100 days as PM: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's press conference with local media on 23 August 2024
Govt studying how to tackle cost-of-living concerns, take better care of seniors: PM Wong
More help for larger families, needs of sandwiched group being explored
By Wong Pei Ting, Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Aug 2024
Tackling cost-of-living concerns and taking better care of seniors are two key areas of focus for the Government, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23.
In a press conference five days after his maiden National Day Rally speech, PM Wong said he is looking into longer-term care for seniors and their housing needs. This is a big issue that will continue to grow as more people age, he noted while outlining what Singaporeans can expect in the months ahead.
Besides helping older seniors who are in their 70s or 80s, there will also be support for their children – younger seniors who are entering or in their 50s and feel “sandwiched” with both ageing parents and children to look after, he said.
On cost-of-living concerns, PM Wong said his 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 CDC vouchers, and cost-of-living payouts and U-Save rebates that target the lower- and middle-income groups.
During the press conference at the National Press Centre in Hill Street – PM Wong’s first after he took office as Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15 – he said there are different aspects to the cost-of-living issue, which is a major concern.
There are day-to-day expenses such as groceries, food and daily essentials, as well as big-ticket items like housing, he noted.
Asked if the Government will provide more CDC vouchers, given that the $300 in vouchers to be disbursed in January 2025 is less than the $800 given to each Singaporean household in 2024, PM Wong replied: “We haven’t had the 2025 Budget yet. That’s next year.”
PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, added: “So whether or not there will be more CDC vouchers, I think everyone should just wait and see what is in the Budget announcement.”
The Government will continue to review how best to provide appropriate support, whether through broad-based or targeted measures, he added. “And we will do so in the Budget in 2025.”
At the rally on Aug 18, PM Wong had set out a major reset of policies, which included granting more paid leave for new parents, giving temporary financial help to lower- and middle-income workers who lose their jobs, and updating the Gifted Education Programme.
PM Wong said he had sought to flesh out, in more concrete terms, the aspirations and hopes that Singaporeans have shared during the Forward Singapore engagement exercise.
These are underpinned by two key pillars, he said – a renewed social compact and a refreshed Singapore Dream.
The renewed social compact relates to how all Singaporeans will get support despite their setbacks in life and get a fair shot in life, said PM Wong.
“At the same time, everyone has to do their part, work hard, make the effort to excel and uplift their families,” he said.
“If they do that, the Government will be there to support them every step of the way and help them to get ahead,” he added.
PM Wong said the refreshed Singapore Dream relates to how Singaporeans can find their own paths and not have to compare with one another.
“We can all be the best possible versions of ourselves,” he said. “In other words, we can thrive and flourish on our own terms and in ways that are less prescribed and more open.”
Realising these two shared goals requires a “major reset” of certain policies, attitudes and mindsets, he said.
Besides studying measures to help seniors and to address cost-of-living concerns, PM Wong said, his Government is also looking out for other issues that Singaporeans care about.
This is why regular engagement with Singaporeans is a very important aspect of his work, he added.
Since taking office, he has embarked on visits to several districts across the island. These are “very good opportunities for me to meet residents and to hear first-hand their perspectives and feedback”, he said.
PM Wong noted that he had previously committed to hold press conferences from time to time to share his thoughts with Singaporeans through the media.
He said he thought it useful to hold a press conference at this juncture, to take stock of what his Government has done and what is next on the agenda.
He also said he will continue to hold dialogues with different segments of society, and engage Singaporeans through social media and press conferences such as this one.
These engagements can help everyone see a common picture of why the Government is embarking on certain plans, where the nation is heading towards, and what everyone can do in big and small ways to realise a shared vision, he added.
“This is the commitment from me and my team,” he said.
“We are here to listen to you, understand first-hand your concerns, hopes and dreams, and build a stronger, more meaningful connection with every Singaporean.”
Asked if he had met his priorities after 100 days in office, PM Wong said his key priority after taking over was to think about the new directions that his Government would set to take Singapore forward in its next lap, and what that would mean for Singaporeans.
He took reference from the Forward Singapore exercise, and the rally was where he sought to “crystallise” these shared ambitions in clearer and more concrete terms, he added.
On the foreign policy front, PM Wong said he will, in the months ahead, visit more Asean countries before making trips to the country’s key partners outside of South-east Asia.
