While he acknowledged that the work of the EBRC is “important”, Mr Singh said the institution remains “opaque” and its decisions shape Singapore’s political landscape in significant ways.
“Because we all seek a meaningful stake in the country we call home – for a functioning and robust social compact that creates trust, so that we are all invested in our shared future. This is the spirit captured by the Forward Singapore report – a report where fairness was upheld as a shared value of all Singaporeans,” said Mr Singh.
The Forward Singapore report was released in November 2024 and is based on a national strategy that seeks to refresh Singapore’s social compact. The report found found that Singaporeans value a strong and vibrant economy, alongside fairness, inclusiveness and stewardship.
“But when question marks about fairness abound right from square one, on an issue as fundamental as how we organise ourselves politically as a nation, values like fairness can lose their meaning,” said Mr Singh.
This, he warned, could lead to institutions like the EBRC carrying a “real risk of being unwittingly divisive, putting paid to a united people – ironically, one that is needed most at a time of important geopolitical shifts, potential external shocks and demographic transition”.
In a broader call for fairness, trust, and transparency – values he described as central to national unity and resilience in times of change – Mr Singh urged Singaporeans to “become one united people”.
“A report can be called anything. Forward Singapore, Singapore Together, Singapore 21 or Turbo-charge Singapore,” he said.
“All the latest version of the EBRC report does, is to show us how much further we have to go to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality. But each generation can and must do its part. And become one united people. Step up. Let’s press on to build a more balanced political system. It can be done.”
