預算辯論 · 2026-03-05 · 屆國會 15
2026文化社群及青年部供給委員會辯論：馬來穆斯林社群的AI經濟準備
MCCY供給委員會辯論中，多名馬來族議員聚焦社群在AI經濟中的準備度。議員Saktiandi Supaat提出AI轉型戰略必須確保兒童和青年不僅會使用技術，還能創造價值。他舉例一名中四學生對AI感興趣但缺乏深入理解。議員Wan Rizal關注青年從高等教育到AI驅動就業市場的過渡。討論提到國家AI委員會、國家AI使命和AI Champions計劃為馬來穆斯林企業帶來新機遇，但質問：社群是否準備好邁入這個新世界？
關鍵要點
- • AI轉型需確保青年能創造價值而非僅消費技術
- • 馬來穆斯林企業需把握國家AI使命機遇
- • 青年從教育到AI就業市場的過渡支援
- • 社群AI準備度是關鍵問題
通過國家AI計劃支援各族群參與AI經濟
AI包容性成為族群政策議題
參與人員 (6)
完整譯文（中文）
Hansard 原始記錄 · 2026-05-02
主席：文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）X組負責人。亞歷克斯·嚴先生。
下午12時53分
構建“我們優先”的國家認同
亞歷克斯·嚴先生（馬西嶺-裕廊西）：主席，我提議，“將預算中X組的總撥款減少100元。”
在較為平靜的時期，關於國家認同的討論可能顯得哲學化，甚至抽象。但我們今天顯然不處於平靜時期。
我們周圍的世界非常動盪。中東地區再次爆發戰爭。大國在各地區和供應鏈中爭奪影響力。戰略競爭日益激烈。離我們較近的地區，區域緊張局勢也時有爆發。
對於像我們這樣的小型開放國家來說，這些發展不是遙遠的新聞頭條。它們提醒我們全球環境正變得更加分裂和不確定。
在這樣的世界中，國家韌性不能僅僅依賴經濟實力或軍事能力。它還必須依賴一種不那麼顯眼但同樣重要的東西，那就是社會信任——公民在關鍵時刻會團結一致的信心。
這就是我們談論“我們優先”社會時的核心含義。
但今天構建這樣的社會並非易事。新加坡人理所當然地關注基本生活問題。家庭擔憂生活成本。父母關心子女的未來。工人們正在適應技術變革和經濟不確定性。
在快節奏且要求高的社會中，人們自然首先關注自己的家庭。然而，如果每個人都只顧自己，維繫國家的無形紐帶將會鬆散。
“我們優先”的國家認同不能僅靠口號建立。不能僅依賴宣傳活動或偶爾的事件。它必須在日常生活中體驗，並通過習慣加以強化。
新加坡起點較高。政策研究所（IPS）的調查持續顯示我們公共機構的信任度相對較高。社群參與和志願服務多年來穩步增長。
但信任不是靜態資產，必須不斷更新。
國際比較或許對我們有啟示。在許多北歐社會，超過60%至70%的公民表示信任不認識的人。這是全球社會信任度最高的水平之一。
這種信任當然不是偶然產生的。它是鼓勵公民積極參與社群生活的社會規範和制度的產物。
以丹麥為例，有一種根深蒂固的傳統稱為“föreningsliv”。它指的是一種充滿活力的協會文化，公民組織體育俱樂部、文化團體和志願活動。許多組織不是由專業人士運營，而是由普通公民管理。
這些協會在年齡、職業和背景之間建立橫向聯絡，創造維繫信任的社會網路。
在荷蘭，有“gezelligheid”這一概念。這個詞沒有完美的英文翻譯，但它表達了一種溫暖、團結和共同歸屬感。它反映了社群生活的重要性，而不僅僅是個體追求個人目標的集合。
在日本，“養樂多女士”扮演著重要的社會安全網角色，保持超級老齡化社會的聯絡。
這些例子提醒我們，社會凝聚力不是自動形成的。它是通過日常實踐有意識地培養的。因此，我們必須從年輕人開始。學校是學生為生活做準備的地方，也是公民本能形成的場所。讓學生接觸社會不同群體的專案可以加深同理心和共同責任感。
在工作場所，許多新加坡人花費大量時間工作。僱主因此有機會營造跨背景、國籍和技能合作的環境，並通過企業志願服務幫助員工在專業角色之外做出貢獻。
在我們的鄰里中，這些是“我們優先”本能最直接的滋養環境。
新加坡的住房模式長期以來是社會凝聚力的一個安靜但強大的引擎。但隨著生活方式的變化，我們需要加強面對面交流，防止鄰居變成陌生人。促進居民聚集的舉措有助於恢復彼此熟悉感。
我們必須認識到，我們的大部分國家對話發生在網路上。
數字平臺擁有極大的傳播力，但也放大了憤怒、錯誤資訊和極化。因此，對於像我們這樣多元文化的社會，培養數字公民意識同樣至關重要。我們的網路空間必須反映與現實空間相同的責任感和相互尊重的價值觀。
我們還必須繼續彌合代際和社會經濟群體之間的差異，連線老年人與年輕人。創造這些代際互動的機會將有助於將我們的國家認同錨定於記憶與更新。
我們必須防止隨著經濟壓力上升形成社會孤島。“我們優先”的社會必須確保同情心和相互支援繼續嵌入我們的社會契約中。
主席，因此，我期待聽到文化、社區及青年部如何進一步在社會多個方面植入“我們優先”的精神，使我們的國家認同通過參與而非僅僅說服形成。
這將成為我們人民之間一種安靜而持久的信念：我們的命運是共同的，當世界更加動盪時，新加坡人會本能地做我們一直最擅長的事——把“我們”置於“我”之前。因為在這個不確定的世界裡，新加坡最大的力量不僅是我們的經濟或制度，而是我們的人民。
[(程式文本) 提出問題。 (程式文本)]
下午1時
宗教機構與青年
瑪麗亞姆·賈法爾女士（森巴旺）：（馬來語）：[請參閱方言演講。]我們的年輕人面臨諸多壓力——學校、考試、社交媒體。許多人默默地問自己：“我是誰，我屬於哪裡？”
當壓力、身份和歸屬感交織時，我們的清真寺不僅僅是禮拜場所。它們可以成為安全港灣。清真寺可以成為青年福祉的強大夥伴，因為它們提供社群、意義和可信賴的成年人指導。
對許多青年而言，焦慮或身份的掙扎不僅是情感問題，更是精神問題。它們關乎目的、自我價值以及與信仰的關係。精神指導與福祉密不可分。
我鼓勵看到新加坡伊斯蘭宗教理事會（MUIS）和清真寺部門在青年參與方面加大力度，包括像NEXTGEN這樣的專案。但我們需要做三件事。
首先，傾聽。給予青年真正的發聲權。在區級和教區級持續進行青年共創，使專案能針對青年面臨的真實挑戰。
第二，裝備。當年輕人遇到困難時，他們可能會先找烏斯塔茲或青年領袖，而非正式服務。我們準備好迎接這一時刻了嗎？我們能否考慮在清真寺試點培訓有素的青年輔導員、同伴支援小組並正式建立明確的轉介路徑？精神指導與專業關懷必須攜手並進。
第三，主動出擊。我們不能等待青年走進清真寺的大門，而應主動走向他們。將輔導和韌性工作坊帶入社群空間和數字平臺，在他們所在之處與他們相遇。
每位年輕的馬來/穆斯林都應知道：他們被看見、被重視、被支援——無論在信仰還是生活中。當我們的青年紮根於信仰並獲得福祉支援時，我們的社群——乃至國家——都更加強大。
新加坡伊斯蘭研究學院
賽義德·哈倫·阿爾哈布西博士（義順）：新加坡伊斯蘭研究學院（SCIS）是對本地穆斯林社群下一代宗教領導和學術研究的投資，建立在我們馬德拉薩和宗教機構現有工作和貢獻的基礎上。
SCIS將如何確保其課程保持與全球其他機構相當的伊斯蘭學術高標準，旨在培養不僅滿足穆斯林社群需求的畢業生，還能將其深厚的學術知識、智慧和專長擴充套件至更廣泛的新加坡社會乃至全球？
部長如何看待SCIS在當今全球發展背景下的重要性、核心地位及發展，以及SCIS在新加坡國家建設和未來願景中的潛在貢獻？
清真寺建設規劃引數
法茲利·法烏茲先生（阿裕尼）：（馬來語）：[請參閱方言演講。]主席，今年一月，我曾提出議會質詢，詢問用於決定是否建設新清真寺的人口規劃引數，是否不僅包括穆斯林居民，還包括白天穆斯林工作人口和穆斯林外勞。
部長的答覆未透露政府使用的具體人口規劃引數或清真寺與穆斯林居民的確切比例。
我的問題源於計劃關閉蔡厝港的Masjid Al-Firdaus。儘管位於偏遠地區，該清真寺60多年來一直滿足社群的精神需求，包括附近服役的國民服役人員和該地區的外勞。
Masjid Al-Firdaus將在中央區新清真寺建成後關閉。這引發了一個問題：具體的規劃引數是什麼，用以決定何時關閉、搬遷、擴建或新建清真寺？政府是否有目標的清真寺與穆斯林居民人口比例？如果有，能否明確說明？
此外，雖然我們依賴規劃引數決定建多少清真寺，但我們也必須考慮超越數字的遺產。
例如，由於歷史定居模式，我們仍有村落式清真寺，位於人口稀少地區，如武吉布朗的Masjid Omar Salmah或女皇鎮的Masjid Hang Jebat。這些清真寺可能不再有大量會眾，但擁有對社群有意義的悠久歷史。
新建住宅區時，政策是否會通過搬遷或關閉舊清真寺（如Masjid Al-Firdaus）來合理化清真寺數量？
正如部長所指出，清真寺由社群通過清真寺建設及MENDAKI基金（MBMF）資助。清真寺一直是社群資源和信仰、歷史及身份的支柱，由犧牲和集體努力建成。我們如何在審慎的城市規劃與遺產保護之間取得更好平衡？
通過新加坡社群瓦卡夫留下持久遺產
阿卜杜勒·穆海敏·阿卜杜勒·馬利克先生（盛港）：（馬來語）：[請參閱方言演講。]自2024年8月3日啟動以來，只有150名穆斯林在遺囑或提名中指定新加坡社群瓦卡夫（WMS）為受益人。這僅佔60歲以上穆斯林的0.1%，在整個穆斯林人口中比例更小。這些數字值得我們深思。
WMS有潛力成為支援SCIS的財政支柱，確保我們馬德拉薩的持續運營，並覆蓋清真寺的運營和租賃費用。除了資助機構和基礎設施，WMS資金預計還將流向社會支援專案、教育和青年發展——這些投資將塑造未來幾代人的品格和能力。
若貢獻不足，我們將危及維護宗教遺產和培育社群潛力的機構和專案。
WMS為新加坡每位穆斯林提供了創造永續遺產的機會，在其他瓦卡夫形式受限時尤為重要。每一份貢獻都是一顆持續結果的種子——支援學生、維持禮拜場所、幫助有需要者。
我建議通過多樣化平臺大幅擴大社群參與：清真寺、社群中心、學校、專業協會和學生社團。這些活動應賦能社群，瞭解WMS潛在的深遠精神和社會影響。
我想問部長：
第一，部如何針對我們穆斯林社群不同群體定製推廣工作？我們的社群多元美麗——印度穆斯林、華裔穆斯林、阿拉伯穆斯林、馬來穆斯林、青年、專業人士和長者。每個群體有獨特視角和偏好溝通渠道。是否會有針對性專案與其具體背景共鳴？
第二，部是否承諾全面披露基金管理資產，並在基金啟動後定期向貢獻者遺產提供更新？當社群看到資金被負責任地使用——學生畢業、家庭獲支援、清真寺維護——這將增強信任並激勵他人效仿。
從150名貢獻者到數千人——這必須是我們的發展軌跡。每個穆斯林家庭都應將WMS納入遺產規劃，不是義務，而是投資永恆的機會。
與家庭同行
納迪婭·艾哈邁德·薩姆丁女士（宏茂橋）：（馬來語）：[請參閱方言演講。]主席，我想談談許多年輕家庭面臨的挑戰。許多屬於“夾心層”，面臨生活成本上升的壓力，同時平衡撫養子女和照顧年邁父母的責任。有時，他們缺乏強大的家庭支援網路，不像前幾代人。
作為母親，我經歷了充滿喜悅的婚姻和育兒初期。但面對新體驗時，可能會出現困惑、恐懼和疲憊的感覺。準備早餐、適應新作息、孩子哭鬧時熬夜——同時平衡工作和家庭需求。這會影響家庭福祉。
在這方面，Bersamamu專案和ARIF計劃幫助了許多早期婚姻和育兒的年輕夫婦，提供宗教指導、醫療視角和實用技能，如財務規劃。
請問ARIF計劃和Bersamamu專案的最新進展如何——有多少年輕夫婦受益？是否有計劃擴充套件服務，特別是針對年輕夫婦的心理健康和福祉支援？
此外，我們能否考慮加強與KidSTART等專案的合作，以實現持續的家庭支援？
政府將如何擴大推廣，確保年輕夫婦瞭解這些專案？
隨著多代同堂家庭和長者人數增加，我們的社會景觀明顯變化。我一直倡導關注長者。國家層面有許多支援長者的努力。但我們能否考慮支援多代同堂家庭和長者的專案？
使用MENDAKI基金
阿扎爾·奧斯曼先生（提名議員）：（馬來語）：[請參閱方言演講。]主席，我請求部考慮允許使用MENDAKI基金建立卓越社群。雖然我們理解大部分資金用於教育，但必須認識到該組織的財務仍然穩健。
我們需要超越教育作為唯一成功路徑，探索藝術、體育和職業發展等其他成就形式。我們希望確保每個人都獲得必要支援，成為最好的自己。
MENDAKI還應考慮為家庭提供全面支援，包括財務素養教育和加強家庭紐帶。
MENDAKI應設想如何發展這一社群，並確保支援該社群的專案得到全面且專業的實施。
下午1時15分
為馬來/穆斯林兒童準備人工智慧經濟
薩克提安迪·蘇帕特先生（碧山-大巴窯）：（馬來語）：[請參閱方言演講。]主席，我們的人工智慧轉型戰略的一部分必須確保我們的兒童和青年不僅能使用技術，還能利用技術創造價值。
我最近在大巴窯遇到一名中四學生，他告訴我他對人工智慧感興趣。但進一步詢問時，他說自己從未程式設計，不知道如何開始。他缺乏的不是志向，而是接觸和指導。
首先，我們如何評估加強讀寫、算術和數字信心基礎的努力效果——尤其是對可能缺乏家庭學習支援的馬來/穆斯林兒童？
第二，針對馬來/穆斯林青年的專案如何更緊密地與增長行業對接——如應用技術、先進製造和數字服務——以確保他們的參與真正開闢良好就業路徑？
最後，除了參與人數，我們跟蹤哪些成果指標——如參與者進步和將行業培訓轉化為永久就業——以確保持久影響？
加強對馬來/穆斯林長者的支援
（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 主席先生，在我們的馬來/穆斯林社群，家庭一直是主要的照顧者。我們的許多長者由子女和孫輩支援，他們提供陪伴、經濟幫助和日常協助。
但隨著家庭結構的演變和工作生活變得更加繁忙，我們應當思考如何可持續地支援長者的社會和心理健康？
在基層，我們看到一些長者是鰥寡獨居，年邁的父母不願給子女添負擔，或者照顧者默默地兼顧工作和長者照護責任。他們中的許多人並不公開表達自己的困難。
這就是為什麼社會和情感支援必須超越偶爾的活動。它必須是持續的、值得信賴且易於獲得的。
首先，我們如何加強長者的友伴計劃、同伴支援和社群接觸點，使長者全年保持社會聯絡？我們如何在當今現代住房環境中重拾“甘榜精神”？
第二，我們能做些什麼來支援馬來/穆斯林社群中的照顧者——尤其是那些在“夾心層”平衡工作和父母照護的人？是否有便捷的支援網路和早期干預渠道以防止照顧者倦怠？
第三，除了專案參與人數，我們使用哪些指標來衡量實際影響——例如減少孤立、改善情緒健康和加強代際互動？
主席：沙拉爾·塔哈先生。您可以將三個發言合併。
發展青年潛力
沙拉爾·塔哈先生（巴西立-樟宜）：（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。]（馬來語）：主席先生，我們的年輕人是社群未來的希望。MENDAKI輔導計劃極大地幫助了我們的學生學業成功。然而，我們孩子的未來不能僅依賴補習。
關鍵問題是：我們是否真正為年輕人準備了明天的就業市場？
如今，世界變化迅速。新興產業如科技、人工智慧、工程和數字經濟正在擴充套件。我們希望看到更多年輕人敢於夢想，對自己的能力充滿信心，追求未來產業，如航空航天、人工智慧和網路安全。
政府和社群組織需要建立更緊密的合作伙伴關係——不僅在學業支援方面，還包括職業體驗、導師指導和真實的就業機會。
在M3@巴西立-樟宜，我們開展了學習之旅、機器人大戰和駭客馬拉松等專案，讓年輕人接觸新興產業所需技能。然而，這些努力需要進一步擴大。隨著超過10個行業專業網路的建立，我們如何利用這些網路提高對新技能、職業路徑和就業機會的認識，尤其是針對年輕人？這些網路如何與學校、MENDAKI輔導、M3專案和青年組織合作，使更多年輕人早期接觸未來產業？
馬來/穆斯林長者支援生態系統
（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 到2030年，新加坡將成為老齡社會。
許多長者每天訪問清真寺——不僅是為了祈禱，也是為了尋求平靜、支援和陪伴。清真寺在我們社群生活中扮演關鍵角色。
設想如果清真寺能與衛生促進局、衛生部以及金融領域合作伙伴更緊密合作，提供全面的健康、財務和社會支援——所有服務都在他們信任和熟悉的地方。
在巴西立-樟宜，Al-Istighfar清真寺與M3聯合舉辦了持久授權書講座，進行了健康篩查，以及舉辦了Yallah Run和與穆夫提一起運動等健身活動，以支援長者福祉。
我的問題是：清真寺如何與這些機構更緊密合作，既提供宗教支援，也為教眾提供全面援助？
支援馬來/穆斯林企業
（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 主席先生，經濟快速發展，我們不能僅做旁觀者。隨著國家人工智慧理事會、國家人工智慧使命和人工智慧冠軍計劃的成立，許多新機遇正在出現。
問題是：馬來/穆斯林企業準備好邁入這個新世界了嗎？
馬來/穆斯林青年就業轉型
萬瑞扎爾博士（惹蘭勿剎）：（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 先生，我想談談青年從高等教育機構、工藝教育學院（ITE）、理工學院和大學過渡到職場的情況。
這一轉變是每個年輕人生活中的重要時刻。在快速變化的經濟中，擁有證書或文憑已不再足夠。
我們的青年需要早期接觸增長行業，瞭解未來技能，並與僱主建立更緊密的關係。
我們希望更多青年進入科技、先進製造、醫療保健和人工智慧相關崗位，這不是偶然，而是通過明確和規劃的路徑實現。
在M3的第四重點領域（FA4）下，有空間以更結構化的方式加強對這一轉型的支援。
工會和全國職工總會（NTUC）準備與MENDAKI、高等院校、僱主及社群夥伴如MEMBINA Komuniti和4PM合作，早期在校園內加強職業指導，提供職業輔導服務渠道，針對增長行業提供更有針對性的技能建議，擴大行業導師和專業網路的接觸，最後開放實習、崗位培訓和高潛力行業的入門崗位路徑。
這種更綜合的方法有助於確保青年瞭解可用機會，建立信心，更有準備地面對轉型。
然而，如果由各部委、機構和教育機構之間的強有力協調支援，這一努力將更有效，使轉型路徑結構合理、目標明確，並在證明有效後可擴大規模。
因此，我希望部長闡述政府如何計劃加強部委、高等院校和社群夥伴之間的協調，使青年轉型支援更系統化、可衡量，並幫助更多青年進入增長行業的優質崗位？
馬來文化中心
賽義德·哈倫·阿爾哈布西博士（義順）：（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 語言、傳統和文化是強化我們族群認同的支柱。這些元素塑造我們如何理解和欣賞各自的遺產，幫助我們找到平衡，在新加坡多元文化中共同構建力量和團結。
部長能否更新我們關於馬來文化中心重新開放的籌備專案及現狀？該中心計劃於今年四月重新開放。
馬來文化中心如何繼續提升對馬來文化的認知、知識和欣賞，特別是在年輕人中，同時為加強社會凝聚力和未來國家建設的更廣泛努力做出貢獻？
馬來/穆斯林與印度/穆斯林組織合作
哈米德·拉扎克博士（西海岸-裕廊西）：主席先生，先生，在新加坡，我們非常幸運擁有強大的馬來/穆斯林組織（MMOs）、印度/穆斯林組織（IMOs）及其他熱心夥伴。但當努力各自為政時，居民可能面臨重複接觸點、服務間隙或組織間交接混亂。
這正是M3網路可以發揮實際召集作用的地方，加強MMOs、IMOs及其他社群夥伴間的合作，整合優勢，使基層外展更協調。我有兩個問題請教部長。
第一，M3網路如何加強MMOs、IMOs及其他社群夥伴間的合作，包括共享轉介和聯合規劃，使個人和家庭體驗到一個協調一致的幫助路徑？部長是否考慮採用“無錯門”策略？
第二，部長是否考慮為MMOs、IMOs及夥伴制定統一操作手冊，包含簡單的導航標準和一套共享成果，以使外展更順暢？請用馬來語回答。
（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 主席先生，我呼籲我們的馬來/穆斯林社群組織和基層團體攜手合作，而非各自為政。
每個組織都有其優勢——有的擅長青年事務，有的專注家庭問題，有的強於教育、職業或社會服務。若協調努力，我們能更快更有效地觸及更多人。
讓我們互補優勢，分享清晰框架，按各自強項貢獻，使社群實現成為最好的自己，堅定身份認同，繼續為新加坡貢獻的願景。
（英語）：請用泰米爾語回答。
（泰米爾語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] 主席先生，儘管印度/穆斯林社群規模較小，但它持續為國家建設做出貢獻。印度/穆斯林社群現今多元，組織眾多，每個組織各有優勢。解決社群問題需要全社群努力。
什麼是全社群努力？即MMOs、IMOs及其他社群組織必須團結合作，實現國家目標。
若我們攜手合作，最後一公里的外展將更精準。讓我們共同努力，使青年、家庭及有需要者共同進步。
共建共榮
哈茲麗娜·阿卜杜勒·哈利姆女士（東海岸）：主席先生，我將聚焦三個領域——SCIS，強化對馬來/印度及/或穆斯林組織的支援，以及提升家庭社會流動性。先生，用馬來語。
（馬來語）：[請參閱本地語演講。] SCIS的成立是發展本地宗教領導力的重要一步，該領導力既有能力又適應新加坡獨特多元文化社會，同時熟悉東南亞動態。
許多人對SCIS的成功和公信力寄予厚望，視其為社群和新加坡的長期投資。
上月在議會，我向代理部長提出有關SCIS的問題，並對其澄清感到鼓舞，確認SCIS的成立受到區域夥伴的歡迎。
因此，為增強對SCIS的信心，必須分享確保其質量、治理和預期成果的努力資訊。
請問SCIS如何確保其專案的質量控制，使畢業生未來能引導社群，同時為新加坡作出貢獻？
除了學術資格，目標標準在多大程度上強調強烈的宗教理解、全面的精神能力，以及畢業生引導穆斯林社群應對當前社會挑戰的能力？
下午1時30分
主席先生，作為曾在PPIS服務逾十年——這是最大的MMO之一——及首批Tunas專案成員，我深刻理解、珍惜並尊重我們的MMOs和IMOs。
大多數MMOs和IMOs成立於1965年前，歷經風雨，屹立至今。
它們各自專注於不同目標，無論是強化家庭和賦權婦女，支援工人，培養青年，還是引導兒童。
它們是經驗豐富的組織，是社群信任的支柱。MMOs和IMOs是社群的寶貴資產。
因此，應優先作為長期戰略伙伴，關注其可持續性。
目前，Yayasan MENDAKI正努力確保更多人受益於社群領袖論壇（CLF）資金——這項重要工作必須持續。我請求代理部長總結MMOs/IMOs對CLF資金的使用率及鼓勵更大參與的新舉措。
其次，2019年Kurnia@WGS隨芽籠實業大廈開幕而成立，旨在聯合MMOs和IMOs，使社群更易獲得全面支援。
據悉，自今年一月起，這兩個辦公室已與M3@芽籠實業大廈合併，以促進更緊密合作。
我希望代理部長能分享Kurnia@WGS的成就和未來計劃，以及該努力是否將擴充套件至其他M3鎮，尤其是我負責的M3@勿洛。
主席先生，無論運營者是M3、MMOs/IMOs還是社會服務機構，使命始終如一——提升社群生活質量，創造更光明的未來。
因此，新加坡積極支援弱勢家庭的努力必須繼續。
主席先生，這些家庭面臨的挑戰極其複雜——涵蓋經濟壓力、健康問題、家庭關係、就業甚至住房問題。
幸運的是，家庭服務中心、社會服務辦公室、MMOs、ComLink、M3的Project Dian等多方提供援助。請代理部長總結這一支援生態系統對弱勢家庭的成效，並分享最新資訊及未來加強Project Dian的計劃。
（英語）：主席先生，良好政策必須落實於現實生活。若協調僅停留在紙面，家庭仍需自行應對系統複雜性。必須有共享的實踐標準、明確的轉介路徑以確保持續照護。
除了專案和補貼，社會資本本身也很重要。建立社會資本的社群平臺，如專業網路、校友網路或跨社群聯絡，對社會流動性起關鍵作用。為實現跨代持續的社會流動，我們必須有意投資於社會資本，開拓機會之門，而非僅限於服務和補貼。
主席先生，正如過去兩週議會常說：起點不應決定終點。
主席：代理部長穆罕默德·法伊沙爾·易卜拉欣教授。
穆罕默德·法伊沙爾·易卜拉欣副部長（負責穆斯林事務）：主席先生，若獲准，我將在發言後回答問題。
主席先生，請允許我簡短談談中東局勢。我們與受影響地區的無辜平民同在，祈禱他們平安。襲擊發生在齋戒月期間，更加令人痛心。我們正與外交部同事密切關注局勢。
昨晚我與一些在中東的新加坡學生視訊通話。他們 understandably 感到擔憂，但保持冷靜。我向他們保證，安全和福祉是我們的首要任務。我們將繼續保持密切聯絡，提供一切可能的支援。
我們也與穆斯林旅行社協會（AMTAS）保持聯絡。他們已建議會員機構在必要時協助受影響的朝覲旅客調整行程。
這些事件提醒我們，新加坡的和平與和諧尤為珍貴，不能視為理所當然。有句馬來諺語：“sehati menghadapi, sepakat membangun”，意為同心協力克服挑戰，共建美好未來。
這一直是所有新加坡人，尤其是馬來/穆斯林社群的顯著優勢。它幫助我們的社群多年來取得顯著進步。我們建立了更穩固的婚姻和更有韌性的家庭。我們的孩子受教育更好，許多人在經濟各領域找到優質工作。
我們能夠自由信仰，驕傲地慶祝文化，並與其他種族、宗教和文化的朋友和諧共處。儘管取得進展，我也意識到每個人的生活經歷不同。在與社群交流中，我聽到對就業安全的擔憂，有人分享了尋求幫助的困難，也有人呼籲更多支援那些默默掙扎的人。前進路上，確保無人被遺忘至關重要。
主席先生，許多人問我對社群的願景是什麼。儘管我們各有不同境遇，我期望馬來/穆斯林社群的每個成員在生命的每個階段都能成為最好的自己。
我不僅代表自己，也代表我的議會同事、政府機構、MMOs、IMOs、志願者及許多每天慷慨奉獻的人。正因如此，我們社群的每個成員都不應孤單前行。
通過攜手共進、同心協力，我們能實現幫助社群每個成員茁壯成長的願景。我們將通過三個關鍵支柱實現這一目標。
首先，我們將提升各個生命階段的個人，為他們提供成功的機會。其次，我們將發展值得信賴的宗教機構，豐富我們的社群宗教生活。第三，我們將培育充滿活力的文化領域，慶祝我們獨特的新加坡馬來藝術、文化和身份。
首先，我們希望提升個人，在每個生命階段為他們提供卓越的機會。有些人已經表現良好，在正確的激勵下，他們可以達到更高的高度。其他人可能需要額外的幫助才能成功。
