Singapore must stay open to world, learn from history: PM Lee Hsien Loong's New Year Message 2020

Constant effort to improve lives, share fruits of progress points the way forward, he says
By Royston Sim, Deputy Political Editor, The Straits Times, 1 Jan 2020

Singapore must stay open and connected to the world even as many societies lose faith in globalisation, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Having benefited enormously from globalisation, it must resist the temptation to turn inwards, he cautioned in his annual New Year message yesterday. "A Singapore turned inwards cannot survive."

He noted that the current state of the world worries Singaporeans, as the global slowdown has affected the economy. In November, the Trade and Industry Ministry said the economy is expected to have grown by 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent last year.

But PM Lee assured Singaporeans that the upcoming Budget will have measures to help businesses, workers and families, as well as the poor, the elderly and the vulnerable.

While companies will get help to raise their productivity and build new capabilities, workers, especially mid-career PMETs - professionals, managers, executives and technicians - will be given a hand to retrain, find new jobs and stay employable, he added.

Social safety nets will be improved, and "we will help households with their cost of living", PM Lee said in his message recorded at the Bicentennial Experience exhibition in Fort Canning.



The showcase of important moments in Singapore's history was a key event to commemorate the country's bicentennial year, which he said provided a vivid reminder of how much the island has changed over the centuries, and how far the Republic has come.

"Recounting this history has enhanced our collective consciousness of the past, strengthened our sense of togetherness in the present, and boosted our confidence in a shared future," he said.

One lesson to be drawn from history, he noted, is that while the Government has to stay on top of bread-and-butter issues, the intangible ethos of a society is even more vital in the long run.



In Singapore, the aim is to build a fair and just society, where growth and prosperity benefit everyone, and the human spirit can flourish, he said, citing the values and qualities that impelled the country's forefathers to stay rather than return to their land of birth.

"Here, pathways of progress are open to all, and every Singaporean can chase his or her dreams.

"Here, we are building a society where everyone is equal, regardless of race, language or religion.

"Here, we will uplift the most vulnerable amongst us, and leave nobody behind whatever the vicissitudes of life.

"Here, each generation never stops thinking of tomorrow, so that our children can look forward to exciting opportunities, and in their turn build a better Singapore."



PM Lee said the bicentennial also helped put into perspective what is happening now in the world and in Singapore, which had many ups and downs in the past 200 years.

Today, serious frictions exist between the United States and China, he noted.

Despite economic growth, societies such as Hong Kong, Chile and France are under stress and beset with protests. Their people worry about such basic needs as housing and jobs. They are also angry that the fruits of economic growth have not been shared equitably, with income gaps widening, said PM Lee.

Large parts of their populations have lost faith in their systems, and are pessimistic about the future. "This is fuelling nativism and chauvinism, and sectarian strife."

Singaporeans, too, are anxious, but "we are in a better position than most countries because for decades, we have toiled to improve our people's lives", PM Lee said. "And we continue to make steady progress, year after year."

He pointed to Singapore reforming its education system by changing the PSLE scoring system, and opening more post-secondary education pathways. The quality of pre-schools is being raised, and fees are being made more affordable.

In housing, first-time buyers are getting more subsidies, while healthcare is improved for more seniors with the new Merdeka Generation Package. In transport, the MRT system is now one of the most reliable in the world, with fewer than one breakdown every one million km travelled on average, he noted.



PM Lee said that ideals such as uplifting the vulnerable and building a fair and just society will enable Singaporeans to remain "one united people" and prevail despite the odds.

There was never any guarantee of success at any time in Singapore's history, he noted.

"But if we stand together and keep making the effort, I am confident Singapore can continue to shine brightly in the world."

In a separate New Year message yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said the Government is looking at measures to tackle the economic slowdown.

Bicentennial Bonus: 1.4 Million Singaporeans to receive benefits in November 2019

Those eligible get up to three goodies - GST Voucher cash payout, CPF top-up, Workfare bonus
By Grace Ho, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 25 Oct 2019

About 1.4 million Singaporeans will receive up to three of the Bicentennial Bonus benefits next month.

These are the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Voucher cash payout, Central Provident Fund (CPF) top-up and Workfare Bicentennial Bonus, the Finance Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

During Budget 2019, the Government announced a $1.1 billion Bicentennial Bonus to commemorate Singapore's bicentennial and to support individuals who need more help.

