The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) issued a pointed response to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s National Day Rally 2025, warning that government initiatives to cushion the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs may fall short of addressing Singapore’s deeper structural challenges.
In a statement issued on 17 August, PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai acknowledged the importance of support for fresh graduates through enhanced SkillsFuture Level Up programmes and new government-funded traineeships for ITE, polytechnic and university graduates.
Leong, who served as a Non-Constituency MP from 2020 to 2025, said these measures provided much-needed relief for youth entering a disrupted job market.
However, Leong questioned whether these were sufficient, warning they risk becoming “mere band-aid solutions”.
Leong argued that if graduates increasingly rely on traineeships instead of full-time jobs, it raises concerns about whether tertiary education is adequately preparing young Singaporeans for the workforce.
Fundamental questions in the age of AI
Leong drew attention to the broader implications of AI, noting that it has achieved feats such as winning a gold medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad—evidence of its growing capability.
Against this backdrop, Leong posed several fundamental questions:
How can Singaporeans strengthen uniquely human abilities such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and complex problem-solving in an age dominated by AI?
How can Singapore prevent companies and CEOs from using AI primarily to cut jobs while boosting profits? PSP highlighted that entry-level coding jobs have already been eroded by automation.
How should Singapore’s economic structure be reviewed to ensure AI does not worsen income and wealth inequality?
Are Singaporeans prepared to take up more blue-collar jobs—identified by research as less likely to be disrupted by AI—that have traditionally been outsourced to low-paid foreign workers?
The party argued these questions require collective solutions and cannot be addressed by the government alone.
Broader gaps: housing and cost of living
While PM Wong’s speech emphasised AI, societal solidarity, and renewal, PSP contended that major issues such as housing affordability and cost of living pressures remained insufficiently addressed.
“The PSP will continue to push for more fundamental reform in these areas and provide alternative policy proposals. ”
Leong emphasised alignment with PM Wong’s appeal for collective action, stating: “We agree with the PM that Singaporeans should work with the Government to turn good ideas for a better Singapore into a reality.”
However, Leong stressed that such collaboration must extend beyond government announcements to genuine engagement with citizens in shaping long-term solutions.
To facilitate dialogue, PSP announced the launch of a fortnightly newsletter on Substack, beginning 25 August, with its first edition providing a detailed response to the National Day Rally.
The publication aims to spark deeper conversation on pressing social and political issues, ranging from AI disruption to inequality and housing.
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