On 22 September 2025, Workers’ Party Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC, Fadli Fawzi, delivered a pointed and reflective speech in response to the President’s Address delivered by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
His central message called for a “We First” society to be underpinned by dignity, inclusive policy, and a critical re-examination of how meritocracy is practised in Singapore.
Fadli began by acknowledging that Singaporeans are not inherently selfish. Drawing on the cultural traditions of gotong-royong and historical examples such as the grassroots founding of Nanyang University (Nantah), he highlighted how Singapore’s success has long depended on collective sacrifice and civic-mindedness.
However, he expressed concern that despite this strong tradition, modern Singaporeans appear increasingly focused on personal achievements. He attributed this shift to two key factors: the unintended consequences of meritocracy and a growing sense of socio-economic precariousness.
Fadli argued that while meritocracy is designed to reward talent and hard work over connections, it can—when taken to an extreme—mask existing inequalities. He quoted academic Kenneth Paul Tan, noting how meritocracy, though seemingly fair, may ignore the uneven playing field created by socio-economic disparities.
He further referenced sociologist Syed Hussein Alatas, who warned of how ideologies can justify inequality. Fadli warned that when meritocracy becomes a belief system rather than a policy tool, it can result in those who are left behind being wrongly blamed for their struggles, perceived as undeserving or simply lacking effort.
He emphasised that such thinking undermines the ethos of a “We First” society, and fosters a dangerous narrative of “winners” versus “losers.” This is exacerbated, he argued, by the rise in economic insecurity among Singaporeans.
Citing the realities faced by low- and middle-income citizens, Fadli highlighted that many Singaporeans live with a sense of constant uncertainty. Some professionals are compelled to take second jobs to make ends meet, while rising rental costs squeeze local businesses. This “precariousness,” he said, makes it unrealistic to expect people to prioritise collective well-being when they are overwhelmed by their own daily survival.
He argued that to truly build a “We First” society, the government must first ensure that every Singaporean has the ability to live with dignity. This includes adequate support systems that treat all individuals with respect, regardless of their station in life.
Fadli focused especially on the elderly, describing the working conditions of older Singaporeans who continue to labour in low-paying and physically demanding jobs well into their 60s and 70s. He questioned whether a wealthy society such as Singapore can morally accept such a scenario.
While acknowledging the government’s growing investment in eldercare—such as increased healthcare expenditure—he emphasised that support must go beyond material needs. He proposed free off-peak public transport for seniors, a Workers’ Party manifesto item, as a way to affirm the independence, mobility, and participation of older Singaporeans.
He stressed that eldercare must be guided by values, not just cost-efficiency. “To live your golden years, with peace of mind in a quiet place that you can call your own… is surely what we owe to our Pioneer and Merdeka generations,” he said.
Returning to the broader theme of dignity, Fadli argued that a society where every citizen feels respected and valued will naturally cultivate greater public-spiritedness. He urged Parliament to reflect on whether success is being measured merely by GDP, or whether the country is enabling all its citizens—including the disadvantaged—to live secure and meaningful lives.
He concluded by invoking poet and political leader Aimé Césaire, stating that Singapore’s own “Rendezvous of Victory” must be a shared one—where no group is left behind and every citizen is included in the national journey forward.
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