SMS notifications for the bicentennial cash payment and Workfare Bicentennial Bonus will go out by the end of this month.

Letters for the Workfare Bicentennial Bonus and CPF top-up will be issued next month.

To verify the authenticity of an SMS notification, citizens can check that the message is sent by "SG-Workfare" for the Workfare Bicentennial Bonus, or "GSTV" for the GST Voucher.

These notifications only inform citizens of their respective benefits, and citizens will not be asked to reply to the SMS or provide any information, said the ministry.

Those aged 21 and above who earned an income of up to $28,000 in 2017 are eligible for the GST Voucher.

If their home's annual value at the end of last year was $13,000 or below, they will receive $300.

If the annual value was more than $13,000 but no more than $21,000, they will receive $150.

Employees under the Workfare Income Supplement scheme will receive an additional 10 per cent of their total Workfare payment for work done last year, with a minimum payment of $100 to help with daily expenses.



About 300,000 Singaporeans aged 50 to 64 will get top-ups to their CPF Ordinary and Special Accounts or Retirement Accounts.

Those aged 50 to 54 this year will receive $300 or $500.

Those aged 55 to 64 this year will get $600 or $1,000, depending on how much they have in their CPF Ordinary and Special Accounts, or their Retirement Accounts.

To qualify for the top-ups, recipients also have to meet other criteria, such as not owning more than one property and not exceeding $28,000 in assessable income for Year of Assessment 2018.

As part of the Bicentennial Bonus, primary and secondary school students received a $150 top-up to their Edusave acco-unts by June, while Singaporeans aged 17 to 20 got up to $500 in their Post-Secondary Education Accounts.

Each taxpayer will also get a personal income tax rebate of 50 per cent of tax payable for income earned last year, capped at $200.

First World Singapore, Third World Singaporeans

Why are Singaporeans a Third World people? Public figures react to Tommy Koh's comments
They have some way to go in civic-mindedness, consideration and kindness, say observers
By Linette Lai, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 6 Oct 2019

Professor Kishore Mahbubani recounts a recent occasion when his maid asked for time off to go to the airport.

"Why?" he asked. Her friend had broken her arm, the maid explained, and her employer had decided to pack her off. She wanted to say goodbye to her friend who was flying home.

It is behaviour like this, said the veteran diplomat, that makes Singapore a First World country with Third World people - just as Professor Tommy Koh said last week.

"I think that's a fair way of describing it," said Prof Mahbubani, who was formerly dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

He and other prominent public figures have, by and large, expressed agreement with Prof Koh's strongly-worded comments, with some feeling that his words were a wake-up call for Singaporeans.

Acknowledging that some progress has been made, many however believe that Singaporeans still have far to go when it comes to kindness, consideration and civic-mindedness. "Singaporeans should celebrate the fact that their country has gone from Third World to First World," Prof Mahbubani said. "But they should deeply reflect on what this means in terms of their moral responsibilities."

Added Singapore Management University sociologist Paulin Straughan: "We can't really have a First World country with Third World behaviour. It's the community that defines the country."



SPARKING A DEBATE

At the Singapore Bicentennial Conference, Prof Koh, who had laid out a wish list for the country's fourth-generation leaders, was asked what he had to say to ordinary Singaporeans. He did not mince his words in his response.

"Many of our people don't give a damn for the environment when they should. Many of our people are selfish and unkind," he said.

Prof Koh's remarks resonated with many, who pointed to the poor treatment of foreign workers and misuse of public property as examples that prove his point.

Last year, the problems surrounding bike-sharing hit the headlines, with many snapping pictures of shared bikes parked haphazardly in common areas, shoved into drains or even chained up for private use.

Others noted that Singaporeans are not known for being gracious drivers or clearing their trays at hawker centres, with critics lamenting attitudes that smack of entitlement or self-centredness.

For example, said 33-year-old Ahmad Farid Zakaria, many drivers intending to change lanes either signal their intentions at the very last minute - or don't signal at all.

"Sometimes, the driver with the right of way will just speed up to prevent another car from lane changing," the technical officer added.

"I hope the mentality of Singaporeans will become more developed, just like our city."

