Singapore must work harder to find like-minded partners in less hospitable world: PM Wong
By Danson Cheong, Assistant News Editor, The Straits Times, 8 Nov 2024
Foreign policy issues might not be “top of mind” for many Singaporeans but how the Government advances Singapore’s interests abroad is critical to the country’s ability to survive and thrive.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said this on Nov 8, pointing out that as the global environment grows more fraught, Singapore needs to work even harder to strengthen its network of friends and partners. It will also need to work with like-minded countries to shape international norms and rules, and find common ground on issues of shared concern.
Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, PM Wong laid out an overview of the geopolitical challenges that Singapore is facing, including wars in Ukraine and Gaza, tensions between the US and China, and the weakening of established norms and multilateral institutions.
“That is why we see growing zones of impunity, where state and non-state actors are able to push for what they want with little or no consequences,” he said.
How the Government navigates this is critical to making life better for Singaporeans, PM Wong told reporters at the National Press Centre in Hill Street.
“Foreign policy is critical to our ability to survive and to thrive. It is about how we can stay relevant and expand our networks and ensure that our little red dot can keep shining, even in a more dangerous and turbulent world,” he said.
“In the end, everything we do, whether it is domestic or foreign, comes back to how we can make life better for Singaporeans, and that remains the focus for me and my team,” he added.
His comments come just days after US President-elect Donald Trump made a stunning political comeback, defeating Vice-President Kamala Harris to win a second term as the US’ top leader.
But Trump’s impending return to power has triggered anxiety among the US’ partners and allies over the potential security, trade and geopolitical implications of a second Trump term.
During his campaign, Trump said he would end the war in Ukraine, and he has accused President Joe Biden of giving Israel insufficient support.
He also vowed to slap tariffs of 60 per cent or more on Chinese imports and at least 10 per cent on goods from all other countries.
Asked about the implications of these potential barriers to trade, PM Wong said this is a concern, pointing also to the European Union’s recent decision to increase tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles.
“Trade is three times our GDP (gross domestic product). We are an open economy, we are a trading economy, we would be concerned in a world where there are more and more frictions to trade overall,” said PM Wong.
He pointed out that while there may be situations where countries would apply tariffs, this should be done within a proper framework, with trade disputes raised with an institution like the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
But he added that it has been difficult to get countries to support efforts to revamp and strengthen the WTO, even under the current Biden administration.
He also said this is why Singapore is also trying to “do more around Asean and other regional forums” to keep trade barriers low.
Since he became prime minister in May, PM Wong has been on a slew of overseas trips.
He has attended the Asean summits in Laos and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, and has visited South-east Asian countries including Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. He added that he hopes to visit Thailand later in 2024.
He is also expected to visit Peru and Brazil later in November for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Group of 20 summits, respectively, and said he could visit the remaining Asean countries and India in 2025.
When asked about the implications of the recent US presidential election, PM Wong said on Nov 8 that he believes the Government would be able to continue to work well with the new Trump administration, pointing out that both countries extended a memorandum of understanding on defence during the last Trump term.
“We continue to grow our trade and investment links between Singapore and the US in a very productive manner. So I think, bilaterally, we look forward to working closely with the new team,” he said.
PM Wong also reiterated concerns about the trajectory of the US-China relationship, pointing out that while America remains a pre-eminent power in many areas, China is rising.
“America has to decide what to do with this, to treat this as an existential threat, and therefore to contain China, or to embrace China and accept China as a major power in its own right,” he said.
On the other hand, China needs to consider the responsibilities it needs to undertake to uphold the international order now that it is the second-largest economy, he added.
The decisions these two major powers make will shape the future global order, he said, adding that, where possible, Singapore will do its part to facilitate a relationship where both sides can engage and find a way to coexist with each other.
He also said that while the American security umbrella continues to be relevant and provide stability for the region, more Americans are raising questions about why the US has to bear the cost of its international responsibilities.
“We understand that, and that’s why we do not take this for granted,” he said, adding that this is why Singapore supports not just America’s security presence in this region, but also greater American economic engagement.
The recent US presidential election also laid bare the political divisions within the country, and PM Wong was asked about whether he was concerned these tensions would spill over to Singapore.
PM Wong said in many countries, elections are leading to outcomes where society is more divided and polarised – and in a situation like this, there is no winner.
“In the end, everyone is worse off because it makes it harder to govern, and it makes it harder for countries to move forward,” he said.
Singapore has put in place guard rails for this, recently updating its laws on deepfakes and digitally manipulated content of election candidates, said PM Wong.
But he added that it is also vital for the Government, political parties and Singaporeans to work together to ensure that society is not divided and polarised.
“We try our best not to go down the path of political populism, opportunism, but find ways to keep our society strong, united and maintain that high level of trust, because that’s essential for Singapore to stay relevant and to survive in this new world,” he said.