He is also set to attend a few international summits, including the Asean Summit in Laos from Oct 6 to 11, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru in November, and the Group of 20 summit in Brazil from Nov 18 to 19.
PM Wong said it is important for him to meet leaders of other countries in his new capacity to establish good personal relations with them, as this will set the tone for Singapore’s overall relationship with those countries.
PM Wong also said he will find future occasions to elaborate on Singapore’s foreign policy and the external environment.
“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,” he said.
“We must be able to come together as one people, despite our differences and perspectives, and take a common, pro-Singapore position to advance our national interest together.”
5 key takeaways from PM Wong’s press conference as he crosses 100 days in office
By Linette Lai, Assistant News Editor, The Straits Times, 24 Aug 2024
It has been more than three months since Mr Lawrence Wong was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15.
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 prime minister 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 CDC vouchers, and cost-of-living payouts and U-Save rebates that target the lower- and middle-income groups.
PM Wong 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 that 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, PM Wong said.
“It’s not so much changing for the sake of change, but to always have the perspective that some things can be improved.”
For instance, circumstances may change or new technologies may 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, PM Wong said. 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 longstanding 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
“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 much 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 friction 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.”
A more family-friendly Singapore is aim of recent moves: PM Wong
By Chin Soo Fang, Senior Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Aug 2024
The introduction of 10 weeks of shared parental leave is part of larger moves to create a more family-friendly Singapore, and a shift away from past policies to directly incentivise procreation, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
This is because marriage and parenthood are deeply personal choices, and people have to find their own balance between competing aspirations and goals, he said on Aug 23.
He noted that the Forward Singapore exercise had spotlighted areas of concern for many young parents and families, such as pre-school and education, and a desire to spend time with their children when they are infants.
“It’s less of the perhaps older, previous approach, where it’s incentives for babies,” he said. “But rather than direct incentives towards procreation per se... we can use these resources to create a more family-friendly environment in general.”
Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, took over as Singapore’s fourth head of government on May 15, which makes Aug 22 100 days since he took over the leadership reins.
At his maiden National Day Rally (NDR) speech on Aug 18, PM Wong had called for a major reset to both policies and attitudes in order to realise new ambitions, such as for everyone to thrive and flourish on their own terms.
Among his major announcements are a new shared parental leave scheme, to be paid for by the Government. By April 2026, new parents will get 10 additional weeks of shared leave, which will bring parental leave to a total of 30 weeks, or 7½ months.
Other changes unveiled at the NDR include the discontinuation of the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in its current form.
PM Wong said on Aug 23 that this wider policy approach to creating a family-friendly environment will include more help for larger families with three or more children, given that costs can pile up quickly for such households.
More details will be given at Budget 2025.
The aim is to, over time, have an environment where people will be motivated to settle down and have children, though that is a personal decision at the end of the day, PM Wong said.
Asked what policies will stay the same even as the Government is prepared to re-examine all assumptions, he drew a line between Singapore’s core principles and values, and government policy.
Important principles that will be upheld include meritocracy, multiracialism and incorruptibility, he said.
“These fundamental principles and values cannot be compromised. But how these principles are manifested in policies, well, you can have a debate,” he said. They include whether a policy is the best way to uphold meritocracy, or has perhaps inadvertently led to a sense of elitism or people feeling stressed, he added.
The biggest assumption, however, is that the good things in life will just fall into one’s lap and that everything is hunky-dory in Singapore, said PM Wong.
“It’s not so much to change for the sake of change alone, but to always have the perspective that some things can be improved,” he said.
“Yes there may be trade-offs, but perhaps circumstances have changed, perhaps conditions are different, perhaps Singaporeans’ appreciation of the trade-offs are different today.”
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to meeting the people’s aspirations of a refreshed Singapore Dream, where success is defined in more ways. These include ensuring viable pathways to success, whether in sports, the arts, or careers both conventional and unconventional, he said.
He noted that the entire sports ecosystem here is a lot more vibrant today, with not just more government support but also companies coming in to sponsor athletes, and to hire them after they have retired from their sporting careers.
“This is for sports, but we want that same conversation to happen in other fields too,” he said.
“So whether it’s in the arts, whether it’s in sports... whether it’s some young person who wants to do a start-up, whatever it is, we want to build a Singapore where everyone can realise their dreams.”