正如Nadia Ahmad Samdin女士所提到的，強大的家庭是關鍵，因為它們是我們社群和社會的基石。家庭培養責任感和同理心等價值觀，塑造我們作為個人的身份，並建立我們應對生活挑戰的信心。強大的家庭始於穩定的婚姻，這也是Bersamamu計劃對我們的穆斯林社群如此重要的原因。
自2019年啟動以來，Bersamamu已支援超過36,000對夫婦，提供來自我們的Kadi和Naib Kadi的婚姻支援和指導。他們在夫婦早期婚姻階段擔任值得信賴的顧問。
舉例來說，新加坡-日本夫婦Radzi Barian Arlandito先生和Risa Shigemi女士從Bersamamu中受益匪淺。他們的Naib Kadi，Ustaz Mohammed Nazim Bin Rahuma Dulla，提供了寶貴的建議，幫助他們應對文化差異、宗教習俗和家庭動態。作為夫婦的導師，Ustaz Nazim提供精神指導，並將他們與面臨類似情況的志同道合的夫婦聯絡起來。
為了幫助更多像Radzi先生和Risa女士這樣的夫婦，我們將擴大Bersamamu計劃，進一步加強對穆斯林夫婦的婚姻支援。
我們將增加約50%的Kadi和Naib Kadi人數，以更好地支援新婚穆斯林夫婦，特別是那些需要更多幫助的夫婦。這些夫婦可以受益於額外的婚後面對面輔導，以確保他們在婚姻旅程中有一個更堅實的起點。
我們還將通過派遣家庭發展官員到新加坡選定的清真寺，使社群更容易獲得婚姻支援服務。這些官員將指導夫婦瞭解各種國家和社群專案，以滿足他們的需求，包括那些承擔雙重照顧責任的夫婦。
綜合來看，夫婦可以獲得更多幫助，並針對高風險婚姻進行有針對性的跟進，以便在問題升級為危機之前及早解決。
我們還將擴大Bersamamu計劃，納入育兒支援，實現從婚姻到育兒的無縫協助。
在ARIF專案試點期間，母親們獲得了來自Kadi和Naib Kadi以及KK婦女兒童醫院的醫療社會工作者和醫療專業人員的綜合支援。這包括那些不符合KidSTART資格的人，以確保他們繼續獲得必要的支援。約有5,000對夫婦受益於該試點，並在嬰兒完成強制免疫和至少哺乳三個月方面表現出改善的母嬰健康結果。
從2026年6月起，我們將把ARIF專案作為Bersamamu計劃的永久組成部分。從婚姻指導到育兒支援，我們正在拓寬關懷的連續性，以培育更有韌性的家庭，併為我們的孩子提供最佳的生命起點。
主席先生，我們希望為每個孩子提供必要的支援和途徑，使他們能夠抓住成功的機會，無論其背景如何。我們的社群在教育成就方面取得了顯著進步，教育投資仍是重點，但我同意Azhar Othman先生的看法，我們還可以在其他領域幫助每個孩子發揮最大潛力。
這就是為什麼我最近與高階國務部長Zaqy Mohamad一起啟動的MENDAKI 2030工作計劃，不僅培養自信的學習者，還包括建設更強大的家庭、支援未來準備好的勞動力和發展繁榮的社群。
我們認識到卓越始於早期和家庭，因此MENDAKI加強了支援育兒旅程的系列專案。今年4月起，家長們可以期待在社群中心舉辦的ReadySetLearn（RSL）巡迴展，方便獲取支援孩子全面成長的工作坊和資源。
這項支援的關鍵組成部分是RSL數學探險者，前身為KelasMateMatika，旨在幫助家長指導學齡前兒童的數字技能，併為小學一年級的數學做好準備。結果顯而易見——該專案中九成參與的學齡前兒童進入小學一年級時無需數學學習支援。
MENDAKI將擴大這些努力，推出RSL語言探險者，一項旨在幫助家長培養英語和馬來語早期讀寫能力的閱讀專案。這些專案將共同建立信心，加強學習，為長期學業成功奠定基礎。
主席先生，對於面臨更大挑戰的家庭的孩子來說，因父母輪班工作或需照顧年幼兄弟姐妹等原因，定期上學可能很困難。這些“最後一公里”的差距阻礙他們充分參與教育，進而影響其全面發展。我們決心通過提供這些孩子及其家庭所需的定製支援來彌合這些差距。
因此，我很高興MENDAKI與教育部（MOE），在社會及家庭發展部和文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）的支援下，在淡濱尼選定學校啟動了一項試點計劃，加強對需要額外幫助的馬來/穆斯林家庭兒童的課後照顧和支援。
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對於一些家庭及其孩子，所需幫助可能是提供更好的營養、家中的學習桌或替代托兒安排。對於其他人，則可能是連線到可信賴的導師，解決激勵問題。
因此，在該試點中，MENDAKI關懷顧問將與每個被識別孩子的家庭、學校或其他社會服務專業人員合作，瞭解其獨特需求，併為孩子制定個性化關懷計劃。學校與社群的合作將提供學業和非學業支援，以補充現有的學校努力。
該試點已於今年早些時候啟動，我要感謝參與的學校和MENDAKI，他們不懈努力促成了這一合作，以及基層顧問Dr Charlene Chen和代理部長David Neo，感謝他們提出這一方法以滿足淡濱尼需要額外幫助學生的需求。我們共同確保沒有孩子因環境而被落下。
Saktiandi Supaat先生詢問馬來/穆斯林教育舉措如何發展以準備我們的青年迎接人工智慧驅動的經濟，Sharael Taha先生詢問MENDAKI如何通過指導和路徑意識更好地為我們的兒童和青年準備未來。
主席先生，MENDAKI的輔導計劃幫助許多學生在學業上取得進步。但我們不能僅依賴輔導來為學生準備未來。這就是為什麼MENDAKI將該計劃升級為MENDAKI成就計劃，增加了兩個新重點領域。
第一個是豐富，學生將有機會接觸人工智慧探索和機器人等領域的專案。第二個是參與，學生將接觸各種教育和職業路徑。
目前，MENDAKI青年指導辦公室已幫助匹配了超過2,500名中三至大學生的導師。MENDAKI將擴大指導計劃，從中一學生開始。這將使更多學生和家長連線到支援系統，如MENDAKI專業網路，幫助他們做出更明智的教育和職業選擇。
Wan Rizal博士詢問如何支援青年職業轉型。我們將建立更多平臺，讓青年與在所選領域取得成功的專業人士交流學習，為進入職場做好準備。
MENDAKI最近與全國職工總會（NTUC）就業與就業能力學院（e2i）簽署諒解備忘錄（MOU），通過有針對性的工作坊和社群參與活動加強人工智慧準備。還將擴大職業諮詢服務、技能發展路徑和就業機會的獲取。這些努力將使我們的青年更好地做出職業路徑決策，抓住增長行業的機會。
去年十月，我們成立了由國務部長Rahayu和高階議會秘書Syed Harun博士領導的馬來/穆斯林青年工作組，聽取青年對職業發展、身份和價值觀以及如何為社會做貢獻的看法。通過該工作組，我們希望保持政策的相關性，並讓青年投資於新加坡的未來。
工作組已任命13名青年顧問，他們是來自創業、體育、數字媒體、技術、宗教和社會部門等多元領域的領導者。他們與M3機構和國家青年理事會合作，安排了一系列青年對話，捕捉青年對各種貼近心聲問題的觀點，並共同創造支援國家SG青年計劃的舉措。我期待在八月即將舉行的M3青年節上聽取他們關於推動社群發展的看法。
我詳細談到了我們的青年，但我們也必須記住那些為我們建設更好未來付出巨大貢獻的長者。Saktiandi Supaat先生和Sharael Taha先生都詢問了我們如何加強對社群長者的全面支援。我與他們的關切一致。
我們必須確保長者在晚年繼續茁壯成長。我們的馬來/穆斯林長者告訴我，他們狀況良好，但希望能更廣泛且有意義地與他人聯絡。主席先生，健康老齡化不僅關乎健康和福祉，也關乎陪伴、尊嚴和目標感。
因此，當Masjid Al-Muttaqin與Ma:een及Muhammadiyah積極老齡中心合作發起Santunan Emas時，我感到非常欣慰。這是一項全面的自下而上的努力，為我們的長者和照顧者提供宗教指導、社交活動和醫療支援。
該計劃在其他清真寺如Masjid Darul Makmur和Masjid Yusof Ishak的支援下已擴大，每週惠及近900名長者。這些清真寺還與綜合護理機構、國家醫療集團和新加坡臨終關懷理事會等合作，走訪養老院和臨終關懷中心的長者。
我最近參加了在Masjid Darul Ghufran舉辦的Santunan Emas巡迴展，親眼見證了我們的清真寺、合作機構和志願者如何與長者及其照顧者互動，支援他們在不同需求領域。這種關懷生態系統確認了為我們的馬來/穆斯林長者開發由社群為社群的針對性計劃的必要性。
因此，我已要求MUIS和人民協會（PA）支援Santunan Emas的努力，並協助調動跨健康、社會、金融和宗教領域的資源和機構。
例如，MUIS將與本地清真寺的Santunan Emas網絡合作，識別需求並促進與其他社群組織及醫療服務提供者的合作，以提升醫療服務。PA憑藉其基層網路，也能動員其他長者擔任陪伴者、導師和社群活躍成員。這樣，我們不僅加強服務，也強化了對長者的關懷和尊嚴文化。
主席先生，現在讓我談談我們的企業和工人。
總理已概述了針對企業的全面支援措施，以應對嚴峻的經濟環境，包括企業稅回扣。預算還為我們的企業和工人提供了長期轉型的助推，包括拓展新市場、再培訓和提升技能，以及採用人工智慧等新技術。特別是低薪工人將受益於漸進式工資補貼和工作技能支援計劃的增強，而職業轉型的工人將受益於擴充套件的SkillsFuture Level-Up計劃。我鼓勵我們的馬來/穆斯林企業和工人充分利用這些計劃。
Sharael Taha先生詢問馬來/穆斯林企業如何在數字和人工智慧經濟中有意義地參與。政府已宣佈將人工智慧作為戰略優勢。人工智慧冠軍計劃、企業創新計劃的增強以及生產力解決方案補助的擴充套件將實施，幫助企業自信地利用人工智慧進行轉型和增長。
追求人工智慧必須轉化為更好的成果，如更強的生計和更多機會，使我們的社群能夠自信地在人工智慧經濟中前進。
這就是為什麼我們必須使技能提升切實可行且易於獲得。正如國務部長Rahayu在數字發展與信息部供應委員會辯論中分享的，工人可以通過Langkah Digital專案提升技能，這是由MENDAKI主導的M3倡議，旨在加強我們社群的人工智慧和數字素養。通過實用的工作坊和活動，幫助社群瞭解如何最好地利用人工智慧。這將補充總理宣佈的國家措施，包括六個月免費使用人工智慧工具高階版本，幫助社群從學習到應用人工智慧，並在工作中受益。
主席先生，我分享的努力反映了我們堅定不移地致力於提升社群每個成員。通過這樣做，我們希望他們能夠回饋社會，強化整個社群。
先生們，我們的清真寺是社群宗教生活的核心。它們不僅是禮拜場所，更是促進精神成長和健康的社群中心，信仰通過集體祈禱、學習和服務他人而生動起來。為了保持相關性，我們的清真寺必須具有前瞻性，能夠適應社群不斷變化的需求。
Fadli Fawzi先生詢問我們如何規劃清真寺的發展和關閉。正如我在議會中所述，MUIS考慮了影響祈禱空間需求的關鍵因素，如預計人口變化及土地開發計劃，包括新建住宅區。清真寺的遺產對我們很重要。對於具有遺產價值的清真寺，MUIS將與清真寺領導和相關機構密切合作予以保護，包括在需要搬遷的情況下。
我們致力於確保隨著新加坡的發展，社群的宗教需求得到充分滿足。除了基礎設施，我們的清真寺還提供各種促進社群建設的專案。我同意Mariam Jaafar女士的看法，我們的清真寺可以在與青年合作改善其福祉方面發揮更大作用。
諸如NEXTGEN SG清真寺青年研討會和與穆夫提的清真寺對話等舉措，使青年能夠就當代問題與宗教領導層交流，探討年輕人的具體關切，並基於信仰發展解決實際問題的方案。我們的牧靈關懷專案也為面臨生活困難的人提供精神指導和支援。這也包括共同參與活動，不僅僅是對話。清真寺領導和青年一起外出共度時光，彼此學習。我們將考慮Mariam Jaafar女士早前提出的有益建議。
我們的阿薩提扎幫助社群應對現代問題，如社會挑戰、技術進步和地緣政治衝突。作為當代阿薩提扎，不僅需要深厚的宗教知識，還需具備與人溝通、以智慧和同情心橋接不同社群的能力。我們的阿薩提扎必須體現這些價值觀，以同理心參與並發展相關技能，成為當今複雜全球環境中社群的有效引導者。
主席先生，這正是我們必須繼續發展宗教領導力的原因，我們在這方面最重要的投資之一是新加坡伊斯蘭學院（SCIS）。Syed Harun博士詢問我們如何確保SCIS的課程在保持高水平伊斯蘭學術標準的同時，滿足本地穆斯林社群的需求。
SCIS將由我們的穆夫提領導，並由傑出學者支援。課程將是跨學科的，融入社會科學模組，為未來的阿薩提扎提供全面視角，並提升他們在宗教及相關領域的就業能力。
我們進展順利。SCIS計劃於2028年開學。我們已與新加坡社會科學大學簽署諒解備忘錄，並正在敲定與埃及、約旦和摩洛哥機構的其他合作。SCIS位於洛查區的校園建設也在進行中。
主席先生，我們的清真寺、伊斯蘭學校和新加坡伊斯蘭宗教學院（SCIS）是我們社群共同擁有的機構。Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik 先生詢問了關於WMS的最新情況。我很高興分享，穆斯林事務局（MUIS）已與多個合作伙伴共同舉辦了20多項外展活動，覆蓋了包括工人、長者以及印度/穆斯林社群在內的不同群體。我們還任命了WMS大使，以擴大我們的外展工作。
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截至2026年2月，WMS已籌集超過850萬新元，來自超過15,400筆捐款。我強烈鼓勵有能力的人回饋社群，這將確保我們社會和宗教需求的財務可持續性，惠及子孫後代。只有當我們的宗教機構強大時，我們才能培育豐富的社群宗教生活。
主席先生，我們豐富的新加坡馬來文化和遺產是我們身份和社群感的基石，定義了我們作為獨特的新加坡馬來人的特質。
我一直很喜歡參加我們社群的文化活動。去年11月，我有幸體驗了Gentarasa SG60。我被表演者的藝術卓越、熱情和奉獻精神所打動，他們以極具真實性的方式將我們的傳統生動展現。我們的文化表達是講故事、身份形成和代際聯絡的載體，幫助年輕人理解他們的文化根源，同時激勵他們為我們不斷發展的文化敘事貢獻自己的創造性聲音。
我們文化和遺產的核心是甘榜格南的馬來遺產中心（MHC）。
Syed Harun博士詢問了MHC重新開放的最新情況。MHC將於今年4月重新開放，屆時將舉辦“Pesta Pecah Panggung – 超越界限”節日活動，匯聚60多個合作伙伴的節目，展示新加坡和南洋群島的藝術、青年才華和社群創意。我強烈鼓勵大家參與這些慶祝活動。
煥新後的MHC將拓展其使命，超越傳統的文物和展覽收藏角色，成為一個充滿活力的中心，提供多樣化的專案，如兒童和青少年節日、定期電影放映及社群驅動的展示，推動甘榜格南的文化發展和場所營造邁上新臺階。
這一擴充套件角色的核心是MHC在深化馬來文化和遺產的文獻記錄與研究方面的功能，作為從業者和社群的資源。
MHC將設立一個由諮詢委員會領導的研究單位，主席為Norshahril Saat博士，旨在建立關於新加坡馬來遺產的全面知識體系。該單位將與利益相關者合作，確定重點領域，並支援學者和社群團體的長期研究。
通過這一努力，我們將確保我們的文化敘事不僅被儲存，而且被積極研究、理解並傳承給未來世代。
然而，研究和記錄還不夠。我們需要像Jumaini Ariff女士這樣的活躍從業者來保持我們的傳統活力。Jumaini女士是一位熱情的傳統講故事從業者，她的技藝總是令人驚歎。她深情地談論這一傳統，並分享了她對新一代繼續傳承Penglipur Lara傳統的期望。當我與她交流時，我還能記得她當時的表演。
MHC還啟動了非物質文化遺產導師計劃，通過為期10周的結構化專案，將經驗豐富的從業者與年輕愛好者連線起來。該計劃體現了我們確保文化知識和技能代代相傳的承諾，最終通過MHC的展示活動，讓學員展示新獲得的專業技能，併為古老傳統注入新視角。
當我們的文化充滿活力時，它不僅成為我們的驕傲源泉，也豐富了使新加坡獨特的多元文化結構。
主席先生，我已概述了我們加強社群的三大支柱計劃。
我們將通過為個人提供在各個生命階段取得成功的機會來提升他們。我們將通過發展值得信賴的宗教機構來豐富社群宗教生活。我們將培育一個充滿活力的文化部門，慶祝我們獨特的身份。
這些目標建立在我們社群領導多年奠定的堅實基礎之上。
例如，M3匯聚了MENDAKI、MUIS和人民協會馬來活動執行委員會理事會（PA MESRA），通過重點領域和M3 @Towns解決社群問題。然而，正如Hamid Razak博士和Hazlina Halim女士指出的，我們必須擴大合作網路以實現這些目標。
因此，我們將擴充套件並重新命名M3為M3+。我們希望強調M3機構與社群合作伙伴之間更緊密的合作，在全國範圍內制定戰略，並在M3 @Towns層面實施專案。
我希望M3+能更好地認可馬來社群組織（MMOs）、伊斯蘭社群組織（IMOs）、非正式團體和個人貢獻者的專業知識和社群聯絡，他們已經在基層做著卓越的工作。事實上，這在某些領域已經在進行。
例如，內政部和人民協會M3參與協調辦公室一直與Jamiyah的Darul Islah中途之家、Pertapis中途之家和PPIS的Rise Above中途之家合作，加強康復和再融入工作。他們為300多名前罪犯舉辦了培訓課程，幫助他們發展財務和實用技能，使他們能夠為自己和家人建立可持續的未來。
在鎮區層面，穆斯林專業人士協會也與M3 @Woodlands合作開展微型企業專案，向有志創業者傳授財務管理、商業構思和市場營銷等知識，幫助他們建立可持續的微型企業。該專案的一位參與者Muhammad Nor Hafiz先生成功將他的季節性餅乾銷售轉變為名為Chonkery.sg的興旺家族企業。
MMOs、IMOs及其他社群合作伙伴可以利用各種社群資源支援這些努力。例如，2025年，MENDAKI從社群領袖論壇基金中發放了超過200萬新元，正如Hazlina女士所提。
正如Hamid Razak博士和Hazlina女士正確指出，許多MMOs和IMOs也直接為家庭提供服務。我們必須促進合作，改善協調，將M3機構和社群合作伙伴聚集起來，探索更好的協作方式。
這包括DIAN專案的持續努力，截至2025年底，我們已接觸超過900個家庭。我們將在2026年4月啟動這一激動人心的下一階段，首先舉辦M3+網路交流會。
一些想法包括編制MMO和IMO合作伙伴提供服務的目錄，以便M3重點領域負責人和M3 @Towns能夠系統地與這些社群組織合作，識別新的機會和更大的協同效應，以更好地實施專案並彌補最後一公里的差距。
感謝Hamid博士和Hazlina女士的建議，並鼓勵我們的MMOs、IMOs和個人挺身而出，與我們共同創造M3+。
與此努力同步，我們將繼續通過TUNAS專案培養下一代社群領導者。
TUNAS匯聚新興社群領導者，通過知識交流和網路建設，開展共同專案，並由資深社群領導者提供指導。迄今為止，已有兩屆領導者完成了TUNAS專案。今年晚些時候，我們將迎來第三屆。
這些TUNAS畢業生將通過連接合作夥伴、識別合作機會和領導基層工作，推動M3+向前發展，使支援更順暢地傳遞給有需要的人。主席先生，請用馬來語發言。
（馬來語）：[請參閱方言發言。] 主席先生，我對馬來/穆斯林社群的願景是我們攜手前進，心懷同一個目標。秉持“攜手同行，心連心”的精神，我們旨在提供機會和支援，使每個人在生命的每個階段都能成為最好的自己。
我們將通過三大支柱實現這一願景。首先，提升社群的社會和經濟成果；其次，加強宗教機構，培育充滿活力的宗教生活；第三，培育馬來藝術、文化和遺產。
Bersamamu計劃已支援超過36,000對夫婦，將通過增加約50%的Kadi和Naib Kadi人數，並在選定清真寺部署家庭發展官員來加強。此外，ARIF專案將成為永久性計劃，幫助夫婦從婚姻到育兒的整個旅程。
在兒童教育方面，RSL計劃將通過在社群中心舉辦的巡迴展擴大，同時推出RSL語言探索者，以補充RSL數學探索者。MENDAKI成就計劃將為學生提供早期接觸人工智慧和機器人技術的機會，MENDAKI的輔導計劃也將擴充套件至中一學生，全面支援學生的教育旅程。
對於需要額外幫助的學生，我很高興MENDAKI和教育部已在淡濱尼的部分學校啟動試點專案。在社會及家庭發展部、文化社群青年部和社群合作伙伴的支援下，我們可以加強課後照顧和支援，幫助學生持續上學並提升學業表現。
對於我們的長者，MUIS和人民協會將支援Santunan Emas計劃及其整體方法，這在老齡化社會中至關重要。該計劃將為長者及其照顧者提供宗教指導、社交活動和醫療支援。該計劃需要清真寺、社群合作伙伴、家庭和政府的緊密合作。通過這一集體努力，我們能確保長者獲得所需支援，度過有意義的晚年生活。
清真寺將繼續作為充滿活力的社群中心，強化社群紐帶，解決社會需求，滿足不斷發展的宗教生活需求。
新加坡伊斯蘭宗教學院將於2028年開放。我們已與新加坡社會科學大學（SUSS）簽署諒解備忘錄，提供跨學科本科課程。我們也正在敲定與埃及、約旦和摩洛哥的伊斯蘭教育機構的合作。這些努力旨在培養更有能力、準備好引導社群應對複雜當代問題的阿薩提扎（宗教學者）人才。
馬來遺產中心將於今年4月重新開放。它將作為新加坡馬來社群的文化核心，匯聚節日、電影放映和社群展覽，活躍並豐富甘榜格南。該中心將塑造我們文化的未來方向，由Norshahril Saat博士領導的諮詢委員會支援的研究單位提供支撐。
非物質文化遺產導師計劃已啟動，連線從業者與年輕一代。該計劃為期10周，確保我們的知識和傳統得以持續儲存和發展。
先生，為擴大M3的影響力，我們必須擴大與MENDAKI、MUIS和MESRA網路之外合作伙伴的合作。因此，我將啟動M3+，吸納MMOs、IMOs、非正式團體和希望更全面貢獻的個人。
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M3+將加強所提供的支援。每個M3 @Town和重點領域將與MMOs、IMOs、非正式團體及有志服務社群的個人密切合作，探索更有效協調努力的新機會。
該網路將於2026年4月啟動，首先舉辦M3+網路交流會。
此外，TUNAS專案將繼續通過知識交流、網路建設和資深社群領導者的指導，培養下一代社群領導者。
M3+延續了我們社群長期以來的合作精神，基於“攜手同行，心連心”的原則。
讓我們攜手前進，心懷同一個目標，努力在生命的每個階段成為最好的自己。
例如，Latipah Binte Abdul Rahman女士於2024年10月首次作為參與者加入Santunan Emas計劃，尋求精神指導和社會支援。現在，她擔任志願者協調員，組織歡迎委員會，準備茶點，並主持鍛鍊和手工課程。她獲得的知識和經驗激勵她回饋社群。Latipah女士的故事展示了參與者如何體現“心連心”的精神，隨後成為幫助社群進步的貢獻者。這正是我們希望在每位社群成員身上看到的轉變。
（英語）：主席先生，我在演講開頭談到了中東地區最近的發展。在全球不確定時期，加強我們團結的紐帶尤為重要。外部衝突絕不能分裂我們。作為新加坡人，我們必須團結一致，互相支援，保持定義我們社會的相互尊重和理解。
我分享了我對我們社群的願景，培育一個繁榮的社群，使每個成員都能成為最好的自己。我概述了通過三大支柱實現這一願景的方法，涵蓋社群發展的各個維度。
通過這三大支柱，我們確保每位社群成員都能建立安全繁榮的未來，同時紮根於定義我們社群的價值觀和豐富文化。
在整個演講中，我分享了體現“Bersatu Hati, Maju Bersama”（心連心，攜手前進）精神的個人故事，他們各自成為靈感源泉。
Radzi先生和Risa女士向我們展示了堅實基礎如何使家庭繁榮。Jumaini女士展示了致力於保護遺產如何成為對未來世代的寶貴貢獻。Muhammad Nor Hafiz先生體現了在社群支援下，創業精神如何將願望轉化為成功和機遇。Latipah女士從參與者到志願者協調員的旅程體現了接受支援與回饋社群的有意義迴圈，強化了我們的社群。
這些個人體現了“我們優先”的社會本質，個人發展促進集體進步，每一次服務行為都在社群中產生積極影響。這是我們希望社群每個人都能體現的精神。
展望未來，我們將繼續通過建設有能力、值得信賴的機構加強支援，更重要的是，密切關注彼此關心的問題。
我們的真正力量在於集體精神，這種精神促使鄰里互助，組織跨界合作，領導者湧現為更大利益服務。我們對共同的未來充滿期待。讓我們攜手前進，心連心。[掌聲]
主席：代理部長，有人要提問嗎？Hazlina Abdul Rahim女士。
Hazlina Abdul Halim女士：感謝代理部長。您剛才分享了與中東學生的互動情況，能否也更新一下政府在朝覲季節前的早期規劃？
副教授Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim博士：先生，感謝議員的追加問題。我分享了我們如何持續與中東的學生互動。事實上，我昨晚與他們進行了一個多小時的很好的交流。他們確實很關心，但主要詢問應對建議和各種情景。我們也剛剛聽到了Gan Siow Huang國務部長的訊息。
我傳達給他們的資訊是繼續保持聯絡，互相關照。這是他們一直得到的支援。MUIS與他們緊密合作。許多人也經歷了6月的事件。年長者比年輕者更能應對和管理這些情況。許多人也分享了他們如何繼續上課。你會看到不同國家採取不同措施：有些線上授課，有些仍是面對面。
我還告訴他們要保持與家人的聯絡。正如預期，許多家人非常擔憂。實際上，我建議他們多次更新資訊。許多人每天向家人更新一次，我建議最多兩次，以讓家人和父母放心。
關於朝覲，如我所述，我們與AMTAS保持聯絡。AMTAS釋出了與外交部（MFA）建議一致的公告。對於已在沙烏地阿拉伯的人，我敦促他們向外交部登記，以便在情況發展時及時獲得更新。對於希望更改旅行計劃的人，我感謝AMTAS一直與旅行社溝通，展現理解，幫助旅客審查、推遲或調整受影響的旅行安排。
關於朝覲，截至目前，我們與沙烏地阿拉伯朝覲與小朝覲部保持密切聯絡。迄今為止，2026年朝覲季節的所有準備工作均未受影響。因此，我們將密切關注最新進展。最重要的是，朝覲者的安全始終是我們的首要任務。
主席：賽義德·哈倫博士。
