I. Conclusion

I. Conclusion

1. 217. Mr Speaker, Singapore has come a long way from its humble and tumultuous beginnings.
2. 218. I recently visited an exhibition at the National Gallery organised by the Founders’ Memorial.
   1. a. It takes us back to Singapore in the 1950s to the 70s, and traces how our pioneers forged a shared identity amid diversity and uncertainty.
   2. b. One display revisits the Aneka Ragam Rakyat — or the People’s Cultural Concerts — organised by the then-Ministry of Culture shortly after we attained self-government.
   3. c. At one of these concerts, Mr Lee Kuan Yew addressed the crowd and described Singaporeans as “not mere spectators”, but “active participants” in building a nation that belonged to all.
3. 219. Indeed, Singapore has come so far only because generations of Singaporeans stepped forward. They took responsibility, contributed what they could, and did their part to shape our collective future.
4. 220. That same spirit is alive today, especially amongst our youths.
5. 221. Take for example Ayuni Nur Izyanti Md Zuraimi.
   1. a. Ayuni discovered her passion for volunteering at 15. Together with four friends, she started a non-profit called You(th) Can Do It — it connects youths with volunteer opportunities across different organisations via Telegram.
   2. b. Now 19 and studying Medical Biotechnology at Temasek Polytechnic, she continues to volunteer regularly with her friends — tutoring primary school students from disadvantaged families, and cleaning the homes of senior citizens.
6. 222. There’s also Shantini D/O Subramaniam.
   1. a. From a young age, Shantini helped care for her brother who has cerebral palsy and relies on a motorised wheelchair. That experience instilled in her a deep commitment to serve others. At just 11, she began volunteering at the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home.
   2. b. Today, at 23 and studying nursing at NUS, she leads the operations for Project Caring Hearts — a volunteer initiative that supports palliative patients through befriending programmes and community outreach.
7. 223. Then there is Josef Tan Kai Heng.
   1. a. He first became active in community service while studying Electrical Engineering at ITE College West, volunteering with the Heartware Network.
   2. b. Two years ago, he joined a non-profit group as a volunteer to teach migrant workers digital skills. Now 19 and a Computer Engineering student at Singapore Polytechnic, he remains deeply committed to this cause — driven by his belief that migrant workers, who have contributed so much to Singapore’s development, also deserve opportunities to upskill and progress.
8. 224. These stories differ in form, but they are united in spirit. They remind us that nation-building has never been the work of a few, or of one generation alone. It is the cumulative effort of ordinary Singaporeans. Singaporeans who choose, in their own ways, to step forward and make a difference.
9. 225. Today, this sense of shared responsibility matters more than ever. We cannot afford to be mere spectators. We must be active participants — looking out for one another, strengthening our social bonds, and contributing to a Singapore that belongs to all of us.
10. 226. This is the conviction that underpins Budget 2026. It is a Budget to support Singaporeans today, prepare our society for tomorrow, and enable us to navigate this changed world with confidence. Together we will secure a stronger, fairer, and brighter future for all.
11. 227. Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

ANNEXES

• Annex I-1: Examples For Budget 2026 Statement ( 174 KB)