Debate on President’s Address: Nadia Ahmad Samdin on ensuring complex challenges are ‘collectively owned’

Singapore must create an environment where complex challenges are “collectively owned” to ensure that it can continue to thrive, said MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (Apr 19), she stressed the need to empower various parts society to play to their strengths. She highlighted the need for collective action on several fronts. One area is Singapore’s climate goals. She said while governments own the green agenda, Singapore must nurture a collaborative environment that truly embraces co-creation to restore the health of the planet for generations to come. She said a whole-of-nation approach is not just important for climate change, but also for issues like mental health and caring for seniors. She noted that while Singapore is “moving the needle” on mental health, it should consider more support. These include making available insurance that does not discriminate against mental health conditions, lessening the load on the Institute of Mental Health as an acute hospital and offering more varied and inclusive options of care. Turning to youths, she stressed the need to empower them to take ownership and have a stake in finding workable solutions to challenges.