賽義德·哈倫·阿爾哈布西博士：主席，我感謝代理部長分享關於重新改造的馬來文化遺產中心以及設立研究單位的情況。在某種程度上，我們是在回顧並希望保護馬來社群的遺產和傳統。但我想知道是否有舉措能夠慶祝、分享並展示我們獨特的馬來身份，讓更多人瞭解，從而慶祝我們新加坡的多元文化。
穆罕默德·法伊沙爾·易卜拉欣副教授博士：先生，感謝議員的補充問題。您可以看到，馬來文化遺產中心的擴充套件角色不僅僅是文化保護。它將展示新加坡馬來身份如何發展成為真正獨特的存在。這既根植於深厚的馬來身份和傳統視角，但我們必須認識到，我們的身份正是在多元文化環境中獨特且精準地形成的。正因如此，許多馬來人在多個領域表現出色，積極貢獻，無論種族、語言或宗教如何，同時他們也深深紮根於我們的文化和信仰。這種平衡正是新加坡馬來人與眾不同之處。
如果您關注非物質文化遺產導師計劃，它將幫助我們繼續這段旅程。多年來，我們建立了構建社群和國家的過程，您可以看到馬來社群中體現新加坡整體價值觀的某些價值觀，如自決、開放和韌性。這使得馬來社群能夠在保持傳統和身份的同時，繼續努力取得成功並在生活中表現卓越。
我們也正在設立研究單位。研究單位將關注這段旅程的各個方面，包括遺產傳統、藝術文化、文化歷史和南洋文化。其中一些將為包括非馬來人在內的民眾提供參與這段旅程的機會，共享我們國家建設的喜悅。
這是一件令人興奮的事情，是我們共同建設的。我希望能與社群深化這段旅程。我的期望是，任何訪問馬來文化遺產中心或參與該計劃的人都會知道，這是一個獨特的新加坡馬來身份，已經發展進步，是我們應當自豪的。
主席：薩克提安迪·蘇帕特先生。
薩克提安迪·蘇帕特先生：主席，我可以用馬來語提出第一個澄清問題嗎？
（馬來語）：[請參見方言發言。]主席，關愛我們的長者不僅僅是關於專案，更是關於在家庭和社群中強化尊重、責任和同情等價值觀。因此，我歡迎部長描述的幫助長者的整體方法。
我想問，這個專案的預算和資源是否可以獲得某種刺激，以涵蓋清真寺和其他場所的基礎設施費用，因為新加坡人口老齡化非常迅速，改善這些設施至關重要。
其次，Santunan Emas援助是否會考慮社群中的照顧者，特別是“夾心一代”？
（英語）：第二個澄清問題，主席，部長提到了MENDAKI成就計劃，涉及人工智慧探索和機器人技術。我想知道部長是否能分享更多資訊，是否可以增強和增加MENDAKI的預算和資源，以便擴大這些努力，尤其是在政府今年預算中談及人工智慧任務和人工智慧冠軍的背景下。那麼，在馬來/穆斯林社群內，我們是否也能獲得額外預算用於這類課程？
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穆罕默德·法伊沙爾·易卜拉欣副教授博士：先生，感謝議員的補充問題。
關於第二個補充問題，涉及充實內容，如果您檢視MENDAKI 2030工作計劃，您會看到不僅涉及教育，還有我們如何支援工人在人工智慧旅程中，為社群未來做準備的內容。
正如所分享的，該計劃由國務部長拉哈尤領導，“數字步伐”是另一個領域，為我們提供了擴大影響力的機會，以幫助社群。
我也非常欣慰，不僅MENDAKI開展的專案能夠觸及民眾，我們多年來建立的專業網路也顯著增長。我們中的一些人或所有人可能參加過專業網路的一些專案。我非常欣慰，我參加過一次航空業的活動。過去專業人士並未參與此類互動。如今，他們參與其中，提供額外的動力和支援。這不僅僅是資金問題。
我認為，在發展社群的過程中，我們必須儘可能引入外部資源。尤其是那些取得成功的人，回饋社會，指導、培養並激勵我們的每一個孩子，甚至仍在工作的人，擁有進一步發展的志向。
關於第一個問題。
（馬來語）：[請參見方言發言。]關於第一個問題，Santunan Emas專案是一個自下而上的整體專案。但有趣的是，該專案與綜合護理機構和國大醫院健康集團等組織或機構合作。
當我聽到這個專案時，收到反饋說它非常吸引人，激發了長者的興趣。他們告訴我，他們希望聽到烏斯塔茲·法特里斯的宗教講道或鼓勵的話語，我認為這非常有吸引力。
進一步瞭解後，我發現該專案不僅僅是宗教內容，還提供生活指導，如如何照顧健康、照顧者及其家庭成員，以及如何為我們的黃金歲月做準備。我認為這是一個非常好的平臺，幫助我們擴大影響力。
因此，正如我所說，我已指示伊斯蘭宗教理事會和人民協會MESRA部門研究如何支援這項工作，以便我們能夠接觸更多社群成員，幫助他們優雅地老去。
所以我同意薩克提安迪先生之前的說法，我們將擴大這種方法。我非常感謝所有啟動該專案的人，因為他們起步時規模不大，未曾預見其潛力，但我們看到它能夠激發興趣併為長者提供發展機會。
我也從妻子那裡聽說過這個專案。她告訴我，她的朋友們喜歡參加，獲得社群支援。我也聽說過達魯古夫蘭清真寺的專案並參加過，看到其非常積極的影響。因此，我們將努力照顧好我們的長者。
主席：我們實際上已經用了很多澄清時間。如果我可以請求議員們的寬容，因為還有近六位議員舉手提問，我建議我們推遲此環節，因為我擔心如果不這樣做，文化、社區及青年部的其他削減和澄清問題可能會全部佔用時間。
我們今天將犧牲休息時間。我將節省20分鐘。所有這些澄清問題，讓我們推遲到其他削減議題結束後再處理。請求議員和部長的寬容。馬克·李先生。
國家信心與身份認同
馬克·李（提名議員）：主席，當我們今天談論社會凝聚力時，更深層的問題不僅是我們相處得多好，而是新加坡人對我們正在成為的身份有多自信。
新加坡正經歷兩大轉變。外部，世界變得更加不確定、競爭激烈且極化。內部，新加坡人，尤其是年輕一代，更積極思考身份、聲音、公平和歸屬感。這些轉變意味著，今天的社會凝聚力不再僅僅是共存，而是人們是否感受到共同身份的歸屬感。
在此背景下，我歡迎文化、社區及青年部明確決定將多元文化主義定位為新加坡身份的錨點。它承認新加坡一直開放且不斷發展，憑藉強烈的自我認知，我們可以保持開放而不感到不安。
但如果多元文化主義是我們的錨點，關鍵問題是新加坡人如何在日常生活中體驗和體現這一錨點。
今天成為新加坡華人、新加坡馬來人、新加坡印度人、歐亞裔意味著什麼？這不是過去固定的類別，而是由共同經歷、共同價值觀和參與現代新加坡塑造的身份。我們的藝術、體育、遺產空間和青年平臺如何幫助人們內化這種身份，而不僅僅是讓身份被零散或外部敘事隱性塑造？
這很重要。當身份表達不足或感受不到時，即使表面和諧，仍會產生悲觀情緒和隱形的社會疏離。
因此，除了實施強有力的個別舉措外，文化、社區及青年部如何有意塑造一個連貫的敘事，定義我們今天作為新加坡人的身份，增強對多元文化身份的信心和共享歸屬感，尤其是在年輕一代中？部委如何評估其工作是否加強了這種深層次的、基礎性的長期社會凝聚力？
主席：瓦萊麗·李女士。抱歉，亞歷克斯·嚴先生。
讓學校體育更易參與
亞歷克斯·嚴先生：主席，體育不僅僅是競爭和獎牌，它為年輕人培養韌性、團隊合作、紀律和健康習慣。然而，許多學生今天發現很難加入學校的課外活動（CCA），除非他們已經具備一定水平的能力。
選拔非常激烈，名額有限。因此，一些僅想嘗試新事物或休閒參與的學生，發現自己完全被排除在學校體育之外。這有可能使參與範圍縮小到已有技能的學生，而體育的成長性恰恰在於讓更多年輕人體驗。
文化、社區及青年部能否分享如何與教育部合作，擴大學校體育的參與度，使參與不僅服務於競技卓越，也促進青少年發展？
例如，是否有計劃擴大休閒層級、模組化專案或學習路徑，讓學生無需通過競爭選拔即可學習一項運動？這樣的路徑可以讓學生先發現興趣、建立信心，再決定是否認真追求該運動。
體育也是年輕新加坡人不同能力和背景自然互動的空間。當學生一起訓練和比賽時，他們學習合作、堅持和相互尊重。在建設“我們優先”的社會中，這種共享經歷非常重要。
學校體育應既是卓越之路，也是廣泛參與的平臺。
因此，我希望部長能分享政策如何更好地平衡這些目標，同時確保學生福祉和學業平衡得到保障。
體育與戶外活動——塑造我們的青年
瓦萊麗·李女士（巴西立-樟宜）：主席，體育和戶外教育在塑造青年的韌性、自信和歸屬感方面發揮著重要作用。
我曾公開表示，我曾是國家青年保齡球隊成員。但除了那段經歷，我的體育之旅始於與父親在社群中心打籃球，以及在學校課間與朋友一起玩。後來我參加了學校的保齡球、標槍和鉛球比賽，成年後開始工作時，也有攀巖牆上的“亞歷克斯·霍諾德時刻”。
留給我印象深刻的不是成就或獎牌，而是紀律、團隊合作和堅持的教訓。
對許多青年而言，體育提供了一個建設性的第三空間，在那裡他們建立身份、友誼和韌性。研究也發現，定期參與體育的青年報告的生活滿意度顯著高於不活躍的同齡人，且壓力水平較低。
在議會中，我們常關注奧運會、重大賽事和精英表現。這些很重要，我們應繼續支援高水平運動員。但如果關注過於狹窄，我們可能忽視了更廣泛的基礎，許多青年在其中有意義地參與。
我感覺，國家體育協會（NSA）代表的運動員中，未能進入奧運的運動員人數遠多於我們常強調的少數運動。許多運動，如觸球球、輪滑、龍舟等，由充滿熱情的社群維繫，其中許多是青年。這些平臺可能沒有奧運地位，但它們發揮著重要的發展作用。
我想問，部委如何支援這些擁有大量青年參與的運動？我們是否可以考慮設立適度的種子基金，幫助較小的國家體育協會提升能力？政府是否可以在促進學校等設施的課後使用方面發揮更大作用？
如果我們真心相信體育是青少年發展的工具，那麼機會的廣度應與領獎臺成果同等重要。
體育塑造青年於熟悉的社群空間，戶外教育則塑造他們於陌生環境。我是戶外挑戰學校（OBS）的受益者，曾在中三參加為期五天的OBS課程，後來又回到烏敏校區參加更長的課程，最後一次是在韓國山區。這些經歷在身體和心理上挑戰我，加強了我對團隊合作和自然的欣賞——這些教訓伴隨我進入成年。
我很欣慰政府將OBS推廣至每位中三學生。但隨著擴充套件推進，我想問，OBS新加坡的下一個里程碑是什麼？在加強本地訪問的同時，我們是否也可以考慮以適度方式擴充套件更多海外OBS體驗？接觸不同地形和文化能以國內環境無法比擬的方式拓展青年視野。
雖然OBS仍是國家基石，繼續支援其他戶外教育提供者，與戶外探險教育理事會等合作，將加強更廣泛的生態系統，擴大不同興趣和需求青年的參與。
[副議長（克里斯托弗·德·蘇扎先生）主持]
主席，體育塑造青年的韌性，戶外教育培養堅韌的自信和品格。通過擴大對多樣體育參與的支援和深化戶外教育的下一階段，我們投資的不是專案或設施，而是新加坡的未來。
管理共享空間與體育需求
吳詩琪女士（蒙巴頓）：主席，我相信本議院每位議員都意識到，隨著匹克球在社群日益流行，隨之而來的摩擦也不少。
下午2時45分
我剛成為議員時，就收到一些來自球員和居民的非常憤怒的投訴。說實話，這是一項噪音較大的運動。
不同選區採取了不同措施。有的限制了打球時間，有的則完全禁止。但緊張局勢不僅限於組屋區。我也收到過私人俱樂部場地的匹克球噪音投訴。
在我的選區，我一直推動所謂的80%解決方案。我在家訪時遇到蒙巴頓居民保琳·陳女士，她是一名競技匹克球選手。她向我展示了一套泡沫匹克球。她是非常體貼的鄰居，開始使用泡沫球，因為它們能顯著降低噪音。
我們社群球場的變化非常明顯。我們組織了一個試點社群活動，推廣泡沫球。我們免費發放泡沫球給許多球員，並組織了一場使用泡沫球的“隱形”靜音匹克球活動。
但這只是80%的解決方案，因為不可能讓所有人滿意。一些球員抵制泡沫球，覺得手感不同，不適合比賽。他們樂於接受免費泡沫球，但不會使用。這很諷刺，因為我們的社群球場本身也不符合比賽標準。另一方面，一些居民覺得這還不夠，寧願完全禁止匹克球。
政治學中有正權利和負權利的概念。我們對匹克球的爭議可以成為兩者衝突的經典案例。玩耍的權利與安靜的權利相沖突。政治學家會告訴你，這是零和遊戲。
在我們這樣密集的城市中，任何一方的權利都不能絕對。我們必須以妥協和互讓的框架來處理。這是維護社會和諧的唯一途徑。社群體育參與度在增長，鄰里和街區級設施需求上升。我們應歡迎這一趨勢，但正如所見，它也可能成為社群內的分歧源，而非紐帶。
所以，這不僅僅是為了滿足需求。將我們社群中許多利用率不高的空間改造成更多的匹克球場，或者其他運動場地，其實非常容易。但最方便的地方未必是最好的，甚至未必是合適的地方。噪音和人流會成為問題嗎？會不會打擾到鄰里的居民？選定的地點能否控制噪音？我們應該吸取教訓，提前緩解這些矛盾。
我們最不希望做的，就是在社群中製造更多的矛盾和不滿。在這種情況下，我希望文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）能提供關於社群中新體育設施推廣的最新情況，以及我們如何規劃以滿足社群層面日益增長的需求？MCCY是否以預見並解決此類摩擦的方式來應對設施需求？
匹克球場的新地點
林佔武副教授（盛港）：匹克球在新加坡掀起了一股熱潮。這項運動現在擁有至少5,000名認真參與的球員，還有更多的休閒玩家。它很可能會變得更加流行。雖然許多人享受運動帶來的身體和社交益處，但投訴也層出不窮。有些人抱怨共享球場的使用時間有限，另一些人則反對噪音問題。
針對收到的數百起噪音投訴，一些市鎮理事會選擇限制比賽時間或完全禁止比賽。然而，也有許多人強烈遊說擴大開放時間。利益衝突讓這位議員感覺自己像匹克球一樣被來回擊打。
我建議允許將多層停車場中利用率較低的次頂層改造成匹克球場。通常這些地方空間充足，且天花板能限制向上傳播的噪音。為了進一步控制噪音，可以沿周邊安裝可伸縮的隔音簾。
已有將現有基礎設施改造為匹克球場的先例。社群俱樂部的室內羽毛球場上已劃有匹克球線，允許雙重使用。小印度巴士總站的部分割槽域也將改造為八個匹克球場。
有人反對，認為這樣做會有機會成本，因為這些停車位可能帶來潛在收入。這有時是國土發展部（MND）對將停車位改作其他用途（如社群花園）請求的回應。但在許多新興住宅區，包括盛港，這些停車位已經利用不足，幾乎總是空著。放棄收入的機會成本完全是想象的。此外，即使在某些時期如假日訪客增多時，訪客停車需求上升，也可以輕鬆安裝可開合的擋杆，在需要時開放通行。
另一個安全方面的反對意見是，停車場超出其指定用途可能會影響安全。盛港市鎮理事會向MND提出此建議時，MND的回應是：“匹克球及其他娛樂活動目前並非組屋停車場的批准用途，因為組屋多層停車場主要設計和建造用於停車。”
但多層停車場已經被用於其他功能。例如，臨時辦公空間如組屋工地辦公室有時設在上層。還有適用於部分多層停車場的快遞樞紐計劃。針對我在2021年提出的國會質詢，時任MND部長李顯龍表示，組屋多層停車場原則上開放用於社會公共設施的替代用途。
第三個反對意見是，標準匹克球場通常要求至少五米的高度。但包括盛港在內的多層停車場滿足這一要求。雖然五米淨空對專業球場更為理想，但休閒玩家可能對較低高度也能接受。
因此，雖然目前尚未批准，但有充分理由在多層停車場設立匹克球場。讓我們為球員和非球員——也許還有長期受苦的議員們——實現這一目標。
全民免費力量訓練
劉武揚先生（非選區議員）：主席，跑步只需要一雙鞋。你走出門就能跑。沒有會員費，沒有排隊，也不必去健身房。力量訓練沒有類似的便利，我今天想說明它應該有。科學研究明確表明，力量訓練不僅僅適合肌肉發達的健美運動員，而是適合所有人。骨密度在30歲左右達到峰值，之後逐漸下降。
有氧運動能減緩骨密度下降，但力量訓練有潛力逆轉這一趨勢。它能增強骨骼、肌肉，降低跌倒和骨折風險，這是單靠有氧運動無法做到的。世界衛生組織建議所有成年人每週進行兩次全身力量訓練。我認為大多數新加坡人未達到這一目標。我個人來說，女兒六個月前出生前，我每週去健身房兩三次。
她出生後，我總共去健身房不到10次，不是因為不想去，而是往返各需15分鐘，30分鐘的路程讓年輕父親難以抽出時間。如果我家樓下有阻力訓練站，我肯定每隔一天就會用。我不是唯一的。老年居民需要保持肌肉和骨密度，初學者在商業健身房不知從何開始，時間緊張的家長。障礙對每個人不同，但本質相同。
Active SG健身房值得肯定。它們價格合理，分佈廣泛，裝置齊全，但需要專程前往。你得檢視是否滿員，且高峰時段常需排隊使用器械。對許多從未踏入健身房的人來說，註冊和陌生環境是他們無法逾越的障礙。
我們的健身角可以彌補這一差距。全國有超過3,400個健身角，免費且遍佈住宅區和公園。許多已配備力量訓練裝置，但有效的力量訓練需要漸進式超負荷，即隨著力量增強能增加阻力。初學者從5公斤開始，逐漸增加到20、30、40公斤。可變阻力器械能實現這一點，但目前我們的健身角大多不具備。
相反，它們主要配備促進靈活性和固定阻力的器械。目前的健身角服務的群體有限。我們應提升其功能，因此我對部提出三點建議。
第一，率先示範。體育新加坡（Sports SG）已直接管理10個社群體育設施，未來還會增加。可以先升級這些設施，新建設施從一開始就納入可變阻力裝置。
第二，應與國家公園局（NParks）合作，在公園健身角更新或升級時加入可變阻力裝置。
第三，對於由市鎮理事會管理的組屋健身角，應制定國家框架，設定預審標準、推薦供應商，並通過體育新加坡提供聯合資助渠道，使市鎮理事會能在無需全面採購的情況下升級設施。
主席，有氧健身本質上易於接觸，讓我們也讓力量訓練同樣易於接觸。
整合國家青年體育學院、新加坡體育學院和新加坡體育學校
任澤明先生：主席，去年財政預算案中，部宣佈對高效能體育生態系統進行重要重組，包括將國家青年體育學院、體育學院和體育學校整合為高效能體育學院（HPSI）。
部也提及未來將整合HPSI和體育學校。這是重大結構調整。多年來，新加坡體育領域涉及多個機構，覆蓋運動員從青少年識別到精英表現的不同階段。
整合的目的是打造更一體化的系統，更有效支援運動員發展。部長能否更新整合進展？新結構如何強化運動員發展路徑，確保從青少年潛力到精英表現的順暢過渡？系統如何更好協調教練、體育科學和運動員管理，確保有潛力的年輕運動員獲得持續支援？
同時，我想了解部如何確保體育卓越與教育和福祉平衡，因為許多年輕運動員必須兼顧訓練和學業？
最後，從運動員、教練和家長角度看，迄今有哪些改進？MCCY和體育新加坡如何確保整合減少機構間碎片化，最終帶來新加坡代表隊更強的長期成果？我期待部長更新新結構的形成情況。
加強對國家體育協會的支援
林傑克遜先生（義順）：主席，我宣告本人為一國家體育協會副主席。體育在國家認同、社群健康和青少年發展中扮演重要角色。新加坡在國際舞臺取得顯著成就，基層體育參與也在增長。
但若深入觀察體育生態系統的機構支柱——國家體育協會（NSA），存在值得關注的結構性壓力。
近期公開報道顯示，體育的私人贊助仍有限。2023年體育捐款約為1,300萬新元，佔新加坡慈善捐款總額不到1%。許多NSA和運動員承認難以獲得持續的企業支援。這意味著協會仍高度依賴政府補助和短期撥款。
NSA主要由志願者運營，MCCY在國會表示，體育新加坡和新加坡國家奧委會正努力加強其治理和運營能力。這是重要認可，但也凸顯許多協會秘書處規模精簡，專業深度有限。
此外，體育新加坡的資金與治理和戰略規劃要求掛鉤。目前，63個合資格NSA中有45個獲得資金，需滿足能力標準。雖然這促進問責，但也意味著機構能力較弱的協會難以獲得穩定的多年支援，加劇脆弱迴圈。
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在此背景下，運動員和NSA領導的反饋持續指出結構性限制：因資金不確定難以留住教練人才；難以建立精英層以外的穩健運動員發展路徑；體育科學資源有限；傷害預防和持續基層推廣不足。
若期望NSA擴大參與、強化保障標準、發展青少年管道及支援高效能目標，單次專案撥款可能不足。
我因此詢問部長，MCCY是否近期對NSA能力進行評估，瞭解不僅是資金短缺，還有哪些結構性缺口阻礙長期發展？除週期性撥款外，MCCY是否考慮探索多年核心資金框架或合作模式，增強NSA組織穩定性？
面對人口老齡化和持續的身體不活動挑戰，MCCY將提供哪些額外結構支援，幫助NSA擴大社群參與，安全且可持續地拓寬參與度？
若體育要繼續作為國家福祉和認同支柱，我們的NSA不僅需有熱情，更需具備穩定性、專業性和長期韌性。
維持藝術和體育生態系統
許國賢副教授（提名議員）：謝謝主席。在這個變化劇烈的世界，我們必須同樣有意識地投資藝術、體育和文化生態系統，因為它們是塑造我們作為新加坡人的人文和社會基礎。
在人工智慧主導的世界，創意工作、體育和文化不會消失。它們將成為更有價值的獨特人類追求。
請允許我提出四點。
第一，關於藝術和體育從業者的可持續性。兩個領域中，單靠天賦不足以達到卓越。從業者必須經濟上有保障。許多藝術家和運動員面臨收入不確定，職業生涯短暫，收入來源不穩定，支援負擔常落在家庭。
藝術領域，許多從業者是自由職業者或從事多元職業。但要維持高水平工作，他們必須具備專業能力，保護和維持其作品。
針對自僱藝術家，MCCY是否考慮加強諮詢和支援平臺，幫助他們更好地應對合同談判，保護智慧財產權和權益，這些是自由職業者易受影響的領域？
對於運動員，鑑於運動生涯有限，MCCY已設立體育卓越商業（spexBusiness）和體育卓越教育（spexEducation）等重要計劃支援雙重職業路徑。但部是否考慮進一步加強職業轉型支援？可包括贊助管理、個人品牌建設和創業等模組，幫助國家運動員在競技生涯後更好自立。
財務可行性對傳統文化企業也很重要。隨著老字號企業關閉，MCCY是否考慮設立針對性傳承支援計劃，提供諮詢、指導和過渡規劃，幫助傳統文化企業可持續傳承？
主席，辯論中我們多次談及生活成本。讓我們確保生活成本上升不阻礙新加坡人在這些領域追求才華。
第二，關於藝術和體育參與。充滿活力的藝術和體育文化依賴廣泛參與。廣泛基礎有助強化人才管道。我對社群空間的藝術專案和國家運動員在社群的展示感到鼓舞。這些舉措將文化和體育融入日常生活。
2025年預算中推出的SG文化通行證旨在鼓勵更多藝術參與。我歡迎部更新使用情況——是否觸及新觀眾，提升常態參與。
同樣，部是否考慮試點基於參與的機制，如SG體育通行證，將資金專門用於經認證教練提供的專案？這不僅能擴大結構化體育參與，也激勵教練認證和能力提升，增強許多作為小企業運營的教練的可持續性。
第三，關於增強生態系統融資。2024年，體育和藝術僅佔慈善捐贈總額的3.9%，顯示有很大空間吸引持續私人支援，正如林傑克遜議員所指出。
我歡迎總理預算中宣佈將對符合條件的公益機構（IPC）捐贈延長250%稅務扣除至2029年12月。但我們可以做更多，激勵企業和私人捐贈者持續支援藝術和體育。
為此，政府是否考慮將長期支援這些領域的捐贈稅務扣除提高至400%，鑑於其對國家韌性和團結的重要性？支援多年捐贈承諾並給予更高扣除的結構，將為藝術團體和體育組織提供規劃確定性。
如果我們願意激勵技術能力投資以增強經濟競爭力，也應有意識激勵加強凝聚力的文化投資。
第四，關於展現國家認同。藝術和體育不僅讓我們在國內團結，也向世界展示我們是誰。
正如運動員在國際大賽自豪地升起新加坡國旗，MCCY是否考慮制定策略，支援高潛力藝術和文化團體在世界頂級舞臺和國際節慶中表演？
當我們的藝術家和創作者在國際平臺展示作品，有助於展現我們作為國家的自信。如果我們為身份感到自豪和自信，也應以同樣的自信向世界展示。
主席，建設未來經濟的同時，我們也必須建設未來社會，幫助我們在不確定時代中茁壯成長。韌性社會投資於凝聚力。回報不總是體現在經濟數字，但會反映在我們作為國家共享的自豪感中。
奧克斯利 - 國家紀念碑
丹戎巴葛選區的Joan Pereira女士：去年12月，我們開國總理李光耀位於奧克斯利路38號的故居被正式列為國家古蹟。今年1月，政府開始收購該地塊的程式。
隨著政府推進將該地塊開發為公共空間，重要的是在整個規劃過程中要兼顧國家遺產需求，體現對該地塊尊嚴的敏感和尊重，同時考慮鄰近居民的關切和需求。畢竟，對於鄰居來說，他們將是這項開發影響最大的群體。
奧克斯利路38號的歷史意義毋庸置疑。遺址保護與古蹟諮詢委員會評估該地具有強烈的國家意義，見證了20世紀50年代標誌我國從殖民統治走向獨立的關鍵事件。正是在這裡，我們的開國領導人進行了決定性的討論，奠定了我國的治理基礎。
另一方面，我們也應注意到奧克斯利路38號並非孤立存在。它位於一個安靜且成熟的住宅區內。周邊居民的日常生活將直接受到該地從私人住宅轉變為公共遺產空間的影響。
自政府宣佈擬將該地列為古蹟以來，居民們紛紛向我表達了他們的關切。
首先是交通擁堵。奧克斯利路是一條狹窄的雙車道道路，已作為烏節路與河谷路之間的主要通道，承載著繁重的車輛流量。多位居民擔憂，將該地轉為公共空間可能會帶來大量車輛、旅遊巴士和行人，正如一位居民所言，“這裡並非為此目的而建”。
其次是非法停車。居民指出，長期以來非居民使用他們的私人停車位，因入口處缺乏門禁或安保措施。如果該地吸引大量訪客，他們將在哪裡停車？
第三是人流帶來的影響——噪音、人群以及對該住宅區寧靜氛圍的干擾。居民回憶起2017年圍繞該地未來的公開爭議期間訪客激增的情形，擔心未來會有更大規模且更持久的類似情況。他們理解並同意讓訪客，包括未來世代，參觀並瞭解該地的重要性，但也擔憂該地會失去應有的尊嚴感。
這些並非抽象的擔憂，而是切實的日常現實，應當得到應有的重視。
解決這些問題需要政府整體協作。作為負責該地保護與開發的主責部委，文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）需與相關部委和機構密切規劃協調。
交通部必須參與交通管理、停車方案及公共交通接入的工作。應認真研究諸如指定替代出入口、設立旅遊巴士上下客區以及改善奧克斯利路沿線人行基礎設施等建議。
國土發展部需處理建築及住宅區維護問題。周邊物業已趨老化。居民希望列為古蹟後，周邊住宅區能得到升級，包括步道和基礎設施的改善。還有規劃管制及高度限制是否調整的問題，這將影響居民的財產權利和利益。
貿易及工業部必須努力減少旅遊帶來的不便。如果該地被開發為遺產公園，必須謹慎管理訪客流量、開放時間及商業活動，確保鄰里住宅區的特性得以保留。物業顧問指出，規劃者需確保有足夠的汽車及旅遊巴士停車位和上下客區。
我最重要的觀點是——居民不應在決策後才被告知。他們必須從一開始就參與決策的形成。政府應與周邊居民建立有結構的、定期的諮詢渠道。這不應是一次性的反饋，而應貫穿規劃、設計、建設及運營各階段的持續對話。