How GST vouchers help in various ways

Govt will disburse $1 billion in GST vouchers and Medisave top-ups in 2019, defraying costs
By Lorna Tan, Invest Editor/Senior Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 15 Sep 2019

None of us like forking out more money to the Government than we have to. Since the goods and services tax (GST) came along in 1994, it has been accompanied by a range of offsets to take some of the pain away, especially for lower-income groups.

The latest payout was last month when about 1.4 million Singaporeans received up to $300 each in the form of GST Voucher - Cash. In a few weeks, about 930,000 eligible HDB households will each receive their GST Voucher - U-Save to help offset utilities bills.



The GST Voucher scheme was introduced in 2012 to help the lower-and middle-income households with daily expenses and to defray GST expenses.

It has since become an indispensable source of support, providing assurance that there is government support for GST expenses for individuals and households, particularly those with lower incomes.

If you received the GST Voucher - Cash payout last month, you can expect to get the GST Voucher - Cash (Bicentennial Payment), which provides an additional cash payment of up to $300.

All in, the Government will pay out $1 billion in GST vouchers and Medisave top-ups this year, benefiting 1.7 million Singaporeans.

The Sunday Times highlights the GST Voucher scheme and other government assistance measures.

GST VOUCHERS (CASH, MEDISAVE, U-SAVE)

The GST Voucher scheme has three components:

• GST Voucher - Cash: This goes out every August to defray some of your GST expenses.

• GST Voucher - Medisave top-up: This is credited to the CPF Medisave accounts of eligible Singaporeans aged 65 and above every August. It can be used to pay for their own or their immediate family members' hospitalisation expenses incurred at any of the participating medical institutions under the Medisave scheme. Medisave can also be used to pay for day surgery and approved outpatient treatments.

• GST Voucher - U-Save: This is given out over four payments each year as a rebate to help HDB households offset part of their utility bills. Note that GST Voucher - U-Save payments are credited automatically to the household's utilities account once it is opened.

Each household will get a GST Voucher - U-Save of up to $400 this year, based on the HDB flat type. This includes an additional U-Save of $20 a year from this year to 2021.

The U-Save rebates are paid out in January, April, July and October this year.

Singaporeans will get some or all of these three components depending on their age, income and the valuation of their homes.

People who own more than one property are not eligible for the GST vouchers - Cash, Medisave and U-Save.

The eligibility criteria is available at www.gstvoucher.gov.sg

National Day Rally 2019

PM Lee Hsien Loong unveils plans to secure Singapore's future
The Straits Times, 19 Aug 2019

* More support for pre-school, tertiary fees

* Moves to raise retirement age, CPF rates

* Steps to defend against climate change



 



PRE-SCHOOL, TERTIARY EDUCATION TO BE MORE AFFORDABLE

Eight in 10 pre-school places will be government-supported in five to six years' time, bringing it to the same ratio as public housing.

The monthly income ceiling to qualify for additional subsidies for pre-school education will be raised from $7,500 to $12,000 next year. The quantum of subsidies will also be increased.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that these are part of the Government's plan to make quality early-years education more affordable and accessible.

He said that in the future, 80 per cent of pre-school places will be government-supported, up from the 50 per cent currently.

With 30,000 more households qualifying for additional subsidies, pre-school expenses should come down to the costs of primary school education.



Touching on tertiary education fees, PM Lee said the Singapore Institute of Technology and the Singapore University of Social Sciences will lower their yearly tuition fees next year - from $8,000 to $7,500 for general degree courses.

Government bursaries for university, polytechnic, Institute of Technical Education, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Lasalle College of the Arts students will also be enhanced.

"Anyone who works hard will have a chance to succeed, regardless of starting point or family background," PM Lee said.







RETIREMENT AGE AND CPF RATES FOR OLDER WORKERS TO GO UP

As Singaporeans are living longer and many want to work longer, the retirement age will be raised gradually from 62 to 65, and the re-employment age will go up from 67 to 70.

The process will start in 2022, and be completed by 2030, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rates will also go up for workers aged 55 to 70, so that the full rate of 37 per cent is extended to those aged up to 60 before it tapers off.

This process will start in 2021 and take place gradually over 10 years or so, depending on economic conditions, said PM Lee at the National Day Rally.

He added that these recommendations had been made by a tripartite workgroup, and the Government accepted them, in full.

The Government will take the lead as a major employer to raise retirement and re-employment ages in the public service in 2021, a year ahead of schedule, he said.



Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat will announce a support package to help businesses adjust to these new arrangements in next year's Budget, PM Lee added.

He also stressed that there are no changes to CPF withdrawal policies or withdrawal ages - CPF members can still withdraw some money at age 55 and start their monthly payouts from age 65.


LONG-TERM BATTLE TO SAFEGUARD SINGAPORE FROM RISING SEA LEVELS

It may cost $100 billion or more over the long term to protect low-lying Singapore against rising sea levels, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

There are good engineering solutions to the problem which could include reclaiming offshore islands and connecting them with barrages. But they come at a cost.

"How much will it cost to protect ourselves against rising sea levels? My guess is probably $100 billion over 100 years, quite possibly more.



"If we only have 10 years to solve the problem, we won't have the time or resources to do it," PM Lee said in his National Day Rally speech. "But because this is a 50-to 100-year problem, we can implement a 50-to 100-year solution.

Climate change defences should be treated like the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) - with utmost seriousness, he added.

"Both the SAF and climate change defences are existential for Singapore. These are life and death matters. Everything else must bend at the knee to safeguard the existence of our island nation."

NDP 2019: Singapore celebrates its 54th birthday at the Padang

Stand up, stand up for Singapore
27,000 spectators mark nation's 54th birthday with moving celebration at NDP
By Kor Kian Beng, Defence & Security Editor, The Straits Times, 10 Aug 2019

The lyrics "Stand up for Singapore" took a literal turn last evening when spectators at the Padang spontaneously rose to their feet, time and again, moved by the emotion of marking the nation's 54th birthday.

The National Day Parade (NDP), which also marked the bicentennial of an event that changed Singapore's history, turned out to be an occasion to express gratitude and respect. The mood seemed to wash over the 27,000-strong audience at the Padang, where Singapore held its first NDP in 1966.

Like every year, the crowd stood up solemnly when President Halimah Yacob arrived, when the National Anthem was played and when the Pledge was recited.

Gratitude for the Merdeka Generation - those born in the 1950s and who comprised the earliest batches of national servicemen - was particularly evident when 39 of them appeared as part of a mobile column.

As the 171 vehicles from the Singapore Armed Forces and the Home Team drove past, the masters of ceremonies asked spectators from the Merdeka Generation to stand up so that others in the crowd could acknowledge them. This they did with roaring applause, and some felt moved to stand up as well.



Many in the crowd also rose to their feet when sound engineer and music producer Danial Bawthan - who has muscular dystrophy and goes by the moniker Wheelsmith - came on stage with other performers and rapped "Stand up, Lion City, stand up" - from a wheelchair.

Retiree Alvin Lim, 62, said watching fellow servicemen reminded him of his national service years as a signaller. "Seeing how we have progressed from those days makes me proud," he told The Straits Times.



This year's Parade was the first held at the Padang since 2015, with previous years' NDPs held at the Marina Bay Floating Platform and the National Stadium.

The venue was apt, given the bicentennial. The Padang, which has served as a gathering spot for many since the 1880s and has witnessed several historical milestones, was picked to show how far the country has progressed since Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in 1819.



Together with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad attending at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, spectators and those watching the telecast were shown glimpses of Singapore's history since then.

These included eight floats honouring organisations that have existed since the 19th century and contributed to Singapore's progress. Among them were Singapore Post, Singapore General Hospital and The Straits Times.

At one point, screens played a video showing Singapore's first mobile column in 1969, which featured only 18 AMX-13 tanks. Pride must have swelled in the hearts of many as they looked on at the size of the mobile column last night.

During the show segment, tribute was paid to Singaporeans who have made a difference, such as retired healthcare adviser Iris Verghese, who had reached out to Singapore's first Aids patient in 1985 amid a climate of fear.



The Parade ended on a soulful note with a unique rendition of Majulah Singapura by 66-year-old rock pioneer Ramli Sarip. Right behind him was 25-year-old Wheelsmith.

Amid uncertainties about the global economy and friction between major powers, the image of a young man in a wheelchair and a seasoned senior singing the National Anthem sent a powerful message about Singaporeans' commitment to unity and harmony.

Right after, Stand Up For Singapore blasted through the speakers again as part of a medley, and the crowd was back on its feet, united in song.

