer of EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF), an IPC charity focused on nurturing the potential of children and youths, as well as Director on the Board of Singapore Business Federation Foundation.

I will touch on: nurturing confident youths, active citizenry and ground-up initiatives, as well as making businesses do better.

It is unenviable how young Singaporeans today live lives. There is more of everything and yet many feel and wonder if there are ever enough.

Singapore's young must believe they have a place and a future here in Singapore. Last year, MCCY engaged youths all across Singapore to develop an SG Youth Action Plan. I am hopeful for this plan to level the playing field so that opportunities are open to every young person, not just a few.

We should also ensure that the SG Youth Action Plan is accessible by design so that youths with special needs or from minority communities are not excluded from leadership development, community engagement, and civic participation. I look forward to an update on the SG Youth Action Plan, especially intentional efforts to nurture confidence.

I hope MCCY expands partnerships on these efforts and collaborate with partners, particularly for mentoring and work-experience efforts, so that youths get access to mentors, internships and real-world opportunities. In East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC), we have the youth internship programme; and I think some of the students are joining us here in the House today.

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When young people can see the path towards meaningful roles and future opportunities, it builds confidence and hope. Our young have some of the biggest hearts. When I was lecturing at Temasek Polytechnic over a decade ago, I led several local and international service trips. My students were more than arms and legs. They were the heart and soul of those missions. Some volunteer with me till today.

I welcome the new $50 million SG Partnerships fund, which I hope encourages more Singaporeans to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. I look forward to more details, including priority areas and support offered for Singaporeans who are keen to apply.

Being in the impact space for close to 15 years, Chairman, I see first-hand how many charities and community organisations are doing important work and how more help is often needed. Time, talent, treasure is the currency of the sector. I welcome the move to extend 250% tax deductions for qualifying donations as well as the Corporate Volunteer Scheme, when employees volunteer or are seconded to IPCs until 2029.

This is helpful as the enhanced fundraising programme is tapering to pre-pandemic levels and several charity friends have shared their concerns with me.

Acting Minister, what is MCCY's plans in working with other agencies or Ministries to engage and galvanise corporate involvement and enhance support for corporate giving as well as volunteerism to encourage businesses to care beyond their bottom lines?

Chairman, in conclusion, let us draw inspiration from our young, their big hearts and strong sense of social justice. There is one Malay saying that goes, "Pemuda harapan bangsa, pemudi tiang negara", which means the youths are the hope of the nation and pillars of society. And that belief, Chairman, is what will carry us to the future.

Strengthening Singapore Co-operatives

Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari (Nominated Member): Mr Chairman, I would like to declare my interest as my union operates a credit co-operative, and I am a member of the Singapore National Co-operative Executive Council.

Co-operatives are formed because Singaporeans believe strongly in the principles of self-help and mutual assistance. This spirit of fellowship brings them together to provide services that uplift their members and support communities at large.

During Singapore's formative years, the co-operative movement attracted individuals who drove initiatives that include consumer co-operatives which provide affordable essentials, and thrift and loan co-operatives that offer accessible financial services. Consequently, they became key pillars in providing affordable, quality and accessible goods and services to workers and vulnerable communities.

This intent remains the same today. A case in point was the 22 new projects initiated by co-operatives in 2025. Together with the Empowering Communities Fund, the co-operatives rallied over $1.2 million dollars and volunteers to support projects that address needs ranging from seniors, active ageing, caregivers and families to individuals facing social, emotional and financial challenges. These demonstrated their continued commitment to invest alongside public support in serving communities.

With rising competition from more private entities, including global brand names, co-operatives in Singapore are experiencing challenges in attracting youth involvement, talent attraction and retention to continue their mission.

Separately, there is also the broader question of how to encourage the formation of new co-operatives to meet emerging community needs. The recently developed Singapore Cooperative Movement 10-Year Transformation Roadmap is a good start in setting the direction.

As we look ahead, can the Ministry share, how will it support co-operatives in community engagement, youth involvement and ease of formation of new co-operatives so that more Singaporeans can adopt the co-operative model to address community needs? What will be done to encourage co-operatives to scale up and remain sustainable?

Can the Ministry consider reviewing aspects of the Co-operative Societies Act to allow for greater flexibility in their operations, including allowing enterprises to form co-operatives, different from the current rule whereby only individuals and unions can form co-operatives?

Further, can the Ministry support co-operatives by reviewing the current Central Co-operative Fund contribution rate to ensure it is comparable with the current corporate tax rate? That way, co-operatives can channel the savings to support more members and the community.

Mr Chairman, in a world of rapid change, cooperatives are built on trust, powered by likeminded people, reminding us that success is not measured by profits alone but by how many lives are uplifted and how many futures secured and progress shared.

Outward Bound School for All

Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio): Chairman, Outward Bound Singapore (OBS) was established in 1967 by Dr Goh Keng Swee to cultivate ruggedness, resilience, leadership and character through outdoor experiential learning. It formed part of early nation-building efforts to prepare young Singaporeans for life's uncertainties. From its beginnings on Pulau Ubin, OBS has grown into a key national institution delivering character and leadership programmes for youths.

In recent years, OBS has expanded its reach and upgraded its facilities. Under the National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan, a new OBS@Coney campus was developed and when fully operational, it is expected to significantly increase OBS' annual capacity, reinforcing the Government's commitment to outdoor education as part of holistic development.

Today, the OBS experience is most closely associated with youths for many young people. It is a formative rite of passage that fosters resilience and social cohesion.

Sir, given OBS' transformative impact, can we not extend its experiential learning model to Singaporeans who did not have the opportunity in their youth? By building on existing partnerships, could OBS collaborate with grassroots networks, for example, to design adapted programmes for even older adults and community groups?

With appropriate adjustments, I believe that OBS' ethos of resilience and teamwork can be translated into accessible inter-generational experiences that foster connections across age, ethnic and social groups.

Such partnerships could help bridge generational divides, encouraging lifelong learning and creating shared experiences that deepen community bonds. Exploring these possibilities would broaden OBS' role beyond youth development, strengthening our social fabric and reinforcing a shared Singaporean identity.

Placemaking for Thriving Third Spaces

Ms Elysa Chen: Sir, in my Budget speech, I proposed third spaces in our heartlands where young people can socialise and access mental health support. Let me share why this matters.

In Ireland, Jigsaw operates youth mental health cafes – low-stigma drop-in spaces that have significantly reduced barriers to help-seeking. In Australia, Headspace combines informal hangout areas with on-site mental health, work and study support. These models work because they meet young people where they are, without requiring them to formally seek help.

In Singapore, traditional spaces like void decks have "No Football" signs put up and malls require spending, which may discourage youths from utilising them as third spaces. About one in three youths report severe mental health symptoms. Yet 84% of mental health illnesses go undiagnosed. We need intermediate spaces in our heartlands, not clinical settings, but places where young people can play, socialise and access support early before conditions escalate.

Will the Government pilot third space hubs in our heartlands, co-locating informal hangout areas with access to mental health, mentoring and work-study support? Will MCCY develop a national plan to repurpose void decks and community spaces into free, youth-friendly spaces that facilitate social connection?

Space to be Young in Singapore

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan: Sir, I would like to talk about physical space and a challenge which many young Singaporeans live with – loneliness.

A 2024 IPS poll found that Singaporeans aged 21 to 34 face the highest levels of loneliness and social isolation of any age group. This is not a uniquely Singaporean challenge. Last year, the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection described loneliness as a pressing global health threat. But in Singapore, this is a serious and growing challenge that interacts with something very specific to us – our relationship with space.

Singapore is a land-scare country where every square metre must justify its economic value. We are not short of communal spaces. We have parks, community centres and integrated hubs, like One Tampines Hub. But space alone does not guarantee connection. There is a difference between programmed spaces and unstructured open spaces. Many of our communal facilities are curated with specific demographics and aims in mind. They function well as spaces of organised activity but less well as spaces of spontaneous encounter.

The void deck understood this intuitively. It was the default third space for an entire generation of Singaporeans, including mine. There, community happened without anyone having to organise or pay for it. But the ground-level openness that made the void deck a place you passed through and stayed in has given way to something more structured, purposeful and less porous. Newer HDB estates have moved towards designs where communal spaces sit between floors or on top of buildings, spaces that require intentional visits rather than chance encounters.

I invite the House to consider what is the default third space for young Singaporeans today. Where can they show up without a booking, a programme or a minimum spend? And have the kind of organic encounters that build friendships, spark passion projects and forge civic bonds? Young Singaporeans are already trying to answer this themselves. We see it in ground-up initiatives, like FriendZone and the Casual Poet Library. These are signs of unmet need for spaces that are free and open to all, where people can just be.

Mr Chairman, we cannot build a "we first" society through youth panels and volunteerism drives alone. We need physical space for togetherness – spaces where "we" can actually form. So, I hope MCCY can work together with MND and young Singaporeans to co-design a new generation of open, accessible, unstructured community spaces in our heartlands. Spaces that treat the need to gather and belong, not as a luxury, but as essential social infrastructure.

National Identity and Youth Participation

Prof Kenneth Poon (Nominated Member): Mr Chairman, I welcome the Ministry's continued investments in youth engagement platforms, traineeships and pathways into employment. Coupled with the strong academic attainment of our youths as evidenced in our performance on international benchmarks, these initiatives will undoubtedly help prepare our young people for economic participation amid the demands of an increasingly competitive global environment.

I would like to propose today that preparing our youths for the future must also include preparing them to develop a shared sense of national identity. This is particularly important in a digital age where their values, aspirations and sense of belonging are shaped by global influences.

National surveys, such as the Health Promotion Board's Students' Health Survey and the National Youth Council's National Youth Survey, have highlighted concerns related to stress, mental well-being and life pressures among young people. Complementing these findings, national mental health studies indicate that a significant proportion of youth report symptoms of anxiety, depression or psychological distress.

Studies, such as the 2020 UNICEF Digital Lives of Children in ASEAN and the Infocomm Media Development Authority's Digital Society Survey, highlight that young people today are highly connected digitally and increasingly exposed to a wide range of information, perspectives and social influences through online environments.

More than a century ago, sociologist Émile Durkheim observed that when the social groups individuals belong to weaken, people become increasingly reliant on themselves alone. His insight remains relevant today, as young people navigate identity formation in a rapidly changing social and digital environment. We understand from research that adolescents who report a stronger sense of belonging to their national or community context may demonstrate higher levels of well-being, social trust and resilience during key life transitions.

Conversely, where opportunities for participation in shared institutions or community life are limited, young people may report greater uncertainty in identity formation, which may, in turn, be associated with lower perceived well-being. Opportunities to participate in civic or community settings then may serve not only social purposes but also contribute to psychosocial outcomes that support long-term well-being.

Identity formation does not arise solely from instruction or programme participation, but through opportunities for shared responsibility, meaningful participation and voice.

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Sir, during the Budget debate, I introduced four questions as a lens for considering how initiatives can strengthen Singapore's social foundations. One of them pertain to the extent to which our citizens have a meaningful voice in shaping how they are supported. In relating them to our youths, I would like to ask the Minister if the Government can share how opportunities for youth participation in community or civic initiatives are being structured to support the development of belonging and shared responsibility and how such opportunities may contribute to young people's sense of connection, contribution and participation in a shared national community. I look forward to the Minister's response on this matter.

Designing Belonging for Every Youth

Dr Charlene Chen (Tampines): Recent surveys show that young Singaporeans experience more loneliness than older age groups. Many say they feel more anxious speaking face-to-face than online.

Loneliness is not just the mood. It shapes identity. If a young person repeatedly feels unseen or peripheral, that experience becomes part of how they see themselves and their place in society. So, the question before us is not only how to run more programmes. It is this: are we designing everyday Singapore in a way that makes connection easy or effortful?

I suggest we focus on two levers: spaces and programming.

A young man once told me that when he felt overwhelmed, he would go to the skate park in Tampines. He did not go there for a structured activity. He went because it was where he felt understood. That detail matters.

When mirrored panels at Bayfront MRT were frosted, dancers felt displaced. That linkway had quietly become a rehearsal space, a place where they practised, formed friendships and improved together. The provision of mirrored space at Marina South Pier MRT acknowledged that informal spaces matter.

These examples show something important. Young people do not only need facilities. They need places where they feel ownership.

Youths tell me that they compete for library seats or spend money at cafes just to have somewhere to study together. Community Clubs exist, but booking systems can feel formal, adult-controlled or difficult for spontaneous use. If our spaces feel distant or procedural, young people simply retreat to their rooms and to their screens.

So, imagine this instead. A secondary school student finishes classes. She books a small multi-use room in her neighbourhood Community Club with two taps on an app. It is available because certain off-peak hours are designated youth-access blocks. She and her friends rehearse a dance routine. Next door, a group of students are revising together. An uncle from the neighbourhood drops by to conduct a small mentoring session, matched through a community platform.

