SINGAPORE: Singapore companies may be slowing down hiring, but there is no sign they are turning away from local workers in favour of foreigners.

That was the message from Manpower Minister Tan See Leng in parliament on Thursday (May 7), as concerns grow over how the Middle East conflict could affect jobs, business confidence, and long-term workforce planning in Singapore.

Dr Tan said hiring preferences between local and foreign workers have not shifted for now, even though some firms are becoming more cautious about expanding their workforce. The issue was raised by Member of Parliament Yip Hon Weng, who asked whether rising costs and uncertainty were causing employers to rethink who they hire.

Dr Tan responded by pointing to continued growth in resident employment in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year. He also defended Singapore’s work pass framework, saying policies are designed to give Singaporeans fair opportunities while allowing businesses access to foreign talent where needed, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reports.

Balancing business needs with local jobs

This balancing act between companies’ and employment needs has become a recurring pressure point in Singapore’s labour debate. Whenever economic uncertainty rises, anxieties over jobs tend to follow close behind.

Questions about foreign manpower frequently return to the spotlight, especially in sectors experiencing slower growth or undergoing restructuring. This time, however, the government appears keen to signal stability rather than alarm.

Dr Tan said upcoming changes to Employment Pass and S Pass salary requirements, along with regular reviews of shortage occupation rules, are part of efforts to maintain that balance between business needs and local career growth.

Job hiring sentiment begins to soften

Hiring sentiment is showing signs of strain as the proportion of firms intending to hire over the next three months fell to 44.6 per cent in March, down from 54.6 per cent in February, according to figures cited by the minister.

The drop in the numbers comes as businesses worldwide grapple with supply chain concerns and energy uncertainty linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Member of Parliament Choo Pei Ling then asked whether Singapore is preparing workers for a longer period of economic disruption, including pressures from artificial intelligence, trade fragmentation, and industry restructuring.

Dr Tan replied that the government is already adapting its workforce planning approach and said the upcoming Economic Strategy Review report would address many of these concerns. The review was launched last August, with recommendations expected by mid-2026.

Workforce stability is now tied to global risks

Parliament’s overall message centred on adapting to change rather than sounding the alarm bells, as Singapore’s economy has spent years preparing for such shocks, from pandemics to supply chain crunches.

But the latest crisis adds another reminder that workforce stability is no longer just about jobs, as energy security, Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure, and global trade routes are now also deeply tied to hiring confidence.

Member of Parliament Liang Eng Hwa asked whether the conflict could trigger longer-term structural changes, especially after damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the region.

Dr Tan said it was still too early to draw firm conclusions. Still, he noted that trends already underway could accelerate. These include supply chain diversification, digitalisation, AI adoption, and the shift towards new energy sources.

He also described energy as an increasingly critical issue due to the massive computing power required to support AI and data centres.

Workers face a changing economic future

Beyond what many workers today are worried about, such as whether jobs exist, they are wondering what kind of jobs will still matter five years from now, and whether industries can keep changing faster than workers can adapt.

Singapore’s challenge now is to keep employment stable amid uncertainty while ensuring workers don’t feel left behind as businesses race to stay competitive.

For most people, the practical concern remains whether wages stay steady, jobs remain available, and opportunities still feel within reach despite everything happening outside Singapore’s borders.

A steady labour market does matter because uncertainty travels fast, and when businesses stop hiring, and workers stop feeling secure, confidence usually weakens long before the actual numbers do.

This article (Tan See Leng: Job hiring slows, but Singapore firms are still not favouring foreigners over locals) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand is looking at storing fuel in other countries, including Singapore, with which it signed a landmark food and fuel pact earlier this week.

An AFP report quotes Resources Minister Shane Jones as saying on Friday (May 8) that the country is also considering Malaysia and South Korea for overseas fuel storage in the event that New Zealand creates a physical sovereign reserve. 

In 2022, the country’s only oil refinery at Marsden Point shut down due to a commercial decision by its private owners, Channel Infrastructure (formerly Refining NZ), as it was no longer economically profitable. 

Amid what Mr Jones called a “fuel quagmire” that New Zealand is now needing to find its way around, discussions have been held concerning global locations it could store fuel.

“We don’t have surplus storage capacity in New Zealand. We do have options, and officials have explored the capacity for us to store fuel offshore. One of the options we have been advised about is Malaysia and Singapore,” a Bloomberg report quoted him as saying.