將奧克斯利路38號列為國家古蹟，是保護新加坡開國曆史、惠及後代的重要舉措。但若在鄰里中開發古蹟而無緩解措施，可能成為分裂而非團結的源頭。
讓我們以新加坡方式建設這一遺產空間——通過細緻規劃、跨部門協調，最重要的是，與最直接受影響的居民建立真誠夥伴關係。
我們的遺產振興
丹戎巴葛選區的傅哲祥先生：主席，丹戎巴葛-中峇魯是許多新加坡故事的發源地。我們在中峇魯擁有首個社群中心，在丹戎巴葛廣場設有最早的居民委員會之一，心愛的中峇魯市場坐落於美麗的戰前公共組屋區；丹戎巴葛則有族群協會林立的店屋，與最早的混合用途公共組屋丹戎巴葛廣場相鄰，再與高達55層的The Pinnacle @ Duxton相映成趣——很快將被60層的珍珠山組屋（BTO）超越。
主席，這些不僅是建築設施，更承載著多代居民的故事，是記憶、文化和身份的活生生載體。然而，遺產本身無法自我維繫。若要有意義，必須不斷更新並與新一代分享。
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如今，我們的社群居住著許多新家庭、年輕居民和國際群體，他們可能不瞭解早期居民的故事。我一直致力於重新整理我們的遺產，連線丹戎巴葛-中峇魯的各代人。
我希望政府支援更多社群主導的專案，將長者、青年和新居民聚集起來，通過遺產步道、跨代講故事專案，以及與學校和公民機構的合作，共同重新發現這些故事。讓遺產成為生活的一部分，成為連線過去、現在與未來世代的橋樑——共同實現我對丹戎巴葛、中峇魯的願景：成為一個每代人都能在新加坡故事中找到歸屬的活躍社群。
主席：陳艾麗莎女士，請將您的兩段發言一併發表。
共同支援草根倡議
碧山-大巴窯選區的陳艾麗莎女士：主席，面對當今動盪的世界，新加坡不能容許一代人退縮於互助。在國內，我們超高齡人口、複雜的社會需求和日益減弱的社會聯絡，給社會和醫療部門帶來壓力。
在我的預算演講中，我談到社群網路如何防止孤立。在碧山，母親們在遊樂場聚會，輪流舉辦遊戲日，互相支援。在碧山社群俱樂部，一群年輕寡婦組成“希望群”，確保沒有寡婦孤單前行。她們如大象般結群，讓母親和孩子們共同哀悼與療愈。
年輕人也在積極行動。萊佛士城扶輪青年服務團開展社群專案，並與吉隆坡的姐妹團體展開跨境合作，包括首屆東盟青年領袖交流。
這些草根努力表明我們的社群已具備深厚的社會資本。只要獲得信任和支援，居民便會主動承擔責任，支援家庭，抗擊孤立，增強心理健康。持續且門檻低的資金支援將極大助力。
政府是否會通過5000萬新元的新加坡夥伴關係基金，為青年和家長主導的草根專案設立專項支援並簡化申請流程？鑑於租賃和弱勢社群的需求，政府是否考慮將基金擴大至1億新元？
時間銀行促進社群繁榮
主席，在預算演講中，我談到抗擊社會孤立的方法之一是時間銀行——志願者通過幫助他人賺取積分，日後可用來換取他人幫助。
這一理念在其他國家已有成功案例。日本的“觸愛券”讓志願者通過照顧老人賺取積分。瑞士聖加侖的“時間儲備”，由聯邦社會保險局支援，將志願服務時間計入社會保障賬戶以備未來使用。這些專案已持續數十年，支援社群照護。
新加坡快速老齡化社會也需要類似機制。我們可以與社群共同設計。文化、社區及青年部下的政府夥伴關係辦公室可先試點小規模時間銀行或社群貨幣實驗，再決定如何全國推廣。
時間銀行賦予尊嚴，因為沒有人是被動受益者，每個人都有貢獻。傾聽、探訪和輔導等技能，常由女性無償提供，也因此獲得認可。它還強化了相互依賴：今天幫助鄰居，明天有人會幫助你。
時間銀行也具有民主性。正如我在預算演講中分享的，艾因是一位母親，志願探訪住院鄰居一小時，其價值與律師在法律診所志願一小時相當。
政府是否會試點時間銀行，讓新加坡人通過時間積分交換技能和支援？是否可利用現有數字平臺如Giving.sg承載？若不可，政府是否在探索其他加強鄰里互助的方式？
主席：何德仁副教授，請將您的兩段發言一併發表。
文化通行證
何德仁副教授（提名議員）：主席，人工智慧時代，藝術與文化將愈發重要。我很高興前提名議員何德仁提出的“新加坡文化通行證”已推出。我希望藝術能成為新加坡人生活的常態，與體育並重。對此，我想問文化部是否計劃定期為ActiveSG積分和文化通行證充值，讓新加坡人在身心上保持健康。
文化通行證涵蓋遺產、視覺藝術、戲劇、音樂、舞蹈、電影及新加坡文學等多種活動。若能鼓勵新加坡人嘗試不同於以往的藝術形式，將非常美好。例如，能否促使遺產愛好者首次走進劇場？
假設文化通行證會定期充值，我建議對首次在新類別使用文化通行證積分者提供折扣或額外積分。可與參與的藝術和遺產機構協商折扣方案。
支援本地書店
主席，我宣告本人為已出版書籍的作者。經濟合作與發展組織2022-2023年第二輪國際成人能力評估顯示，新加坡在31國中識字能力排名第18。但研究也發現35歲後識字能力顯著下降。雖然其他國家也有年齡相關能力下降，但新加坡尤為明顯。
這令人擔憂，因為識字能力反映處理新資訊的能力。為促進識字等，我建議加強新加坡文學基礎設施和生態系統，給予本地出版社和書店更多支援。
我記得過去新加坡各地都有書店——從遠東廣場的二手書店到史丹福路的MPH旗艦店。
雖然出版和發行模式隨時代變遷，我們不能期待書店密度如昔，但書店仍有其獨特價值。它們是發現新作者的場所，常有意外收穫，瀏覽最新書籍，接觸全球流行思想。從這個角度看，書店可視為促進閱讀、支援出版生態的公共資源，補充公共圖書館。
獨立書店尤為重要，能提升本地作家能見度，成為本地文學愛好者的自然聚集地。可通過資助支援書店舉辦讀書會和講座，或協助設計適合舉辦此類活動的空間。商業開發商若出租場地給滿足特定社群目標的書店，或可獲額外建築面積獎勵。
藝術的可持續發展
非選區議員莊佩珊女士：主席，我作為熱衷戲劇的本地觀眾發言。從資料看，我們的藝術生態似乎得到支援且健康。公共部門成果報告顯示遺產意識提升，藝術畢業生就業穩定，節慶和社群專案參與人數增長。文化配對基金自2014年起已發放逾4億新元。去年，每位18歲以上新加坡人獲發100新元文化通行證積分。
但若藝術生態如此受支援，為何仍顯脆弱？Substation已於2021年關閉，去年Projector關閉，上月Pangdemonium宣佈16年後最後一季。每個關閉背後有各自原因，但當有業績和忠實觀眾的成熟團體無法維繫或因條件苛刻選擇停業，這不僅是個別決策。
這或反映生態系統仍然緊繃，資料支援此觀點：90%的藝術組織規模小；一半藝術文化從業者為自由職業，專案制工作。國家藝術理事會（NAC）提供的較易獲得資助覆蓋專案成本50%-70%，意味著每個製作都從赤字開始，需籌集剩餘資金。藝術捐贈佔新加坡慈善捐贈總額不足2%。
需求端存在悖論。2023年藝術人口調查顯示，75%新加坡人認同藝術惠及社群，但僅30%消費本地藝術內容。調查還指出，童年接觸藝術者成年後更可能重視、參與和倡導藝術。學生和青年已是演出現場出席率最高群體。資料揭示差距與機遇所在。
主席，我有兩點建議。第一，設立小額資助支援小型社群藝術專案，簡化管理要求，不以整體預算百分比限制。對小專案而言，這類資助可能決定專案能否成行。第二，讓藝術對青年更實惠、更易接觸。他們已是最積極的觀眾，應以持續、擴大和補貼的方式回應他們的熱情。可擴大學生票價補貼，將文化通行證擴充套件至13至18歲學生，甚至探索用教育儲蓄賬戶資金共付票價。
若我們相信藝術塑造品格、同理心和理解力，就應像對待教育和素質提升一樣嚴肅對待藝術的可及性。
賦能自由藝術家
Gho Sze Kee女士：主席，我宣告本人為執業律師。許多藝術從業者為自由職業，專案制工作。雖享獨立性，但在議價、合同和使用權方面常處劣勢，往往被動接受價格，吃虧較多。
文化、社區及青年部多年來在資金、人才培養、推廣和能力建設方面支援藝術從業者，推動行業發展，強化藝術生態。但有一方面似乎稍顯不足：法律支援。
自由職業者理解合同、智慧財產權和商業條款談判不僅有用，更是必需。缺乏指導和支援，才華橫溢的藝術家可能低價出售作品或簽署不應放棄的權利。面對大型商業機構時尤為不利。
專業法律服務存在，但如我此前在議會指出，律師費用昂貴，影響他們收入，也影響藝術生涯的可持續性。
所以，我想問，文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）是否會考慮尋找方法，幫助自僱藝術從業者應對藝術商業化過程中的法律問題？這可以通過法律素養專案、合同模板或提供負擔得起的法律諮詢服務來實現。協助他們進行商業或法律談判，對我們的藝術從業者也將大有幫助。
以這種方式支援他們，可以讓他們專注於藝術創作並加強職業發展。歸根結底，光有才華是不夠的。藝術家需要被賦權來保護自己的作品，並以自己的條件進行談判，這樣我們的藝術生態系統才能持續繁榮。
未來是寬厚且年輕的
Hazlina Abdul Halim 女士：主席，我宣告利益，我是伊頓社群基金（EtonHouse Community Fund，ECF）的執行長，該基金是一個關注培養兒童和青少年潛力的公益機構（IPC）慈善組織，同時我也是新加坡工商聯合會基金會董事會成員。
我將談及：培養自信的青年、積極的公民意識和自下而上的倡議，以及推動企業表現更好。
當代新加坡年輕人的生活境況令人同情。物質豐富，但許多人仍感到不足，甚至懷疑是否真的足夠。
新加坡的年輕人必須相信他們在新加坡有一席之地和未來。去年，MCCY在全新加坡範圍內與青年交流，制定了《新加坡青年行動計劃》（SG Youth Action Plan）。我希望該計劃能創造公平競爭環境，讓每個年輕人都有機會，而不僅僅是少數人。
我們還應確保《新加坡青年行動計劃》在設計上具有包容性，使有特殊需要或來自少數群體的青年不會被排除在領導力發展、社群參與和公民參與之外。我期待該計劃的最新進展，尤其是有意培養自信的努力。
我希望MCCY能擴大這些工作的合作伙伴關係，特別是在指導和工作經驗方面，與合作伙伴協作，讓青年獲得導師、實習和現實世界的機會。在東海岸集選區（GRC），我們有青年實習計劃；我想今天有些學生也在議會中。
下午3時30分
當年輕人能看到通往有意義角色和未來機會的路徑時，這會增強他們的自信和希望。我們的年輕人擁有寬廣的胸懷。十多年前我在淡馬錫理工學院任教時，帶領過多次本地和國際服務旅行。我的學生不僅是行動的肢體，更是這些使命的心靈和靈魂。有些學生至今仍與我一起做志願者。
我歡迎新的5000萬新元《新加坡夥伴關係基金》，希望它能鼓勵更多新加坡人參與比個人更大的事業。我期待更多細節，包括優先領域和對有意申請的新加坡人的支援。
作為在影響力領域工作近15年的人士，主席，我親眼見證許多慈善和社群組織做著重要工作，但往往需要更多幫助。時間、才能和財富是該領域的貨幣。我歡迎延長對合資格捐款給予250%稅務扣減的舉措，以及企業志願者計劃，即員工志願服務或被派遣至公益機構（IPC）至2029年。
這很有幫助，因為加強的籌款計劃正在回落至疫情前水平，許多慈善朋友也向我表達了他們的擔憂。
代理部長，MCCY有何計劃與其他機構或部委合作，動員和激勵企業參與，增強對企業捐贈及志願服務的支援，鼓勵企業關注利潤以外的社會責任？
主席，最後，讓我們從年輕人身上汲取靈感，他們擁有寬廣的胸懷和強烈的社會正義感。有一句馬來諺語說：“Pemuda harapan bangsa, pemudi tiang negara”，意為青年是民族的希望，是國家的支柱。正是這種信念，主席，將引領我們走向未來。
加強新加坡合作社
Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari 先生（提名議員）：主席，我宣告利益，我的工會經營一個信用合作社，我也是新加坡國家合作社執行委員會成員。
合作社的成立源於新加坡人對自助和互助原則的堅定信念。這種團結精神將他們聚集在一起，提供提升會員和支援社群的服務。
在新加坡建國初期，合作社運動吸引了推動多項倡議的個人，包括提供負擔得起必需品的消費合作社，以及提供便捷金融服務的儲蓄和貸款合作社。因此，它們成為為工人和弱勢群體提供負擔得起的優質商品和服務的關鍵支柱。
這一宗旨至今未變。2025年合作社發起了22個新專案。結合“賦能社群基金”，合作社籌集了超過120萬新元和志願者，支援涵蓋老年人、積極老齡化、照顧者和家庭，以及面臨社會、情感和經濟挑戰的個人的專案，展現了它們持續與公共支援共同投資服務社群的承諾。
隨著更多私營實體，包括全球品牌的競爭加劇，新加坡的合作社在吸引青年參與、人才吸引和留用方面面臨挑戰，以繼續其使命。
此外，還有一個更廣泛的問題，即如何鼓勵成立新的合作社以滿足新興社群需求。最近制定的新加坡合作社運動十年轉型路線圖是一個良好的開端，明確了方向。
展望未來，部委能否分享如何支援合作社在社群參與、青年參與和簡化新合作社成立方面的工作，使更多新加坡人能夠採用合作社模式解決社群需求？將採取哪些措施鼓勵合作社擴大規模並保持可持續發展？
部委是否考慮審查《合作社法》中的某些條款，以允許其運營更具靈活性，包括允許企業成立合作社，而非僅限個人和工會？
此外，部委能否通過審查當前中央合作基金的繳納比例，確保其與現行企業稅率相當，從而讓合作社將節省的資金用於支援更多會員和社群？
主席，在快速變化的世界中，合作社建立在信任之上，由志同道合的人推動，提醒我們成功不僅以利潤衡量，更在於提升了多少生命，保障了多少未來，共享了多少進步。
全民戶外訓練學校
Darryl David 先生（宏茂橋）：主席，戶外訓練學校（OBS）由吳慶瑞博士於1967年創立，旨在通過戶外體驗式學習培養堅韌、韌性、領導力和品格。這是早期國家建設努力的一部分，旨在為新加坡年輕人應對生活不確定性做好準備。OBS從烏敏島起步，現已發展成為為青年提供品格和領導力課程的重要國家機構。
近年來，OBS擴大了影響力並升級了設施。根據國家戶外探險教育總體規劃，開發了新的OBS@Coney校區，預計全面運營後將顯著提升OBS的年度接納能力，強化政府對戶外教育作為全面發展一部分的承諾。
如今，OBS體驗與許多年輕人緊密相關，是培養韌性和社會凝聚力的重要成長儀式。
鑑於OBS的變革性影響，我們是否可以將其體驗式學習模式擴充套件到那些青年時期未能參與的成年人？通過現有合作伙伴關係，OBS能否與基層網絡合作，設計適合年長成人和社群團體的調整專案？
通過適當調整，我相信OBS的韌性和團隊合作精神可以轉化為易於接觸的跨代體驗，促進不同年齡、族群和社會群體間的聯絡。
此類合作有助於彌合代際差距，鼓勵終身學習，創造加深社群紐帶的共享體驗。探索這些可能性將拓寬OBS在青年發展之外的角色，加強我們的社會結構，強化共同的新加坡身份認同。
繁榮第三空間的場所營造
Elysa Chen 女士：主席，在我的預算演講中，我提議在我們的社群中心設立第三空間，供年輕人社交併獲得心理健康支援。讓我分享為何這很重要。
在愛爾蘭，Jigsaw運營青年心理健康咖啡館——低汙名化的開放空間，顯著降低了尋求幫助的障礙。在澳大利亞，Headspace結合了非正式聚會區和現場心理健康、工作及學習支援。這些模式之所以有效，是因為它們滿足年輕人的實際需求，無需他們正式尋求幫助。
在新加坡，傳統空間如組屋底層常貼有“禁止踢足球”標誌，商場則要求消費，這可能阻礙年輕人將其作為第三空間使用。約三分之一的青年報告有嚴重心理健康症狀，但84%的心理疾病未被診斷。我們需要社群中的中間空間，不是臨床環境，而是年輕人可以玩耍、社交併及早獲得支援的地方，防止病情惡化。
政府是否會在社群試點第三空間中心，將非正式聚會區與心理健康、指導和工作學習支援共置？MCCY是否會制定全國計劃，將組屋底層和社群空間改造為免費、青年友好的空間，促進社交聯絡？
新加坡年輕人的空間
Eileen Chong Pei Shan 女士：主席，我想談談物理空間以及許多新加坡年輕人面臨的孤獨挑戰。
2024年IPS調查發現，21至34歲的新加坡人面臨最高程度的孤獨和社會隔離。這不是新加坡獨有的問題。去年，世界衛生組織社會聯絡委員會將孤獨描述為緊迫的全球健康威脅。但在新加坡，這一問題嚴重且日益突出，與我們特有的空間關係密切相關。
新加坡是一個土地稀缺的國家，每平方米土地都必須體現其經濟價值。我們不缺公共空間，有公園、社群中心和綜合樞紐，如淡濱尼樞紐。但空間本身並不保證連線。規劃空間與非結構化開放空間不同。我們的許多公共設施針對特定人群和目標設計，適合組織活動，但不利於自發相遇。
組屋底層直覺上理解這一點。它曾是整整一代新加坡人的預設第三空間，包括我自己。在那裡，社群自發形成，無需組織或付費。但使組屋底層成為人們經過並停留的開放空間，現已被更結構化、有目的且不那麼開放的設計取代。新組屋區趨向於將公共空間設於樓層間或樓頂，需要刻意訪問，而非偶遇。
我邀請議會考慮，今天年輕人的預設第三空間是什麼？他們在哪裡可以無需預約、無活動安排、無最低消費，自然相遇，建立友誼，激發熱情專案，形成公民紐帶？年輕人已在嘗試回答這個問題，如“FriendZone”和“隨意詩人圖書館”等自發倡議，顯示了對免費開放空間的需求，人們可以自在地存在。
主席，我們不能僅靠青年委員會和志願服務推動“我們優先”的社會。我們需要物理空間來促進“我們”的形成——真正的聚集空間。因此，我希望MCCY能與國土部（MND）及年輕人合作，共同設計新一代開放、可及、非結構化的社群空間，視聚集和歸屬需求為基本社會基礎設施，而非奢侈品。
國家認同與青年參與
Kenneth Poon 教授（提名議員）：主席，我歡迎部委持續投資青年參與平臺、實習和就業路徑。結合我們青年在國際基準測試中的優異學業表現，這些舉措無疑有助於他們在日益競爭激烈的全球環境中做好經濟參與準備。
我今天建議，培養青年未來能力還應包括培養他們的共同國家認同感。這在數字時代尤為重要，因為他們的價值觀、抱負和歸屬感受到全球影響塑造。
國家調查，如衛生促進局的學生健康調查和國家青年理事會的全國青年調查，均顯示青年面臨壓力、心理健康和生活壓力問題。配合這些發現，國家心理健康研究表明，許多青年報告焦慮、抑鬱或心理困擾症狀。
研究如2020年聯合國兒童基金會《東盟兒童數字生活》和信息通信媒體發展局的數字社會調查顯示，今日青年高度數字連線，越來越多地通過網路環境接觸各種資訊、觀點和社會影響。
一個多世紀前，社會學家埃米爾·涂爾幹觀察到，當個人所屬的社會群體減弱時，人們越來越依賴自身。他的見解至今仍適用，青年在快速變化的社會和數字環境中塑造身份。研究顯示，報告對國家或社群有較強歸屬感的青少年，在關鍵人生轉折期表現出更高的幸福感、社會信任和韌性。
相反，若參與共享機構或社群生活的機會有限，青年可能在身份形成上感到更大不確定，這可能與較低的幸福感相關。參與公民或社群活動不僅有社會意義，還能促進支援長期幸福的心理社會結果。
身份形成不僅來自指導或專案參與，更源於共享責任、有意義的參與和發聲機會。
下午3時45分
主席，在預算辯論中，我提出四個問題作為視角，考察舉措如何加強新加坡社會基礎。其中之一是公民在獲得支援的過程中是否擁有有意義的發聲權。針對青年，我想請部長分享政府如何構建青年參與社群或公民倡議的機會，以支援歸屬感和共同責任感的發展，以及這些機會如何促進青年對共享國家社群的連線感、貢獻感和參與感。我期待部長對此的回應。
為每位青年設計歸屬感
Charlene Chen 博士（淡濱尼）：最近調查顯示，新加坡年輕人比年長群體更感孤獨。許多人表示面對面交流比線上更焦慮。
孤獨不僅是情緒，它塑造身份。如果年輕人反覆感到被忽視或邊緣化，這種體驗會成為他們看待自己及其社會地位的部分。問題不僅是如何開展更多專案，而是：我們是否設計了一個讓連線變得容易而非艱難的日常新加坡？
我建議關注兩個槓桿：空間和專案。
一位年輕人告訴我，當他感到壓力大時，會去淡濱尼的滑板公園。他不是去參加結構化活動，而是因為那裡讓他感到被理解。這一細節很重要。
當濱海灣地鐵站的鏡面被磨砂處理時，舞者感到失落。那條連廊已悄然成為排練空間，是他們練習、建立友誼和共同進步的地方。濱海南碼頭地鐵站提供鏡面空間，承認了非正式空間的重要性。
這些例子說明了重要一點。年輕人不僅需要設施，更需要他們感到擁有權的地方。
青年告訴我，他們為圖書館座位競爭，或花錢在咖啡館一起學習。社群俱樂部存在，但預約系統感覺正式、受成人控制或難以臨時使用。如果我們的空間感覺遙遠或程式化，年輕人就會退回房間和螢幕。
那麼，試想這樣一種情景。一名中學生放學後，通過一個應用程式預訂了她所在社群俱樂部內一個帶有兩個水龍頭的小型多功能房間。這個房間之所以可用，是因為某些非高峰時段被指定為青少年專用時間段。她和朋友們在這裡排練舞蹈。隔壁，一群學生正在一起復習。一位鄰居大叔通過社群平臺匹配，順道來進行一個小型輔導課程。
這些只是一些小的設計調整。但從青少年的角度來看，差別卻很大。連線變得便利。參與成為常態。歸屬感變得本地化。
因此，我想請文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）審視那些利用率不高的房間，看看是否可以劃出青少年專用時間段。試點簡化且適合青少年的預訂系統。在未來的社群升級中，納入小型聲學處理的多功能房間。這並不是要建造新的綜合體，而是讓現有基礎設施更具青少年導向。
第二是活動編排。我們有資助、青少年組織和平臺，但各項舉措往往仍然零散。
一名中學生最近寫信給我，詢問是否可以張貼海報，幫助志願音樂教師與缺乏學習機會的學生匹配。她的直覺是對的：當人們一起教、學和服務時，連線才會發生。但為什麼她必須依賴於樓下空地的海報呢？
不妨設想：在現有社群應用中加入基於鄰里的匹配功能。一名理工學院學生會拉小提琴，表示每週可志願服務兩小時。一名五年級學生因經濟原因無法負擔課程，報名參加。社群俱樂部促成匹配。基本的安全保障措施到位。他們每週見面。他們不再只是志願者和學習者，而是成為同一個社群的一部分。歸屬感不再是消費，而是貢獻。
因此，我想請問現有的MCCY或人民協會（PA）平臺，是否可以納入超本地化的志願者與學習者匹配功能，涵蓋體育、藝術和輔導領域；優先資助持續性的、由青少年主導的專案，而非一次性活動。
主席先生，歸屬感不能被年齡劃分為孤島。我們需要融合。當不同世代定期互動時，身份認同變成共享而非分裂。我也希望MCCY能考慮如何培養跨世代的交流融合。
主席先生，如果孤獨感在上升，回應不僅僅是提供更多服務，而是更好的設計——設計易於訪問的空間，設計將主動性與機會匹配的系統，設計獎勵持續性的專案。
從青少年的角度來看，差別很簡單。與其問“我能去哪兒？”，答案變得顯而易見：“就在這裡。”這就是設計歸屬感的意義，不是口號，而是日常現實。
塑造“我們優先”一代
嚴先生：主席先生，在“我們優先”的社會中，我們的青少年不僅是新加坡未來的受益者，更應是塑造未來的夥伴。
過去一年，MCCY與許多年輕新加坡人進行了交流。這些對話非常寶貴。但關鍵問題是，這些對話如何轉化為持續的參與路徑。
當代年輕新加坡人成長於截然不同的環境。他們面臨經濟不確定性、快速的技術變革以及數字世界的持續壓力。陳博士剛才談到了我們互聯世界中的孤獨感。
因此，MCCY如何裝備我們的年輕人，使他們具備應對這些壓力的韌性，同時保持對新加坡的共同責任感？年輕新加坡人有哪些機會能夠有意義地參與社群建設、政策制定和社會服務？
例如，如何讓我們的青少年更積極地參與本地專案、志願網路或國家對話？例如，在芬蘭，根據《芬蘭青年法》，各市鎮必須通過青年委員會（nuorisovaltuusto）納入青年參與，目前已有300多個青年委員會，培養早期的公民歸屬感。
最終目標不僅是鼓勵參與，更是培養夥伴關係，培育一代人，使他們不僅將新加坡視為居住地，更視為自己負有責任的社群。因為當他們真正擁有新加坡的利益時，他們和我們集體能夠釋放他們的創意、主動性和公民想象力。因此，我希望部長能分享如何繼續打造這樣一代人的看法。
主席：請回應。代理部長梁偉銘先生。
文化、社區及青年部代理部長（梁偉銘先生）：主席先生，感謝各位議員的發言和建議，以及對MCCY工作的支援。
先生，今年2026年是新加坡宣誓誓言60週年。60年來，我們踐行“無論種族、語言或宗教，皆為一體”的理想。
1966年撰寫新加坡誓言時，我們的建國之父拉賈拉南先生闡述了構建包容性“新加坡人”身份的願景，基於我們的多元文化模式。剛經歷分離的不確定，我們選擇建設一個團結、共享和平等的“我們優先”集體，而非分裂、孤立和競爭的“我優先”社群。
這是一個大膽的願景。60年來，我們建立了一個凝聚的多元文化社群，首先認同彼此為新加坡人。
雖然新加坡常被稱讚為從第三世界到第一世界的經濟奇蹟，但同樣甚至更為卓越的是，我們在種族、語言和宗教多樣性中成功培育了一個凝聚的多元文化社會。
今天，我們再次面臨一個變化世界的不確定性。外部，帶來和平與繁榮的世界秩序正受到挑戰、逆轉和瓦解。我們聽到國際關係變得更傾向於“我的利益優先”，而非“我們如何共同繁榮”。內部，我們面臨快速老齡化和生育率急劇下降的雙重挑戰。正如副總理所言，這是生存挑戰。我們需要保持開放，謹慎管理移民流入以補充低生育率。
移民需要時間適應。我們會選擇團結而非分裂，分享而非孤立，平等而非歧視嗎？正是在這些不確定時期，“什麼讓我成為新加坡人”的問題對我們個人和國家尤為重要。
我們的國家身份，反映核心價值、原則和信念，將成為我們在變化世界中的錨點。只有當我們牢牢紮根於作為新加坡人的集體身份時，才能經受住未來的考驗。
嚴議員談到需要“我們優先”的國家身份。在MCCY，我們通過三方面努力培育“我們優先”的社會。請允許我詳細說明。
首先，我們需要擴大新加坡人共享的公共空間。基本層面，我們需要做更多工作，促進人們互動、建立聯絡和認同。
正如議員們記得的，我們過去通過共享經歷建立聯絡，無論是觀看本地電視節目如《Aksi Mat Yoyo》或電視劇《霧鎖南洋》，還是下樓去玩龍形遊樂場。但時代變了。隨著Netflix、YouTube和TikTok的興起，體驗變得更加個性化。我們可以同處一室，卻有完全不同的體驗。這種自發共享體驗的減少導致了我們之間紐帶的削弱。
根據2026年IPS關於友愛與社會結構的研究，新加坡人報告親密朋友數量從2018年的平均10.67人降至2024年的6.49人。十分之一的新加坡人表示沒有親密朋友。