These are small design changes. But from a youth's perspective, the difference is large. Connection becomes convenient. Participation becomes routine. Belonging becomes local.

So, I ask whether MCCY could review under-utilised rooms for youth-designated time blocks. Pilot simplified, youth-friendly booking systems. Incorporate small acoustically treated multi-use rooms in future precinct upgrades. This is not about building new complexes. It is about existing infrastructure being more youth intentional.

The second is programming. We have grants, youth organisations and platforms. But initiative often remains fragmented.

A secondary school student recently wrote to me, asking if she could put posters to match volunteer music teachers with learners who lacked access. Her instinct was right: connection happens when people teach, learn and serve together. But why should she have to rely on void deck posters?

Imagine instead: a neighbourhood-based matching feature within existing community apps. A polytechnic student who plays the violin indicates she can volunteer for two hours a week. A Primary 5 student who cannot afford lessons signs up. The match is facilitated through the Community Club. Basic safeguards are in place. They meet weekly. They are no longer just volunteer and learner. They become part of the same community. Belonging deepens not through consumption but contribution.

So, I ask whether existing MCCY or People Association's platforms can incorporate hyperlocal volunteer-learner matching for sports, arts and mentoring, grant prioritisation for recurring, sustained youth-led initiatives, not only one-off events.

Chairman, belonging cannot be siloed by age. We need integration. And when generations interact regularly, identity becomes shared, not fragmented. I also hope that MCCY can consider how we can nurture cross-generational mangling as well.

Chairman, if loneliness is rising, the response is not only more services. It is better design, design spaces that are easy to access, design systems that match initiative with opportunity, design programmes that reward continuity.

From a youth's perspective, the difference is simple. Instead of asking, "Where can I go?", the answer becomes obvious: "Right here." That is what it means to design belonging, not as a slogan, but as everyday reality.

Forming a "We First" Generation

Mr Alex Yam: Chairman, in a "we first" society, our youth are not just beneficiaries of Singapore's future. They must also be partners in shaping it.

Over the past year, MCCY has engaged many young Singaporeans. These conversations are valuable ones. But the key question is how these conversations translate into sustained pathways for participation.

Young Singaporeans today grow up in a very different environment. They face economic uncertainties, rapid technological change and the constant pressures of the digital world. Member Dr Charlene just spoke about loneliness in our interconnected world today.

Therefore, how is MCCY equipping our young people with the resilience to navigate these pressures while remaining grounded in a sense of shared responsibility for Singapore? What opportunities are there for young Singaporeans to step forward meaningfully in community building, policymaking and service to society?

For example, how can our youth be more actively involved in shaping local initiatives, volunteering networks or national conversations? For example, in Finland, under the Finland Youth Act, municipalities are required to include youths through the youth councils or nuorisovaltuusto and there are over 300 youth councils to cultivate early civic ownership.

Ultimately, the goal is not simply to encourage participation, but to cultivate partnership but to nurture a generation that sees Singapore not just a place to live but as a community they feel responsible for, because when they feel a genuine stake in Singapore, they and we collectively, can unlock the fecundity of their ideas, the initiative and civic imagination. I would appreciate therefore the Minister's thoughts on how we can continue building such a generation.

The Chairman: Responses. Acting Minister Mr David Neo.

The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr David Neo): Mr Chairman, I thank Members for their speeches and suggestions and their strong support for the work that we do at MCCY.

Sir, this year, 2026, marks the 60th anniversary of the Singapore pledge. For 60 years, we lived out our ideals of becoming "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion."

In writing the Singapore pledge in 1966, our founding father, Mr S Rajaratnam, articulated his vision of building an inclusive "Singaporean" identity anchored in our model of multiculturalism. Fresh off the uncertainty of separation, we chose to build a united, shared and equal existence as a "we first" collective, rather than co-existence as divided, isolated and competing "me first" communities.

It was a bold vision. Over 60 years, we have built a cohesive multicultural community, where we identify with one another as Singaporeans first.

While Singapore is often noted for our exceptional Third World to First World economic story, what is equally, if not more, exceptional, is our success in fostering a cohesive multicultural society amidst great diversity in race, language and religion.

Today, we again face the uncertainty of a changed world. Externally, the world order that brought us peace and prosperity is being challenged, reversed and dismantled. We have heard how international relations have become more "my interest first", rather than "how can we prosper together". Internally, we face a combination of rapid ageing and fast declining fertility. As Deputy Prime Minister said, it is an existential challenge. We will need to stay open with a carefully managed immigration flow to augment our low birth rate.

Immigrants will need time to adapt. Will we choose unity over division, sharing over isolation and equality over discrimination? It is in these uncertain times that the question, "what makes me a Singaporean" becomes even more salient for us, as individuals and as a nation.

Our national identity, which reflects our core values, our principles and our beliefs, will be what anchors us in a changed world. Only when we are strongly anchored in our collective identity as Singaporeans, can we withstand the tests that will come.

The hon Member Mr Alex Yam spoke about the need for a "we first" national identity. In MCCY, we seek to foster a "we first" society in three ways. Let me elaborate.

First, we need to expand the common space that we share as Singaporeans. At a basic level, we need to do more to get people to interact, bond and identify with one another.

As Members in this Chamber will remember, we used to bond through shared experiences, whether it is watching local television programmes, like Aksi Mat Yoyo or drama serials like 霧鎖南洋, or just going downstairs to play at the dragon playground. But times have changed. With Netflix, YouTube and TikTok, experiences become more individualised. We can be in the same room at the same time, yet have totally different experiences. This reduction of spontaneous, shared experiences have led to an erosion of the bonds that bind us together.

In the recent 2026 IPS study on Fraternity and Social Fabric, Singaporeans report a drop in their number of close friends, from an average of 10.67 in 2018 to 6.49 in 2024. One in 10 Singaporeans profess to have no close friends.

We need to change this. MCCY will step up efforts to foster greater interaction, understanding and respect among Singaporeans, as this is what keeps our Singapore identity strong. We will do this through our strengths in arts, heritage, culture and sport, which form our identity infrastructure.

One of MCCY's priorities going forward is to deepen our multiculturalism, a core value that we all hold dearly.

Over the years, MCCY has consistently invested in preserving and enhancing our multiculturalism. Our arts and heritage programmes, such as ArtsEverywhere@CDC and Heritage Activation Nodes, bring Singaporeans from different backgrounds together to appreciate and understand each other's heritage and culture better. Our Harmony Circles encourage honest conversations, build empathy, trust and respect across differences, so that we do not just live alongside one another, but we stand together and we celebrate each other's cultures and beliefs.

I agree with Mr Mark Lee that we should set our ambitions higher, going beyond peaceful and harmonious co-existence, to foster deep cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

When I speak with practitioners from our arts and culture groups, they tell me they are starting to notice declining interest among the young to engage in traditional arts. Some youths are trading traditional dance co-curricular activities (CCAs) for contemporary dance styles, such as K-pop. So, while I understand the allure of K-pop and K-drama, we also need to retain our diverse traditional art forms and culture that forms the foundation for our multicultural identity and we need to pass these on to the next generation. So, we will be stepping up our efforts to strengthen our unique multicultural identity.

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NAC will introduce a suite of new initiatives at preschools and Ministry of Education (MOE) schools, to actively expose our younger generations to our ethnic cultures. Minister of State Baey will elaborate on this.

NAC will also launch a new $20 million Multicultural Arts Programme Grant, seeded by both the President's Challenge and the MCCY, to support the development of practitioners of traditional and multicultural arts forms. To reinforce our identity as a multi-ethnic and multicultural nation, the National Heritage Board (NHB), will step up placemaking to strengthen the ethnic identities of our historic districts of Kampong Gelam and Little India. Senior Minister of State Low and Minister of State Dinesh will elaborate further.

Through these initiatives, we want more Singaporeans to appreciate, experience and treasure the multicultural identity that makes us Singaporeans.

On the community front, we will do more to share our unique multicultural identity with newcomers who choose to live, work and study in Singapore. Newcomers need to understand and appreciate that Singapore is not a homogeneous or monocultural society, and they have to adapt to a set of norms that may be different from where they came from.

At the same time, Singaporeans also need to make a conscious effort to share our culture, values and norms with them. The Alliance for Action on Integration of Foreign Professionals that was formed last year has made good progress in putting forth new initiatives, to better integrate foreign professionals into our workplaces and our communities. Minister of State Dinesh will share more.

The second is to encourage people to care for one another and contribute to building Singapore together. While activities bring people together, it is care and connection that keeps us together. This spirit of care is alive and well in our society – we saw this clearly during COVID-19 when people instinctively stepped up in their own different ways. We continue to see it in everyday acts, such as giving up our seats to people who need them more than us.

Our ambition is to build a vibrant and thriving democracy of deeds, where more Singaporeans can contribute to build Singapore together. Many Singaporeans want to step forward.

Take, for instance, Ms Yu Poh Leng. At 60, a breast cancer survivor, Ms Yu discovered the benefits of water exercise during her rehabilitation and was driven to share this gift. She created bite-sized aqua-fitness videos and led twelve classes for seniors from Fei Yue Active Ageing Centre.

The seniors enjoyed the sessions so much that they encouraged Ms Yu to offer these classes more regularly. With support from the Singapore Government Partnerships Office and SportSG, Ms Yu is now an ActiveSG coach and she runs her aqua fitness classes as part of ActiveSG regular programming so that she can impact more seniors.

We want to lower barriers and create more opportunities for Singaporeans, like Ms Yu, to step forward to contribute.

In 2016, we launched Our Singapore Fund (OSF) to partner citizens and turn their ideas for the community into reality. OSF has since supported more than 800 projects to benefit Singaporeans.

While OSF is very well received and has made a real impact on the ground, there are pain points. For example, the grant cap and short implementation period confined projects; and the need to co-fund posed challenges for smaller ground-up groups or individuals who lacked fundraising capability.

We took this feedback seriously and we have been working very hard to fine-tune this grant. We will launch a new $50 million SG Partnerships Fund over the next five years, as announced by the Prime Minister earlier. This fund supports bigger projects and dreams, welcomes smaller groups and embraces good ideas wherever they come from. Senior Minister of State Low will share more on how this will work.

We want to empower more Singaporeans to contribute meaningfully, so we can build stronger bonds, deeper trust and a greater sense of shared ownership. This is the first step towards building a stronger "we first" society.

Finally, we want to rally the nation to build an inclusive society, where everyone, regardless of their starting point, will be supported to realise their full potential.

Our strength lies in our diversity of talents – from entrepreneurs to artists. When we create pathways that allow Singaporeans to pursue their passion and thrive in their chosen fields, we forge a strong national identity built on the shared belief that every Singaporean matters.

This is especially important for our youths, who will have to overcome new challenges in this uncertain AI-dominated and changed world. As Ms Elysa Chen, Prof Kenneth Poon and Mr Alex Yam pointed out, our youths increasingly struggle with social isolation, worsening mental health outcomes and growing career insecurities.

The National Youth Council (NYC) is committed to support our young people to make them active participants equipped with the skills, opportunities and support systems to thrive and fulfil their aspirations. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh will share more about our initiatives in this area.

Let me now turn to sport development. Sport is a powerful unifier for all Singaporeans, transcending age and ability. Sport creates genuine human connection. Sport also ignites national pride and solidifies our national identity, as Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh pointed out.

MCCY and SportSG will step up efforts to further democratise sports participation among youths. I share Mr Alex Yam's concerns that sport CCAs should not be something only for the naturally gifted or those who can afford prior training.

We will provide more platforms where children can play to nurture their love of the game – so that every child has more opportunities to experience what sport can teach them about themselves and others. We introduced the School Sports Fiesta last year to bring students from different schools together to play sports. To date, we have held Fiestas for 16 schools and well over 2,000 students.

Fifteen-year-old Aryaa Geajaindren from St. Gabriel's Secondary School had never considered playing basketball. The School Sports Fiesta sparked a desire in him to explore the sport more deeply. He is now pursuing basketball competitively.

We want more students to benefit from this. So, we will double and bring the School Sports Fiesta to 32 schools by 2027.

Another platform is through CCAs, where students train together, forging bonds through sweat, blood and tears. CCAs are where many of us made our closest friends, forged through hours spent laughing and crying together in training. This sustained interaction and tight bonds is precisely what we want to nurture. However, with schools taking in smaller cohorts and students having more diverse interests, some schools may not have enough students to start a CCA.

This is why MCCY and MOE introduced Strategic Partnership CCAs (SP-CCAs) so that more students will get to participate in the CCA of their choice. We will launch more in the next few years.

As a ground-up initiative, some schools have also come together to form Multi-School CCA Teams. For example, ACS (Barker Road) and Queensway Secondary came together to form a hockey team that trained together and competed together at the National School Games (NSG). To encourage more of such collaborations, we will launch a new $10 million grant for Multi-School CCA Teams. Each team will receive $200,000 over four years to be invested among the partner schools, which can be used to partially fund facility, transportation or coaching costs.