National Day Message 2019: Singapore must prepare for a very different future, says PM Lee Hsien Loong

PM Lee says world is entering troubled period, but past proves nation can overcome challenges
By Linette Lai, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 9 Aug 2019

Singaporeans need to prepare for a "very different future", said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, pointing to the grave challenges that global upheavals had thrown up.

Speaking on the eve of National Day, he said he was confident that the country would overcome the challenges. But he pointed to the task at hand.

The world is fundamentally entering a more troubled period, he noted. Trade and globalisation are under pressure and friction between the major powers is growing, while global warming and rising sea levels pose existential threats.

"Singapore will not be immune to these global problems... They will disrupt supply chains, alter trade patterns and shift investment flows. We must get ourselves ready for a very different future," he said.

Singapore has taken steps to renew and reinvent itself, he added in his annual National Day message delivered from Changi Airport's Jewel, which he held up as symbolic of the country's spirit to dare to do the new - and do it first.

Singaporeans have gone through many ups and downs over the years, he noted. Today, economic uncertainties and the threat of climate change are grave challenges, PM Lee said.

"But our past gives us confidence. Throughout our history, when trials and tribulations have beset us, we picked ourselves up and worked together to overcome them. Each time, we reinvented and renewed our economy, our people and our city, and we thrived again. And this is what we must keep on doing."



Giving an indication of what he will focus on at this year's National Day Rally on Aug 18, PM Lee said pre-school and tertiary education will be made more affordable, especially for lower-and middle-income families. The retirement and re-employment ages will be raised to help older Singaporeans who wish to work longer, he added.

While he did not give any forecast of growth figures for the year, he noted that the economy has slowed. Global demand and international trade have weakened, affecting Singapore's manufacturing sector and trade-related services.

"We have experienced such slowdowns before, and we will take this one in our stride," said PM Lee. "Should it become necessary to stimulate the economy, we will do so."

Singapore is making good progress in transforming its industries, and in its efforts to reskill and upgrade the workforce, he noted.

The technology and start-up scenes are flourishing, with agencies helping entrepreneurs and companies scale up and expand into the global market.

Meanwhile, the SkillsFuture scheme is helping Singaporeans to be more productive and prepared for new jobs that are being created. "All these structural measures will not only address our longer-term challenges, but also help see us through a more immediate downturn."



PM Lee pledged that the Government will keep on investing heavily in Singaporeans and help everyone achieve their potential and give their best to Singapore.

But he also stressed that this is a joint endeavour. "Each one of us must strive to improve ourselves, do our best and chase our dreams."

PM Lee compared Singapore to Jewel, saying the gleaming new complex shows how Singaporeans have the creativity and daring to reinvent themselves, as well as the passion and competence to turn dreams into reality. "As you might expect, other cities and airports are already planning to emulate Jewel, and perhaps do it bigger and better," he said. "But we dared to attempt the new, and we did it first."

Other projects to remake the city include Changi Terminal 5, Tuas Megaport and the Jurong Lake District, as well as the redevelopment of Paya Lebar Airbase and the Greater Southern Waterfront.

These will keep Singapore busy and create new opportunities for Singaporeans for decades to come, he said. But he added: "To stay in front of the pack, we must constantly come up with fresh ideas, always be ready to break new ground.

"What limits our possibilities is not the physical size of our island, but the ingenuity of our people and the boldness of our spirit."



In a spirited call to Singaporeans, he urged them to be as intrepid as the first settlers who arrived here from distant lands, and as tough as the earlier generations who endured war and occupation, rebuilding their lives afterwards.

"Let us be as resolute as the Pioneer Generation who fought for independence and founded our nation, and be as united as the Merdeka Generation, who took up the baton and brought Singapore from Third World to First.

"Let us continue to work together as one united people to thrive in an uncertain world, challenge ourselves to explore new horizons, and commit our hearts and souls to Singapore and its future," PM Lee said, wishing Singaporeans a happy National Day.

Singapore Convention: 46 countries sign UN mediation treaty named after Singapore; treaty takes effect 12 Sept 2020

PM Lee Hsien Loong hails signing of UN treaty as powerful statement in support of multilateralism
By Tham Yuen-C, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 8 Aug 2019

A landmark United Nations treaty that aims to promote the use of mediation in settling cross-border commercial disputes was signed by 46 countries yesterday, with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hailing it as a powerful statement in support of multilateralism.

