Acknowledgement to the Chair

The Leader of the House (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien): Mr Speaker, please allow me to make some concluding remarks on 2018's Budget and Committee of Supply (COS) debates.

I would like to begin with a few words of thanks. Mr Speaker, Sir, we would not have had such a smooth COS if not for your even-handed stewardship of the debate proceedings. On behalf of all the Members in this House, I wish to thank you and your Deputies for presiding ably over the sessions and maintaining high standards for the proceedings.

Our thanks also go to the Parliament Secretariat and support staff in the Chamber, in the Library, in the Members’ Room and at the Gate for their dedicated assistance, the translators who persevered along with us, as well as to all the officers from the Ministries and agencies who have worked hard to support us from behind the benches. I wish also to extend my appreciation to the members of the media who have brought the debate to Singaporeans.

The Minister for Finance said in his Budget Statement that Budget 2018 was about laying the foundation for our nation’s future. Over the last eight days, Members in this House debated on what we can do, and how we can do better, to create a brighter future together.

Budget 2018 outlines the steps we will take to prepare for a changing global economic landscape, rapid technological advances and an ageing population. These shifts present opportunities for growth, but also challenge the strength of our social compact. As we embrace globalisation and technology to expand opportunities for our businesses, to transform industries and build deep capabilities, how do we ensure that we move forward together and leave no one behind? Coupled with recent interest on the issue of social inequality, it comes as no surprise that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) dominated much of the airtime in this Debate.

Members asked how we could support different segments of the workforce so that everyone has a place in the future economy, be it helping older workers and women, uplifting low-wage workers, or supporting freelancers and self-employed persons.

While we strive to transform our industries, Members were also concerned about the prospects of local firms, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and displaced professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs), and how we can help them strengthen capabilities and remain competitive so that good jobs are created for our people.

Members' questions for MCCY reflect their interest in the softer aspects of nation-building. Members rightly highlighted that besides preparing our workforce for the future economy, we also need to strengthen social cohesion across race, religion and class lines, and create diverse and inclusive opportunities for Singaporeans to grow and pursue their aspirations.

Across the House, Members were concerned about whether Singapore was prepared to deal with external threats and internal challenges.

On foreign policy and security matters, Members debated how Singapore could respond to the changing geopolitical landscape, the dangers of segregationism and extremism, and the demands of cybersecurity.

On domestic issues relating to housing, transport and the environment, Members welcomed the measures to better support families by reducing the waiting time for flats for young couples, to better regulate Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) and shared-bikes and to make Singapore more environmentally sustainable.

Members also discussed at length enhancements to education, social services delivery and healthcare.

This year, a joint address was delivered by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Health (MOH) and MCCY on SG Cares, which reminded us that, in good times and bad, it is the spirit of caring, giving and compassion that binds us together. I should remind the House of the role that you have played, Speaker, in planting the seeds of SG Cares. You have been a passionate advocate in calling upon Singaporeans to play an active part in creating a caring and cohesive society and you continue to co-chair the Committee with Desmond and I.

Indeed, nation-building goes beyond what the Government can do through its policies and efforts. So much more can be achieved when we do it as one united people. With everyone playing their part, Singapore can stand fast in the face of challenges to come.

Mr Speaker, Sir, this year saw a total of 530 cuts filed for a total time of 3,120 minutes, or 52 hours, the longest speech time required for cuts over the past five years. This speaks to the breadth and gravity of the issues we face today.

The debate over the past eight days has been vigorous. I thank the Members for undertaking their roles with dedication and for upholding decorum in this House. More importantly, Members of Parliament (MPs) stayed true to speaking up for their residents, for our people. But beyond the figures and the measures we discussed, some Members searched deep – what are the purposes that we wish to achieve and how do we get there?

Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin reminded us that beyond being pragmatic in an uncertain future, we must also be bold enough to fight for our ideals. But I agree with Mr Murali Pillai that pragmatism and ideals are not mutually exclusive. To tackle the problems of today and prepare ourselves for tomorrow, we must be bold and embrace change. We must have that grit and bias for action that make us an exceptional nation. This would not be the case had we no ideals.