NSG participation has been increasing steadily. This year will see its highest participation to date, with around 69,000 student-athletes from more than 300 schools competing across 29 sports. We want to expand this to provide more opportunities for our student-athletes. MCCY and MOE will start a new initiative to work with ready, able and willing National Sports Associations to introduce more sports into the NSG.

The power of sport to unite and build connections goes beyond schools. The friendships forged through playing together, the encouragement shared during a challenging game and the growth that comes from pushing our limits. These are experiences that all Singaporeans, regardless of age and ability, should continue to have access to throughout their lives.

Therefore, SportSG will also step up our efforts to democratise sports in the community and ensure that everyone can continue to bond and to live better through sport. Ms Gho Sze Kee will be glad to hear that we have been steadily expanding sport spaces, especially in the heartlands. We have renovated four sport facilities, such as the Delta Sport Centre and the ActiveSG Sport Park @ Teck Ghee, and completed 15 development projects, including Bukit Canberra and the ActiveSG Sport Village @ Jurong Town.

Within a year, we will be completing three facilities to provide more localised sport access. They are Queenstown, Hougang and the new Punggol Regional Sport Centre.

We have also completed 11 Sport-in-Precinct (SIP) facilities with another 11 undergoing construction in Tampines North, Keat Hong, Whampoa and Kembangan, amongst others. Our facilities are well-utilised and see over 20 million visitors annually. As more Singaporeans embrace active lifestyles, there is also a rise in demand for public facilities during peak hours, particularly for popular sports, like badminton and pickleball.

Therefore, I am happy to announce that we will build 50 multi-purpose courts for badminton or pickleball over the next five years. This includes the recently opened eight dual-use pickleball courts at The Kallang and we will soon complete another eight pickleball courts at the Little India Bus Terminal.

As we build these new courts, we are mindful of managing noise levels at residential estates. I commend Ms Gho Sze Kee's efforts in arbitrating citizen considerations and pushing for foam balls that are quieter in her ward. This is "we first" in action.

SportSG will work with community stakeholders on solutions. And where it meets space and height requirements, we will also activate underutilised spaces, such as spaces under viaducts in our neighbourhoods, so that these facilities are conveniently located closer to Singaporeans, but far enough to manage noise levels.

We can see an example like the Gali Batu flyover. I hope this addresses Ms Goh Sze Kee's concerns and I also hope that this is more than a 80% solution.

To Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, the issue with the MND is not about revenue loss, but it is about whether residents are well served, especially noise, as many multi-storey car parks are located very close to flats.

I believe on 4 November, there was also a Parliamentary Question filed by Member Mr David Hoe, which received a comprehensive reply from MND on what the considerations were. Perhaps I will point the Member to look up that Parliamentary Question reply.

Sporting spaces are just the first step. They must follow with more programmes for all ages and abilities. We have ActiveSG Academies and Clubs, that are open to children and youths to play the sport they like. Some go on to developmental programmes in high performance sport. We also have ActiveSG Interest Groups and Learn-to-Play programmes for adults who wish to pick up a new sport or just to play recreationally.

We are committed to offering more of such programmes and will study what Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh has mentioned about the SG Sport Pass.

Mr Andre Low asked about access to strength training to combat ageing-related frailty. We have introduced the Frailty Prevention Programme (FPP) for seniors. This enables them to age healthily and continue to build social connections through sport.

Under the FPP, SportSG rolled out the eight-week Combat Age-related Loss of Muscle (CALM) programme at Active Ageing Centres in 2024. Since then, CALM has yielded positive physical changes in our seniors. One of them is Ms Florence Soo. After experiencing a stroke in 2025, she joined CALM 1.0.

Under the guidance of her trainer, Ms Florence gradually regained her strength, mobility and flexibility, including improvements in her breathing and mood. This experience is not just unique to Ms Florence. In fact, almost all CALM participants reported improved functional performance in at least one measure, such as handgrip strength or gait speed.

To date, CALM strengthening programme has been implemented at 132 Active Ageing Centres, reaching about 4,000 seniors and we target to reach 180 Active Ageing Centres and 5,500 seniors by the end of this year.

Besides CALM, our seniors have also found adaptive sport attractive and useful in keeping them active, healthy and socially connected, whether it is through seated floorball or disc golf.

As part of the FPP, SportSG has progressively equipped 200 AACs with adaptive sport equipment. By the end of 2026, we will target to equip all AACs so that more seniors can participate in adaptive sport. Mr Low will also be glad to know that at the end of the CALM programme, participants are introduced to HUR machines. Almost all Senior Care Centres and some AACs are equipped with these variable weight machines.

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Last year, we also launched the Seniors National Games (SNG), where seniors represented their AACs to compete across five adaptive sports.

We are heartened by the turnout – over 4,500 seniors from 110 AACs and even more family, friends and fans – and the positive feedback on how the SNG provided opportunities for seniors to not only keep active but also build connections and have fun. We invite more seniors to take part this year.

For persons with disabilities, we launched the Enabling Sports Fund (ESF) last year, supported by the President's Challenge and as part of the refreshed Disability Sports Master Plan to support community-initiated projects.

We received many good proposals. One of these is from SUN-DAC, which created iBoccia, a modification of the Paralympic sport, Boccia. iBoccia is customised and suitable for both persons with intellectual or other disabilities and their able-bodied teammates. Through the Fund, SUN-DAC will introduce iBoccia to more persons with disabilities.

Altogether, the ESF will support 21 initiatives for more than 8,000 persons with different disabilities across more than 20 sports.

Sport also opens doors for Singaporeans to chase their dreams. With the right support, we believe our athletes can realise their aspirations and their full potential.

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh asked for an update on athlete support. We have put in place spexPotential to nurture athletes with potential for gold medal success at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

We have increased stipends and introduced Central Provident Fund (CPF) top-ups for our spexScholars to make competitive sport more financially viable. We signed agreements with six autonomous universities to create more athlete-friendly environments and launched the spexEducation Undergraduate Scholarships for athletes to pursue both education and competitive sport.

Take for example, Ryan Lo, a gold medallist at the Asian Games 2023 and last year's SEA Games and two-time Olympian sailor.

The spexEducation Programme Office worked closely with James Cook University to balance his academic commitments with training and competitions. He is on track to complete his business degree with a shorter duration, enabling him to pursue both his sporting ambitions and educational aspirations. Ryan will also be defending his title at this years' Asian Games, so let us cheer him on.

We want to do more for athletes like Ryan. We are reorganising ourselves to achieve this.

This April, we will consolidate our key sport entities – the High Performance Sport Institute (HPSI), the Singapore Sports School (SSP) and Unleash the Roar! (UTR!) – into a new entity that we call Sport Excellence Singapore (SpexSG). I would like to update Mr Alex Yam that this consolidation will materially transform the sporting ecosystem for the better.

First, we will enhance the breadth and depth of our support to athletes by making our high performance sports system more athlete-centric and whole-of-life. To enable more of our athletes to stay longer and go further in sport, we will support them with specialist expertise and in managing sporting commitments and other demands of life.

Under SpexSG, we will expand our Athlete Life Management capabilities to support athletes in a wide range of areas, like tertiary education, career development, family planning, financial literacy and personal growth. Our athlete life performance managers have commenced personalised consultations with top athletes, co-developing plans to help them manage major life transitions.

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh will be glad to know that we will also run workshops to equip our athletes with skills in areas, such as personal branding, entrepreneurship, mental wellness literacy and media training. We will also deepen and integrate sport science and sport medicine (SSSM) support for our athletes.

A key benefit of the consolidation is the pooling of our SSSM expertise and knowledge. This will increase our capacity and open more opportunities for cross-knowledge transfer and pathways for career progression. Our athletes will see more dedicated and consistent support across sports and, as a system, we reap synergies that we otherwise would not if the entities remain separated.

Second, within SpexSG, we will strengthen SSP's role as our education concierge for all Team Singapore student-athletes.

Today, SSP provides a dedicated high-performance developmental pathway for youth athletes at the secondary and post-secondary levels. With the consolidation, we will capitalise on SSP's expertise and we will offer this to all Team Singapore student-athletes, regardless of age or school.

SSP currently avails its annual University and Scholarship Fair and university advisory services to Team Singapore student-athletes. Going ahead, it will support Team Singapore student-athletes in all six of our local autonomous universities. SSP will also work with NSAs to allow talented student-athletes to transfer to SSP whenever they are ready to commit, regardless of where they are at in their secondary or post-secondary journey.

SSP is also developing capabilities to support overseas-based Team Singapore student-athletes so that they can learn with their SSP classmates in Singapore for both the secondary and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

SSP will further enhance its partnerships with NSAs and lean forward with boarding and facilities support.

One example is the Junior Performance Pathway Programme, a collaboration between SSP and the Singapore Badminton Association. Under this programme, student-athletes who are not studying at SSP can access training sessions at SSP and they can also board with SSP. SSP will continue to develop such partnerships with more NSAs.

Altogether, these changes will enable our student-athletes to pursue their aspirations and realise their full potential.

Third, SpexSG will tighten integration with our NSAs, empowering them to develop their sport for excellence.

Like Mr Jackson Lam, I too hear from NSAs their aspirations and challenges. We will strengthen our support for and partnerships with the NSAs.

NSAs will now have a single point of contact to address their high-performance and pathway development needs, whether through a dedicated high performance sport manager or a shared service desk. For new and emerging NSAs, we will also develop a playbook to guide them in achieving Charity status.

We will also have media communication trainings for NSAs to enhance media management capabilities and athlete profiling efforts. SpexSG will also expand secondment opportunities for sport administrators to more NSAs. Today, SportSG seconds chief executive officers, general managers (GMs) and high performance managers to NSAs, such as Sailing, Fencing and Badminton.

I hope Mr Jackson Lam and Ms Valerie Lee will be happy with these changes.

But above all, SpexSG will transform the end-to-end journey of our national athletes to be a lot more integrated and seamless. Let me illustrate with basketball. The 3x3 basketball is gaining popularity because of its high-intensity and fast-paced game play. Our men's and women's team are both ranked top six in Asia Pacific.

But we can do better.

Previously, our young basketball athletes trained separately. The National Youth teams come together for a few months before major competitions and then, they separate after that. This ad hoc training environment does not develop their technical skill, decision-making speed and high-performance habits to their full potential, neither does it build team chemistry. Sport science support is reactive at best.

We want to create a more integrated pathway that brings together our young athletes more consistently so that we can strengthen individual mastery and team cohesion. That is why SSP, HPSI and the Basketball Association of Singapore established a new Under-19 National Youth Development Programme (NYDP) at the Singapore Sports School.

How does this look like for an athlete? Let me illustrate it with an athlete's story.

Emily Elessa is a high potential talent in the national Under-16 girls' team that won a silver medal in the Under-16 Southeast Asia Basketball Association qualifiers last year. Recently, she decided to transfer from her Direct School Admission (DSA) school, Yishun Secondary School, to SSP to pursue her aspiration to represent Singapore at the senior level.

Before, Emily trained twice a week in her secondary school, separately from her national teammates and under a different coach, until competition period nears. Now, Emily trains up to 10 times per week for both the 3x3 national team and the NYDP under national coaches with a standardised coaching pedagogy. This consistency means that Emily is building the right technical, physical and mental foundations for progression into the senior national team.

Emily will also now have year-round sport science and sport medicine support.

Beyond sport, Emily will also be able to build a strong academic foundation in SSP, with all the flexibility that Team Singapore athletes need. She will also have access to the suite of Athlete Life Management offerings where she can seek guidance for her other life priorities so she can be ready for life.

SpexSG will work with more NSAs so more of our national athletes can be supported like Emily.

Mr Chairman, let me conclude. After 60 years of nation building, we have bonded over our shared experience, built a strong multicultural community that will step up to drive positive change. We forged a united society that identifies ourselves first as Singaporeans and not by our race, language or religion.

Faced again with the uncertainty of a changed world, let us stand on the shoulders of our pioneers and choose to build an even more cohesive and stronger Singapore, one where our ethnic and religious communities not only live in harmony, but share a deep appreciation for one another's culture, one where everyone contributes actively to care for and uplift others in our community, one where everyone can fulfil their aspirations and reach their full potential, one that is truly a "we first" society.

Mr Mark Lee asked what success looks like. Mr Chairman, I believe it is the Singapore that Mr S Rajaratnam envisioned as he wrote our pledge 60 years ago – where we come together to celebrate our diverse cultures and share the same "we first" values, where we choose to be united as one people, trust each other, uplift one another, give back to society and where everyone can succeed on their own terms, where we cast aside our differences in race, language or religion; and we contribute in our own way to build our nation, where every Singaporean, regardless of their starting point, can achieve their full potential.