我們需要改變這一點。MCCY將加大力度促進新加坡人之間更多的互動、理解和尊重，因為這正是維繫我們新加坡身份的關鍵。我們將通過藝術、遺產、文化和體育的優勢來實現，這些構成了我們的身份基礎設施。
MCCY未來的重點之一是深化我們珍視的多元文化價值。
多年來，MCCY持續投資於保護和提升我們的多元文化。我們的藝術與遺產專案，如ArtsEverywhere@CDC和遺產啟用節點，匯聚不同背景的新加坡人，共同欣賞和理解彼此的遺產與文化。我們的和諧圈鼓勵坦誠對話，建立跨差異的同理心、信任和尊重，使我們不僅僅是共處，更是攜手並慶祝彼此的文化和信仰。
我贊同李先生的觀點，我們應設定更高目標，超越和平共處，促進深層次的跨文化理解和欣賞。
與藝術文化團體從業者交流時，他們告訴我，年輕人對傳統藝術的興趣開始下降。一些青少年放棄傳統舞蹈課外活動，轉而選擇當代舞蹈風格，如韓流。因此，雖然我理解韓流和韓劇的吸引力，我們也需要保留構成我們多元文化身份基礎的多樣傳統藝術形式，並將其傳承給下一代。我們將加強努力，鞏固我們獨特的多元文化身份。
下午4時
國家藝術理事會（NAC）將在學前和教育部學校推出一系列新舉措，積極讓年輕一代接觸我們的族群文化。國務部長貝先生將詳細介紹。
NAC還將推出一項新的2000萬新元多元文化藝術專案資助，由總統挑戰和MCCY共同出資，支援傳統及多元文化藝術從業者的發展。為強化我們作為多族群多元文化國家的身份，國家遺產局（NHB）將加強場所營造，強化甘榜格南和小印度歷史街區的族群身份。資深國務部長劉先生和國務部長迪內什將進一步說明。
通過這些舉措，我們希望更多新加坡人欣賞、體驗並珍惜塑造我們身份的多元文化。
在社群層面，我們將加大力度與選擇在新加坡生活、工作和學習的新來者分享我們獨特的多元文化身份。新來者需要理解並欣賞新加坡並非同質或單一文化社會，他們必須適應可能與原居地不同的規範。
同時，新加坡人也需有意識地與他們分享我們的文化、價值觀和規範。去年成立的外籍專業人士融合行動聯盟已取得良好進展，推出新舉措，更好地將外籍專業人士融入職場和社群。國務部長迪內什將分享更多。
第二是鼓勵人們關心彼此，共同建設新加坡。活動能聚集人群，但關懷和連線才能維繫我們。關懷精神在社會中生機勃勃——新冠疫情期間，人們本能地以各種方式挺身而出。我們在日常生活中也能看到，比如主動讓座給更需要的人。
我們的目標是建設一個充滿活力、蓬勃發展的行動民主，讓更多新加坡人能夠貢獻力量，共建新加坡。許多新加坡人願意挺身而出。
以餘寶玲女士為例。她60歲，是乳腺癌倖存者，在康復期間發現水中運動的益處，渴望分享這份禮物。她製作了簡短的水中健身影片，並在飛躍活躍老齡中心帶領12個老年班。
老年人非常喜歡這些課程，鼓勵她更頻繁地開課。在新加坡政府合作辦公室和SportSG的支援下，餘女士成為ActiveSG教練，將水中健身課程納入ActiveSG常規專案，影響更多老年人。
我們希望降低門檻，創造更多機會，讓像餘女士這樣的新加坡人能夠挺身而出貢獻力量。
2016年，我們啟動了“我們的新加坡基金”，與公民合作，將他們的社群創意變為現實。該基金已支援超過800個專案，惠及新加坡人。
雖然“我們的新加坡基金”廣受歡迎併產生了實際影響，但也存在痛點。例如，資助上限和短期執行週期限制了專案；需要共同籌資對缺乏籌款能力的小型草根團體或個人構成挑戰。
我們認真聽取反饋，努力最佳化該資助。正如總理早前宣佈，我們將在未來五年推出新的5000萬新元新加坡合作基金。該基金支援更大規模的專案和夢想，歡迎小型團體，接納來自各方的好點子。資深國務部長劉先生將介紹更多細節。
我們希望賦能更多新加坡人有意義地貢獻力量，建立更強的紐帶、更深的信任和更強的共同擁有感。這是建設更強“我們優先”社會的第一步。
最後，我們希望動員全國力量，建設包容社會，讓每個人無論起點如何，都能獲得支援，實現其全部潛能。
我們的力量在於人才多樣性——從企業家到藝術家。當我們創造路徑，讓新加坡人追求熱情並在所選領域茁壯成長時，我們就鍛造了基於“每個新加坡人都重要”這一共同信念的強大國家身份。
這對我們的青少年尤為重要，他們必須克服在這個由人工智慧主導且不斷變化的世界中出現的新挑戰。正如陳女士、潘教授和嚴先生指出，我們的青少年越來越多地面臨社交孤立、惡化的心理健康和日益增長的職業不安全感。
國家青年理事會（NYC）致力於支援年輕人成為積極參與者，配備技能、機會和支援系統，實現他們的抱負。資深議員秘書吳先生將介紹相關舉措。
現在談談體育發展。體育是所有新加坡人的強大紐帶，超越年齡和能力。體育創造真實的人際連線。體育也激發民族自豪感，鞏固我們的國家身份，正如高副教授所指出。
MCCY和SportSG將加大力度，進一步普及青少年的體育參與。我認同嚴先生的擔憂，體育課外活動不應僅限於天賦異稟或有條件接受過訓練的學生。
我們將提供更多平臺，讓孩子們自由玩耍，培養他們對運動的熱愛——讓每個孩子都有更多機會體驗體育帶給他們的自我認知和對他人的理解。去年我們推出了學校體育嘉年華，匯聚不同學校的學生一起運動。迄今為止，我們已舉辦了16場嘉年華，超過2000名學生參與。
15歲的St Gabriel中學學生Aryaa Geajaindren以前從未考慮過打籃球。學校體育嘉年華激發了他深入探索籃球的興趣。他現在正積極參與籃球競技。
我們希望更多學生受益。因此，到2027年，我們將把學校體育嘉年華擴大到32所學校。
另一個平臺是課外活動（CCA），學生們一起訓練，通過汗水、淚水和歡笑建立深厚友誼。CCA是許多人結交最親密朋友的地方，這種持續互動和緊密紐帶正是我們想要培養的。然而，隨著學校招生規模縮小和學生興趣多樣化，一些學校可能沒有足夠學生成立CCA。
這就是為什麼MCCY和教育部推出戰略合作CCA（SP-CCA），讓更多學生能參與自己喜歡的CCA。未來幾年我們將推出更多此類專案。
作為草根倡議，一些學校也聯合組建了多校CCA團隊。例如，ACS（巴克路）和昆士威中學聯合組建了曲棍球隊，共同訓練並參加全國學校運動會（NSG）。為鼓勵更多此類合作，我們將推出新的1000萬新元多校CCA團隊資助。每支團隊將在四年內獲得20萬新元，用於合作學校間的設施、交通或教練費用。
全國學校運動會的參與人數穩步增長。今年將達到歷史最高，約有69000名學生運動員來自300多所學校，參加29個專案。我們希望擴大規模，為學生運動員提供更多機會。MCCY和教育部將啟動新計劃，與有準備、有能力、有意願的國家體育協會合作，引入更多運動專案進入全國學校運動會。
體育的力量不僅限於學校，它能夠團結人心，建立聯絡。通過共同運動建立的友誼，在艱難比賽中相互鼓勵，以及挑戰自我極限帶來的成長，這些都是所有新加坡人，無論年齡和能力如何，都應終身享有的體驗。
因此，SportSG（新加坡體育理事會）將加大力度推動社群體育的普及，確保每個人都能通過體育繼續建立聯絡，過上更好的生活。Gho Sze Kee女士會很高興聽到，我們一直在穩步擴大體育場地，尤其是在社群核心區域。我們已翻新了四個體育設施，如三角洲體育中心（Delta Sport Centre）和德基活躍體育公園（ActiveSG Sport Park @ Teck Ghee），並完成了包括武吉坎貝拉（Bukit Canberra）和裕廊鎮活躍體育村（ActiveSG Sport Village @ Jurong Town）在內的15個發展專案。
在一年內，我們將完成三個設施的建設，以提供更多本地化的體育場地，分別是女皇鎮（Queenstown）、後港（Hougang）和新的榜鵝區域體育中心（Punggol Regional Sport Centre）。
我們還完成了11個社群體育設施，另有11個正在建設中，地點包括淡濱尼北（Tampines North）、吉宏（Keat Hong）、黃埔（Whampoa）和金文泰（Kembangan）等。我們的設施使用率高，每年接待超過2000萬訪客。隨著越來越多的新加坡人擁抱積極生活方式，公共設施在高峰時段的需求也在增加，尤其是羽毛球和匹克球等熱門運動。
因此，我很高興宣佈，未來五年內我們將建設50個多功能羽毛球或匹克球場地。這包括最近在加冷（The Kallang）開放的8個雙用途匹克球場地，我們也將很快完成小印度巴士終站（Little India Bus Terminal）的另外8個匹克球場地。
在建設這些新場地時，我們也注意管理住宅區的噪音水平。我讚賞Gho Sze Kee女士在調解居民關切和推動使用更安靜泡沫球方面的努力，這正是“我們優先”（"we first"）精神的體現。
SportSG將與社群利益相關者合作尋找解決方案。在符合空間和高度要求的情況下，我們還將啟用社群中利用率較低的空間，如高架橋下的空間，使這些設施更方便地靠近新加坡人，同時保持足夠距離以控制噪音。
我們可以看到加里峇圖高架橋（Gali Batu flyover）就是一個例子。我希望這能回應Gho Sze Kee女士的關切，也希望這不僅僅是80%的解決方案。
對於林佔武副教授（Assoc Prof Jamus Lim）提出的問題，國土部（MND）關注的不是收入損失，而是居民是否得到良好服務，尤其是噪音問題，因為許多多層停車場都靠近住宅樓。
我相信11月4日，議員David Hoe也提出了相關的議會質詢，國土部對此作出了全面回覆。或許我會建議該議員查閱那份議會質詢的答覆。
體育場地只是第一步，接下來還需為各年齡和能力層次的人群提供更多專案。我們有ActiveSG學院和俱樂部，向兒童和青少年開放，讓他們參與喜歡的運動。有些人會進入高水平運動的發展專案。我們還有ActiveSG興趣小組和成人學習運動專案，供希望學習新運動或休閒運動的成年人參與。
我們致力於提供更多此類專案，並將研究Kenneth Goh副教授提到的新加坡體育通行證（SG Sport Pass）建議。
Andre Low先生詢問了關於力量訓練以應對老齡相關虛弱的問題。我們推出了老年人虛弱預防計劃（Frailty Prevention Programme，FPP），幫助他們健康老齡化，並通過體育繼續建立社交聯絡。
在FPP框架下，SportSG於2024年在活躍老齡中心（Active Ageing Centres）推出了為期八週的抗擊年齡相關肌肉流失（Combat Age-related Loss of Muscle，CALM）專案。自那時起，CALM在老年人中取得了積極的身體變化。其中一位參與者是Florence Soo女士。她在2025年中風後加入了CALM 1.0。
在教練的指導下，Florence女士逐漸恢復了力量、行動能力和柔韌性，包括呼吸和情緒的改善。這種經歷不僅僅是Florence女士獨有，事實上，幾乎所有CALM參與者在至少一項指標上，如握力或步速，都報告了功能性表現的提升。
迄今為止，CALM強化專案已在132個活躍老齡中心實施，覆蓋約4000名老年人，我們目標到今年年底覆蓋180個活躍老齡中心和5500名老年人。
除了CALM，我們的老年人還發現適應性運動對保持活躍、健康和社交聯絡非常有吸引力和實用，無論是坐式地板曲棍球還是飛盤高爾夫。
作為FPP的一部分，SportSG已逐步為200個活躍老齡中心配備適應性運動裝置。到2026年底，我們目標為所有活躍老齡中心配備裝置，以便更多老年人參與適應性運動。Low先生也會高興得知，CALM專案結束時，參與者會接觸到HUR機器。幾乎所有老年護理中心和部分活躍老齡中心都配備了這些可變重量訓練器械。
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去年，我們還啟動了老年人全國運動會（Seniors National Games，SNG），老年人代表各活躍老齡中心參加五項適應性運動的比賽。
我們對超過4500名來自110個活躍老齡中心的老年人以及更多家人、朋友和支持者的參與感到鼓舞，也收到了積極反饋，稱SNG不僅為老年人提供了保持活躍的機會，還幫助他們建立聯絡並享受樂趣。我們邀請更多老年人今年參與。
針對殘障人士，我們去年推出了支援社群發起專案的賦能體育基金（Enabling Sports Fund，ESF），該基金由總統挑戰賽支援，作為更新後的殘疾體育總體規劃的一部分。
我們收到了許多優秀提案。其中之一來自SUN-DAC，開發了iBoccia，這是一種對殘奧會運動波西亞（Boccia）的改良。iBoccia適合智力或其他殘疾人士及其健全隊友。通過該基金，SUN-DAC將向更多殘疾人士推廣iBoccia。
總體而言，ESF將支援21個專案，惠及8000多名不同殘疾人士，涵蓋20多種運動。
體育還為新加坡人追逐夢想開啟大門。憑藉適當支援，我們相信運動員能夠實現他們的抱負和全部潛力。
Kenneth Goh副教授詢問了運動員支援的最新情況。我們已設立spexPotential專案，培養有潛力在東南亞運動會（SEA Games）奪金的運動員。
我們提高了津貼，併為spex學者引入了中央公積金（CPF）補充，使競技體育在經濟上更具可行性。我們與六所自治大學簽署協議，營造更有利於運動員的環境，並推出了spex教育本科獎學金，支援運動員兼顧教育和競技體育。
以Ryan Lo為例，他是2023年亞運會和去年的東南亞運動會金牌得主，也是兩屆奧運會帆船運動員。
spex教育專案辦公室與詹姆斯庫克大學緊密合作，幫助他平衡學業與訓練和比賽。他有望縮短學業時間完成商業學位，從而兼顧體育和學業抱負。Ryan今年將衛冕亞運會冠軍，讓我們為他加油。
我們希望為像Ryan這樣的運動員做更多。我們正在重組機構以實現這一目標。
今年4月，我們將整合關鍵體育實體——高效能體育學院（HPSI）、新加坡體育學校（SSP）和“釋放咆哮！”（Unleash the Roar!）——成立一個新實體，稱為新加坡體育卓越機構（Sport Excellence Singapore，SpexSG）。我想向Alex Yam先生更新，這次整合將實質性地改善體育生態系統。
首先，我們將通過打造更以運動員為中心、涵蓋全生命週期的高效能體育體系，增強對運動員的支援深度和廣度。為了讓更多運動員在體育領域停留更久、走得更遠，我們將為他們提供專業專長支援，幫助管理體育承諾和生活其他需求。
在SpexSG框架下，我們將擴充套件運動員生活管理能力，支援運動員在高等教育、職業發展、家庭規劃、財務知識和個人成長等多方面。我們的運動員生活表現經理已開始與頂尖運動員進行個性化諮詢，共同制定計劃，幫助他們應對重大人生轉變。
Kenneth Goh副教授會高興得知，我們還將舉辦工作坊，提升運動員在個人品牌、創業、心理健康素養和媒體培訓等方面的技能。我們還將深化並整合運動科學與運動醫學（SSSM）對運動員的支援。
整合的一個關鍵好處是匯聚SSSM專業知識和經驗，提升能力，促進跨領域知識轉移和職業發展路徑。運動員將獲得更專注、一致的跨運動支援，整個系統也將獲得協同效應，否則各實體分開時難以實現。
第二，SpexSG將強化SSP作為所有新加坡代表隊學生運動員的教育協調角色。
目前，SSP為中學及大專階段的青年運動員提供專門的高效能發展路徑。整合後，我們將利用SSP的專業知識，向所有新加坡代表隊學生運動員開放，無論年齡或就讀學校。
SSP目前為新加坡代表隊學生運動員提供年度大學及獎學金展覽和大學諮詢服務。未來，SSP將支援所有六所本地自治大學的新加坡代表隊學生運動員。SSP還將與國家體育協會（NSA）合作，允許有才華的學生運動員在準備好承諾時轉入SSP，無論他們處於中學還是大專階段。
SSP還在開發支援海外新加坡代表隊學生運動員的能力，使他們能與SSP同學一同在新加坡學習，包括中學和國際文憑課程（IBDP）。
SSP將進一步加強與NSA的合作，積極提供寄宿和設施支援。
例如，SSP與新加坡羽毛球協會合作的青少年表現路徑計劃（Junior Performance Pathway Programme），允許非SSP學生運動員參加SSP的訓練課程，並可寄宿於SSP。SSP將繼續與更多NSA發展此類合作。
總體而言，這些變化將使我們的學生運動員能夠追求抱負，實現全部潛力。
第三，SpexSG將加強與NSA的整合，賦能他們發展卓越體育。
像Jackson Lam先生一樣，我也聽到NSA的願望和挑戰。我們將加強對NSA的支援和合作。
NSA將擁有單一聯絡點，滿足其高效能和發展路徑需求，無論是通過專職高效能體育經理還是共享服務檯。對於新興NSA，我們還將制定指導手冊，幫助他們實現慈善機構地位。
我們還將為NSA提供媒體溝通培訓，提升媒體管理和運動員形象塑造能力。SpexSG將擴大體育管理人員借調機會，覆蓋更多NSA。目前，SportSG已向帆船、擊劍和羽毛球等NSA借調執行長、總經理和高效能經理。
我希望Jackson Lam先生和Valerie Lee女士對這些變化感到滿意。
但最重要的是，SpexSG將使國家運動員的全程旅程更加整合和無縫。讓我以籃球為例說明。3x3籃球因其高強度和快節奏而日益受歡迎。我們的男女隊均位列亞太地區前六名。
但我們可以做得更好。
過去，我們的年輕籃球運動員分開訓練。國家青年隊在重大比賽前幾個月才聚集，賽後又分開。這種臨時訓練環境無法充分發展他們的技術技能、決策速度和高效能習慣，也不利於團隊化學反應。運動科學支援充其量是被動的。
我們希望建立更整合的路徑，使年輕運動員更持續地聚集，以加強個人掌握和團隊凝聚力。因此，SSP、HPSI和新加坡籃球協會在SSP成立了新的19歲以下國家青年發展計劃。
運動員的體驗如何？讓我用一位運動員的故事說明。
Emily Elessa是國家16歲以下女子隊的高潛力人才，該隊去年在東南亞籃球協會16歲以下資格賽中獲得銀牌。最近，她決定從直通學校錄取（DSA）學校義順中學轉入SSP，追求代表新加坡成年隊的夢想。
此前，Emily每週在中學訓練兩次，和國家隊隊友分開，教練也不同，直到比賽臨近。現在，Emily每週訓練多達10次，參加3x3國家隊和國家青年發展計劃，由國家教練使用統一的教學方法指導。這種持續性幫助Emily建立正確的技術、身體和心理基礎，為晉升成年國家隊做好準備。
Emily現在還將獲得全年運動科學和運動醫學支援。
在體育之外，Emily還能在SSP建立堅實的學術基礎，享有新加坡代表隊運動員所需的靈活性。她還可使用運動員生活管理服務，獲得其他生活優先事項的指導，做好人生準備。
SpexSG將與更多NSA合作，使更多國家運動員獲得像Emily一樣的支援。
主席先生，最後讓我總結。經過60年的建國曆程，我們通過共同經歷建立了緊密聯絡，打造了一個多元文化社群，願意挺身推動積極變革。我們鍛造了一個團結的社會，首先認同自己是新加坡人，而非以種族、語言或宗教劃分。
面對變化世界的不確定性，讓我們站在先驅者的肩膀上，選擇建設一個更加凝聚、更強大的新加坡，一個各族群和宗教社群不僅和諧共處，還深刻欣賞彼此文化的社會，一個人人積極貢獻、關懷和提升社群他人的社會，一個人人都能實現抱負和發揮全部潛力的社會，一個真正體現“我們優先”精神的社會。
Mark Lee先生問成功的樣子是什麼。主席先生，我相信這就是S Rajaratnam先生60年前撰寫我們誓言時所設想的新加坡——我們共同慶祝多元文化，分享“我們優先”的價值觀，選擇團結為一體，彼此信任，互相扶持，回饋社會，每個人都能按自己的方式成功，拋開種族、語言或宗教差異，為建設國家貢獻力量，每位新加坡人無論起點如何，都能實現全部潛力。
讓我們像先輩們那樣團結努力，追求這一夢想，就像S Rajaratnam先生首次撰寫誓言時一樣。讓我們不做旁觀者，而是作為一個團結的民族立下誓言，實現國家的幸福、繁榮與進步。[掌聲]
主席：文化、社區及青年部高階國務部長劉燕玲。
文化、社區及青年部高階國務部長（劉燕玲女士）：主席先生，我最近參觀了開國元勳紀念館的“非旁觀者”（Not Mere Spectators）展覽。
自1959年以來，新加坡的多樣性由人民的積極參與構建並維繫。多年來，新加坡人挺身而出，關心彼此，維護我們的多元統一。例如人民文化音樂會，這是由人民為人民舉辦的表演，培養歸屬感、相互尊重和共同身份認同。這些音樂會在新加坡各地的開放空間舉行，人們聚集一起表演、觀看和學習。
多位藝術界先驅，如Uma Rajan博士和Som Said女士，曾在這些音樂會上表演，併成為終生好友。他們在音樂會上的經歷使他們深信多元文化必須付諸實踐，而非僅僅口頭表達。事實上，他們都對新加坡文化景觀產生了深遠影響。
我們國家的早期歲月和歷程反映了我們尋求打造的“我們優先”社會的種子和基礎。我們在社會不同層面看到這種“我們優先”精神，新加坡人彼此關心、分享和扶持。
在個人層面，我們看到志願者如Ratnam Periowsamy女士。她今年90歲，是多美歌東活躍老齡中心（Care Corner's AAC）的最年長志願者。她挨家挨戶探訪獨居老人，併為他們組織活動。她的榜樣告訴我們，無論年齡大小，都能貢獻和關懷。
在社群層面，甘榜格南協會（Kampong Gelam Association）等團體共同制定了甘榜格南地區規劃，提升該區的遺產和文化重要性。
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在企業層面，我們在像aAdvantage這樣的公司中看到“我們優先”的精神。他們大約一半的20名員工定期獲得時間去養老院做志願者。
主席先生，我們之前在個人、企業和社群層面分享的共同線索顯示，普通新加坡人和團體挺身而出，為我們的社會帶來改變，產生重大影響。這正是文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）希望激發、推動和強化的“我們優先”精神。
我們將通過以下方式實現：第一，通過我們的遺產創造公共空間。我們將把人們聚集在一起，無論是實體上還是精神上，以促進更強的社群歸屬感。第二，鼓勵並支援積極的公民參與，確保好點子轉化為行動，且無人被落下。
主席先生，當我們談論遺產作為公共空間時，我們不僅指的是地標，還包括我們社群內熟悉的地方——這些地方承載著新加坡人共同的意義、記憶和經歷。
傅哲祥先生詢問MCCY計劃如何讓更多新加坡人積極參與慶祝社群遺產。通過國家遺產局（NHB）的遺產啟用節點（HANs），NHB與居民和利益相關者合作，共同創造慶祝他們社群的專案。
自2024年起，NHB已在新加坡推出三個遺產啟用節點，吸引了超過3萬名訪客，分別位於加東-裕廊、金文泰和榜鵝。
在加東-裕廊，Lorong Stangee街有一幅由本地藝術家Alvin Mark Tan先生根據他的童年記憶創作的媽媽店壁畫。這幅壁畫激發了路人貢獻他們關於裕廊的故事和老照片。
在這三個遺產啟用節點中，已有超過360名志願者挺身而出，深化我們本地社群的遺產。
基於這一勢頭，NHB將在2026年推出兩個新的遺產啟用節點。一個位於直落布蘭雅，與Participate in Design合作，重點發掘隱藏的社群寶藏和故事。另一個位於中峇魯，與中峇魯社群中心合作，慶祝公共組屋建築、宗教場所及遺產商家。此外，我們將繼續謹慎管理我們的地標和歷史街區，確保它們對所有新加坡人保持意義，並敏感地融入周邊社群的日常生活。
Joan Pereira女士建議政府採取整體方法評估38號奧克斯利路未來的公共使用，並在決策過程中諮詢鄰近居民。正如代理部長David Neo在之前的部長宣告中提到，MCCY肯定會研究使該地塊向公眾開放的可能方案，使其成為我們共同記憶和所有新加坡人的公共空間。
該地塊的收購程式正在進行中。一旦獲得訪問權，NHB將與相關機構協商，進行全面研究，評估如何最大化該地塊的公共教育價值。我們將與議員及相關政府機構合作，接觸附近居民，考慮意見和反饋，儘量減少潛在的不便。
為提升和保護我們的歷史街區，NHB將在我與高階國務部長Faishal Ibrahim共同主持的遺產商家、傳統行業及文化生活跨機構工作組下設立場所營造專案辦公室。
該專案辦公室將與關鍵街區利益相關者緊密合作，如甘榜格南協會、小印度商戶及遺產協會和牛車水商業協會，更好地瞭解他們的需求，賦能他們活躍街區。此外，專案辦公室將提供啟動資金，連線團體與相關機構，並提升設計、實施及擴大場所營造專案的能力。
遺產商家在提升我們歷史街區獨特特色中扮演重要角色，是社群的支柱。吳建業副教授詢問是否能提供更有針對性的接班規劃支援，以保護遺產商家並支援其財務可持續性。我們認識到接班規劃複雜且極具個人性。對於準備傳承的遺產商家，我們的機構肯定會提供支援，包括業務改進計劃，如NHB的組織轉型資助。
例如，第三代家族經營的Rumah Makan Minang餐廳利用該資助，通過審視和重組家族企業內的角色，增強其長期可持續性。
NHB還將與公民志願者合作，作為小印度公民參與專案的一部分，記錄遺產商家及其貢獻。社群有興趣的成員可留意NHB今年5月釋出的志願者招募公告。
這些努力提醒我們，遺產之所以得以延續，不僅因為機構的保護，更因為人們的傳承與活化。
主席先生，除了通過遺產空間強化社群歸屬感，我們還將通過激發積極公民參與，培育“我們優先”社會的成長。我們希望看到每個人攜手塑造並擁有我們的共同未來。
為激發積極公民參與，我們於2024年成立了新加坡政府合作辦公室。去年，政府收到超過1600份合作提案，涵蓋廣泛的社群需求。讓我舉兩個簡短例子。
專案#JalanJalan是一個由青年主導的表演藝術草根專案，使命是通過公共空間的表演連線人們。在SG60期間，他們在五個地點舉辦了20多場表演。另一個專案是Skillseed，一個成熟的社群建設者，與居民合作發掘社群故事，強化地方領導力。Skillseed致力於在社群內建立信任、能力和歸屬感。
這兩個專案起點不同，但都懷有貢獻精神。此類公民驅動的倡議具有巨大潛力，能擴大其影響力和覆蓋面。
這正是由黃循財總理和代理部長David Neo剛剛宣佈的新加坡合作基金將發揮關鍵作用的地方，激勵並強化積極公民參與。應Hazlina Abdul Halim女士的要求，我簡要介紹該基金的定製方式。該基金通過三級支援，賦能不同階段的草根創意和活動。
首先，種子級旨在通過支援公民主導的創意，即使是初期的，也提供便捷且門檻低的資助，最高為一年5000新元。我們希望該級別簡易的申請流程能激勵更多個人和草根團體提出創意，無論規模大小，解決社群需求或改善新加坡人的生活。