We are an unexpected nation that triumphed against all odds. Through tenacity and sacrifice, through courage and adaptability, our forefathers built a nation that all of us can proudly call our Home. They upheld the values and ideals of meritocracy, incorruptibility, multiracialism and personal responsibility to build a modern and vibrant city with opportunities for all. Today, we can walk the streets feeling safe at night; we take clean air and water for granted; all our children go to good schools where guns and drugs are unheard of; and our youths have diverse opportunities to pursue their dreams. Singaporeans, young and old, are dreaming big and striving to give their best.

Ms Kuik Shiao-Yin observed that children in Singapore had big dreams, regardless of their socio-economic status. We want to support them in achieving their ambitions. This is why I dedicated myself to public service. When I entered politics, I wanted to help build a Singapore where my children could grow up in a safe environment that protects them from harm, a Singapore where they can find meaningful work and opportunities to realise their potential, a Singapore where they can build a happy home and know the joy of raising their own families, and the space to find fulfilment and give back to society.

I believe this is a future that is shared by many of us here. It is the legacy we wish to gift our children.

How do we get to our ideal state? We have to find ways that work. I know that we achieve this not by spoiling our children and giving them everything on a silver platter; not by disregarding how race and religion continue to define us, even though meritocracy means we have equal opportunity; and not by promising our children equal outcomes regardless of effort. I know that the best way is to teach our children how to fish instead of promising an endless supply of fish.

This is what this Budget is about. The Government plays the role of an enabler. By supporting enterprise, creating a business-friendly environment, providing incentives for lifelong learning and helping workers upskill, enhancing support for education and social services, and fostering an environment of compassion and care, we are providing opportunities for Singaporeans to achieve their dreams, and creating a society where everyone takes ownership. Every Budget is a social vision and a statement of values.

Mr Speaker, I believe my ideal Singapore is shared by many of my colleagues in this Chamber, and many more of you outside, all of whom are working hard to build the future that we want for one another, for our children and for our children’s children, the best way we know how.

Ultimately, success will depend less on what the Government does, but far more on what each and every one of us chooses to do today and every day. To win the future, to ride out the challenges of income inequality, disruptive technology and an ageing society, we need the support of all Singaporeans, young and old, to nurture a strong society with an entrepreneurial dare and a smart nation with a heart. Together with everyone in Singapore, we can build a strong Singapore society, anchored in meritocracy, self-reliance, hard work and compassion for the vulnerable and realise our ideal of being one united people. And where ideals and drive meet ability and opportunities, Singapore will be well-placed to seize the future. [Applause.]

2.47 pm

Mr Speaker: Finally…I get to speak! This is my once-a-year occasion. Some of you think that the biggest challenge being up here is how one manages to stay awake, or how we answer the calls of nature. Well, that will remain a trade secret. What I find most challenging is having the desire to participate but not being able to do so in the way that all of you do. So, what you all have is a unique precious privilege to make a significant impact on the well-being of our people. I want to start by commending all of you for actively doing just that in the past few weeks.

I would like to thank my Deputy Speakers Charles Chong and Lim Biow Chuan for sharing the responsibilities of this Chair. Thanks also to my Clerks and Parliament colleagues who quietly help to keep the process running smoothly during this Budget and COS. I would like to especially recognise our simultaneous interpreters who sit from 10.00 am till 8.00 pm each day. And on this topic of language, some of you have spoken of the importance. Mr Yee Chia Hsing did raise some questions. A "set-top box" in Mandarin is "机 顶 盒" and analogue TV is "类 比 电 视". Of course, we remember Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat who, "spoiled market", oh, sorry, who raised the bar by speaking in Tamil not once, but twice. So, the arms race has begun. "இது ஒரு பலமொழி நாடாளுமன்றம். என்னாலும் தமிழில் பேச முடியும்" This is a multi-lingual Parliament. I can also speak in Tamil! [Laughter.]

And of course, thank you so very much to all our Civil Servants and to our Leader and Whip.

As I mentioned earlier, as Speaker, I do not speak, so I have no choice but to listen. And there has been a lot of listening in these past few days! As Leader mentioned, 530 cuts, 51 hours and 50 minutes allocated, these are the second highest and highest respectively in the recent five years.

Rather than repeat what the Government has said, from this vantage point, allow me to try and see the wood for the trees.

Firstly, what is our purpose?