Let us come together and work towards this dream just like how our forefathers did when Mr S Rajaratnam first wrote our pledge. Let us not be mere spectators, but pledge ourselves as one united people, so that we can achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation. [Applause.]

The Chairman: Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling.

The Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Low Yen Ling): Mr Chairman, I recently visited the Founders' Memorial's "Not Mere Spectators" exhibition.

Since 1959, Singapore's diversity has been built and held together by our people's active participation. Throughout the years, Singaporeans stepped forward to care for one another and uphold our unity in diversity. One example is the People's Cultural Concerts. These were performances by the people, for the people, nurturing a sense of belonging, mutual respect and shared identity. Held in open spaces across Singapore, people came together to perform, watch and learn together.

Several pioneers in our arts scene, like Dr Uma Rajan and Mdm Som Said, performed at these concerts and became lifelong friends. Their experiences at these concerts left them with a deep conviction that multiculturalism must be lived and not just be spoken about. Both, in fact, went on to shape Singapore's cultural landscape.

Our nation's early years and journey reflect the seeds and the foundation of the "we first" society that we seek to forge. We see this "we first" spirit at different levels of our society where Singaporeans care, share and uplift each other.

At the individual level, we see it in volunteers, like Mdm Ratnam Periowsamy. She is 90 years old. At 90, she is the oldest volunteer at Care Corner's Active Aging Centre in Toa Payoh East. She goes door-to-door to check on seniors living alone and organises activities for them. Her example shows us that you can contribute and care, regardless of age.

At the community level, groups, like the Kampong Gelam Association (KGA), came together to develop the Kampong Gelam Place Plan to enhance the precinct's heritage and cultural importance.

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At the business level, we see the "we first" spirit in companies like aAdvantage. About half of their 20 staff members receive time off to volunteer regularly at a nursing home.

Mr Chairman, the common thread that we shared earlier at the individual, business and community levels show ordinary Singaporeans and groups stepping forward to make a difference, a big impact on our society. This is the kind of "we first" spirit that MCCY seeks to spark, spur and strengthen.

We will do so by, number one, creating common spaces through our heritage. We will bring people together, both physically and in spirit, to foster a stronger sense of community. Number two, by encouraging and enabling active citizenry to ensure that good ideas are turned into actions and no one is left behind.

Chairman, when we speak about heritage as a common space, we are referring not only to our landmarks, but also to familiar places within our neighbourhoods – places that hold meaning, memory and shared experience among Singaporeans.

Mr Foo Cexiang asked about MCCY's plan to allow more Singaporeans to play an active role in celebrating our neighbourhood heritage. Through the NHB's Heritage Activation Nodes (HANs), NHB partners residents and stakeholders to co-create programmes celebrating their neighbourhood.

Since two years ago, in 2024, NHB has launched three HANs across Singapore that has drawn more than 30,000 visitors. They are in Katong-Joo Chiat, Clementi and Punggol.

In Katong-Joo Chiat, there is a mural of a mama shop along Lorong Stangee, created by local artist Mr Alvin Mark Tan based on his childhood memories. This mural has inspired passers-by to contribute their stories and old photos of Joo Chiat.

Across the three HANs, more than 360 volunteers have stepped forward to deepen our local community heritage.

Building on this momentum, NHB will launch two new HANs in 2026. One will be in Telok Blangah, in partnership with Participate in Design. It will focus on uncovering hidden neighbourhood gems and stories. And the other HAN will be in Tiong Bahru, with Tiong Bahru Community Centre as our partner. It will celebrate public housing architecture, religious sites as well as heritage businesses. In addition, we will continue to steward our landmarks and historic districts carefully, so they remain meaningful to all Singaporeans and are sensitively integrated into the everyday lives of surrounding communities.

Ms Joan Pereira asked for a whole-of-Government approach in assessing the future public use of 38 Oxley Road and to consult neighbouring residents throughout the decision-making process. As mentioned by Acting Minister David Neo in his previous Ministerial Statement, MCCY will certainly study possible options to make the site accessible to the public, so it can become part of our shared memory and a common space for all Singaporeans.

The acquisition process for the site is ongoing. Once access is obtained, NHB will conduct a holistic study in consultation with the relevant agencies, to assess how the public education value of the site can be optimised. We will work with the Member, as well as the relevant Government agencies, to engage residents living nearby the site, and consider ideas and feedback to minimise any potential disamenities.

To enhance and protect our historic districts, NHB will establish a Placemaking Project Office under the Interagency Task Force for Heritage Businesses, Traditional Trades and Cultural Life, which I co-chair with Senior Minister of State Faishal Ibrahim.

The Project Office will work closely with key district stakeholders, like the KGA, Little India Shopkeepers and Heritage Association and Chinatown Business Association, to better understand their needs and empower them to enliven their precincts. In addition, the Project Office will provide seed funding, link groups to relevant agencies and build capabilities to design, implement and scale placemaking initiatives.

Heritage businesses play an important role in enhancing the unique character of our historic districts and serve as community anchors. Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh asked whether more targeted succession planning support could be given to preserve heritage businesses and support their financial viability. We recognise that succession planning can be complex and deeply personal. Where heritage businesses are ready to pass down the reins, our agencies will certainly provide support. This includes business improvement initiatives, such as NHB's Organisation Transformation Grant.

For example, Rumah Makan Minang, a third-generation family-run restaurant, tapped on this grant to strengthen its long-term sustainability by reviewing and restructuring roles within the family business.

NHB will also be working with citizen volunteers to document heritage businesses and their contributions as part of the Little India Citizen Engagement Project. Interested members of the community can look out for NHB's call for citizen volunteers for the exercise, which will be announced by May this year.

These efforts remind us that heritage endures not only because it is preserved by institutions, but because it is kept alive by people.

Chairman, besides strengthening our sense of community through heritage spaces, we will nurture the growth of a "we first" society by spurring active citizenry. We want to see everyone coming together to shape and take ownership of our shared future.

To spark active citizenry, we set up the Singapore Government Partnerships Office (SGPO) two years ago in 2024. Last year, the Government received more than 1,600 partnership proposals addressing a wide range of community needs. Let me cite two quick examples.

Project #JalanJalan. It is a youth-led performing arts ground-up with the mission to connect people through performances in public spaces. During SG60, they staged more than 20 performances across five locations. Another project is Skillseed, an established community builder that works with residents to uncover neighbourhood stories and to strengthen local leadership. Skillseed seeks to build trust, capability and ownership within the community.

Both projects had different starting points, but they have the same spirit of contribution. Such citizen-driven initiatives have immense potential to spread their impact and outreach.

That is where the new SG Partnerships Fund (SGPF) announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and just now by Acting Minister David Neo, will play a key role to spur and strengthen active citizenry. As requested by Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, I will briefly share how the fund is tailored. It is tailored to empower different levels of ground-up ideas and activities through three tiers of support.

First, the Seed tier aims to grow a democracy of deeds by supporting citizen-led ideas, even nascent ones, with accessible and low-barrier funding, up to a maximum of $5,000 for one year. We hope that this tier, with its simple application process, will motivate more individuals and ground-ups to come forward with their ideas, no matter how small, to address community needs or to better the lives of fellow Singaporeans.

The next tier, the Sprout tier, aims to grow the circle of ground action by providing support for those with proven ideas to amplify their impact and outreach. It is also the next tier of funding that successful "graduates" of Seed tier recipients could apply to, to grow their project ideas.

To qualify for the Sprout tier, individuals or ground-ups need to demonstrate track record in implementing projects of a similar nature or have conducted successful pilots of the proposed idea. This tier provides up to 80% funding, capped at $50,000, up to a period of two years.

Finally, the Scale tier is for organisations that aim to deliver systemic or sector-wide social impact or to foster cross-sector partnerships with measurable outcomes. This can take the form of large-scale initiatives that grow civic participation or capacity. Similar to Sprout, applicants for this tier would need to demonstrate prior success in implementing projects of similar nature and that the proposed idea has achieved tangible results in pilots.

Chairman, we recognise that implementing such programmes could require greater capacity from the organisations. Therefore, we will work with successful Scale applicants, to strengthen their capabilities to execute their projects more sustainably. The fund will provide up to 80% funding, capped at $1 million over three years. The fund will also cover capacity costs, such as manpower and training.

Ms Elysa Chen asked about ringfencing SGPF's funding to support youth- or parent-led initiatives, and if the fund should be increased to boost mutual support and neighbourliness. I want to respond to her and assure her that, currently, the SGPF is sized at $50 million over five years. We wish to ensure that it remains accessible to encourage a broad range of initiatives that leads to positive change for our communities, certainly including youths and certainly including parents.

The SGPF also complements existing schemes, such as the NYC's Young ChangeMakers Grant and the National Youth Fund (NYF). I want to assure her that we will review the SGPF's impact on catalysing projects that support active citizenry, before we consider enlarging it.

Applications will open from next month, April 2026, and more information will be released on the SGPO's website. We welcome and we invite all Singaporeans to step forward and make a difference. Your ideas and efforts matter, and we can create a "we first" Singapore where no one walks alone.

Chairman, a "we first" society is built when people, communities and businesses step forward to serve the collective good. Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim has asked how we can rally more to do so.

First, we will incentivise and actively support corporate volunteerism. As Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced, the Corporate Volunteer Scheme will be extended for three more years. This allows companies to enjoy 250% tax deductions on qualifying expenditures when employees volunteer with IPCs, including employee's salaries and volunteering supplies.

Second, we will help companies build capability and confidence to contribute and shape our society for the better. For instance, the partnership between the Singapore Business Federation and VolunteerInc. provides companies with training, guidance and connections to community organisations.

Since the programme was launched in July last year, more than 100 companies have stepped forward to partner VolunteerInc.

One of them is, Coface, a multinational trade credit insurance company, which launched a drive to develop adaptive floorball sessions for elderly persons. Last year, 52 Coface volunteers contributed 624 hours of their time over eight floorball sessions. And this very meaningful initiative saw the seniors gain confidence through adaptive floorball; form friendships not just amongst the elderly, and also with the Coface employees; and rediscover the joy of staying active.

Over the next five years, we aim to mobilise 600 companies and 6,000 employees to participate in similar projects.

Third, we will continue to nurture a culture of giving back. In 2025, under the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre's Company of Good initiative recognised 371 companies for their contributions. Then there is the Collective for a Stronger Society, launched two years ago, in 2024, and led by the Community Foundation of Singapore, which brings together Government agencies, donors and community partners to better support lower-income families. To date, Collective for a Stronger Society has raised approximately $16 million, translating generosity into meaningful support for families who need it most.

Ms Elysa Chen asked whether the Government is considering alternative ways to encourage neighbourliness and mutual help, for example, through time-banking. While time banking is a good idea to increase neighbourliness and foster mutual help, there may be practical implementation challenges. However, I want to assure her that there are community-led initiatives that have similar objectives to time banking.

For example, Thye Hua Kwan's Moral Charities implemented a programme, supported by the DBS Foundation, where Active Ageing Centre participants take on short micro-tasks based on their abilities and schedules, and receive small allowances upon completion. I want to assure her that MCCY will be happy to support similar ground-up initiatives, including any time-banking pilots, under the just-announced SGPF.

Chairman, while corporate and organised giving matter greatly, a "we first" society is also expressed through everyday acts of care. Volunteerism, therefore, is vital to growing active citizenry. Our island-wide network of 24 SG Cares Volunteer Centres works closely with communities to identify and address their needs.

More than 720 volunteers from semiconductor manufacturer, Micron, partnered with the SG Cares Volunteer Centre in Sembawang to run Micron Kampong, which befriends seniors and brings them on outings and festive visits. This year, we aim to engage 36,000 volunteers to benefit 180,000 service users.

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When corporates, community groups, and individuals choose to step forward, to connect, to care and to contribute, the foundations of active citizenry are built and the seeds for a "we first" society are sown. Chairman, allow me to speak in Mandarin.

(In Mandarin): Mr Chairman, the foundation of Singapore's nation-building is the establishment of a harmonious and prosperous multiracial and multicultural society. We often say, "First, the nation; then the home" – first "we"; then "me". The core tenet of prioritising "we" over "me" is the foundation upon which Singapore relies for survival and prosperity.

To deepen our sense of "we first", we hope to adopt a three-pronged approach through "business", "community" and "individuals" to strengthen mutual care and build a "we first" society.

First, the Government will continue to harness our heritage and culture to create more common spaces to strengthen social cohesion.

The National Heritage Board will establish a Placemaking Project Office to work with businesses, associations and individuals within the community to enliven our historic districts and strengthen Singaporeans' sense of identity.

We will also add on to our existing three Heritage Activation Nodes with the introduction of two new Nodes in Telok Blangah and Tiong Bahru, which are both neighbourhoods rich in history and culture.

