Don't be trapped by incessant comparisons, help fellow S'poreans along: Chan Chun Sing

Even as Singapore faces the dangers of stratification, we need to try harder to uplift the less privileged, and not be trapped by incessant comparisons amongst ourselves, said Minister for Defence and Minister-in-charge of Public Service Chan Chun Sing on Sep. 26.

Chan, speaking in Parliament, was sharing his reflections on how Singapore can progress towards a “We First” society.

Chan noted that various Members of Parliament (MPs) had highlighted the need for Singaporeans to "truly get out of our comfort zone" and interact with those different from us.

He said,

"More importantly, through this process, [is] to try and find common ground based on mutual respect. This is something that is a work in progress, and something that, as MPs, we all need to do.

HDB can build us the most beautiful houses and towns. But it is us, the residents, who will build...the most heartwarming homes and communities.

So let us not be trapped by these incessant comparisons amongst us.

Yes, look at the right side of the bell curve to try to aspire to do better. But never forget our responsibility to those who are on the left end of the bell curve."

Respect diversity instead of being trapped by comparisons

The concept of a "We First” society was addressed at length by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, at the 2025 National Day Rally, and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at the opening of Parliament on Sep. 5.

In the same vein, Chan said that as Singapore pursues success, it will face greater dangers of stratification and more efforts will be needed to uplift those who are left behind.

Chan noted that the government has rolled out various programmes, such as KidSTART, UPLIFT, Comcare, ComLink+, to help those who start with a disadvantage, and to reduce the gaps that begin early in life.

"All these programmes, by themselves, will not be enough. Each of us – even those who may not feel we have the most – can and must contribute in our own way to support those with less, and to uplift the less privileged, to keep our society mobile," said Chan.

Chan said that as a society, we must "truly respect and reward the diversity of strengths and celebrate excellence in multiple fields".

This includes widening the definition of success to beyond metrics such as exam grades or pay, to the unique contributions one can make, said Chan.

Chan used the analogy of the "wei qi" Chinese board game pieces, saying that just like the pieces, our individual efforts may seem insignificant, but all of us play a part in contributing to Singapore's progress as a society.

"For every Singaporean child growing up, [they should] know that regardless of your station in life, you can make a contribution because you have something special in you.

And collectively, each of us, just like the "wei qi" pieces, will come up with that winning formation."

Everyone will get help according to their needs

Chan added that as resources are finite but there are calls to do more for various groups, "we will need to come to a societal consensus about who we should help more".

"This means that some of us will have to moderate our expectations, because there are others who need help more than we do," he said.

"Everyone gets help. Everyone gets something. But not all of us will get the same...Different strokes for different folks, each according to our needs, I think all of us can all agree on this, so let us not be divided by invidious comparisons when this is actually executed."

Putting 'we' before 'me'

In his speech, Chan also addressed various issues, such as security in a changing world, the challenges faced in governance, and the values and politics that Singapore needs for a brighter future.

In his concluding remarks, Chan said that to govern Singapore well, there is a need for daring, innovative and hardworking leaders "with a strong sense of mission and the gumption to defy the odds".

"Last but not least, we will live by those values, that we will put [the] collective before self, putting the 'we' before 'me' and taking care of one another, so that we can be truly proud that if you want to have the best opportunities in life anywhere in the world, you want to be born in Singapore," Chan said.

Top image from MDDI/YouTube & Canva