PAP MP Hany Soh will be filing a motion in Parliament calling on the government to review and update policies to better support families and fulfil Singaporeans’ aspirations for marriage and parenthood. Backed by fellow MP Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, the motion emphasises a whole-of-society approach to building a family-friendly Singapore.
Ms Soh (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC) told Petir that as a new parent, she could relate to the challenges that residents with young children face.
“When I became an MP in 2020, my daughter was around eight months old. Later, in 2023, my husband and I welcomed our son, who is currently about 15-months old,” she said.
“Since becoming an MP, I am grateful that many residents with young children find our shared experiences relatable. They’ve provided me with invaluable feedback and suggestions.”
Zhulkarnain advocates creating an ecosystem to care for and support parents raising children
As a father of four children ranging from toddlers to teenagers, Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (Chua Chu Kang GRC) believes in strengthening family units in Singapore.
“In my maiden parliamentary speech, I likened nation-building to creating structures from Lego bricks of various shapes, sizes, and colours. Our nation is strong only when each basic building block, the family unit, is strong. I believe we can do more to strengthen families and the bonds and connections they have with one another.”
During house visits and preschool events, Mr Zhulkarnain shared with Petir that he often encountered young parents concerned about the challenges of raising children, while couples with no children worried about the costs involved in Singapore.
“I wish to dispel this notion that raising a child is solely about dollars and cents. Instead, it involves creating a care and support ecosystem encompassing housing, childcare, family-friendly workplaces, and even guidance from peers on the parenting journey,” Mr Zhulkarnain said.
In collaboration with Keat Hong preschool centres, Mr Zhulkarnain’s volunteers will soon launch a programme specifically designed for families with preschoolers, he revealed. It will provide educational activities and supplemental programmes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) benefitting all children in the area, along with peer support workshops for parents.
“I hope our programmes can support young families by addressing the costs of education and providing an environment that allows children to realise their fullest potential, regardless of income or background.”
Zhulkarnain’s volunteers are also collaborating with government agencies and community partners. They organise programmes supporting fathers.
Hany Soh ensures a supportive community network is available for parents with young children
Ms Soh said that a key outreach focus is embracing parenthood. Her volunteers and activists ensure a supportive community network is available for parents with young children during challenging times.
Over the years, the PAP Woodgrove branch has created events for target groups. These include ‘Return to School’ care packs for schoolchildren, hand-me-down drives for toddlers and infants, and sharing sessions for mothers, in collaboration with community partners like fertility support groups. They also organise annual community outings which are subsidised to help parents with cost-of-living pressures.
As society rapidly evolves, Ms Soh believes raising the issue of marriage and parenthood support in Parliament is crucial. This ensures Singaporeans receive adequate assistance to fulfill their aspirations regarding these matters.
“With the government reiterating the importance of this issue, I hope fellow Singaporeans and companies will echo their support,” she said. “This will boost Singaporeans’ confidence that Singapore is truly made for families.”
Zhulkarnain said: “I hope we can create an environment where all children can realise their fullest potential and each parent will be able to support their children in the best way possible in their life journey.”