The SG Partnerships Fund (SGPF) announced by Prime Minister Wong and Acting Minister Neo, will provide tiered funding for community initiatives of different stages and scale, under a clear framework. This five-year programme has a total budget of $50 million.

From the "Seed" stage with an annual cap of $5,000, to the "Sprout" stage with up to $50,000 up to a period of two years, to the "Scale" stage with up to $1 million over three years, the Government hopes to encourage individuals and organisations to start small and share more creative good ideas with more people to unite the community through progressive support.

Enterprises, companies and professional bodies can also establish initiatives through the "Corporate Volunteer Scheme" to encourage employees to give back to the community through volunteer service.

A "we first" society needs an active citizenry working together to realise it. When corporates, community groups, and individuals come together, we will be able to create a harmonious, united and progressive home and society that belong to us.

(In English): Chairman, let us aspire and work towards the "we first" society we hope for, where no Singaporean walks alone and where people of all races, backgrounds and creeds are joined together by our common hope and vision of a caring and cohesive Singapore.

We see the seeds of what that "we first" spirit blossoming in the examples we shared today, from 90-year-old Mdm Periowsamy to the dedicated volunteers from Coface and our many Companies of Good.

MCCY will continue to partner Singaporeans to create the conditions for this spirit to grow. Let us shape a "we first" Singapore, strong and resilient, and stronger together.

The Chairman: Minister of State Baey Yam Keng.

The Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr Baey Yam Keng): Mr Chairman, Acting Minister spoke about how multiculturalism bridges communities and forms the core of who we are as Singaporeans. Multiculturalism is and has always been, the bedrock of the Singapore identity.

For Singapore, a sense of shared identity is essential. It holds us together and gives us a sense of belonging. Our multicultural identity reminds us of what it means to be Singaporean. Today, we embrace it as a way of life.

This was on display just recently, when Chinese New Year coincided with the start of Ramadan. Last Saturday afternoon in my constituency, I saw Muslim residents doing the lohei together with the community at a Chinese New Year celebration and grassroot leaders dabaoing the buffet, so that they can enjoy it after breaking fast.

Even so, there is more that we can do and should do to deepen our multicultural DNA. Around the world, we see how social diversity leads to fragmentation. It is therefore critical that we strengthen our cross-cultural understanding and deepen our shared identity.

This is where the arts can be a powerful catalyst. Through the arts, we get to know ourselves and where we came from. More importantly, arts encourage us to look beyond their differences and value our commonalities.

It is encouraging that in the Population Survey on the Arts, conducted by the NAC, eight in 10 Singaporeans agreed that the arts allow us to better understand people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Over the years, the local arts scene has developed generations of practitioners, groups and platforms that embody Singapore's diverse cultural traditions.

Two weeks ago, I attended the Spring Reception held at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. One of the performances was a multi-ethnic percussive showcase. Drum Feng opened the performance with Chinese drums, which was then joined by Nadi Singapura's kompang and rebana drums, and Singapore Dhol Squad's parai drums. These instruments from different cultures blended seamlessly to deliver a great performance.

We will continue to support our traditional arts and culture, so that this precious part of our cultural heritage is passed down to future generations.

Various artists and arts groups whom we have consulted gave us this advice to develop multiculturalism through and in the arts. We must work harder to engage the young to understand and appreciate the cultural heritage within and across the various ethnic communities and to expand the reach of monocultural traditional art forms within the general population. In particular, we should promote cross-cultural awareness and appreciation. By building these bridges, we learn to better appreciate the culture and art forms outside our own ethnic community.

Upon this strong foundation, we can do more to support cross-cultural artistic creations that are sophisticated, innovative, high quality and that are uniquely Singapore.

To achieve this, we will provide more support to promote the development of multicultural art forms, whether through productions that infuse the influences of other cultures, creations and organisations that express our multiculturalism, or artists learning a new cultural art form from another ethnic community.

This must start at a young age. As Ms Eileen Chong spoke about, fostering greater participation among the young is important for the long-term sustainability of the arts sector. Early and meaningful engagement with our diverse arts traditions lays the foundation for our children and youths to appreciate one another's cultures. NAC is expanding opportunities for students to do so.

At the preschool level, NAC will commission artists and arts groups to develop offerings that enable sustained access to arts experiences. One of the programmes, designed with The Artground, focuses on multicultural arts. The programme will feature Malay and Indian dance, Peranakan arts, traditional hand puppetry and Chinese Opera. NAC will pilot these programmes with selected preschools.

At the secondary school level, NAC will introduce a two-year Ethnic Fusion Dance Programme, delivered by O School Limited. This enrichment programme will allow students from different schools to learn about various ethnic dance forms together, then apply them in contemporary dance. The students will have a chance to audition for a final showcase at Super 24, a regional competition featuring dance groups from across Asia.

We will strengthen funding support for schools to bring in artists to deliver traditional and multicultural arts learning experiences.

Currently, under the Artist-in-School Scheme (AISS), NAC funds 70% of supportable costs for schools to bring in artist-run programmes, up to $15,000 per year per school. NAC will increase support for artist-run traditional and multicultural programmes under the AISS, to fund 100% of supportable costs, up to $25,000 per year per school.

For 2026, NAC has curated close to 300 programmes under the NAC-Arts Education Programme, working with MOE schools to nurture an appreciation of Singapore's multicultural identity among students across all levels. This is nearly a 35% increase from 2025, offering schools more choices to spark greater interest in multicultural arts.

Beyond schools, we will increase the exposure of multicultural arts in the community. We have been doing this through ArtsEverywhere@CDC, which brings arts and cultural performances to our everyday spaces. For example, Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts presented a blend of traditional Malay art forms, with musicians playing the angklungs, dancers weaving melodies into stories and intricate wayang golek puppets. The initiative has reached audiences of more than 63,000 since its launch in 2024.

Looking ahead, we will focus on showcasing Singapore's multiculturalism through ArtsEverywhere@CDC in our heartlands.

We will introduce more traditional arts and cross-cultural performances and programmes. These will deepen Singaporeans' understanding and appreciation of the cultures and traditions of different ethnic communities. For instance, the Open Score Project, co-founded by Gildon Choo, combines global ethnic musical cultures and pushes the boundaries of cross-cultural collaboration. As part of ArtsEverywhere@CDC, their ensemble performed at Jurong Lake Gardens last year. Through such programmes, we can grow a deeper appreciation for arts experiences that connect our cultures.

We want to encourage even more arts practitioners and groups to nurture connections and collaborations that express who we are as a people. To support this, I am happy to announce a new Multicultural Arts Programme Grant, seeded by the President's Challenge and MCCY; $20 million will be available over the next five years to support practitioners and organisations developing traditional and multicultural art forms and promoting cross-cultural engagement through the arts.

The Grant will support artists and projects blending elements from different cultures, traditions and disciplines. This could support artists who interweave elements from different cultures in a meaningful way and those who wish to develop mastery in art forms beyond their own cultural traditions. It will also support ecosystem-building activities that strengthen the multicultural arts landscape. The Multicultural Arts Programme Grant will be launched in the coming months, and NAC will share more details then.

Another initiative that expands access to local arts and culture offerings is the SG Culture Pass, launched in September 2025. Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh had asked whether it is reaching new audiences. I am pleased to share that over 1.2 million citizens have registered for the SG Culture Pass. Of these, seven in 10 had not attended a local arts and culture programme in the past five years. Among those who have used their credits, nine in 10 expressed interest to attend another local programme. Through the Culture Pass, Singaporeans have discovered more about different cultures in Singapore beyond their own.

I thank Assoc Prof Terence Ho for suggesting regular top-ups of the Culture Pass, first-timer discounts and bonus credits. As the scheme was just launched recently, MCCY will monitor utilisation trends before making adjustments. Nevertheless, we are encouraged by the statistics, which show that the Culture Pass has helped Singaporeans discover the diversity of our local cultural landscape.

Assoc Prof Terence Ho also asked about whether more could be done to support our local publishers and bookstores. Since 1 March 2026, Singaporeans have been able to spend their Culture Pass credits on Sing Lit books at participating bookstores. This strengthens our support of the local literary arts sector and directly benefits publishers and bookstores.

Besides expanding access to the arts and developing audiences, we are exploring ways to harness the potential of the arts to generate positive social impact.

One such area is in arts education research. Positive engagement with the arts from a young age supports holistic development. Through sustained and localised research, we can better determine how arts-based education can nurture the next generation of Singaporeans.

MCCY has commissioned a five-year research study on how arts engagement can boost creativity and strengthen the socio-emotional well-being of our students. The study is led by the National Institute of Education, in partnership with MCCY, NAC and the Esplanade. Through this study, we hope to provide insights for schools and arts agencies that inform efforts to support youth development.

Another emerging area that shows great promise is the nexus of arts and well-being. The National Gallery Singapore's Slow Art Guide is an example, delivered through a self-guided audio experience and reflection booklets. Through slow looking and mindfulness exercises, the initiative encourages visitors to engage mindfully with artworks. This evidence-based approach positively impacts mental health and cognitive function.

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As Singapore's population ages, the arts provide a platform for our seniors to live and age well. NAC has partnered SingHealth Community Hospitals and the Agency for Integrated Care on a research study. The study aims to determine the impact of arts programmes on senior well-being. The insights will help design effective interventions to support our seniors.

NAC is also working with the arts community and healthcare and community care practitioners on a series of arts programmes. These programmes are designed to enhance the well-being of seniors at AACs. We aim to grow the pipeline of skilled practitioners who can deliver effective arts-based well-being programmes. We have conducted these programmes in 28 AACs and aim to reach a total of 110 centres by 2028.

Dr Kenneth Goh and Ms Goh Sze Kee asked about how we are supporting our artists to build sustainable and resilient careers.

We will continue to invest in the growth and development of our local arts and culture sector to support its ambitions. This includes encouraging and catalysing private sector support through measures, such as the Cultural Matching Fund, which provides matching grants for donations to arts and heritage charities and to date, more than $450 million has been matched to around 130 unique charities, and we also have the Patrons of the Arts and Patron of Heritage Awards to recognise contributions to the local culture sector.

Arts self-employed persons (SEPs) form a significant segment of Singapore's arts workforce. We are committed to empowering them to build capabilities and forge meaningful careers.

Since I launched the Arts Resource Hub (ARH) back in 2019, more than 4,000 SEPs have subscribed to the ARH. This is around two thirds of our arts SEPs in Singapore.

Julian Low is one example. He went through ARH's IGNITE programme, which provided mentorship, networks and guidance in building a brand identity. Julian established Wushiren Theatre with his wife in 2024. Their debut production, I Am Finally In Love With The World, was successfully staged in 2025.

We recognise that our arts SEPs face evolving challenges that require enhanced support. I am happy to announce that NAC will enhance the Arts Resource Hub to better address the challenges they face.

Over the years, ARH has provided SEPs access to legal guidance through contract templates and peer learning opportunities. We are starting a partnership with Pro Bono SG this year. It will provide SEPs with education programmes and tailored resources to strengthen their understanding of legal topics and empower them to capitalise on opportunities. SEPs can also tap on consultations with a dedicated onsite lawyer.

NAC will also introduce a new Creative Entrepreneurship Programme to support SEPs in developing entrepreneurial skills and growing their portfolios for greater financial resilience.

Both initiatives will be available in the second half of this year.

These initiatives that I shared today ensure that we continue to have strong funding, talent and domestic support pipelines for the arts, which Ms Eileen Chong spoke about. As we support our artists and arts groups to thrive and express our cultural heritage, they serve as our ambassadors to the world.

Dr Kenneth Goh had asked about using cultural diplomacy to reinforce our Singapore identity. We will continue to support our practitioners to make their mark internationally and to showcase our Singapore identity beyond our shores. For instance, the Singapore Pavilion at the Osaka World Expo 2025 featured many local performing artists, including multicultural ensemble yINHarmony, acapella group The Island Voices and Bharathanatyam dancer Shruthi Nair, showcasing Singapore's rich cultural diversity to global visitors.

Mr Chairman, as we look ahead, Singapore must prepare to face new waves of challenges from a changing world. Strengthening our shared identity will enable us to overcome these challenges with confidence. We must renew our commitment to multiculturalism.

The arts have the unique power to deepen our distinctive brand of multiculturalism and build a more inclusive Singapore. We will continue to invest in and grow the arts landscape to amplify its positive impact.

The Chairman: Minister of State Dinesh Vasu Dash.

The Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth (Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash): Across Singapore, communities celebrate one another's cultures, from the multicultural floats at the Chingay parade to the annual iftar at Khadijah Mosque where I sat alongside religious leaders from the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) to break fast. This is a rare sight in today's world, where trust is in short supply and where multiculturalism is in retreat.

We have seen this in the years before Independence, during the hardships of the second World War and when communal tensions were high. Yet, even when the odds were stacked against us, our pioneer religious leaders chose unity and harmony. Their commitment led to the formation of the IRO in 1949 to build trust and mutual respect between faiths.