Cost of living and job security among Singaporeans’ top concerns to be covered in Budget 2025: PM Wong
By Goh Yan Han, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 8 Nov 2024
The cost of living and job security are concerns that come up frequently among residents during walkabouts, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said.
The Government has taken steps towards addressing these issues and they will be covered in upcoming public consultations on Budget 2025, he added.
In a press conference with local media on Nov 8, PM Wong said preparations for Budget 2025 had started and consultation sessions with the public will begin in December.
There are four broad themes – economic strategies for the next bound; opportunities for skills upgrading and jobs for workers; support for Singaporeans across different life stages; and strengthening Singaporeans’ sense of solidarity and unity as the country marks SG60.
“The broad themes I highlighted just now for the Budget consultations are very much derived from concerns that Singaporeans have highlighted,” he said, when asked about the feedback he receives from the ground.
“We are therefore focusing on looking at what measures we can take, what new policies, programmes and schemes we might be able to put in place to address these concerns.”
On the cost of living, he acknowledged that there were different dimensions beyond the price of food and groceries and that it extended to areas such as housing and certificates of entitlement for vehicles.
He cited the new Housing Board flat categorisation framework and increased subsidies for first-time public housing applicants as part of efforts to address these worries.
On the job front, PM Wong noted that the issue is not about overall unemployment, as unemployment rates are low, but about ensuring a sense of security amid a more turbulent global environment.
“People can sense that there are more changes around us. With global changes, with geopolitical tensions, with technology, people are worried about not just today’s job, but what about my jobs later on, and as I get older – and we are all living longer – will I still have a good job with a steady income,” he said.
The upcoming Budget will look at helping people to upskill and ensure better incomes, on top of existing efforts such as the enhancements to SkillsFuture, PM Wong added.
It will also look at providing support for Singaporeans across different life stages, such as when entering the workforce, starting families, or at a phase where they might feel sandwiched looking after elderly parents and their own children, he said.
These are among the topics he had previously listed as key areas of focus for the Government, with more support to come in Budget 2025.
During the National Day Rally in August, he had spoken of a new scheme to come for large families.
At a press conference several days later, he spoke about addressing longer-term care and housing needs for the elderly and addressing cost-of-living pressures for larger families with more young children.
PM Wong said on Nov 8 that he welcomed feedback, suggestions and views from the public for Budget 2025, in line with usual practices.
“I am committed to engage and to listen, to review, change and reset policies where needed, so that together we can take Singapore forward, towards a fairer, brighter and more inclusive future,” he said.
Asked about further plans for SG60 which he recently soft-launched, he said the Government would like SG60 to be something that Singaporeans can embrace.
“Certainly one of my hopes is that as we enter into SG60, we can provide more platforms and opportunities for ground-up engagement and ground-up actions,” he said.
The Government will look at facilitating local projects that individuals or community groups may wish to undertake and will empower them to do so.
“We will provide resources so that these projects can proliferate, so that SG60 is not just a top-down exercise, but it’s something that everyone can embrace and use this as an occasion for us to strengthen our sense of shared values, our sense of purpose and also our sense of solidarity with one another,” PM Wong said.
These initiatives will go beyond celebrating and commemorating Singapore’s 60th birthday, but also show greater concern for fellow citizens and the more disadvantaged members of society, he added.
Lee Hsien Yang’s actions will not distract Govt from focusing on Singaporeans’ concerns: PM Wong
By Tham Yuen-C, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 8 Nov 2024
Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s allegations against Singapore have been fully responded to, and the Government will not be distracted from its work, said Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov 8.
That means focusing on the core issues that are important to Singaporeans, such as taking care of Singaporeans’ livelihoods, advancing the country’s standard of living, and making sure to continue building a better future for the people, he said.
PM Wong’s remarks came after news emerged recently that Mr Lee had been granted political asylum in Britain in August.
In several media interviews since then, the youngest child of the late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and brother of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has accused the Government of weaponising Singapore’s laws against its critics and said he and his family were facing political persecution.
Asked at a press conference for comment about this development, PM Wong said the Government has responded fully to Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s allegations.
In October, the Government published three responses to claims made by Mr Lee.
They included replies to the Associated Press and the Guardian, and a statement about the inaccuracy of Mr Lee’s claim that the 38 Oxley Road family house should be demolished immediately.
The responses said Mr Lee had turned a “personal vendetta” into an international smear campaign against his father, family and country.
They also debunked his allegations of political persecution and corruption, among other things.
The Government’s responses also referenced judgments by the Court of Three Judges and a disciplinary tribunal in 2020.
