Pritam Singh in debate on President’s Address: Both 'we' and 'me' matter to Singaporeans

Key Concepts

• Globalization challenges: Near shoring, friend shoring, protectionism.
• Geostrategic transition: China's rise, US recalibration.
• "We first" society: Balancing community and individual needs.
• Shared values: National identity, social support, multi-racial harmony.
• Parliamentary role: Making laws, checking the government, scrutinizing finances.
• Hybrid conflicts: Misinformation, disinformation, tribalism.

I. International Pressures

• Globalization's Impact: The speaker recalls a retired minister's concerns about globalization's negative effects on Singaporean workers in 2011.
• US Policy Shift: Donald Trump's tariffs challenged globalization, marking a shift towards near shoring, friend shoring, and protectionism.
• Post-SG60 Uncertainty: Singapore faces an uncertain future due to these global economic shifts.
• Sectoral Tariffs: Concerns exist about potential tariffs on Singapore's pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries, which contribute 40% of the GDP. These are described as "known unknowns."
• Geostrategic Transition in Asia-Pacific: China's military parade demonstrated its ambition and alliances, signaling its rise as a leading power.
• China's Role: China aims to deepen friendships and collaboration, presenting itself as a force for stability while standing up to the US when necessary.
• US Recalibration: The US is recalibrating its norms and values in the Asia-Pacific but retains goodwill due to its historical role in containing communism and providing security.
• Defense Spending: Rising defense spending globally necessitates Singapore to brace for turbulence while securing its future.
• National Unity: Strengthening national unity and a first-rate diplomatic core are crucial for Singapore's agency in navigating the strategic environment.
• Importance of SAF and National Service: The Singapore Armed Forces, home team agencies, and national service are vital for Singapore's security.

II. Domestic Pressures

• Demographic Shift: Singapore faces a demographic shift with one in four Singaporeans being over 65, and labor force participation unlikely to increase.
• Job Market Uncertainty: Technology is rapidly rendering jobs obsolete, middle-aged workers struggle to maintain salaries when changing jobs, and young people face challenges in securing good jobs.
• Employment Trends: Employers increasingly prefer short-term contract jobs over permanent positions.
• Cost of Living: Rising cost of living and squeezed business profit margins, especially for smaller businesses facing rental hikes, are significant concerns.
• Cultural Capital Erosion: The decline of traditional foods, cinema closures, and bookstore downsizing contribute to a sense of loss among Singaporeans.
• Preserving Cultural Tapestry: There is a need to preserve Singapore's cultural heritage and remember the past.

III. Parliamentary Role of the Workers Party

• Loyal Opposition: The Workers Party will chart an independent path and fulfill its duty as a loyal opposition, with loyalty to the people and the nation.
• Three Key Functions: The party will focus on making laws, checking the government, and scrutinizing state finances.
• Topical Parliamentary Questions: The Workers Party has asked questions on housing, jobs, education, employment, foreign affairs, and transport.
• Checking the Government: The opposition will primarily focus on checking the government's policies and actions.
• Purposeful Questions: The Workers Party will not ask questions to "rack up numbers" but will focus on essential inquiries.
• Lack of Government Briefings: Unlike PAP MPs, the opposition does not receive special government briefings or have parliamentary select committees.
• MRT Breakdowns: The recent spate of MRT breakdowns will be scrutinized in parliament, including the findings of the LTA task force.
• System Design: Questioning the government is a feature of the Westminster system, not a bug.
• Alternative Proposals: The Workers Party will raise alternative proposals and improvements to existing policies.
• Public Engagement: The party welcomes inputs from the public, including organizations and corporates, to improve policies.
• Nudging Effect: The prospect of the opposition raising issues in parliament can nudge the government to address them.
• Platform Workers: The Workers Party has filed a parliamentary question to delve into the issues faced by platform workers.
• Balanced Political System: Engagement with the opposition reflects a society that values a balanced political system.
• United Society: A united society is rooted in justice and fairness, where individuals feel a sense of belonging.

IV. "We Before Me" Concept

• Communitarian Concepts: Singapore has wrestled with communitarian concepts in the past, and the call to put "we before me" is significant in present times.
• National Ideology: In the late 1980s, the government introduced a national ideology to develop a national identity, leading to the white paper on shared values.
• Debate on Shared Values: The white paper on shared values was debated in parliament, with concerns raised about overemphasis on society and community at the expense of the individual.
• Individualism vs. Community: Former Speaker Abdullah Tamuji argued that the values slanted too heavily towards society, potentially stifling innovation and creativity.
• Consensus Concerns: Dr. Ochung expressed concerns that the call for consensus could be used to stifle critics and muzzle opponents.
• Public Cynicism: Some people scoffed at the idea of a paper on shared values, considering them obvious.
• Vision of the White Paper: The white paper acknowledged that not everything Asian was good and not everything Western was bad.
• Individual Excellence: Dr. Soon clarified that the government did not want blind conformity and that shared values should not be an excuse to stamp out individual ideas.
• Importance of Shared Values Today: Shared values are important for fostering a unifying ethos.
• Singapore Together Conversations: The Singapore Together conversations revealed that national identity and shared values, along with social support, were top priorities for Singaporeans.
• We and Me Continuum: "We" and "me" exist on a continuum, and both matter to Singaporeans.
• Personal Fulfillment: A sense of personal fulfillment is achieved when contributing to something larger than oneself.
• Singaporeans in the Driver's Seat: Singaporeans are shaping the Singapore they wish to see.
• Multi-Racial Harmony: The importance of living harmoniously in a multi-racial and multi-religious society is recognized.
• Singapore Identity: For some younger people, the Singapore identity has transcended race.
• Expectation of Equality: The aspiration of the pledge has morphed into an expectation of a democratic society based on justice and equality.
• Multi-Racial Reality: Singapore's multi-racial reality can be exploited by malicious actors to divide the nation.
• Hybrid Conflicts: Misinformation and disinformation can fuel narratives that divide communities.
• Empathy and Mutual Respect: It is important to choose empathy and mutual respect, even when disagreeing.
• Fighting Tribalism: Singaporeans must actively fight the tendency to think tribally.
• Treating Each Other as Equals: As Singapore negotiates the way forward, it is crucial to treat each other as equals.
• English-Speaking Environment: An English-speaking environment creates an accessible global city for trade and investment and a public space for all Singaporeans.

V. Conclusion

• Singaporeans should be proud of their diversity, including political diversity, and yet be united as one people. The Workers Party will continue to play its part as a loyal opposition, working for all Singaporeans and for Singapore's future.