This exemplifies Singapore's approach to social cohesion, one where people from different backgrounds make an active effort to appreciate each other's cultures and traditions.

The mission to build a strong, cohesive and caring society is an ongoing one. Let me speak on three areas that MCCY will be focusing on. First, to build strong communities with a shared cultural identity. Second, to deepen the understanding between communities and to expand our common spaces. Third, to architect an ecosystem of care and mutual help so as to uplift all communities.

Let me start with strong communities.

Singapore is a nation of migrants. Early generations brought languages, traditions and beliefs from their home countries. They provided mutual assistance as they settled in Singapore, forming associations and clans. Over time, new generations came of age and more took root here. While we have kept our racial and religious identities, our practices have evolved to become uniquely Singaporean.

It is important that we steward our cultural heritage so that future generations can understand who we are and where we come from. I hope this is useful, especially to our youth, including those from the East Coast Internship Programme, who are joining us here today in the gallery.

Assoc Prof Faishal spoke about the Malay Heritage Centre earlier and Senior Minister of State Low about enlivening our historic districts.

As the Prime Minister had mentioned during his Budget speech this year, MCCY and the Indian Heritage Centre (IHC) will launch renewed efforts to activate Little India as a vibrant cultural district to celebrate the Singapore Indian arts and culture. We will engage community and precinct stakeholders to co-create a long-term vision for IHC and to enhance cultural placemaking in Little India as a historic district.

This begins with a visioning exercise in 2026 to lay the foundation for a precinct-wide programming and activation effort. Our goal is to help Singaporeans and international visitors understand and appreciate Singaporean Indian cultures and customs.

Our efforts to build a strong Indian community will go beyond culture and heritage. Last year, Minister Shanmugam announced that Senior Minister of State Murali Pillai and myself will lead a new committee to take the Indian community forward.

Since then, we have engaged widely. More than 150 Singapore Indian organisations have shared their aspirations and ideas, particularly on how we could uplift members of our community together and to integrate more strongly as one united Indian community.

Taking in the feedback we have received, we will call this the Indian Engagement and Development Initiative (INEI), which also means "to be linked or connected" in Tamil. This will be a committee by the community and for the community. Its aim is to build strong networks across the Indian community, bringing together partners who are already doing good work on the ground, including SINDA and Narpani.

INEI will start with three priorities. First, to improve socioeconomic outcomes for the Indian community, particularly the vulnerable and the disadvantaged. Second, to champion integration and unity among the Indian community in Singapore. Third, through the initiatives under INEI, we hope to create new avenues for our youths to contribute and to nurture the next generation of Indian community leaders.

I am glad to announce that together with the INEI Committee, we will establish an annual INEI forum to collectively discuss our aspirations and concerns. We will have the first dialogue in April 2026, with the theme of building a strong and united Indian community.

We will also configure sub-committees and I invite members of the community to step forward, share your perspectives and play an active role in shaping this important initiative. More details will be announced at the dialogue in April. Mr Chairman, please allow me to say a few words in Tamil.

(In Tamil): Last August, the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Shanmugam announced a new committee. This committee, which is co-chaired by Senior Minister of State Murali and myself, will take the Indian community forward over the next five years.

Since the announcement, we have held discussions with members from various segments of our community. Participants shared their thoughts on the challenges faced by the Indian community. Their views were centred around the common themes of social cohesion and development.

We have named this committee INEI. This committee will take the excellent work being carried out by community organisations, including SINDA and Narpani, to the next level.

We also believe in developing skills among the next generation of leaders and identifying new talents.

In addition, I am pleased to announce that we will hold an annual forum to discuss matters important to our community. We plan to hold the first dialogue in April 2026. More details about the INEI committee will be shared then. I request members of the community to come forward and share their views.

(In English): Let me now move to the second area of deepening understanding between communities and expanding our common spaces.

I spoke earlier about global uncertainties, and Singapore is not immune to these developments. Last September, the Al-Istiqamah Mosque received a parcel containing pork and an offensive note. In December, a false bomb threat was made against the St Joseph's Church.

Community leaders responded quickly. The Serangoon and Cashew Harmony Circles rallied neighbouring religious organisations to offer support and reassurance to the affected communities. Our apex religious organisations put out public statements of solidarity.

Their message to the public was clear – an attack on one community is an attack on all communities.

Our responses matter. Each incident is an opportunity to build up our reservoirs of trust so that we can stand united in troubled times. That is why we continue to invest in our Racial and Religious Harmony Circles.

Last year, more than 40 religious organisations partnered MCCY to co-organise inter-faith events and contributed to the Crisis Preparedness for Religious Organisations programme. During the Racial and Religious Harmony month alone, more than 100,000 participants took part in over 70 events nationwide. This included the first youth-led intercultural showcase called Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion.

This year, we will step up our efforts to engage religious organisations and build an even stronger inter-faith network in our neighbourhoods.

Mr Chairman, our ability to foster unity and inclusivity amidst diversity is Singapore's enduring competitive advantage to attract international businesses and talents here. But as I said earlier, our model of multiculturalism is unique and some newcomers may take more time to adapt to it. After all, integration is a two-way street, which will require locals to be receptive and newcomers to make the effort to understand our culture, values and norms.

The workplace is a natural space for this interaction to take place meaningfully. As mentioned by Acting Minister David Neo, the Alliance for Action (AfA) on the Integration of Foreign Professionals had conducted extensive engagements to develop practical solutions that industry partners can adopt to integrate foreign professionals at the workplace.

The AfA has put forward new upstream initiatives under two focus areas, which the Government strongly supports: first, to help new EP holders understand the living and working norms in Singapore; and second, to support firms to adopt inclusive workplace practices.

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In the coming months, the Government will roll out new orientation and onboarding programmes for our EP holders, with a focus on workplace and living norms. These will complement existing programmes for New Citizens and for our Permanent Residents.

The Singapore National Employers Federation and the Singapore Business Federation will also launch new resources for firms, including a Workplace Integration Playbook and a new cultural intelligence and sensitivity training course.

I am pleased to share that five trade associations and chambers (TACs) have come onboard to roll out Orientation Day programmes for new EP holders, which will introduce them to our workplace norms and provide them with opportunities to network with their Singaporean counterparts. This will be scaled up to more TACs over time.

Sir, I have spoken about building strong communities and deepening the bonds between them. The third area I will speak on is to architect an ecosystem of care that every community can tap on.

Our co-ops are one of the oldest forms of community mutual help. They are defined not by identity, but by a common purpose. Since 1925, our co-ops have played a vital role to meet the evolving needs of our people.

Some may be familiar with credit co-ops, which provide thrift and loan services. There are also consumer and services co-ops, like the Silver Caregivers Co-operative, which provides community support for caregivers and equips them with skills, such as managing palliative care.

However, as Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari had earlier noted, our co-ops are facing growing challenges to renew their talent pipeline and to attract young members in a more competitive landscape.

This is why MCCY announced the Co-op 10-year Transformation Roadmap in 2025. This Roadmap will nurture a forward-looking sector that is purposeful, professional and trusted. I am happy to share that MCCY will commit up to $30 million to support the co-op movement over the next 10 years. We will help co-ops stay relevant as they develop new capabilities to address emerging needs and transform for the future. Co-ops will receive support to invest in talent development, governance and operational efficiency.

As part of the Roadmap, MCCY and the Singapore National Co-operative Federation will jointly introduce the Co-operative Leaders Programme and Emerging Leaders Programme from this year, to develop the next generation of leaders. The Roadmap also includes the Community Outreach and Impact Programme, which will provide seed funding, incubation spaces and mentorship for our youths to pilot innovative ideas.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

As to Mr Tiwari's questions on allowing enterprises to form co-ops and reviewing the Central Co-op Fund contribution rates, MCCY will assess these further, in line with our objectives to sustain the relevance and competitiveness of the co-op sector.

In conclusion, Chairman, the formation of the IRO in 1949, was an experiment in trust, at a time when the idea of a formalised inter-faith dialogue was unheard of. Our forefathers were bold and visionary in setting the building blocks of a multicultural society that we enjoy today.

That same spirit must guide us as we strengthen these three areas of focus for MCCY that I had outlined: to build strong communities; to deepen understanding between communities; and to architect an ecosystem of care that uplifts all. However, this House cannot legislate social cohesion, nor can we mandate trust. But history and the example of the IRO, shows us that if any society can achieve this and make it work, it has to be Singapore!

The Chairman: Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh Hanyan.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Goh Hanyan): What would you do, if you were not afraid? I want to ask this of the young people who may be watching the Committee of Supply today.

But it is also a question for all of us. If fear was not holding you back, what would you try?

For many young people today, fear does not come from the lack of ability. It comes from growing up in a world that is highly connected and where missteps and comparisons are amplified.

But fear is an integral part of life. Our responsibility is therefore to ensure that our young people are equipped to meet it.

And such courage does not happen in isolation. Courage grows when people feel supported, feel rooted and feel like they are part of something larger than themselves.

Across many societies, we are seeing signs of weakening relationships and commitments that once anchored people to their communities. Some observers describe this as a broad social drift towards detachment.

Ultimately, young people – like us all – want connection and purpose.

How can we empower our young people on their journey to find a sense of belonging, meaning and a sense of self, even as social bonds seemingly wane around the world?

To answer this question, we went to our young people directly. In fact, we collected over 350,000 responses from youths and stakeholders. We listened to your hopes, your dreams, your concerns. We heard you and we will bring your views to life through the SG Youth Plan, which will launch later this year. This will be a five-year action plan to empower you, our youths, to be the best version of yourself in Singapore.

Mr Alex Yam, Prof Kenneth Poon, Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim and other Members, advocated for the need to better engage our youths, and to support them, and asked what more can we do. Like Members, MCCY strongly believes in this need.

What I will share today are some key areas we are developing under the SG Youth Plan to support different phases of a young person's life.

When we listened carefully, what came through clearly was this. Early on, young people want the confidence to try – to test themselves – to fall and to get back up. They understand that the world is full of uncertainty, but they do not want to be sheltered from these challenges. They want real experiences, in the real world, with real people.

As young people grow older, the questions shift to finding direction and meaning in work. And later still, many want to step forward, to contribute and shape the spaces and communities around them.

But it all begins with the same question: do I have the courage to try?

This is where play matters. Play is often misunderstood here in Singapore. It is not about leisure or being frivolous.

For young people, play is where you learn how to make mistakes, bounce back and how to do it with friends and family beside you. When my daughter learned to rollerblade, her first lesson was not how to go fast. It was how to fall safely. And she had the most fun when learning with her friends – fumbling, laughing and getting back up together, made it easier to keep going.

Today, young people are spending more time online, but many crave real-life connections. When you head outdoors, especially to new places with new people, you discover something important. You learn that pushing through tough moments is part of progress and that companionship makes all the difference.

This is why we will progressively scale up the MOE-Outward Bound Singapore Challenge (MOC) Programme to the entire Secondary 3 cohort by 2030. Last year, about 18,000 students went through the MOC. About 65% of the cohort.

In time, all 15-year-olds in Singapore will get to experience OBS at least once in their lives. Each OBS watch comprises 12 students from different schools. Strangers who will embark on the outdoors for five days. Through these shared experiences, they will learn life skills, gain confidence in tackling the unknown and make lasting friendships.

Like Ms Valerie Lee, I am sure OBS has left a lasting impact on some in this Chamber. In fact, I was in the same watch as Valerie when we were 15. We went away sunburnt with legs full of sandfly bites, but the core memories stayed with us even till today.

The expansion of the MOC is made possible by the new OBS Coney campus. I am glad to update that the campus will open its doors later this year.

Picture this, teams of four students working together on advanced rope challenges instead of just pairs today. These expanded team activities will push more young people to rely on each other, building stronger bonds and greater resilience. What is particularly meaningful is that some of these challenges, including high elements, will be wheelchair-accessible – this ensures that no student is left behind when acquiring and building these crucial life skills.

As Mr Darryl David reminded us, OBS was set up in 1967 by Dr Goh Keng Swee "to develop mentally and physically rugged youths to be active citizens inspired to serve the community." The words "rugged" and "active citizens" capture the evergreen spirit of Singapore. Our eternal way of being, so that our nation endures.

But the need has clearly changed. In 1967, we needed ruggedness as we struggled for nationhood. Today, we need resilience to navigate an uncertain world and maintain a strong sense of identity and belonging as one people, one nation.

Mr Darryl David and Ms Valerie Lee asked about extending OBS to all ages and expanding the OBS overseas programmes. I thank them for these are valuable suggestions. Yet with finite resources, our priority must be to get the MOC scale-up right for our students first, before we consider other areas.

Ms Valerie Lee also talked about supporting the Outdoor Adventure Education (OAE) sector. We have been doing so through the OAE Council, which was formed in 2022 to uplift the sector. The Council brings partners together to establish national standards and exchange best practices across the sector.

