G. Renew And Strengthen Our Singapore Spirit

G. Renew And Strengthen Our Singapore Spirit

1. 177. Singapore’s greatest strength lies not just in our policies and plans, but in the spirit of our people. Time and again, we have defied the odds — not by chance, but by standing together as one people, especially in our most testing moments, whether it be Separation or financial crises or the current geopolitical uncertainties.
2. 178. Around the world, we see growing polarisation and a tendency for groups to turn on each other. Many societies are becoming more divided and more ungovernable.
3. 179. We cannot let this happen in Singapore. So in this Budget, we will continue to invest in renewing and strengthening the bonds that bind us.

Forging Our Shared Bonds

1. 180. Our shared bonds are strong today. But they were not formed overnight, nor by chance. They were built patiently and deliberately, generation after generation.
2. 181. Our arts and heritage play a vital role in this journey. They help us understand where we came from, express who we are today, and imagine who we can become as a people.
3. 182. Multiculturalism is a defining part of our identity. We cherish and embrace our distinct cultural traditions and heritage, even as we continue to build common ground and a shared identity that unites us as Singaporeans.
4. 183. Our cultural and heritage institutions embody this approach — celebrating the richness of each community, while expressing our distinctive Singaporean identity. We will continue to strengthen these institutions.
   1. a. We will open the revamped Malay Heritage Centre later this year.
   2. b. We will work with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to expand its reach and engagement.
   3. c. The Indian Heritage Centre just marked its 10^th anniversary, and we will provide further support to enhance its outreach and programming.
5. 184. Sport is another powerful force that brings Singaporeans together. Through sport, we learn resilience, teamwork, and the determination to press on even when the odds are stacked against us.
6. 185. We will continue to roll out the Sports Facilities Master Plan, so that Singaporeans can more easily access affordable and quality sports facilities.
7. 186. In the coming years, we will open the new Punggol Regional Sport Centre, the Toa Payoh Integrated Development, sport facilities in Farrer Park and Tengah, as well as revamped sport centres in Hougang and Queenstown. We will also expand the Dual-Use Scheme, so that Singaporeans can conveniently access sports facilities in schools.
8. 187. We will complement these facilities with more sports programming, bringing Singaporeans of all ages and abilities together through shared participation.

Building a “We First” Society

1. 188. On the foundation of our shared bonds, we must continue to nurture a strong sense of solidarity. We see this in giving, volunteering, and everyday acts of kindness. These actions break down barriers, draw us closer, and remind us that we are all in this together. They form the foundation of a “We First” society.
2. 189. The Government will do our part to encourage and support this.
   1. a. Today, we provide 250% tax deductions for qualifying donations to Institutions of a Public Character (or IPCs) and eligible institutions.
   2. b. We will extend this scheme for another three years until end-2029.
3. 190. Beyond financial contributions, many Singaporeans give something equally valuable — their time and skills through volunteering.
4. 191. This spirit of giving can be strengthened when companies make it easier for their employees to serve the community. That is why MCCY and the National Council of Social Service have been working closely with professional groups and industry bodies to encourage businesses to integrate giving, volunteering, and socially responsible practices into their operations.
   1. a. To support these efforts, the Government earlier introduced the Corporate Volunteer Scheme, which provides 250% tax deductions when employees volunteer or are seconded to IPCs.
   2. b. We will extend this Corporate Volunteer Scheme for another three years until end-2029.
5. 192. Singaporeans also contribute by starting ground-up initiatives to meet community needs.
6. 193. The Government supports such efforts through the “Our Singapore Fund”. Since its introduction in 2016, the fund has supported over 800 ground-up projects, from community-building and sports, to municipal and digital readiness initiatives.
7. 194. One example is “Little Hands, Big Hearts SG”. It is an initiative by Kaizen and Kay, aged 7 and 9, together with their parents, to involve others in monthly community service projects.
   1. a. Their first project focussed on fire safety awareness. They designed a poster and worked with the Nee Soon Town Council to display it at HDB lift lobbies. They also brought other children and their families to visit Yishun Fire Station, where they presented care packs and handmade gifts to the officers on duty.
   2. b. They have more projects in the pipeline — from a beach cleanup and support for seniors, to donating school supplies to children, and writing appreciation cards to our migrant workers.
   3. c. It’s a wonderful example that shows anyone, no matter how young, can step up to make a difference.
8. 195. Last year alone, the Our Singapore Fund received more than 250 applications. At the same time, we have heard feedback on how the fund can be improved — including the need for larger grant amounts, longer funding horizons, and broader eligibility.
9. 196. So we will launch a new $50 million SG Partnerships Fund. This is to catalyse ground-up initiatives and help them build sustained capabilities and impact. The new fund will provide differentiated tiers of funding over different time frames, including grants of up to $1 million for larger, multi-year projects.
10. 197. We will also continue to partner our youth and open up more avenues for them to shape Singapore’s future. Youth Panels have enabled young Singaporeans to work with the Government on issues that matter to them. In the first round, 120 youths contributed across four Panels. We will launch the next round of Youth Panels later this year, enabling more young people to step forward and make a difference.
11. 198. The Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth will share more details on these initiatives at the Committee of Supply.
12. 199. Sir, our forefathers understood that Singapore’s success would ultimately depend on unity — not just shared prosperity but also shared responsibility. This conviction is captured in our Pledge, which begins with “we”, and affirms that we are “one united people”.
13. 200. That sense of togetherness has carried us through uncertainty and brought us this far. If we continue to invest in one another — strengthening our bonds, looking out for those around us, and putting the common good first, we can face the future with confidence, and build a Singapore that endures and thrives.