下一層級，萌芽級，旨在擴大地面行動圈，支援已有成效的創意放大影響和覆蓋。成功通過種子級的專案可申請此級別資助。
申請萌芽級需證明有類似專案的實施經驗或成功試點。該級別提供最高80%資助，封頂5萬新元，期限最長兩年。
最後，規模級適用於旨在實現系統性或行業範圍社會影響，或促進跨部門合作並有可衡量成果的組織。此類專案可為大規模倡議，提升公民參與或能力。與萌芽級類似，申請者需展示類似專案的成功經驗及試點的實質成果。
主席先生，我們認識到實施此類專案可能需要組織更強的能力。因此，我們將與成功的規模級申請者合作，強化其可持續執行專案的能力。該基金提供最高80%資助，封頂100萬新元，期限三年。基金還涵蓋人力和培訓等能力建設費用。
Elysa Chen女士詢問是否會專門劃撥新加坡合作基金支援青年或家長主導的專案，以及是否應增加基金規模以促進互助和鄰里關係。我想回應她，目前該基金規模為五年5000萬新元。我們希望保持其可及性，鼓勵廣泛的倡議帶來社群積極變化，當然包括青年和家長。
新加坡合作基金也補充了現有計劃，如國家青年理事會的青年變革者資助和國家青年基金（NYF）。我向她保證，我們會先評估該基金在促進積極公民參與專案中的成效，再考慮是否擴大規模。
申請將於2026年4月起開放，更多資訊將在新加坡政府合作辦公室網站釋出。我們歡迎並邀請所有新加坡人挺身而出，做出改變。你的創意和努力很重要，我們可以共創一個“我們優先”的新加坡，讓無人獨行。
主席先生，“我們優先”的社會是由個人、社群和企業共同為集體利益服務而建立的。Hazlina Abdul Halim女士詢問如何動員更多人參與。
首先，我們將激勵並積極支援企業志願服務。正如黃循財總理宣佈的，企業志願者計劃將延長三年。公司員工在註冊慈善機構（IPC）志願服務時，相關支出（包括員工薪資和志願用品）可享受250%的稅務扣減。
第二，我們將幫助企業建立能力和信心，為社會貢獻力量並塑造更美好的社會。例如，新加坡工商聯合會與VolunteerInc.合作，為企業提供培訓、指導和與社群組織的連線。
自去年7月專案啟動以來，已有超過100家公司與VolunteerInc.合作。
其中之一是跨國貿易信用保險公司Coface，發起了為老年人開發適應性地板球課程的活動。去年，52名Coface志願者在八場地板球活動中貢獻了624小時。這項意義深遠的活動幫助長者通過適應性地板球增強自信，建立了老年人之間以及與Coface員工的友誼，重新發現了保持活躍的樂趣。
未來五年，我們目標動員600家公司和6000名員工參與類似專案。
第三，我們將繼續培育回饋社會的文化。2025年，國家志願與慈善中心的“善行企業”計劃表彰了371家公司。兩年前，即2024年，由新加坡社群基金會領導的“共建更強社會聯盟”成立，匯聚政府機構、捐贈者和社群夥伴，更好支援低收入家庭。迄今，該聯盟籌集約1600萬新元，將慷慨轉化為對最需要家庭的實質支援。
Elysa Chen女士詢問政府是否考慮通過時間銀行等替代方式促進鄰里互助。雖然時間銀行是促進鄰里關係和互助的好方法，但實施上可能存在實際挑戰。不過，我向她保證，已有社群主導的類似時間銀行目標的專案。
例如，慈善機構大華福利會在DBS基金會支援下實施了一項計劃，輔助AAC參與者根據能力和時間完成短期微任務，完成後獲得小額津貼。我向她保證，MCCY樂意支援類似的草根專案，包括剛宣佈的新加坡合作基金下的時間銀行試點。
主席先生，雖然企業和有組織的捐贈極為重要，“我們優先”的社會也體現在日常關懷行為中。因此，志願服務對培養積極公民參與至關重要。我們遍佈全島的24個SG關懷志願中心與社群緊密合作，識別並滿足社群需求。
來自半導體制造商美光的720多名志願者與三巴旺的SG關懷志願中心合作，運營“美光村”，陪伴長者，組織外出和節日探訪。今年，我們目標動員36000名志願者，惠及18萬名服務物件。
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當企業、社群團體和個人選擇挺身而出，連線、關懷和貢獻時，積極公民參與的基礎得以建立，“我們優先”社會的種子得以播種。主席先生，請允許我用中文發言。
（中文）：[請參閱本地語言發言。] 主席先生，新加坡國家建設的基礎是建立和諧繁榮的多種族多元文化社會。我們常說，“先國家，後家庭”——先“我們”，後“我”。優先“我們”而非“我”的核心信條，是新加坡賴以生存和繁榮的根基。
為深化“我們優先”的意識，我們希望通過“企業”、“社群”和“個人”三管齊下，加強相互關懷，建設“我們優先”的社會。
首先，政府將繼續利用我們的遺產和文化，創造更多公共空間，強化社會凝聚力。
國家遺產局將設立場所營造專案辦公室，與社群內的企業、協會和個人合作，活躍我們的歷史街區，增強新加坡人的身份認同感。
我們還將新增兩個遺產啟用節點，分別位於歷史文化豐富的直落布蘭雅和中峇魯，補充現有的三個節點。
由黃總理和代理部長Neo宣佈的新加坡合作基金，將在明確框架下，為不同階段和規模的社群倡議提供分級資助。該五年計劃總預算為5000萬新元。
從年上限5000新元的“種子”階段，到最高5萬新元、最長兩年的“萌芽”階段，再到三年內最高100萬新元的“規模”階段，政府希望鼓勵個人和組織從小做起，通過漸進支援與更多人分享更多富有創意的好點子，團結社群。
企業、公司和專業團體也可通過“企業志願者計劃”發起倡議，鼓勵員工通過志願服務回饋社群。
“我們優先”的社會需要積極公民共同努力實現。當企業、社群團體和個人攜手，我們將能夠創造一個和諧、團結、進步的家園和社會，屬於我們所有人。
（英文）：主席先生，讓我們共同期望並努力實現我們所期望的“我們優先”社會，在那裡沒有新加坡人孤單前行，各族群、背景和信仰的人們因共同的希望和願景而團結，建設一個關懷和凝聚的新加坡。
我們今天分享的例子中，從90歲的Periowsamy女士到Coface的熱心志願者，再到我們的眾多善行企業，均展現了“我們優先”精神的萌芽。
MCCY將繼續與新加坡人合作，創造條件讓這種精神成長。讓我們共同塑造一個堅強有韌性、團結一心的“我們優先”新加坡。
主席：文化、社區及青年部國務部長梅業成。
文化、社區及青年部國務部長（梅業成先生）：主席先生，代理部長談到了多元文化如何架起社群間的橋樑，構成我們作為新加坡人的核心。多元文化一直是新加坡身份的基石。
對新加坡而言，共同身份感至關重要。它將我們凝聚在一起，賦予歸屬感。我們的多元文化身份提醒我們何為新加坡人。如今，我們將其視為一種生活方式。
這在最近的春節與齋戒月同時發生時體現得淋漓盡致。上週六下午，在我的選區，我看到穆斯林居民與社群一起做撈魚生，基層領袖打包自助餐，方便他們開齋後享用。
儘管如此，我們仍有更多可以做、也應當做的事，以深化我們的多元文化基因。全球範圍內，社會多樣性常導致分裂。因此，加強跨文化理解、深化共同身份尤為關鍵。
藝術在此可成為強有力的催化劑。通過藝術，我們認識自己和來處。更重要的是，藝術鼓勵我們超越差異，珍視共性。
令人鼓舞的是，國家藝術理事會進行的人口藝術調查顯示，八成新加坡人同意藝術讓我們更好地理解不同背景和文化的人。
多年來，本地藝術界培養了幾代從業者、團體和平臺，體現了新加坡多元文化的傳統。
兩週前，我參加了在新加坡華族文化中心舉辦的春季招待會。其中一個表演是多民族打擊樂展示。鼓風樂團以中國鼓開場，隨後納迪新加坡的孔邦鼓和雷巴納鼓，以及新加坡多爾樂隊的帕萊鼓加入。這些來自不同文化的樂器無縫融合，呈現出精彩的表演。
我們將繼續支援傳統藝術和文化，使這珍貴的文化遺產得以傳承給後代。
我們諮詢過的多位藝術家和藝術團體建議我們通過藝術發展多元文化主義。我們必須更加努力地吸引年輕人理解和欣賞各族群內外的文化遺產，並擴大單一文化傳統藝術形式在大眾中的影響力。特別是，我們應促進跨文化的認知和欣賞。通過搭建這些橋樑，我們學會更好地欣賞自己族群之外的文化和藝術形式。
在這一堅實基礎上，我們可以做更多工作，支援跨文化藝術創作，這些創作應當成熟、創新、高質量且獨具新加坡特色。
為實現這一目標，我們將提供更多支援，促進多元文化藝術形式的發展，無論是通過融合其他文化影響的製作、表達多元文化主義的創作和組織，還是藝術家學習其他族群的文化藝術形式。
這必須從年輕時開始。正如鍾愛玲女士所說，促進年輕人更廣泛參與對藝術領域的長期可持續發展至關重要。早期且有意義地接觸多樣的藝術傳統，為我們的兒童和青年奠定了相互欣賞文化的基礎。國家藝術理事會（NAC）正在擴大學生參與的機會。
在學前階段，NAC將委託藝術家和藝術團體開發專案，使兒童能夠持續接觸藝術體驗。其中一個與The Artground合作設計的專案聚焦多元文化藝術，涵蓋馬來和印度舞蹈、峇峇孃惹藝術、傳統手偶戲和中國戲曲。NAC將與選定的幼兒園試點這些專案。
在中學階段，NAC將推出為期兩年的族群融合舞蹈專案，由O School Limited執行。該豐富課程將讓來自不同學校的學生共同學習多種族群舞蹈形式，並將其應用於現代舞。學生們將有機會參加Super 24的最終展示，這是一個匯聚亞洲各地舞蹈團體的區域性比賽。
我們將加強對學校引入藝術家開展傳統和多元文化藝術學習體驗的資金支援。
目前，在藝術家進校計劃（Artist-in-School Scheme）下，NAC為學校引入藝術家運營的專案提供70%的可支援費用資助，每校每年最高15,000新元。NAC將增加對藝術家運營的傳統和多元文化專案的支援，資助比例提高至100%，每校每年最高25,000新元。
2026年，NAC策劃了近300個專案，納入NAC-藝術教育計劃，與教育部學校合作，培養各級學生對新加坡多元文化身份的認同。這比2025年增長近35%，為學校提供更多選擇，激發對多元文化藝術的興趣。
在學校之外，我們將增加社群中多元文化藝術的曝光度。我們通過ArtsEverywhere@CDC專案，將藝術和文化表演帶入日常空間。例如，Sri Warisan Som Said表演藝術團呈現了融合傳統馬來藝術形式的表演，音樂家演奏安克隆琴，舞者將旋律編織成故事，精緻的wayang golek木偶表演。該專案自2024年啟動以來，已吸引超過63,000名觀眾。
展望未來，我們將聚焦通過ArtsEverywhere@CDC在社群核心區域展示新加坡的多元文化。
我們將引入更多傳統藝術和跨文化表演及專案，深化新加坡人對不同族群文化和傳統的理解與欣賞。例如，由朱吉爾頓共同創立的Open Score Project融合全球族群音樂文化，推動跨文化合作的邊界。作為ArtsEverywhere@CDC的一部分，他們的合奏團去年在裕廊湖花園演出。通過此類專案，我們可以培養對連線我們文化的藝術體驗的更深層次欣賞。
我們希望鼓勵更多藝術從業者和團體培養表達我們民族身份的聯絡與合作。為支援此目標，我很高興宣佈一項新的多元文化藝術專案資助計劃，由總統挑戰賽和文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）共同啟動；未來五年將提供2,000萬新元，支援從業者和組織發展傳統及多元文化藝術形式，並通過藝術促進跨文化交流。
該資助將支援融合不同文化、傳統和學科元素的藝術家和專案。這可能包括以有意義方式交織不同文化元素的藝術家，以及希望在自身文化傳統之外掌握藝術形式的藝術家。它還將支援加強多元文化藝術生態系統的建設活動。多元文化藝術專案資助計劃將在未來幾個月推出，NAC屆時將公佈更多細節。
另一項擴大本地藝術文化接觸的舉措是2025年9月推出的新加坡文化通行證（SG Culture Pass）。高建業副教授曾詢問該計劃是否觸及新觀眾。我很高興分享，已有超過120萬公民註冊了文化通行證。其中七成在過去五年未曾參加本地藝術文化專案。使用積分者中，有九成表示願意參加更多本地專案。通過文化通行證，新加坡人發現了除自身文化外的新加坡多元文化。
我感謝何德仁副教授建議定期為文化通行證充值、首次使用者折扣及額外積分。鑑於該計劃剛啟動，MCCY將監測使用趨勢後再作調整。儘管如此，統計資料顯示文化通行證已幫助新加坡人發現本地文化多樣性，這令我們鼓舞。
何德仁副教授還詢問是否能更多支援本地出版商和書店。自2026年3月1日起，新加坡人可用文化通行證積分在參與書店購買新加坡文學書籍。這加強了我們對本地文學藝術領域的支援，直接惠及出版商和書店。
除了擴大藝術接觸和培養觀眾，我們還在探索利用藝術潛力產生積極社會影響的方式。
其中一個領域是藝術教育研究。自幼積極參與藝術有助於全面發展。通過持續且本地化的研究，我們能更好地確定藝術教育如何培養下一代新加坡人。
MCCY委託國立教育學院牽頭，與MCCY、NAC及濱海藝術中心合作，開展為期五年的研究，探討藝術參與如何提升學生創造力和社會情感健康。通過該研究，我們希望為學校和藝術機構提供洞見，指導支援青少年發展的工作。
另一個展現巨大潛力的新興領域是藝術與福祉的結合。新加坡國家美術館的慢藝術指南即為例子，通過自助音訊體驗和反思手冊，鼓勵訪客通過慢速觀賞和正念練習，專注地與藝術品互動。這種基於證據的方法對心理健康和認知功能有積極影響。
下午5時
隨著新加坡人口老齡化，藝術為長者提供了良好的生活和老齡化平臺。NAC與新加坡衛生集團社群醫院及綜合護理署合作開展研究，旨在評估藝術專案對長者福祉的影響。研究成果將助力設計有效干預措施，支援長者。
NAC還與藝術界及醫療和社群護理從業者合作，開展一系列藝術專案，旨在提升輔助活動中心（AAC）長者的福祉。我們目標是培養更多具備技能的從業者，能夠有效實施基於藝術的福祉專案。迄今已在28個AAC開展，目標到2028年覆蓋110箇中心。
高建業博士和吳思琪女士詢問我們如何支援藝術家建立可持續且有韌性的職業生涯。
我們將繼續投資本地藝術文化領域的發展，支援其抱負。這包括通過文化配對基金等措施鼓勵和催化私營部門支援，該基金為向藝術和遺產慈善機構的捐贈提供配套資助，迄今已配對超過4.5億新元，惠及約130個獨特慈善機構；我們還有藝術贊助人獎和遺產贊助人獎，以表彰對本地文化領域的貢獻。
藝術自由職業者（SEPs）是新加坡藝術勞動力的重要組成部分。我們致力於賦能他們，提升能力，打造有意義的職業。
自2019年我啟動藝術資源中心以來，已有超過4,000名SEPs訂閱該平臺，約佔新加坡藝術自由職業者的三分之二。
Julian Low是一個例子。他參加了藝術資源中心的IGNITE專案，獲得導師指導、網路資源和品牌建設指導。Julian於2024年與妻子共同創立了無事人劇場。他們的首部作品《我終於愛上了這個世界》於2025年成功上演。
我們認識到藝術自由職業者面臨不斷變化的挑戰，需要更完善的支援。我很高興宣佈，NAC將加強藝術資源中心，更好地應對他們的需求。
多年來，藝術資源中心為SEPs提供法律指導、合同模板和同行學習機會。今年我們開始與Pro Bono SG合作，提供教育專案和定製資源，增強他們對法律議題的理解，助力抓住機遇。SEPs還可預約現場專職律師諮詢。
NAC還將推出新的創意創業專案，支援SEPs發展創業技能，擴大作品集，實現更強的財務韌性。
這兩項舉措將在今年下半年推出。
我今天分享的這些舉措確保我們持續擁有強大的資金、人才和本土支援管道，正如鍾愛玲女士所提。支援藝術家和藝術團體繁榮發展，傳承文化遺產，他們也成為我們向世界展示的文化大使。
高建業副教授曾問及利用文化外交強化新加坡身份。我們將繼續支援從業者在國際舞臺上展現風采，推廣新加坡身份。例如，2025年大阪世博會新加坡館展示了多位本地表演藝術家，包括多元文化合奏團yINHarmony、無伴奏合唱團The Island Voices和巴拉特納蒂亞姆舞者Shruthi Nair，向全球訪客展示新加坡豐富的文化多樣性。
主席先生，展望未來，新加坡必須準備應對不斷變化世界帶來的新挑戰。強化我們的共同身份將使我們自信地克服這些挑戰。我們必須重申對多元文化主義的承諾。
藝術具有獨特力量，深化我們獨特的多元文化品牌，建設更具包容性的社會。我們將繼續投資並發展藝術領域，放大其積極影響。
主席：文化、社區及青年部國務部長迪內什·瓦蘇·達什。
文化、社區及青年部國務部長（迪內什·瓦蘇·達什先生）：在新加坡各地，社群相互慶祝彼此的文化，從彩排中的多元文化花車，到哈迪賈清真寺的年度開齋晚宴，我與宗教領袖們一同參加齋戒破齋儀式。這在當今世界極為罕見，當今世界信任稀缺，多元文化主義正面臨退縮。
我們在獨立前的歲月、二戰艱難時期以及族群緊張局勢高漲時都見證過這種情況。然而，即使在逆境中，我們的先驅宗教領袖選擇了團結與和諧。他們的承諾促成了1949年宗教間組織（IRO）的成立，旨在建立信任和相互尊重。
這體現了新加坡的社會凝聚力方法，即不同背景的人們積極努力欣賞彼此的文化和傳統。
建設強大、凝聚和關懷社會的使命是持續的。讓我談談MCCY將關注的三個領域。第一，建設擁有共同文化身份的強大社群。第二，加深社群間理解，擴大公共空間。第三，構建關懷和互助生態系統，提升所有社群。
讓我先談強大社群。
新加坡是移民國家。早期移民帶來了語言、傳統和信仰。他們在定居新加坡時互助，成立協會和宗族。隨著時間推移，新一代成長，更多人紮根這裡。雖然我們保持種族和宗教身份，但我們的實踐已演變為獨特的新加坡風格。
我們必須管理好文化遺產，使後代瞭解我們的身份和根源。我希望這對我們的青年，尤其是今天在觀眾席的東海岸實習計劃學員有所幫助。
法沙爾副教授早前談及馬來文化中心，資深國務部長劉德華談及活化歷史街區。
正如總理今年預算演講所述，MCCY和印度文化中心（IHC）將啟動新舉措，啟用小印度作為充滿活力的文化區，慶祝新加坡印度藝術和文化。我們將與社群及街區利益相關者合作，共同制定IHC的長期願景，提升小印度作為歷史街區的文化營造。
這將從2026年的願景規劃開始，為街區範圍的專案和活動奠定基礎。我們的目標是幫助新加坡人和國際訪客理解並欣賞新加坡印度文化和習俗。
我們建設強大印度社群的努力將超越文化和遺產。去年，尚穆加姆部長宣佈，資深國務部長穆拉利·皮萊和我將領導新委員會，推動印度社群發展。
自那時起，我們廣泛徵求意見。超過150個新加坡印度組織分享了他們的願望和想法，特別是如何共同提升社群成員，強化作為統一印度社群的融合。
根據收到的反饋，我們將稱之為印度參與與發展倡議（INEI），在泰米爾語中意為“連線”。這是一個由社群為社群設立的委員會，旨在建立印度社群內的強大網路，匯聚地面已有良好工作的合作伙伴，包括SINDA和Narpani。
INEI將從三大優先事項開始。第一，改善印度社群的社會經濟狀況，特別是弱勢和貧困群體。第二，倡導新加坡印度社群的融合與團結。第三，通過INEI下的舉措，創造新途徑讓青年貢獻力量，培養下一代印度社群領導人。
我很高興宣佈，INEI委員會將設立年度INEI論壇，共同討論願景和關切。首場對話將於2026年4月舉行，主題為建設強大團結的印度社群。
我們還將設立子委員會，邀請社群成員積極參與，分享觀點，積極塑造這一重要倡議。更多詳情將在4月對話會上公佈。主席先生，請允許我用泰米爾語說幾句話。
（泰米爾語）：[請參閱方言發言。] 去年8月，國家安全統籌部長兼內政部長尚穆加姆宣佈成立新委員會。該委員會由資深國務部長穆拉利和我共同主持，未來五年推動印度社群發展。
自宣佈以來，我們已與社群各界成員進行了討論。參與者分享了印度社群面臨的挑戰。他們的觀點圍繞社會凝聚力和發展這兩個共同主題展開。
我們將該委員會命名為INEI。該委員會將把社群組織，包括SINDA和Narpani，所開展的卓越工作提升到一個新的水平。
我們也相信要培養下一代領導者的技能，併發掘新的人才。
此外，我很高興宣佈，我們將舉辦年度論壇，討論對我們社群重要的事務。我們計劃於2026年4月舉行首次對話。屆時將分享更多關於INEI委員會的詳情。我請求社群成員積極參與，分享他們的看法。
（英文原文）：現在讓我轉向第二個領域，即加深社群間的理解和擴大我們的共同空間。
我之前提到全球不確定性，新加坡也未能倖免。去年九月，Al-Istiqamah清真寺收到一包裹，內含豬肉和侮辱性字條。十二月，聖若瑟教堂遭遇虛假炸彈威脅。
社群領袖迅速作出回應。實龍崗和腰果和諧圈聯合鄰近宗教組織，為受影響社群提供支援和安慰。我們的最高宗教組織發表了團結的公開宣告。
他們向公眾傳達的資訊很明確——攻擊一個社群就是攻擊所有社群。
我們的回應至關重要。每起事件都是建立信任儲備的機會，使我們在困難時期能夠團結一致。這就是為什麼我們繼續投資於種族與宗教和諧圈。
去年，超過40個宗教組織與文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）合作，共同舉辦跨信仰活動，並參與宗教組織危機準備計劃。僅在種族與宗教和諧月，全國就有超過10萬人參加了70多場活動。其中包括首次由青年主導的跨文化展示“Kaleidoscope: Harmony in Motion”。
今年，我們將加大力度與宗教組織互動，構建更強大的鄰里跨信仰網路。
主席先生，我們在多元中促進團結與包容的能力，是新加坡吸引國際企業和人才的持久競爭優勢。但如我之前所說，我們的多元文化模式獨特，一些新來者可能需要更多時間適應。畢竟，融合是雙向的，需要本地人包容，也需要新來者努力理解我們的文化、價值觀和規範。
職場是進行這種有意義互動的自然場所。正如代理部長David Neo所提，外籍專業人士融合行動聯盟（AfA）已廣泛參與，制定行業合作伙伴可採納的實用方案，以促進外籍專業人士在職場的融合。
AfA提出了兩個重點領域下的新上游舉措，政府對此給予大力支援：第一，幫助新的就業準證（EP）持有人瞭解新加坡的生活和工作規範；第二，支援企業採納包容性的職場實踐。
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未來幾個月，政府將推出針對EP持有人的新入職和迎新計劃，重點介紹職場和生活規範。這將補充現有的新公民和永久居民計劃。
新加坡全國僱主聯合會和新加坡企業聯合會也將推出面向企業的新資源，包括職場融合手冊和新的文化智商及敏感度培訓課程。
我很高興分享，已有五個行業協會和商會加入，為新EP持有人推出迎新日計劃，向他們介紹我們的職場規範，並提供與新加坡同事交流的機會。未來將逐步擴大至更多行業協會和商會。
先生，我已談及建設強大社群和加深社群間聯絡。第三個領域是構建一個每個社群都能利用的關懷生態系統。
我們的合作社是社群互助最古老的形式之一。它們不是以身份定義，而是以共同目標定義。自1925年以來，合作社在滿足人民不斷變化的需求方面發揮了重要作用。
有些人可能熟悉信用合作社，提供儲蓄和貸款服務。還有消費和服務合作社，如銀髮照護者合作社，為照護者提供社群支援並培養技能，如臨終關懷管理。
然而，正如Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari先生早前指出，我們的合作社面臨著更新人才儲備和吸引年輕成員的日益嚴峻挑戰。
這就是為什麼文化、社區及青年部於2025年宣佈了合作社十年轉型路線圖。該路線圖將培育一個有遠見、有目標、專業且值得信賴的行業。我很高興分享，文化、社區及青年部將在未來十年內投入最多3000萬新元支援合作社運動。我們將幫助合作社保持相關性，發展新能力以應對新興需求並實現未來轉型。合作社將獲得人才發展、治理和運營效率方面的支援。
作為路線圖的一部分，文化、社區及青年部與新加坡全國合作社聯合會將從今年起聯合推出合作社領導者計劃和新興領導者計劃，培養下一代領導者。路線圖還包括社群推廣與影響計劃，為青年試點創新專案提供啟動資金、孵化空間和指導。
[議長先生主持]
關於Tiwari先生提出的允許企業成立合作社及審查中央合作社基金繳款率的問題，文化、社區及青年部將進一步評估，以確保合作社行業的相關性和競爭力。
總結來說，1949年成立的跨宗教組織，是一次信任的試驗，當時正式的跨信仰對話尚屬罕見。我們的先輩勇敢且有遠見，為我們今天享有的多元文化社會奠定了基礎。
同樣的精神應引導我們加強我剛才提到的文化、社區及青年部的三個重點領域：建設強大社群；加深社群間理解；構建提升所有人的關懷生態系統。然而，本議院無法立法規定社會凝聚力，也無法強制信任。但歷史和跨宗教組織的例子告訴我們，如果有社會能實現並維繫這一點，那一定是新加坡！
主席：文化、社區及青年部高階議會秘書吳涵燕。
文化、社區及青年部高階議會秘書（吳涵燕女士）：如果你不害怕，你會做什麼？我想問今天可能正在觀看社群對話的年輕人這個問題。
但這也是我們所有人的問題。如果恐懼不再束縛你，你會嘗試什麼？
對許多年輕人來說，恐懼並非源於能力不足，而是成長於一個高度互聯的世界，在這裡失誤和比較被放大。
但恐懼是生活的組成部分。因此，我們的責任是確保年輕人具備應對恐懼的能力。
這種勇氣不會孤立產生。勇氣在感到被支援、紮根併成為比自己更大事物一部分時成長。
在許多社會中，我們看到關係和承諾的弱化跡象，這些曾經將人們與社群緊密聯絡在一起。有觀察者稱之為廣泛的社會疏離趨勢。
歸根結底，年輕人和我們所有人一樣，渴望連線和意義。
我們如何賦能年輕人在尋找歸屬感、意義感和自我認同的旅程中，即使全球社會紐帶似乎在減弱？
為回答這個問題，我們直接向年輕人求助。事實上，我們收集了超過35萬份來自青年和利益相關者的反饋。我們傾聽了你們的希望、夢想和關切。我們聽到了你們的聲音，並將通過今年晚些時候推出的新加坡青年計劃將你們的觀點付諸實踐。這將是一項為期五年的行動計劃，旨在賦能你們，成為新加坡最好的自己。
Alex Yam先生、Kenneth Poon教授、Hazlina Abdul Halim女士及其他議員倡導更好地參與青年、支援他們，並詢問我們還能做些什麼。與議員們一樣，文化、社區及青年部堅信這一需求。
今天我將分享我們在新加坡青年計劃下正在發展的幾個關鍵領域，以支援年輕人生命的不同階段。
仔細傾聽後，顯而易見的是：早期，年輕人渴望有信心去嘗試、挑戰自我、跌倒再爬起。他們理解世界充滿不確定性，但不希望被保護得過於脆弱。他們想要真實的經歷，真實的世界，真實的人。