Beyond organised activities, such as OBS, friendships form in ordinary moments of just being together. Many young people feel that as years pass, there are fewer physical places where this can happen naturally.

Dr Charlene Chen, Ms Elysa Chen and Ms Eileen Chong therefore asked about creating more spaces for our youths.

We are developing the Somerset Belt as a youth precinct. Somerset Belt is the area around Somerset MRT Station, comprising *SCAPE, the Somerset Youth Park and Skate Park.

We received over 16,500 responses on what youths and others hope to see. Our youths also worked alongside architects and planners on the design and programmes of Somerset Belt. We aim to start construction work later this year.

Meanwhile, exciting programmes and activities are already happening at the Belt. We relaunched *SCAPE last November and it is now a hive of activities centred on youth interests – anime, dance, art, tabletop games, music, the list goes on.

I was at *SCAPE on a Friday evening and spoke to some of the young people hanging out there. I asked what *SCAPE meant to them. This is what they told me, "It is a sandbox where I could quickly test my event concept." "Separately, in other places, we might get stares. But here, there is no judgement." "This is a place to just be. It gives us the time and space to pursue our ideas and passion."

There was a palpable sense of hope and energy. And we are only four months into the relaunch.

*SCAPE is just the start. We want to bring this movement closer to where our young people live. We will create more welcoming, open spaces across Singapore, where you can gather freely and form friendships.

We will share more details at the launch of the SG Youth Plan.

As young people move into the next stage in life, the questions change. For students coming out of school, the next step is entering the workforce. Am I on the right path? Will I be employable?

Over the past days, many in this Chamber have highlighted youth anxieties about work, especially in the face of AI. Indeed, it is daunting finding work now when you can barely imagine what jobs will exist tomorrow, let alone plan a career. Yet we cannot block these advances. What matters then, is building the skills to thrive with technology.

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Our Ministries are working hard at this, as shared by my colleagues over the past few days. For example, our Institutes of Higher Learning will enhance their AI curriculum, while emphasising soft skills that will complement the use of AI. For working youths, we will support them in learning AI-related skills, such as providing free access to premium AI tools, for those who take up selected AI training courses.

Fundamentally, the real power lies in how our young people choose to engage in these tools.

Your generation – the digital- or even the AI-native generation – knows how to use these tools instinctively. As much as it has the potential to replace some junior-level tasks, it can equip you with the power to compress traditional learning curves. Your generation will teach us many things about AI and its possibilities. But we are also here for you with our experiences and memories of navigating change. We need to tap on each other's strengths.

This shared learning is precisely what young people have told us matters. Someone walking alongside them. Someone to help them make sense of all this uncertainty and find their inner strength. Someone to remind them that life does not follow a straight line, but there always are ways to find solid ground beneath your feet.

This is why we will grow mentorship opportunities so that our youths will have someone to journey with them through the big and small "leaps" in life.

Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim would be glad to know that since 2022, we have created over 20,000 mentoring opportunities through the Mentoring SG movement.

We know that finding a mentor is not easy when there is so much to keep up with in life. As such, we want to lower the barriers and make professional connections more accessible for you.

We are bringing mentorships directly to schools, where you are. We recently partnered three polytechnics to create mentoring programmes under Mentoring SG. By 2030, these programmes will serve up to 11,000 students annually. More partnerships are on the way.

Just imagine if we all step up to contribute our experience, lend a listening ear and journey together with our young people through their life transitions. This is the culture that we can only create if we set aside time for our young people. This is what we want to do under Mentoring SG.

After navigating the next "leap" in life, something shifts yet again for many young people. They do not just ask, "What should I do?", but also start asking, "What can I change?"

Young people told us clearly that being heard is not the same as being trusted. Real responsibility and agency build confidence. Prof Kenneth Poon and Dr Charlene Chen as well as Ms Elysa Chen asked about how we are supporting youth participation to create a sense of belonging.

We have been creating many such opportunities.

Take the NYC's Young ChangeMakers Grant. This seed funding programme puts youths in charge from start to finish. Young people do not just receive funding and mentorship; they are fully responsible for evaluating each other's proposals and giving advice. For impactful proposals, we are prepared to support them further.

There are different programmes that youths can access, such as the National Youth Fund and the new SG Partnerships Fund that Senior Minister of State Low just touched on. In his Budget speech, the Prime Minister also mentioned the Youth Panels.

Youth Panels work differently but with the same spirit – young people partner directly with Government agencies to shape policies they care about. In the first run, 120 youths rolled up their sleeves to tackle topics, like financial resilience and environmental sustainability. The next run of the Youth Panels launches later this year. We will share more details when ready.

We want to create even more opportunities for young people to contribute.

I am glad to announce that we will form the Somerset Belt Youth CoLab, a group of 15 youths who will drive, own and lead the spaces and activities within the Somerset Belt. The CoLab will take control of the Somerset Belt's programming and activities. They will decide which spaces serve what purpose. Simply put, they will create the vibe that defines the Somerset Belt.

When I spoke to some members, they were clear about what they needed the most – space, funding and agency to make their vision happen. We are therefore backing the CoLab with a dedicated space to activate and a $300,000 annual budget to bring their ideas to life across Somerset Belt. This way, youths can transform Somerset Belt into a place that is truly, boldly theirs.

Let us envision a space that breathes with youthful life – a place they have built and filled with their energy. We are putting our belief in our young people into action – real investment, real decisions, real responsibility.

This is us saying: we trust you to lead; show us the way. Now, that is what ownership looks like. Mr Chairman, please let me say a few lines in Mandarin.

(In Mandarin): The Government places great importance on youth development. They are the future leaders of our nation and our country's hope.

We sometimes inadvertently compare youth with the previous generation. However, each generation of Singaporeans faces their own challenges.

Our current generation of youth has their aspirations and possesses a strong sense of social mission. This is their strength. Rather than comparing them with the previous generation, we should give them space to express themselves freely, find their own path and discover their own strengths. We should also give them opportunities to develop interpersonal skills through play or to grow from failure.

Over the next year, the Government will collaborate with various partners to develop a five-year SG Youth Plan aimed at nurturing a generation that is ambitious, resilient and has a strong sense of national belonging. We welcome suggestions from all sectors of the society and encourage active participation from all.

(In English): Mr Chairman, growing up is not a straight line. It begins with learning you are tougher than you think. It continues with you finding your way without losing who you are. And it grows into stepping forward to shape what comes next.

As I shared at the beginning of my speech, around the world, many societies are grappling with weakening bonds. But will that be our future? Surely, we must do all we can to avoid that.

If we put the right pieces in place, can we move in the right direction? Can we build a generation that feels deeply connected to society? A generation that feels that Singapore is theirs and that they are Singapore's? The SG Youth Plan will be our commitment to build that generation of young people who are confident to try, connected to one another and ready to contribute.

We will keep listening. We will keep building the right support around you. And we will keep creating spaces for you to lead. [Applause.]

The Chairman: We have some time for clarifications. We were not able to finish off the clarifications for Acting Minister Faishal. So, I am going to do that first and I will have a hard stop at 6.00 pm. Then, we will have clarifications for the rest of the POHs' for MCCY. Dr Hamid Razak.

Dr Hamid Razak: Thank you, Chairman. I would like to clarify with the Acting Minister. On the ground, I have interacted with many of the MMOs and IMOs who are keen to tackle some of the issues within the Malay/Muslim community. I really welcome the idea of a M³+ network. I would like to ask how that will look like on the ground, how it will be operationalised and what are the opportunities and resources that will be available for our MMOs and IMOs who are keen to contribute to tackling some of these problems in the community?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question.

I am happy to share with him that in the last few months, many of the MMOs have come forward. They have, in fact, organised among themselves to see how they can work together and collaborate with the M³ agencies. On the other hand, the M³ agencies are also looking at the ways where they can work better.

As I shared in my speech, we have some collaborations especially in some of the areas. In fact, with M³+, it signifies a greater emphasis on more intentional collaborations between the M³ agencies and the MMOs, IMOs and informal groups.

So, we have the M³ Focus Areas, five Focus Areas. Among the areas, we look at how to strengthen marriages, youth development, healthcare and supporting workers. We will see how in some of these areas, where the MMOs, IMOs and as well as informal groups can play a part.

I give the Member an example. We have the Malay/Muslim Organisations Rehabilitation Network, where we see many of the MMOs and IMOs coming together to support. This is an example of how we can make M³+ a reality. Depending on the areas or topics that we will be looking at, there will be opportunities to do so.

Another one will be the M³@Towns, where every town which has a M³ will be able to work with the MMOs, IMOs and most other informal groups. So, we want to see how we can navigate this together. We will discuss further during the networking session. I look forward to significant enhancement in collaborations between the M³ agencies and the MMOs, IMOs and informal groups.

The Chairman: Mr Fadli Fawzi.

Mr Fadli Fawzi: Thank you, Chair. I have two questions for Minister Faishal.

The first is, can the Minister share the specific ratio of mosques to Muslim residents that have been used in the mosque construction planning? Secondly, does MUIS have any plans to evacuate madrasah students who are studying in the Middle East and currently stuck there?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: I thank the Member for the supplementary questions.

Our priority is ensuring that there are sufficient prayer spaces for all Muslims in Singapore. So, simply using a ratio of Muslim population to mosques is insufficient as worship patterns, resident concentrations and mosque sizes vary across Singapore. Instead, MUIS monitors worship patterns closely on the ground. Including me, we go on the ground, we feel what it is like and introduce measures to address the demand and increase the capacity. This includes multiple prayer sessions and expanding or upgrading current mosques.

So, where there are shortages, we will make some adjustment and see whether there are opportunities to do so. As I mentioned in my speech, if there are changes to the population patterns or a new housing estate coming up, we will explore building new mosques like what we are doing in Tampines and Tengah.

For the Member's second question, I have actually answered the supplementary question. We work closely with MFA and we also listen on the ground. Yesterday, when I spoke to the students, I shared with them, anything that you know, please let us know, because they are there and they may know more information and, I would say, more accurate information than us. When I told them, they felt so happy that we are very serious to know what is happening there and they feel that we really care for them.

So, I assure the Member that while the situation is uncertain, we will do our best to look after our people.

The Chairman: Mr Azhar Othman.

5.45 pm

Mr Azhar Othman: Thank you, Chairman. Allow me to address my question in Malay.

(In Malay): We know that AI is going to penetrate every aspect of knowledge, learning and work. I have two questions for the Acting Minister.

First, do the courses at the Singapore College of Islamic Studies include subjects like AI to stay relevant with the times?

Second, I hope madrasahs throughout Singapore will also receive Government support so they can learn about and get exposure to AI.

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: (In Malay): I wish to thank Mr Azhar for asking this question. It is a good suggestion.

AI is a national initiative. So SCIS and our madrasahs will sustain it so that we can benefit from AI and look at how students will not only benefit from it, but also deepen their understanding in their learning process.

So I will bring this suggestion back to MUIS and share it with the madrasahs because this is an important platform, and we will look at how we can provide development opportunities for our students so that they remain relevant, regardless of what discipline they pursue.

The Chairman: I believe we have covered all clarifications for Muslim Affairs. I will move to MCCY now. Mr Alex Yam.

Mr Alex Yam: Thank you, Chairman. For the Minister, on the consolidation under SpexSG, I might have missed it but could the Minister share the expected timeline for the new structure to be fully operational so that we can quickly address the myriad of needs that our Team Singapore athletes have on their life journey.

The second question is for Minister of State Dinesh. He earlier spoke about the importance of unity and togetherness. We see a lot of collaboration at the apex leadership level for our ethnic and religious communities. But does the Ministry have an assessment of how much of this permeates down to the level of congregants and community members. What more can we do in this area?

Lastly, for Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh, she mentioned the youth panels and the partnering with Government agencies to allow youths to shape policy. Could she elaborate on how the Ministry will be ensuring that these ideas from the panels are meaningfully introduced and go towards influencing policy outcomes?

One last one. Overarching all of that, a lot of announcements today, a lot of emphasis on building a "we first" society, but could I also ask the Ministry how would we measure success beyond participation in all that we have announced? How do we assess that social trust has been enhanced?

Mr David Neo: Sir, I thank the Member for his clarifications. From 1 April, the company limited by guarantee called SpexSG will be in effect. Because the entities are currently present, we anticipate it will take some time for them to come together. To be fair, a lot of the things that I said we will be doing are already work-in-progress. It is things that have already been going on. But we do expect to take the better of the next year or two before we can fully reap a lot of the benefits of the consolidation that I talked about earlier.

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash: I thank the Member for his question. Indeed, the level of integration and the discussions that happen at the Harmony Circle pretty much sometimes depend on the type of religious institutions that might be available at the particular constituency. But we have been trying to expand that to include exchanges across different constituencies as well. And we constantly review how we want to advance and strengthen the Harmony Circles that we have. In fact, we are reviewing what else we can do and how best we can then allow for the integration to take place.