They had found that Mr Lee and his wife, Mrs Lee Suet Fern, lied under oath during disciplinary proceedings against Mrs Lee, a lawyer, over her handling of the last will of Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
At the press conference, PM Wong was asked if the British government had seemingly agreed with Mr Lee Hsien Yang’s allegations by granting him asylum.
PM Wong said he could not speak for the British government and its decisions.
But he had met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and “had a good conversation (though) we didn’t talk about this particular matter”.
Singapore has a strategic partnership with the UK with many areas of cooperation, and there will be opportunities to strengthen the relationship further in 2025 as both countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties, he added.
PM Wong said there are no legal restrictions on Mr Lee, his wife and their son Li Shengwu returning to Singapore.
“We cannot control what he says or does, but there are no legal restrictions on him and his wife or his son,” he said.
Questions over the fate of the Oxley Road house resurfaced after the death of Dr Lee Wei Ling on Oct 9.
Dr Lee, the younger sister of SM Lee, had lived in the house until her death.
The basement dining room of the house was the site of many historical meetings between Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team of pioneer leaders, who eventually came together to form the People’s Action Party.
Besides his interviews about seeking asylum, Mr Lee Hsien Yang has also been vocal on social media, especially in relation to the house.
PM Wong said on Nov 8: “I cannot control what (Mr Lee) says when he is abroad, but whatever his actions, they will not distract me and my team from focusing on the core issues that are important to Singaporeans.”
Timing of next GE not decided yet, but ‘as each day passes, I am more ready’: PM Wong
By Anjali Raguraman, Correspondent, The Straits Times, 8 Nov 2024
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he has not yet decided when the next general election will be held and the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) has not been formed.
“When the election is to be held... I have not decided, and when we start the process, people will know,” PM Wong said in a wide-ranging press conference with Singapore media on Nov 8.
Responding to a question on whether the EBRC has been convened, PM Wong said: “When we do so, we will announce it, as we always do. We won’t do these things quietly.”
Typically made up of civil servants, the committee reviews the electoral boundaries and recommends the size and number of group representation constituencies and single-member constituencies.
The past few general elections had been called between one and three months after the release of the EBRC report.
When asked if the upcoming Budget will be an election budget, he said Budget 2025 could potentially be the last budget in this term of government.
This is because “elections could still be done before the Budget, but potentially, if the elections are after, then it will be the last budget in this term of government”, PM Wong added.
Singapore’s Budget is typically delivered and considered in February and March each year.
On how ready he and his team are for the general election, the Prime Minister said: “As each day passes, I am more ready.”
He said the governing People’s Action Party (PAP) is “getting ourselves ready”, and added that the country has till the end of 2025 to hold the election.
The next general election must be called by November 2025.
“We are continuing to prepare, and as we get better and better... as we get to the point when we are ready, then I will call the general election,” he said.
As for potential candidates who will be fielded, he said the search is continuing to actively identify candidates.
“When the time comes, I hope to be able to unveil a good slate of candidates for Singaporeans,” PM Wong said.
He also touched on renewal in the party, noting that MPs who have served two or three terms will be asked to step down, and the party will bring in “new blood”.
Answering a question on what will be done to ensure the racial and social tensions seen in the recent US election will not spill over into Singapore society, PM Wong acknowledged that the Republic has always been concerned about how divisions and polarisation make it “harder to govern, and for countries to move forward”.
He pointed to safeguards against falsehoods, such as a Bill passed in Parliament in October to counter digitally manipulated content and deepfakes during elections so as to curb the spread of misinformation.
PM Wong said he hoped Singaporeans will “understand what’s at stake”.
Choosing the right party to govern is important, he added. “But it’s also about determining our future.”
“If we are unable to hold together as a society, I think it will be very hard for us to stay relevant and very hard for us to survive and thrive,” noted PM Wong.
He added: “We try our best not to go down the path of political populism, opportunism, but find ways to keep our society strong, united and maintain that high level of trust, because that’s essential for Singapore to stay relevant and to survive in this new world.”
Asked for his takeaways from the US election that were relevant to Singapore, PM Wong said he does not take the people’s vote or mandate for granted.
“I do not assume that I will continue as prime minister or that the PAP will automatically form the next government,” he said.
“In the end, Singaporeans will have to decide, and when we get to elections, we will present to them our record... what we have done in this term of government. We hope that will be sufficient to earn the confidence and trust of Singaporeans, and we hope they will give us the chance to govern Singapore.”
PM Wong noted that as with any Budget, the priorities will be the immediate issues and concerns that may arise, such as the cost of living, as well as the investments and decisions that have to be made to put Singapore in a stronger position.
Pre-Budget consultations will start in December with these broad themes: Singapore’s economic strategies; skills upgrading and jobs for workers; how support can be given to Singaporeans across different stages of their lives; and strengthening solidarity as Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence in 2025.
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