PM Lawrence Wong speaking at a press conference inn the city on Friday, Aug 23, 2024. - PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO via The Straits Times/ANN
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): It has been more than three months since Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15, 2024. In that time, he has set out his vision for a refreshed Singapore dream and a more expansive definition of success, and made efforts to garner feedback from everyday Singaporeans.
On Aug 18, he delivered his first National Day Rally speech. In this, he announced moves aimed at such a policy reset, including more paid leave for parents and temporary financial help for lower- and middle-income workers.
Five days later, on Aug 23, he held his first press conference as PM to elaborate on his thinking. Here are five key takeaways:
1. Cost of living concerns and help for seniors
Tackling cost-of-living concerns and meeting seniors’ longer-term needs are two areas the Government will focus on, beyond what was announced during his Rally, PM Wong said.
On top of helping those in their 70s and 80s with issues such as housing, there will also be support for their children - younger seniors in their 50s who are “sandwiched” with both ageing parents and children to look after.
On the cost of living, PM Wong said the Government is looking at doling out more help to specific segments of the population, including those with larger families and more young children, where “costs add up quite quickly”.
Such additional support will add to broad-based schemes such as the CDC vouchers, and cost of living payouts and U-Save rebates that target the lower- and middle-income groups.
He spoke of two pillars that underpin Singapore’s aspirations in the years to come. The first is a renewed social compact that ensures every Singaporean gets support and a fair shot in life, as long as they work hard. The second is a refreshed Singapore dream which allows people to thrive on their own terms
2. Look beyond the status quo
Rather than staying satisfied with the status quo, Singaporeans should ask themselves if there is a better way of doing things.
“It’s not so much changing for the sake of change, but to always have the perspective that some things can be improved,” PM Wong said.
For instance, circumstances may change or new technologies emerge, he said, adding that Singaporeans may also look at the trade-offs differently than they used to.
PM Wong warned against the assumption that Singaporeans can “cruise along with just the status quo”.
“We must never assume that good things in life just fall into our laps, that things magically work... Everything is hunky-dory in Singapore.”
3. Think bold, but stick to the fundamentals
To make bold moves for the future, Singapore should not allow the past to constrain its options. At the same time, the country should stick to fundamental principles - such as multiculturalism or an ethos of self-reliance - that remain relevant today.
“It is a balancing act,” PM Wong said. “So if we understand what these (values and fundamentals) are, we don’t discard them; we retain them even as we think about making bold changes.”
He gave the example of the Government’s long-standing reservations over unemployment benefits, noting that unemployment insurance in other countries has been shown to have negative effects.
“But it doesn’t mean that we cannot do something different in Singapore, appropriately designed for our circumstances and well-designed to minimise the negative effects we have seen elsewhere,” PM Wong said.
The new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme for the involuntarily unemployed allows Singapore to find the right balance, he added.
It is different and new, PM Wong said, but also puts in place conditions that will require individuals to do their part to get a job.
4. On foreign policy
Singaporeans must understand foreign policy issues and the external environment, said PM Wong.
“It’s important for me to engage Singaporeans on these issues, because I think everyone needs to understand what’s at stake, especially on critical issues where our collective security and fundamental interests are involved.”
While the Rally did not give him a chance to speak on these issues, PM Wong said he will find future occasions to do so.
He noted that there are “powerful forces shaping the world around us” that will have a direct impact on Singapore.
“It’s a world with growing fragmentation in the global economy and rising barriers to trade, which means more impact and stresses on the global supply chains,” he said, adding that the latest Mpox outbreak is another external threat.
“So in this dangerous and troubled world, our relations with other countries are crucial and establishing good rapport with friends, old and new, is also a key priority for me.”
5. An open society with house rules
While it is important for Singapore to remain an open society, newcomers must abide by the country’s norms and rules.
“We welcome all who come here that are prepared to embrace our values and way of life,” PM Wong said in response to a question on integration between local Indians and naturalised citizens here. “So there are house rules.”
He acknowledged that frictions will arise from time to time. The Government will control the flow of immigrants, but Singaporeans should also be “big-hearted, gracious, generous” about welcoming them, he added.
PM Wong noted that new arrivals will adjust to the Singaporean way of life, with their children going through the school system and the boys eventually serving National Service.
“They become Singaporeans like our forefathers. So I think this must continue to be our ethos as a nation of immigrants, and we just have to keep on working hard at managing such integration matters.” - The Straits Times/ANN