Understandably, there is some degree of variation among the various constituencies. Some are a lot more integrated, they have a lot more programmes than others. But what we are trying to do is to allow for an even balance across all.

Ms Goh Hanyan: On the Youth Panels, I agree that it is very important for it to be brought to fruition and to show up in policy. MCCY and NYC manage this very closely to ensure that the recommendations are then put through the policy pipeline.

For example, one of the topics was called #LifeHacks, but essentially, it was about financial resilience. This led to an idea of having a youth-centric guide that consolidates financial information for youths. MCCY is working closely with the relevant agencies to bring it to pass.

I also wanted to highlight that apart from looking at policy outcomes, what we also want to improve was the experience of the youths. What they said as well was that they appreciated the interaction, but they also wanted to have some skills to help them with policy-making. So, that is what we will do in the next run – to equip them with policy-making skills so they can better appreciate the process.

The Chairman: Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh.

Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh: Thank you, Chair. I just have three quick questions.

First, on programmes to support career transitions for athletes. While I understand that these services are available while they are carded, could MCCY consider extending these services beyond their carding window since many athletes may only fully utilise them after their competitive careers end. Perhaps setting up a Team Singapore alumni type of association.

Second, I applaud the initiative for MOE to work together with NSAs introduce new sports for the National School Games. Related to that, could MCCY facilitate closer coordination between the NSAs and MOE on Direct School Admission (DSA) criteria so that school pathways are better aligned with long-term athlete development frameworks.

My final question has to do with the SG Partnerships Fund. It was mentioned that for the Sprout tier, there is a 20% co-funding requirement. I was wondering if the Minister could elaborate on whether donations would qualify for the 250% tax deduction or whether this could be funded through earned revenue, whether there is flexibility in how this contribution could be structured and whether MCCY could provide support to help organisations or to help these initiatives secure these funds, particularly in the area of fundraising and partnership development.

Mr David Neo: Sir, I will address the first two clarifications and Senior Minister of State Low will address the third one.

On the first question about Athlete Life Management beyond carding, Sir, it has always been our approach that we will meet our athletes where they are. It is our commitment to support our Team Singapore athletes as best as we can. In instances where they require athlete life services or other services after they cease being carded, it is not a problem. They can just step forward. It is a tight community, we all know each other and we will be happy to support them.

On the second question about the DSA criteria, whether MCCY can help the NSAs work more closely with MOE – when I meet up with all the NSA presidents and vice presidents, my commitment to all the NSAs is that MCCY will be the Government conduit. We will help them navigate any and all difficulties or issues that they encounter with any Government agency. That is our commitment to the NSAs. When it comes to specifically DSA with MOE, likewise, we will do that for them as well.

Ms Low Yen Ling: Thank you, Chairman. Very quickly, I just want to respond to the third clarification from Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh with regards to the 20% co-funding.

Sir, to recap, the 80% co-funding is for the Sprout tier and the Scale tier. For the Sprout tier, it is $50,000 over two years, and for the Scale tier, it is $1 million over three years.

Allow me to assure him that the 20% to be co-funded does not have to be done upfront. And the source of funding that he mentioned, whether is it donation or earned revenue, they are allowable.

As for the tax rebate, it depends on which is the organisation that is leading the project and whether this organisation has an IPC status.

On the last part of the question, he asked whether is there any fundraising support and so on. SGPO stands ready to support and work with the sector partners as well as applicants to realise their project. We will support them in boosting their capabilities in operations as well as fundraising.

I am happy to also update him that after the evaluation of project, in fact, upon approval of the project, up to 40% of the grant will be dispersed. I think that goes some way to supporting them in realising the project.

The Chairman: Ms Elysa Chen.

Ms Elysa Chen: Thank you, Chairman. I wanted to ask MCCY, given the encouraging utilisation of the SG Culture Pass and the good outcomes that we have achieved thus far, whether the Ministry has considered extending the SG Culture Pass to every child rather than limiting eligibility to those aged 18 and above, given that early exposure to the arts and heritage can play an important role in shaping cultural appreciation and developing creativity.

I also wanted to check if there are plans to introduce a youth or family component to the SG Culture Pass so that parents can utilise it together with their children for arts, heritage and cultural activities.

My next clarification. I am also very glad to hear that every 15-year-old will now be able to experience the OBS programme. I wanted to ask whether we can consider extending it to the cohorts who were affected by COVID-19.

Mr Baey Yam Keng: On the use of the Culture Pass, right now, we have set it at age 18 and above. I think it is also to respect that the individual has to exercise their own decision to purchase things, whether books or any other cultural offerings.

As for the younger Singaporeans, they are also supported for their consumption of arts offerings in schools, because under 18, most of them will be in our education institutions. As shared, there are various arts programming that we are working with MOE, with the arts ecosystem to provide these offerings. And a lot of these are heavily subsidised or even free of charge to help us develop a generation of Singaporeans who are exposed to and can appreciate the arts.

So, the Culture Pass is for those who are much older. As I said, it is just about half a year that we have launched the Culture Pass. We will look at how it is utilised. We will definitely look at ways to further enhance this or to make it more accessible to Singaporeans.

The Chairman: Mr Jackson Lam. I am sorry, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh first.

Ms Goh Hanyan: Thank you, Chairman. I appreciate the Member's consideration and concern for the cohorts affected by COVID-19. As I mentioned in my main speech, our priority for OBS is the MOE-OBS Challenge (MOC) scale-up for Secondary 3 students up to 2030. That will be our priority – to get it right, to make sure we do it well.

Further, if you look back at the cohorts impacted by COVID-19, we also recognise that many of them are at different phases of life. They may be in very different places – National Service, working, so on and so forth. So, bringing them back together again for a common single experience would be a lot more operationally challenging.

The Chairman: Mr Jackson Lam.

Mr Jackson Lam: I would like to ask the Minister, will the shared services by SportSG have sufficient capacity to meet the needs of all NSAs? Second, if the demand exceeds capacity, what framework will SportSG use to prioritise requests?

Mr David Neo: Sir, I thank the Member for his questions. In sizing up the support for the NSAs, we work quite closely with all the NSAs to understand what their needs and requests are. It is our assessment that we should be okay.

Our approach to supporting the NSAs is always one whereby we want to make the NSAs better. A lot of the initiatives that I mentioned in my speech, about seconding people to the NSAs and all that, it is about building up their capability.

Beyond that, we also get our NSAs to work together, to share best practices. For example, one of our NSAs has had good success in digitalising their operations and we are getting them to share that across the NSAs. So, the approach really is about making them better and also working very closely to understand their demands. My assessment is that we should have enough resources to support them.

6.00 pm

The Chairman: Assoc Prof Jamus Lim.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim: Sir, I appreciate the referral by the Minister to the Parliamentary Question filed by Member David Hoe in November last year on considerations that HDB makes on multi-storey car park repurposing. I am also keenly aware of the noise considerations that are associated with pickleball play in the multi-storey car park. That is why in my cut, I had actually taken pains to explain why noise disamenities could be mitigated with sound curtains and the presence of a ceiling. So, I am wondering if the Minister has a response to whether such mitigation mechanisms are indeed infeasible and, if not, then perhaps we can get some reassurance by HDB that we will indeed be able to proceed with such repurposing requests? I understand that this is actually an infrastructure matter that may be better directed to the Minister of National Development (MND), but I had originally filed my cut for MND, but was redirected, and hence, I am directing it to the Minister.

Mr David Neo: Sir, I thank the Member for his clarification. Well, like SportSG, I think we adopt a very practical lens to this. So, as I said in my speech, it comes down to whether the location is suitable, meets the specifications. If it comes to having to do a lot of mitigation just to make it work, then we have to ask ourselves whether this is the best use of Government funds. So, I think that will be it.

The Chairman: Mr Andre Low.

Mr Low Wu Yang Andre: Thank you, Chairman. My clarification is to the Acting Minister. I thank him for his comprehensive overview of the measures we are taking to help our elderly Singaporeans combat ageing-related frailty.

There was also another thrust to my cut, which is about making strength training more accessible to Singaporeans at large, and I wonder if the Minister has a response to my suggestion to leverage our existing fitness corners as a means of providing easy access to strength training for the rest of Singaporeans.

Mr David Neo: Sir, I thank the Member for his clarification. I was under the impression that his original suggestion was meant for seniors, which is why the reply was that actually, for seniors, they require quite different machines. They require machines that ideally have pneumatic weights so that they can be increased at small increments, as opposed to the standard kind of weight machines that we have, and therefore, the HUR machines that are available at the majority of our senior care centres.

When it comes to general weight training for Singaporeans, with SportSG as well as the private gym landscape in Singapore taken together, I think Singaporeans have a lot of different possibilities and accesses to whether it is gym weight machines or otherwise. To the specific suggestion about weight machines and our constituencies as well as HDB fitness corners and all that, that is something that we have provision for in some areas. It is also something we are looking at. For example, there is a trial in Woodlands, if I am not wrong, where we are also looking at adjustable weights for outdoor machines. These are all things we are looking at and when we have sufficient data and confidence that some of these things work well in an outdoor setting, we will proceed to roll them out.

The Chairman: Mr Mark Lee.

Mr Mark Lee: Thank you, Chairman. The Acting Minister has actually mentioned about the IPS survey, and the survey actually indicates that younger Singaporeans are more likely to report feelings of social isolation, and more than half actually say that they find it easier to interact online than face-to-face. But at the same time, museums around the world are evolving beyond quiet exhibition spaces into social venues, hosting after-hours programmes that combine arts, music and interactive activities to attract younger audiences. So, I would like to ask the Minister whether MCCY and NHB would actually consider piloting museum-after-dark programmes designed for young adults, perhaps working with the NYC to design formats that actually resonate with how young people actually socialise today?

Mr David Neo: Sir, I thank the Member for his clarification. Well, we will certainly be very keen to study as well as pilot possible programmes after dark, whether it is in our museums or otherwise, and certainly NYC will have a big role to play in this. I also want to assure the Member that this is something that we are continually looking at. So, instead of after dark, NYC has also done programmes overnight. They have brought youths to stay overnight at the National Museum of Singapore, the National Gallery of Singapore and Changi Airport. So, the short answer is yes, we are open, studying and considering it, especially in the context that we have an existential problem, maybe this will help bring up our total fertility rate.

The Chairman: Mr Cai Yinzhou. Although you did not file a cut, you can ask your clarification.

Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh): Thank you, Chairman. I am still a youth, so, thank you. First, I would like to declare my interest as the executive director for Chinatown Heritage Centre. I understand that MCCY is developing placemaking initiatives in the locale of Kampong Gelam and Little India, with the hopes to activate spaces and support heritage businesses.

I would like to highlight that Chinatown should also be considered appropriately a historic district with culturally rich, including SG Heritage Business Scheme awardees like, Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop, which started in 1896; and Pek Sin Choon which celebrates its 101 years this year. I would also like to ask if the Ministry will therefore consider expanding the coordination and support to Chinatown?

My second Supplementary Question is for Senior Parliamentary Secretary Goh. Will the MOE-OBS Challenge Programme be implemented only in OBS campsites? I ask this because there are other campsites, like Changi Coast, Dairy Farm and Jalan Bahtera. So, I am wondering if those other campsites will be utilised and whether OBS will be the only operator for the OBS Challenge, or will there be other private outdoor adventure companies be operating it as well?

Ms Low Yen Ling: I want to thank Member Cai Yinzhou for the clarification. As far as his historic district is concerned, I want to assure him that the new Place-making Project Office that comes under the Inter-agency Task Force does indeed not only serve Kampong Gelam, Little India, but also Chinatown. In fact, the team is not confined only to MCCY and NHB, but also work across the whole-of-Government, including the economic agencies under MTI, for example, Enterprise Singapore and STB, to come together to support the businesses in the historic districts to strengthen their capabilities in placemaking. One, to design to implement and to scale up the placemaking so that we can boost their vibrancy as well as to drive footfall to the three historic districts, including Chinatown, and we are working very closely with the Chinatown Business Association on that.

Ms Goh Hanyan: To the Member's questions on sites for the MOC, yes, it will primarily be OBS' sites, so, they will be Pulau Ubin and also the Coney Island campus that will be coming up. Also, we want to highlight that the programme is also expeditionary in nature, so there will be certain locations that make use of nature and surroundings. It will be beyond those two campuses.

In terms of the operators, OBS will be the main operator, or the only operator for MOC. There are other operators out there that conduct camps, but these would be more for school-run specific camps.

The Chairman: As there are no further clarifications, can I invite Mr Alex Yam if you would like to withdraw your amendment?

6.08 pm

Mr Alex Yam: Thank you, Chairman, 41 questions and 330 minutes later, I certainly think the Ministry deserves the $100 back. So, I seek leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $2,407,711,100 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $677,912,500 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.