隨著年齡增長，問題轉向尋找工作方向和意義。再往後，許多人希望挺身而出，貢獻並塑造周圍的空間和社群。
但這一切都始於同一個問題：我有勇氣去嘗試嗎？
這就是遊戲的重要性。遊戲在新加坡常被誤解。它不是休閒或輕浮。
對年輕人來說，遊戲是學習如何犯錯、反彈，以及與朋友和家人一起經歷的過程。當我女兒學滑旱冰時，她的第一課不是如何快速滑行，而是如何安全跌倒。她和朋友們一起學習時最開心——跌倒、笑聲和一起爬起，讓她更容易堅持下去。
如今，年輕人花更多時間線上，但許多人渴望現實生活中的連線。當你走出戶外，尤其是去新地方與新人相處時，你會發現重要的事情。你會學到，克服困難是進步的一部分，陪伴則至關重要。
這就是為什麼我們將逐步擴大教育部-戶外探險新加坡挑戰（MOC）計劃，到2030年覆蓋所有中三學生。去年約有1.8萬名學生參與，約佔該年級65%。
未來，新加坡所有15歲學生都將至少體驗一次OBS。每個OBS小組由來自不同學校的12名學生組成。他們是陌生人，將共同進行為期五天的戶外活動。通過這些共同經歷，他們將學習生活技能，增強應對未知的信心，並建立持久友誼。
如Valerie Lee女士所言，我相信OBS對本院一些人留下了深刻印象。事實上，我和Valerie在15歲時同組參加OBS。我們曬傷了，腿上滿是蚋蟲叮咬，但核心記憶至今難忘。
MOC的擴充套件得益於新的OBS Coney校區。我很高興更新訊息，該校區將於今年晚些時候開放。
想象一下，四人團隊合作完成高階繩索挑戰，而非現在的兩人組。這些擴充套件的團隊活動將促使更多年輕人相互依賴，建立更強的紐帶和更大的韌性。特別有意義的是，其中一些挑戰，包括高空專案，將無障礙支援輪椅使用者——確保所有學生在獲得和培養這些關鍵生活技能時不被落下。
正如Darryl David先生提醒，OBS於1967年由吳慶瑞博士創立，旨在“培養身心堅韌的青年，成為積極的公民，激勵他們服務社群。”“堅韌”和“積極公民”這幾個詞體現了新加坡永恆的精神。我們的永恆之道，確保國家長存。
但需求顯然已變。1967年，我們需要堅韌以爭取建國。今天，我們需要韌性以應對不確定世界，保持強烈的身份認同和歸屬感，成為一個民族，一個國家。
Darryl David先生和Valerie Lee女士詢問了將OBS擴充套件至所有年齡段及海外專案的可能性。感謝他們的寶貴建議。但資源有限，我們的優先任務是先做好MOC的規模擴充套件，再考慮其他領域。
Valerie Lee女士還談到支援戶外探險教育行業。我們通過2022年成立的戶外探險教育理事會支援該行業。理事會匯聚合作伙伴，建立國家標準，交流行業最佳實踐。
除了組織活動如OBS，友誼也在日常相處的普通時刻形成。許多年輕人感到，隨著時間推移，自然形成這種聯絡的實體空間越來越少。
Charlene Chen博士、Elysa Chen女士和Eileen Chong女士因此詢問了為青年創造更多空間的計劃。
我們正在開發Somerset Belt作為青年專區。Somerset Belt是指Somerset地鐵站周邊區域，包括*SCAPE、Somerset青年公園和滑板公園。
我們收到了超過16,500份關於青年及其他人希望看到的反饋。我們的青年還與建築師和規劃師合作設計Somerset Belt的規劃和專案。我們計劃今年晚些時候開始施工。
與此同時，Somerset Belt已有令人興奮的專案和活動。我們於去年11月重新開放*SCAPE，現在成為圍繞青年興趣的活動中心——動漫、舞蹈、藝術、桌遊、音樂，種類繁多。
我曾在一個週五晚上到訪*SCAPE，與一些在那裡聚會的年輕人交談。我問他們*SCAPE對他們意味著什麼。他們告訴我：“這是一個我可以快速測試活動概念的沙盒。”“在其他地方，我們可能會被注視，但這裡沒有評判。”“這是一個可以自在做自己的地方，給我們時間和空間追求想法和熱情。”
現場充滿了希望和活力的氛圍。我們重新開放才四個月。
*SCAPE只是開始。我們希望將這股運動帶到年輕人居住的地方。我們將創造更多歡迎且開放的空間，讓你們自由聚會，建立友誼。
我們將在新加坡青年計劃啟動時分享更多細節。
隨著年輕人進入人生下一個階段，問題也隨之變化。學生畢業後，下一步是進入職場。我走在正確的路上嗎？我能找到工作嗎？
過去幾天，許多議員強調了青年對工作的焦慮，尤其是在人工智慧面前。確實，在難以想象未來有哪些工作崗位、甚至難以規劃職業時，找工作令人畏懼。但我們不能阻擋這些進步。關鍵是培養與技術共存的技能。
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我們的各部委正為此努力，正如同事們過去幾天所分享。例如，我們的高等院校將加強人工智慧課程，同時強調與AI互補的軟技能。對於在職青年，我們將支援他們學習AI相關技能，如為參加指定AI培訓課程者免費提供高階AI工具的使用許可權。
根本上，真正的力量在於年輕人如何選擇使用這些工具。
你們這一代——數字原生甚至AI原生一代——本能地知道如何使用這些工具。儘管它可能取代一些初級任務，但它能幫助你們壓縮傳統學習曲線。你們將教會我們許多關於AI及其可能性的知識。但我們也會用經驗和應對變革的記憶支援你們。我們需要互相借力。
這種共同學習正是年輕人告訴我們他們所需要的。有人陪伴他們，有人幫助他們理解不確定性，找到內心力量。有人提醒他們，生活不是直線，但總有辦法找到堅實的立足點。
這就是為什麼我們將擴大導師計劃，讓青年在生活中的大大小小“跳躍”中有人同行。
Hazlina Abdul Halim女士會高興地知道，自2022年以來，我們通過Mentoring SG運動創造了超過2萬個導師機會。
我們知道，在生活節奏快的情況下，找到導師並不容易。因此，我們希望降低門檻，讓專業連線更易獲得。
我們正將導師計劃直接帶入學校，與你們同在。我們最近與三所理工學院合作，在Mentoring SG下建立導師計劃。到2030年，這些計劃每年將服務多達11,000名學生。更多合作伙伴正在洽談中。
想象一下，如果我們都挺身而出，貢獻經驗，傾聽並陪伴年輕人度過人生轉折。這種文化只有當我們為年輕人騰出時間時才能創造。這正是我們在Mentoring SG下想做的。
經歷下一次人生“跳躍”後，許多年輕人又會發生變化。他們不再只是問“我該做什麼？”，而開始問“我能改變什麼？”
年輕人明確告訴我們，被傾聽並不等同於被信任。真正的責任感和自主權能夠建立信心。潘建成教授、陳嘉玲博士以及陳怡莎女士都詢問了我們如何支援青年參與以營造歸屬感。
我們一直在創造許多這樣的機會。
以國家青年理事會（NYC）的青年變革者資助計劃為例。這個種子資金計劃讓青年從頭到尾掌控專案。年輕人不僅僅是接受資金和指導；他們還完全負責評估彼此的提案並提供建議。對於有影響力的提案，我們準備進一步支援。
青年可以參與不同的專案，比如國家青年基金和剛才資政劉永樂提到的新加坡夥伴關係基金。在預算演講中，首相也提到了青年小組。
青年小組的運作方式不同，但精神相同——年輕人直接與政府機構合作，共同塑造他們關心的政策。第一輪有120名青年積極參與，探討了財務韌性和環境可持續性等議題。下一輪青年小組將在今年晚些時候啟動，屆時我們會分享更多細節。
我們希望為年輕人創造更多貢獻的機會。
我很高興宣佈，我們將成立索美塞特帶青年協作實驗室（Somerset Belt Youth CoLab），由15名青年組成，他們將推動、擁有並領導索美塞特帶內的空間和活動。CoLab將掌控索美塞特帶的專案和活動，決定各空間的用途。簡單來說，他們將創造定義索美塞特帶氛圍的風格。
當我與部分成員交談時，他們明確表達了最需要的東西——空間、資金和實現願景的自主權。因此，我們為CoLab提供專用空間和每年30萬新元的預算，以實現他們在索美塞特帶的創意。這樣，青年們可以將索美塞特帶轉變為真正屬於他們的大膽之地。
讓我們設想一個充滿青春活力的空間——一個由他們打造並注入活力的地方。我們正在將對年輕人的信任付諸行動——真正的投資、真正的決策、真正的責任。
這就是我們說：我們信任你們領導，帶領我們前行。這才是真正的擁有感。主席先生，請允許我用普通話說幾句話。
（普通話）：[請參見方言發言。]政府高度重視青年發展。他們是國家未來的領導者，是國家的希望。
我們有時不自覺地將青年與上一代人比較。然而，每一代新加坡人都面臨著自己的挑戰。
我們這一代青年有自己的抱負，並擁有強烈的社會使命感。這是他們的優勢。與其拿他們與上一代比較，不如給他們空間自由表達，找到自己的道路，發現自身優勢。我們還應給予他們通過遊戲發展人際技能或從失敗中成長的機會。
未來一年，政府將與各方合作，制定為期五年的新加坡青年計劃，旨在培養一代有抱負、有韌性、強烈國家歸屬感的青年。我們歡迎社會各界的建議，鼓勵積極參與。
（英語）：主席先生，成長不是一條直線。它始於認識到你比想象中更堅強，繼續於你找到自己的道路而不失自我，最終成長為勇於邁步塑造未來。
正如我在演講開頭所說，世界許多社會正面臨聯絡減弱的困境。但這會是我們的未來嗎？我們必須竭盡全力避免這種情況。
如果我們把正確的因素放在適當位置，我們能否朝正確方向前進？能否培養一代深刻連線社會、認同新加坡是他們的、他們就是新加坡的一代？新加坡青年計劃將是我們承諾，培養這樣一代自信嘗試、彼此連線、準備貢獻的青年。
我們將繼續傾聽，繼續為你們構建合適的支援，繼續創造你們領導的空間。[掌聲]
主席：我們還有時間進行澄清。我們未能完成對代理部長費沙爾的澄清，先由我來完成，6點鐘準時結束。然後，我們將對文化、社區及青年部其他政治任命官員進行澄清。哈米德·拉扎克博士。
哈米德·拉扎克博士：謝謝主席。我想向代理部長澄清。在基層，我與許多馬來穆斯林組織（MMOs）和伊斯蘭穆斯林組織（IMOs）互動，他們熱衷於解決馬來/穆斯林社群內的一些問題。我非常歡迎M3+網路的想法。我想問，這在基層將如何運作，如何實施？對於熱衷於解決社群問題的MMOs和IMOs，有哪些機會和資源可用？
穆罕默德·費沙爾·易卜拉欣副教授：先生，感謝議員的補充問題。
我很高興與他分享，過去幾個月，許多MMOs主動聯絡。他們實際上已經自發組織起來，探討如何合作並與M3機構協作。另一方面，M3機構也在尋找更好的合作方式。
正如我在演講中提到的，我們在某些領域已有合作。事實上，M3+強調M3機構與MMOs、IMOs及非正式團體之間更有意圖的合作。
我們有五個M3重點領域，包括加強婚姻、青年發展、醫療保健和支援工人。我們將探討MMOs、IMOs及非正式團體在這些領域如何發揮作用。
舉個例子，我們有馬來/穆斯林組織康復網路，許多MMOs和IMOs聚集支援。這是實現M3+的一個例子。根據關注的領域或議題，將有機會開展合作。
另一個是M3@社群，每個有M3的社群都能與MMOs、IMOs及其他非正式團體合作。我們希望共同探索合作方式。我們將在聯誼會上進一步討論。我期待M3機構與MMOs、IMOs及非正式團體之間的合作顯著增強。
主席：法茲利·法茲維先生。
法茲利·法茲維先生：謝謝主席。我有兩個問題要問費沙爾部長。第一，能否分享用於清真寺建設規劃的清真寺與穆斯林居民比例？第二，穆斯林事務局（MUIS）是否有計劃撤離目前滯留中東的馬德拉薩學生？
穆罕默德·費沙爾·易卜拉欣副教授：感謝議員的補充問題。
我們的首要任務是確保新加坡所有穆斯林有足夠的祈禱空間。僅用穆斯林人口與清真寺數量的比例不足以衡量，因為新加坡各地的禮拜習慣、居民分佈和清真寺規模不同。MUIS密切監測基層的禮拜模式。包括我本人，我們會實地感受情況，並採取措施滿足需求、提升容量，包括多場禮拜和擴建或升級現有清真寺。
如有不足，我們會調整並尋找機會。正如我演講中提到的，若人口分佈變化或新建住宅區，我們會考慮建設新清真寺，如淡濱尼和登加。
關於第二個問題，我已在補充答問中回答。我們與外交部密切合作，也關注基層情況。昨天與學生交談時，我告訴他們，若有任何資訊請告知，因為他們身處當地，可能掌握比我們更準確的資訊。他們聽後非常高興，感受到我們的關心和重視。
我向議員保證，儘管形勢不確定，我們會盡力照顧我們的人民。
主席：阿扎爾·奧斯曼先生。
下午5點45分
阿扎爾·奧斯曼先生：謝謝主席。請允許我用馬來語提問。
（馬來語）：[請參見方言發言。]我們知道人工智慧（AI）將滲透知識、學習和工作各方面。我有兩個問題。第一，伊斯蘭學校（SCIS）的課程是否包含人工智慧相關科目，以保持時代相關性？第二，我希望新加坡各地的馬德拉薩也能獲得政府支援，學習並接觸人工智慧。
穆罕默德·費沙爾·易卜拉欣副教授：（馬來語）：[請參見方言發言。]感謝阿扎爾先生提問。這是個好建議。人工智慧是國家倡議，SCIS和我們的馬德拉薩將持續推進，使學生不僅受益於人工智慧，還能深化學習過程中的理解。
我會將此建議反饋給MUIS並分享給馬德拉薩，因為這是重要平臺，我們將探討如何為學生提供發展機會，使他們無論選擇何種學科都保持相關性。
主席：我相信穆斯林事務的澄清已全部完成。現在轉至文化、社區及青年部。亞歷克斯·嚴先生。
亞歷克斯·嚴先生：謝謝主席。請問部長，關於SpexSG的整合，我可能錯過了，能否分享新架構全面運作的預期時間表，以便我們儘快滿足新加坡隊運動員在生活旅程中的多樣需求？
第二個問題給國務部長迪內什。他之前談到團結和凝聚力的重要性。我們看到民族和宗教社群的頂層領導層有很多合作。但部裡是否評估這些合作在信徒和社群成員層面滲透程度？我們還能做些什麼？
最後，給高階議員吳涵妍女士，她提到青年小組與政府機構合作讓青年塑造政策。能否詳細說明部裡如何確保這些小組的建議被有效採納並影響政策結果？
還有一個問題，今天有許多宣佈，強調建設“我們優先”的社會，但我想問部裡如何衡量成功，除了參與度之外，如何評估社會信任是否增強？
內奧大衛先生：先生，感謝議員的澄清。從4月1日起，名為SpexSG的擔保有限公司將生效。由於相關實體已存在，預計整合需要時間。公平地說，我提到的許多工作已在進行中，但預計需要一兩年時間，才能充分實現整合帶來的好處。
迪內什·瓦蘇·達什先生：感謝議員提問。確實，和諧圈的整合程度和討論內容往往取決於特定選區的宗教機構型別。但我們一直努力擴大範圍，促進不同選區間的交流，並不斷審視如何推進和加強現有和諧圈。我們正在評估還能做些什麼，以及如何更好地促進融合。
不同選區間存在一定差異，有些選區融合度高，專案多，但我們努力實現均衡發展。
吳涵妍女士：關於青年小組，我同意必須落實並反映在政策中。文化、社區及青年部和國家青年理事會密切管理，確保建議進入政策流程。
例如，有個主題叫#LifeHacks，實質上是關於財務韌性。由此產生了一個青年導向的財務資訊指南。文化、社區及青年部正與相關機構合作推動落實。
我還想強調，除了關注政策結果，我們也希望改善青年的體驗。他們表示欣賞互動，但也希望獲得政策制定技能。因此，下一輪我們將為他們提供政策制定培訓，幫助他們更好理解流程。
主席：高建成副教授。
高建成副教授：謝謝主席。我有三個簡短問題。
第一，關於支援運動員職業轉型的專案。我理解這些服務在運動員持卡期間可用，但能否考慮延長服務至持卡期後，因為許多運動員可能在競技生涯結束後才充分利用這些服務。或許可以設立新加坡隊校友會。
第二，我讚賞教育部與國家體育協會合作引入新運動專案參加全國學校運動會。相關地，文化、社區及青年部能否促進國家體育協會與教育部在體育特長生（DSA）標準上的協調，使學校路徑更符合長期運動員發展框架？
最後，關於新加坡夥伴關係基金。提到Sprout層級有20%配套資金要求。請部長詳細說明捐款是否符合250%稅務扣減，是否可用自有收入資助，配套資金結構是否靈活，以及文化、社區及青年部是否提供籌款和合作發展支援，幫助組織獲得資金。
內奧大衛先生：先生，我先回答前兩個問題，資政劉永樂將回答第三個。
關於持卡期後運動員生活管理，我們一直的做法是根據運動員需求提供支援。我們承諾盡力支援新加坡隊運動員。若他們在持卡期後需要相關服務，完全可以提出申請。運動員社群緊密，我們彼此熟識，樂於支援。
關於體育特長生標準，文化、社區及青年部承諾作為政府橋樑，幫助國家體育協會解決與政府機構的任何問題。針對與教育部的協調，我們也會提供支援。
劉永樂資政：謝謝主席。我簡要回應高建成副教授關於20%配套資金的問題。
回顧一下，Sprout和Scale層級分別要求80%配套資金。Sprout層級為兩年5萬新元，Scale層級為三年100萬新元。
我保證20%配套資金不必一次性支付。資金來源無論是捐款還是自有收入均可接受。
關於稅務減免，取決於專案主導組織及其是否具備公益機構（IPC）資格。
至於籌款支援，新加坡政府夥伴關係辦公室隨時準備協助部門合作伙伴和申請者實現專案，提升運營和籌款能力。
我還想更新，專案獲批後，最高可先撥付40%資金，助力專案啟動。
主席：陳怡莎女士。
陳怡莎女士：謝謝主席。鑑於新加坡文化通行證（SG Culture Pass）使用率良好，取得積極成果，文化、社區及青年部是否考慮將文化通行證擴充套件至所有兒童，而非僅限18歲及以上？因為早期接觸藝術和文化遺產對培養文化欣賞和創造力非常重要。
我還想了解是否有計劃在新加坡文化通行證（SG Culture Pass）中引入青年或家庭組成部分，以便家長可以與子女一起利用該通行證參與藝術、遺產和文化活動。
我的下一個澄清問題。我也很高興聽到現在每個15歲的青少年都能體驗OBS專案。我想問是否可以考慮將該專案擴充套件到受新冠疫情影響的群體。
馬業慶先生：關於文化通行證的使用，目前我們設定的年齡為18歲及以上。我認為這也是尊重個人必須自行決定購買書籍或其他文化產品的權利。
至於較年輕的新加坡人，他們在學校中也獲得了藝術消費的支援，因為18歲以下的大多數人都在我們的教育機構中。如前所述，我們與教育部（MOE）及藝術生態系統合作，提供各種藝術專案。許多專案都獲得了大量補貼，甚至免費，以幫助我們培養一代能夠接觸並欣賞藝術的新加坡人。
因此，文化通行證是針對年齡較大的群體。正如我所說，文化通行證推出僅半年時間。我們將觀察其使用情況，肯定會尋找進一步提升或讓新加坡人更易獲得的方式。
主席：林傑克先生。抱歉，先請高階議會秘書吳女士發言。
吳涵燕女士：謝謝主席。我感謝議員對受新冠疫情影響群體的關心和考慮。正如我在主旨演講中提到的，我們的優先事項是將教育部-OBS挑戰計劃（MOE-OBS Challenge）擴大至2030年前的中三學生。這將是我們的重點——確保計劃執行得當。
此外，如果回顧受疫情影響的群體，我們也認識到他們處於不同的人生階段，可能在服兵役、工作等不同環境中。因此，要讓他們重新聚集，進行統一的體驗，在操作上會更加複雜。
主席：林傑克先生。
林傑克先生：我想問部長，SportSG提供的共享服務是否有足夠的能力滿足所有國家體育協會（NSA）的需求？其次，如果需求超過能力，SportSG將採用什麼框架來優先處理請求？
梁大衛先生：先生，感謝議員的提問。我們在評估對NSA的支援時，與所有NSA緊密合作，瞭解他們的需求和請求。我們的評估是應該能夠滿足需求。
我們支援NSA的方式始終是希望提升NSA的能力。我在演講中提到的許多舉措，比如派遣人員到NSA等，都是為了增強他們的能力。
此外，我們還促使NSA之間相互合作，分享最佳實踐。例如，有一個NSA在數字化運營方面取得了良好成效，我們正讓他們將經驗分享給其他NSA。因此，我們的策略是提升NSA的整體水平，並密切瞭解他們的需求。我的評估是，我們應有足夠資源支援他們。
下午6時
主席：林佔士副教授。
林佔士副教授：先生，我感謝部長提及去年11月議員David Hoe提出的關於建屋發展局（HDB）多層停車場改造考慮的議會質詢。我也非常瞭解多層停車場內打乒乓球帶來的噪音問題。因此，在我的發言中，我特意解釋了噪音不便可以通過隔音簾和天花板的存在來緩解。我想知道部長是否認為這些緩解措施確實不可行？如果可行，是否可以請HDB給予保證，我們能夠推進此類改造請求？我理解這實際上是基礎設施問題，可能更適合向國家發展部長提出，我原本是向國家發展部提交的發言，但被轉交，因此我現在向部長提問。
梁大衛先生：先生，感謝議員的澄清。就像SportSG一樣，我們採取非常務實的視角。正如我在演講中所說，關鍵在於地點是否合適，是否符合規格。如果需要大量緩解措施才能實現，我們就要問自己這是否是政府資金的最佳使用。因此，我認為情況就是如此。
主席：劉偉安先生。
劉偉安先生：謝謝主席。我向代理部長提出澄清。我感謝他全面介紹我們幫助老年新加坡人應對衰老相關虛弱的措施。
我的發言還有另一個重點，是關於讓力量訓練更易於新加坡人普遍接觸。我想知道部長是否對我建議利用現有健身角落，為更多新加坡人提供便捷力量訓練有何回應？
梁大衛先生：先生，感謝議員的澄清。我原以為他的建議是針對老年人的，因此回覆中提到老年人需要不同的器械，理想上是帶有氣動配重的器械，可以小幅度增加重量，而非我們常見的標準配重器械，因此大多數老年護理中心配備的是HUR器械。
至於新加坡人一般的力量訓練，結合SportSG和新加坡私營健身房的整體情況，我認為新加坡人有多種選擇，無論是健身器械還是其他方式。關於在選區及建屋局健身角落安裝配重器械的具體建議，我們在部分地區已有相關設施，也在研究中。例如，在兀蘭有試點專案，嘗試為戶外器械配備可調節配重。這些都是我們正在探索的方向，當我們有足夠資料和信心證明這些設施在戶外環境中效果良好時，將推進推廣。
主席：李顯龍先生。
李顯龍先生：謝謝主席。代理部長提到IPS調查，調查顯示年輕新加坡人更可能感到社會孤立，超過一半表示他們覺得線上交流比面對面更容易。但同時，全球博物館正從安靜的展覽空間轉變為社交場所，舉辦結合藝術、音樂和互動活動的夜間專案，吸引年輕觀眾。因此，我想問部長，文化、社區及青年部（MCCY）和國家文物局（NHB）是否考慮試點針對年輕成人的“博物館夜間”活動，或許與國家青年理事會（NYC）合作，設計符合年輕人社交方式的活動形式？
梁大衛先生：先生，感謝議員的澄清。我們當然非常願意研究並試點可能的夜間專案，無論是在博物館還是其他場所，NYC在其中將發揮重要作用。我也想向議員保證，我們持續關注此類專案。除了夜間，NYC還舉辦過通宵活動，帶領青年在新加坡國家博物館、新加坡國家美術館和樟宜機場過夜。簡而言之，我們願意研究和考慮此類專案，尤其是在我們面臨人口出生率問題的背景下，也許這能有所助益。
主席：蔡銀洲先生。雖然您沒有提交發言，但可以提出澄清問題。
蔡銀洲先生（碧山-大巴窯）：謝謝主席。我還是青年，感謝。首先，我宣告本人是牛車水遺產中心執行董事。我瞭解到MCCY正在甘榜格南和小印度地區開展場所營造計劃，旨在啟用空間並支援遺產企業。
我想強調，牛車水也應被適當視為歷史街區，文化豐富，包括獲得新加坡遺產企業計劃獎項的如始於1896年的世天行佛具店，以及今年慶祝成立101週年的白仙春。我想問部委是否考慮將協調和支援範圍擴大至牛車水？
我的第二個補充問題給高階議會秘書吳女士。MOE-OBS挑戰計劃是否只在OBS營地實施？我問這個是因為還有其他營地，如樟宜海岸、乳製品農場和巴特拉路。我想知道這些營地是否會被利用，以及OBS是否是MOE-OBS挑戰的唯一運營商，還是會有其他私人戶外探險公司參與運營？
劉燕玲女士：感謝蔡銀洲議員的澄清。關於他的歷史街區，我想向他保證，隸屬於跨部門工作組的新場所營造專案辦公室不僅服務甘榜格南和小印度，也包括牛車水。事實上，該團隊不僅限於MCCY和NHB，還跨政府部門合作，包括貿易與工業部下屬的經濟機構，如企業新加坡和新加坡旅遊局，共同支援歷史街區的企業，提升其場所營造能力。一是設計、實施並擴大場所營造，提升三大歷史街區（包括牛車水）的活力和人流，我們與牛車水商業協會密切合作。
吳涵燕女士：關於MOE-OBS挑戰計劃的營地，主要是OBS的營地，即烏敏島和即將啟用的康尼島校區。我們還要強調，該計劃具有探險性質，會利用自然環境，活動地點不侷限於這兩個校區。
關於運營商，OBS將是主要或唯一運營商。雖然有其他運營商舉辦營地活動，但多為學校特定營地。
主席：既然沒有進一步澄清，我邀請任俊豪先生是否願意撤回修正案？
下午6時08分
任俊豪先生：謝謝主席，經過41個問題和330分鐘的討論，我確實認為部委值得這100元。因此，我請求撤回修正案。
[(程式文本) 修正案經許可，撤回。 (程式文本)]
[(程式文本) 頭X撥款總額2,407,711,100元被批准列入主要預算。 (程式文本)]
[(程式文本) 頭X撥款總額677,912,500元被批准列入發展預算。 (程式文本)]
英文原文
SPRS Hansard · Fetched: 2026-05-02
The Chairman : Head X, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). 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 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.
[(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]
1.00 pm
Religious Institutions and Youths
Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang) : ( In Malay ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura or 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 SCIS, 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 "kampong 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] (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, 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 M 3 @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, M 3 programmes and youth organisations, so that more young people get early exposure to future industries?
