No time, no money, no life: SDP's Ariffin gets real about youth struggles in Singapore GE
He said the promised advice of studying hard, working hard and keeping heads down would guarantee a good life, has simply not held up.
SHAH ALAM - In a stark critique of modern-day pressures in Singapore, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Ariffin Sha has challenged the outdated narrative that young Singaporeans are simply soft or entitled.
He highlighted that the promised advice of studying hard, working hard and keeping heads down would guarantee a good life, has simply not held up.
He stressed that the struggle of the younger generation is real and it is not an imagination.
“This is not about being a so-called ‘strawberry generation’, this is about facing the reality of our times. Life in Singapore today, you leave for work or school before the sun rises and by the time you return, it is dark again. If you are rushing anywhere, Grab prices are punishing.
“Meanwhile, salaries remain stagnant while the cost of living climbs steadily. Mental health struggles are common, yet very few people feel comfortable telling their employers that they need therapy or even a day off to recover. There is a silent crisis brewing,” he said during his campaign.
The statistics are deeply concerning. Ariffin pointed to data from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), highlighting that one in three young Singaporeans reported extremely severe symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression last year.
But the pressures go beyond mental health—they strike at the heart of one’s aspirations, identity and dreams.
“Starting a family has become an overwhelming prospect, not just financially but mentally too. For years, we were told to study hard, work hard, keep our heads down and we would be okay.
“But for the younger generation, this advice no longer holds true. The return on investment for our hard work simply is not there. This is not about being a so-called ‘strawberry generation’, this is about facing the reality of our times.
“The Singapore our parents knew, the Singapore of the 70s and 80s, is long gone. Back then, a taxi driver could work hard, provide for his family, take them on holidays and send his children to university. Today, that story feels almost mythical,” he said.
Ariffin also addressed the evolution of Singaporean dreams; from the once-coveted 5Cs (cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club membership) to an era where even modest goals feel increasingly out of reach.
“We were told we do not dream of the 5Cs anymore because we have become less materialistic. But that is not the truth. The reality is, the 5Cs are now simply out of reach.
“Take housing, for example. While official headlines declare that HDB flats remain affordable and ministers assure us they are monitoring the situation, the numbers tell a different story. Ten years ago, a million-dollar resale HDB flat would have been unimaginable. Now, such listings are increasingly common.
“That shift is not just startling, it is worrying. If those who are doing ‘okay’ feel the pressure, what about the rest? What about the next generation? What about those who are not as well off?” he questioned.
The SDP candidate, who is contesting in Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC, where the People's Action Party (PAP) team is led by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, is running alongside teammates Jufri Salim, Alec Tok, and Gigene Wong.
They are going up against the unchanged PAP slate of Alex Yam, Hany Soh and Zaqy Mohamad.
For Ariffin, the urgency of change goes beyond statistics. It is a matter of dignity.
“In Singapore, we cannot afford to think only of ourselves. We need to care about everyone in society. Living under constant pressure with no relief drains your spirit. It makes it hard to have hope, hard to dream.
“Even simple questions like ‘what are your hobbies?’ become difficult to answer, because free time feels more like survival than living. That is why SDP’s message resonates so deeply.
“It is not just about survival anymore. It is about restoring dignity, about building a Singapore where everyone, not just a few, can truly thrive,” he emphasised.
On April 23, Singapore officially began its campaign period for the General Election 2025 (GE2025), with 206 candidates contesting 92 parliamentary seats across 32 constituencies. The political contest is seeing participation from both long-standing parties and newer entrants.
The ruling PAP is facing competition from established opposition groups like the Workers’ Party (WP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and SDP. Emerging parties such as Red Dot United (RDU), People’s Power Party (PPP) and Singapore United Party (SUP) also entered the race.
With Polling Day set for May 3, the election marked a dynamic and competitive political atmosphere as parties began campaigning following Nomination Day.
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