‘Everyone needs to understand what’s at stake, given rising global tensions’: PM Wong on engaging Singaporeans on foreign policy
By Anjali Raguraman, Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Aug 2024
In a world with increasing geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts, and one buffeted by crisis after crisis, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he wants to engage Singaporeans on foreign policy issues.
“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,” said PM Wong.
He was speaking on Aug 23 at his first press conference since taking on the prime minister role in May.
Singapore cannot afford to neglect its external environment, he said, noting that there are “powerful forces shaping the world around us” that will have a direct impact on Singapore, and that there will be more to come in the coming years.
“It’s a world with growing fragmentation in the global economy and rising barriers to trade, which means more impact and stresses on global supply chains...
“It’s a world with a whole range of external threats, including the latest outbreak of mpox, which we are monitoring very carefully and closely,” he said. “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.”
The relationship-building work has already begun in earnest for PM Wong, with visits to Malaysia and Brunei shortly after he was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth head of government. He has also hosted the premiers of Laos and Cambodia in Singapore in recent months.
PM Wong said that visits to more Asean countries, as well as key partners outside of South-east Asia, are in the pipeline.
He will also attend several international summits in the coming months, including the Asean Summit in Laos, the Apec summit in Peru and the Group of 20 summit in Brazil.
“These are all opportunities for me to touch base with my counterparts... It’s important I meet them in my new capacity and establish good personal relations at the leadership level because they set the tone for our overall relationship,” he said.
“In some countries, there have been or there will be changes in government, (which) means potentially working with new governments, new people, new leaders, even as we renew ties with old friends,” added PM Wong, who said he will visit Indonesia, likely after its new government is sworn in.
“So that’s how we navigate this new environment – always staying nimble and vigilant, continually finding ways to strengthen our partnerships and build new connections and to maintain our relevance on the global stage,” he said.
“We must be able to come together as one people, despite our differences and perspectives, and take a common pro-Singapore position to advance our national interest together.”
Singapore ‘must remain an open society’ while pursuing integration of locals, foreigners: PM Wong
By Anjali Raguraman, Correspondent, The Straits Times, 24 Aug 2024
While there will be issues arising from integrating locals and foreign talent, Singapore must remain an open society, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23.
“We know that these (issues) do arise, and we will continue to engage all the different groups… (but) our starting point is that we must remain an open society,” he said at his first press conference since taking on the role of prime minister, adding that integration is a work in progress.
He was responding to a question about the issue of integration in the Indian community between local Indians and naturalised citizens that was addressed by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his last interview with the press as prime minister.
In the wide-ranging interview, SM Lee had said that managing the “inherent tensions” between wanting social cohesion and bringing in immigrants was the “most difficult” issue he had to deal with.
PM Wong noted that the Indian and Chinese communities, particularly, will have issues in this area.
He stressed that Singapore welcomes all who are prepared to embrace its values and way of life, but “there are house rules”.
“We control the flow and we bring them in, but at the same time we, as Singaporeans, must do our part to be big-hearted, gracious, generous, and welcome them as part of the Singapore family,” he said.
While “there will always be frictions from time to time that arise... over time, as the new arrivals come in and adjust to our way of life, as their children go through our school system, and their sons do national service, they become Singaporeans like our forefathers”, said PM Wong.
“So I think this must continue to be our ethos as a society of immigrants, as a nation of immigrants, and we just have to keep on working hard at managing such integration matters.”
He also said that he will be engaging more with Singaporeans at large and with specific communities as well, as each community has issues that it holds dear.
Addressing a question on ground sentiment he has picked up from the Malay-Muslim community, PM Wong said the concerns he hears, and the community’s hopes and aspirations, are similar to national concerns.
“In my engagements, many of them aspire towards getting ahead in life, doing better, and progressing together with the nation... but at the same time upholding the traditional culture, beliefs and values that they have as a community,” he added.
“And I think that’s very valuable, and we will continue to find ways to help the community do so.”
The new Singapore College of Islamic Studies, announced at the National Day Rally, is an initiative in that direction, he said.
“We have sent our religious scholars overseas for studies, but I think we can find a way, a model in Singapore, where some of them can study here in Singapore,” he said of the college, which will nurture future generations of Singapore’s Islamic leaders.
PM Wong said that more details about the new college will be announced later in 2024, such as how it will provide more pathways for Malay-Muslim students interested in Islamic studies to pursue an education in Singapore.
Related
National Day Rally 2024: A Singapore Where We Realise Our Dreams
No comments:
Post a Comment