I discern four core reasons from everything that you are saying. It is really about how we look after and make things better for Singaporeans as individuals, for Singapore, the community and society. And also, there is a time dimension of meeting today’s needs while catering for future ones. All four are clearly important. They are same-same but also different. There are tradeoffs and choices that need to be made, even when we focus on the very reasons for our existence.

Secondly, what is the Budget and COS process for?

It is to discuss how we intend to realise our ideals, aspirations via plans and details. The need to be pragmatic is as important as the ideals we hold dear. Mr Murali Pillai shared with us Joe Biden's quote, "Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget, and I’d tell you what you value." Closer to home, in 1971, S Rajaratnam shared, "What you have done may not get as much publicity as utterances of professional oppositionists, but long after these have gone, what you have done will strengthen the democracy of deeds and not words."

I know that in today's world, we sometimes like the smart sound bites, the eloquent emotive rhetoric. It helps. It is important. But substance and details matter too, especially in the real Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world, as Seah Kian Peng shared. Difficult unpopular choices need sometimes to be made.

We all grapple with these dilemmas in our daily lives, as individuals, in our families, at school, at work, as leaders. It is no different at a national level.

But remember this, it is not about fear but how we thrive in this environment and embrace and seize the opportunities before us.

Thirdly, are we clear and united in where we are going?

At times, things seem to be rather ambiguous, such as whether two-thirds plus one-third is greater than 1! Or disagreement, for example, having a division for the Budget Statement.

But when we look past the differences that are often amplified, do we not see that we have more points of convergence and agreement than not? These differences of opinions are important, and the debate helps us refine and clarify. Argue, fight by all means, but within limits and in a responsible manner.

But I am thankful that, despite it all, we do have a unity of thought and conviction as to where we should go and how we should position ourselves as a nation. So long as we do not hold ourselves back and be mired as others do, we can boldly more forward into the brave new world.

Others have noticed this. I recently listened to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) interview where a commentator was amazed that a government was able to plan for a tax increase in four years' time. He noted that we were able to take "medium- to long-term decisions in a way which governments in the United Kingdom (UK) and America are not able to do because they are always worried about the next election."

While we should always be circumspect about comments and observations, these comments are worth pondering over. I believe that we are only able to think long term when, in our society, there is a sense of "we" and not just "me", and where there is a belief in tomorrow and not just a focus on today.

Lastly, how do we realise our vision?

We are laying the foundations for our future. We need to build a vibrant and innovative economy. We intend to build a smart, green, liveable city. We want to foster a caring and cohesive society. And we have to ensure a fiscally sustainable and secure future. For all of us.

Perhaps the question to ask is, who makes this happen?

We do. It is us, the people. What will make us great as a nation and realise our vision will be when we are a people who will go the extra mile. When we go the extra mile for one another because it is not just about me. When we are able to look beyond self.

This is about the heart and soul of our nation. Deep down inside all of us, I believe we know that these are fundamentally important, but, unlike everything else in the Budget, these cannot be mandated by law.

But they can be nurtured. And it is for us, as Singaporeans, to respond.

I recently met a father of a chronically ill child at a Club Rainbow event. He shared that as a result of his child’s illness, he has learnt to be more patient, to be more loving and caring. And he might have been quite different if circumstances turned out differently. He said, "In some ways, it’s a blessing."

When I speak to volunteers at the hospices caring for those who do not have long to live, I realise that many of them learn to live their lives today differently.

You see, change happens when we reach out and care for others.

How else do we nurture this sense of looking beyond self? St Francis says that it is in giving that we receive. Many faiths share the same idea.

SG Cares is about how we nurture an environment where we reach out and care for others. And in the process, how we can perhaps begin to change. And how we begin to become a better people, and a better society.

Our future is tremendously exciting.

When we, as Singaporeans, take the step forward to care for others, when SG Cares, we begin to build bonds that bind, and these bonds enable us to go the extra mile for one another. Whatever the future throws at us, we know we will fight for our survival and figure a way out. Because there is something larger than us that we are fighting for.

These are the same qualities that will allow us to say the first line of our pledge with conviction, "We, the citizens of Singapore". These are the qualities that will enable us to "pledge ourselves as one united people, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation." So, I now take great pleasure in guillotining myself. [Applause.]