SINGAPORE, July 8 — Singapore’s Parliament yesterday endorsed a motion to strengthen Singapore’s long‑term position as a global transport hub, with People’s Action Party (PAP) MPs urging deeper adoption of frontier technologies and stronger support for workers as the sector undergoes rapid transformation.
CNA reported that sixteen PAP MPs and two Nominated MPs spoke during the seven‑hour debate, which centred on how Singapore should navigate geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption and rising competition across aviation, maritime and land transport.
The motion, tabled by Transport Government Parliamentary Committee chair Tin Pei Ling, framed connectivity as a core pillar of Singapore’s economic resilience. She said Singapore must rethink how it stays globally linked amid “an ever‑dynamic geopolitical environment and emerging technological game changers”.
S$800m for research, AI integration across land, sea and air
The Ministry of Transport announced S$800 million in research and innovation funding over the next five years — more than double the previous cycle — alongside new career initiatives for taxi and private‑hire drivers.
MPs called for Singapore to build integrated digital systems linking land, sea and air operations, enabling cargo and passenger flows to be coordinated more efficiently. Several highlighted the potential of AI, automation and digital twins to predict disruptions and optimise logistics.
Pasir Ris–Changi MP Sharael Taha proposed a national AI logistics control tower, describing it as a “digital brain” that could orchestrate cargo movements across ports, airports, roads, warehouses and customs as a single intelligent network.
West Coast MP Ang Wei Neng urged faster deployment of autonomous technologies in buses, ports and airports to address labour shortages and strengthen Singapore’s competitiveness.
Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said Singapore’s approach was to adopt AI “with intention”, noting that companies such as Singapore Airlines and PSA were well placed to become global champions.
Infrastructure still central to competitiveness
MPs stressed that technology alone would not secure Singapore’s future as a transport hub. Major physical projects — including Tuas Port and Changi Airport Terminal 5 — remain critical long‑term investments.
Holland–Bukit Timah MP Edward Chia said Singapore must be “faster, more reliable, more trusted, and more integrated” if it is to justify a premium in global logistics.
Sembawang West MP Poh Li San said Terminal 5, which will eventually raise Changi’s capacity to up to 140 million passengers a year, reinforces Singapore’s status as an established aviation hub. She also urged Singapore to position itself as an international green air hub.
Chua Chu Kang MP Choo Pei Ling said trust itself had become part of Singapore’s economic infrastructure, and that investments in Tuas and T5 were “investments in Singapore’s relevance for the next generation”.
Yio Chu Kang MP Yip Hon Weng noted Tuas Port’s eventual capacity of 65 million TEUs in the 2040s, but warned that supply chains were increasingly shaped by geopolitics. He proposed a National Crisis Logistics Compact to strengthen resilience and prepare for future disruptions.
Ensuring workers benefit from transformation
MPs repeatedly emphasised that technological change must uplift workers rather than displace them. They called for clearer career pathways, stronger reskilling support and redesigned roles across aviation, maritime and land transport.
Nee Soon MP Jackson Lam said demand would grow for data analysts, systems engineers and cybersecurity specialists as AI becomes embedded across the ecosystem.
Jalan Besar MP Wan Rizal urged the government to ensure technology delivers “better wages, welfare and work prospects”, noting that many young Singaporeans are drawn to gig work despite limited progression.
NMP Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari said transformation should happen “with workers, not to them”, calling for employers and unions to redesign jobs early and ensure opportunities for lower‑wage workers and persons with disabilities.
Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said people “will always remain at the heart of transport”, adding that authorities would work closely with tripartite partners to ensure Singaporeans are well positioned as the sector evolves.
