Debate on President’s speech: Valerie Lee on representing those on the margins, not just the majority

A parliamentarian’s duty is not just to represent the majority, but to ensure that those on the margins are not forgotten. MP Valerie Lee said this in the House on Thursday (Sep 25), speaking for those “living at the edge” in the far eastern corners of Singapore and Pulau Ubin. Changi Village, for example, is known to many as a leisure spot but often feels overlooked, she said, with worsening access and struggling businesses. Residents of Pulau Ubin, meanwhile, face higher electricity tariffs and difficulty accessing national schemes. Ms Lee said that ensuring those living on the fringes matter no less than those in the centre is part of her interpretation of a "we first" society. Another is putting families before systems. She said more support for the sandwiched generation is a must if Singapore is serious about reversing declining fertility rates while also caring for an ageing society. She suggested a new leave scheme specifically targeting this group, to reflect modern caregiving realities.