The report cited government data from May 6 that showed a slight decline in the country’s fuel stock, with under 50 days of gasoline and diesel demand cover. Under New Zealand’s four-phase fuel security system, the country is in the first phase of monitoring developments around the world.

Last month, the country signed a letter of intent for the purchase of 90 million litres of diesel, which is equivalent to nine days of supply for the whole nation.

Mr Jones said that it has recently grown evident to the government that it does not have enough storage capacity to substantially increase its stocks

“Therefore, the officials are working and looking at options. If the New Zealand government is to increase the buffer, what is the quality of the option in the three countries where we draw our fuel from — Malaysia, Singapore, and Korea,” he added.

The country also has the possibility of buying fuel from other countries, such as Japan and the United States, as it manages the current “fuel quagmire.”

On Monday (May 4), New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sounded exultant in a video he posted on social media after the landmark agreement with Singapore was signed. He filmed the clip in front of an oil refinery, saying that the fuel from the refinery would be going straight to New Zealand. 

Essentials would flow between the two countries “even when the world gets disrupted.” He said that around one-third of New Zealand’s fuel is refined in Singapore, adding, “So what happens in Singapore affects our fuel supply at home. It’s this fuel that keeps trucks moving, farms running, and food on the table for everyone.” /TISG

Read also: Lawrence Wong says he & New Zealand Prime Minister are ‘already in sync’; landmark food, fuel pact signed

This article (New Zealand considers storing fuel in Singapore, Malaysia) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

MALAYSIA: At 101 years old, not many would expect much from a political leader who had his heyday, but Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not anyone, as he continues to write in an attempt to control the narrative in Malaysia.

However, in a recent post, the nonagenarian gave a sign that he might finally be resigned to the reality that he is not going to unite the Malays.

Hence, he laconically said ‘failed’ and explained that all his recent efforts to unite the Malay politicians did not work.

Indeed, it is not entirely his fault, for knowing him, he would have proposed several solutions to the quarrelling group, but they chose to disregard his appeals — or are simply unable to grasp the imminent threats overshadowing their political future.

Mahathir wrote one of his shortest notes on the internet. It starts with, “I have tried for more than two years to unite the Malays. I must admit I have failed.”

He then showed empathy towards his beloved country. He believes that with his failure to unite the political figures and parties, the country will slip away into the hands of others.

“Therefore, this beloved country will slip from the hands of the Malays”

Last, but not least, he speaks to the Malays themselves, with a dire warning.

“And the history of the Malays will come to an end because they place the fate of their leaders above that of their race, nation, and religion.”

As usual, his notes on social media gather a lot of comments, thoughts and responses from a large fringe of the Malaysian population.

On Reddit, the debate centres on the use of race and religion in politics.

One user said: “Using race and ‘us vs them’ rhetoric is the fastest way politicians in Malaysia can gain support, which means votes, which means keys to Putrajaya, which means power, which means songlap millions for friends and family.

“This is what people like him and those of the same cloth, Muhiyiddin, Hamzah, etc., think about. Represent the people? Making a genuine change? Sacrificing to improve the country? This is all among the last things these people ever think about. I would argue they don’t even think about it, honestly.

“It’s the status, it’s the big money deals that can be made, it’s the VVIPPP treatment, etc.”

However, on Facebook, where his post is very popular, garnering almost 30,000 likes – something that many other political figures, including those on top, would be jealous of – the concerns are more towards Mahathir’s insistence to drive the narrative.

Still, many show high regard for the elderly statesman.

“A good leader must know when to gracefully exit their leadership position and pass it on to the next generation to govern because different eras require different leadership qualities.

“Maybe the era under Tun suits his leadership style, but not under the current young generation, who have vastly different exposure and upbringing compared to the past,” one opined, continuing, “For Malaysia to move forward and catch up with a country like South Korea, a different kind of leader is needed, maybe someone younger who is not attached to the culture of corruption and past legacies. Politics must move beyond racial divide and embrace a unified Malaysian identity to really help propel the country forward in the next 50 years.”

Others thought it was time for Mahathir to take a good rest.

On Facebook, one netizen said: “It feels like from the time Tun was in power until the end of his life, this phrase about the Malays slipping away has always been repeated… I’m already 56 years old now, about to retire, Tun. Enough is enough. Let the younger generations — your grandchildren and great-grandchildren — manage this country. Times have changed, Tun.”

This article (Mahathir admits failure in his attempts to unite the Malays) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.