Ecosystem of Support for Malay/Muslim Seniors
( In Malay ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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, 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 M 3 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] Sir, I would like to touch on youths transiting from higher education institutions, the Institute of Education (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 youths need early exposure to growth sectors, an understanding of future skills, as well as closer relations with employers.
We want more youths 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 M 3 , there is scope to strengthen support for this transition in a more structured manner.
The unions and the National Trades Union Congress (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 youths 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, institutes of higher learning 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 M 3 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 M 3 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 SCIS, strengthening support for Malay/Indian and/or Muslim organisations, and increasing social mobility for our families. Sir, in Malay.
( In Malay ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] The establishment of the 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 M 3 @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 M 3 towns, especially M 3 @Bedok under my purview.
Mr Chairman, regardless of the operator, whether M 3 , MMOs/IMOs or social service agencies, 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, Social Service Offices, MMOs, ComLink, Project Dian by M 3 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 benefited 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 benefited 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.
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 the Ministry of Education (MOE), with the support of the Ministry of Social and Family Development 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 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 NTUC's 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 M 3 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 M 3 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 MUIS and the 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 M 3 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 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 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, M 3 brings together MENDAKI, MUIS and the People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (PA MESRA) to address community issues through focus areas and M 3 @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 M 3 to M 3 +. We want to emphasise greater collaborations between M 3 agencies and our community partners as we strategise nationally in each of the focus areas and deliver programmes at the M 3 @Towns level.
I hope that M 3 + 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, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the M 3 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 has also worked with M 3 @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 M 3 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 M 3 + Networking Session.
Some of the ideas include putting together a directory of services that our MMO and IMO partners offer so that our M 3 Focus Area leads and M 3 @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 M 3 + 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 M 3 + 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 RSL 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 the Ministry of Social and Family Development, 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 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 M 3 's impact, we must broaden our collaboration with partners beyond the MENDAKI, MUIS and MESRA network. Therefore, I will launch M 3 +, to involve MMOs, IMOs, informal groups and individuals who want to contribute more comprehensively.
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M 3 + will strengthen the support provided. Each M 3 @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 M 3 + 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.
M 3 + 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. Mdm 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 Agency for Integrated Care and NHG Health.
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 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 COS, 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 an NSA. 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 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 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies 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. 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, 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 PA'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 Chen 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 youths 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 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 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 to partner citizens and turn their ideas for the community into reality. Our Singapore Fund has since supported more than 800 projects to benefit Singaporeans.
While Our Singapore Fund 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 NSAs 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 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 AACs 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 Games (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! – 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 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 at SSP.
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 National Youth Development Programme 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 AAC 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, 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. And 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 Kampong Gelam Association, 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 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 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 SG Partnerships Fund'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 SG Partnerships Fund 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 SG Partnerships Fund 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 SG Partnerships Fund'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 Singapore Government Partnerships Office'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 AAC 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 SG Partnerships Fund.
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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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.
NHB 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 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, 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 back in 2019, more than 4,000 SEPs have subscribed to the Arts Resource Hub. This is around two thirds of our arts SEPs in Singapore.
Julian Low is one example. He went through the Arts Resource Hub'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, the Arts Resource Hub 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.
Assoc Prof 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 youths, 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, or 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 Employment Pass (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 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 trade associations and chambers 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-operatives (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 Inter-Religious Organisation 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 Inter-Religious Organisation 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 COS 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, 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 sector. We have been doing so through the Outdoor Adventure Education 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 political officeholders' 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 M 3 + 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 M 3 agencies. On the other hand, the M 3 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 M 3 +, it signifies a greater emphasis on more intentional collaborations between the M 3 agencies and the MMOs, IMOs and informal groups.
So, we have the M 3 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 M 3 + 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 M 3 @Towns, where every town which has a M 3 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 M 3 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.
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Mr Azhar Othman : Thank you, Chairman. Allow me to address my question in Malay.
( In Malay ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] 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 SCIS 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 ) : [ Please refer to Vernacular Speech .] I wish to thank Mr Azhar for asking the questions. 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 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. The Singapore Government Partnerships Office 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 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.
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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 for National Development, and 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 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 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 consider piloting museum-after-dark programmes designed for young adults, perhaps working with the NYC to design formats that resonate with how young people 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 to 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 MOE-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 the Ministry of Trade and Industry, 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 MOE-OBS Challenge, 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?
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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.
[(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)]
[(proc text) The sum of $2,407,711,100 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)]
[(proc text) The sum of $677,912,500 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]