The Singapore Convention on Mediation, the first UN treaty to be named after Singapore, provides a uniform international framework to enforce mediated agreements. Its aim is to give businesses more confidence in opting for mediation to resolve disputes, ultimately facilitating international trade.

"Today, a group of states have come together to recommit ourselves to multilateralism and to declare that we remain open for business, we are prepared to make binding commitments, and we are committed to preserve our relationships," said PM Lee.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat added last night: "The signing of the convention is a clear signal of our commitment to a rules-based international order."

Singapore was the first to put ink to paper yesterday, followed by some of the biggest economies in the world including the United States, China and India. Delegates from 70 countries gathered in Singapore for the historic occasion, which also saw an orchid named the "Aranda Singapore Convention on Mediation".

Speaking via video conference at the ceremony, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed PM Lee's remarks, saying the convention would contribute towards strengthening the rule of law and multilateralism.

Multilateralism has come under stress in recent years from growing inequality brought by globalisation.



PM Lee suggested multilateral institutions should be reformed and brought up to date as the alternative - a world without international rules, where might is right - disadvantages all. "Such a world would be especially challenging for countries like Singapore," he added.

PM Lee said the convention, drafted and negotiated by a working group chaired by a Singaporean, is the latest example of Singapore's commitment to the UN and the international community. "We may be a small country, with limited manpower and no natural resources, but nevertheless we do our best to contribute our part."

The Singapore Convention is seen as the missing third piece in the international dispute resolution enforcement framework.

Awards resulting from arbitration and court judgments are already enforceable across borders under other conventions. While mediation is a less costly and less adversarial option, it has been limited as resulting agreements are only contractually binding.



The Singapore Convention will give the process teeth, with signatory countries required to enforce mediated agreements in their courts.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs Stephen Mathias, who declared the treaty open for signature, said the convention would "bring legal certainty for fair settlement of disputes through mediation in the same way (the) New York Convention did for arbitration".

Senior advocate Sriram Panchu, who was instrumental in developing mediation as part of India's legal system, said it will also go some way towards creating a climate of confidence when businesses want to invest in a signatory country.

More than 100 delegations, including country representatives and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, had worked for three years on the treaty, which was named after Singapore in recognition of the key role Singaporeans played in the process. For the treaty to come into force, at least three countries have to sign and ratify it.



Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, describing the response to it so far as "astonishing", said Singapore is likely to ratify it fairly quickly. He added: "If it is signed up to by a large number of countries, and it is enforced by a large number of countries, then you can imagine mediation will become very attractive because it is now enforceable. That's why this 46 as a start is a flying start."

Padang and three bridges at Singapore River to be designated national monuments

Padang has witnessed many historic events and the bridges reflect nation's growth: DPM Heng
By Melody Zaccheus, Heritage and Community Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 4 Aug 2019

Singapore's de facto town square and the site of this year's National Day Parade, the Padang, as well as the Cavenagh, Anderson and Elgin bridges in the vicinity, will be gazetted as national monuments.

The Padang will be the first green, open space to join the Republic's stable of national monuments. Likewise, this will be the first time the National Heritage Board's (NHB) Preservation of Sites and Monuments (PSM) division is adding bridges to its list.

The gazetting of the two new monuments - the bridges will be protected as an ensemble - will bring the total number of national monuments in Singapore to 74. The move is part of the authorities' commemorative efforts for the Singapore Bicentennial. This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

The Padang is chock-full of history. Some evidence suggests that this was where negotiations between the British, Temenggong Abdul Rahman and Sultan Hussein Shah of Johor took place in the lead-up to the 1819 treaty that allowed the British East India Company to set up a trading post here.

DPM Heng said the Padang is a very special location and noted that the site has witnessed many historic events.

In 1959, when Singapore became a self-governing state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, who went on to become the first President of the Republic, Mr Yusof Ishak, was inaugurated at the Padang.

It was also where the National Coat of Arms of Singapore was launched, and, in 1966, the first National Day Parade was held.

He said: "So these are important events that mark our progress as a nation, and we are going to designate it as a national monument."

Ms Jean Wee, the director of NHB's PSM division, noted that the Padang has been a gathering point for the people of Singapore since the 1800s. During the colonial period, Chinese New Year, royal birthdays, jubilees and coronations, and occasionally Thaipusam were commemorated at the green space with displays of fireworks.

Going back further, the Padang was said to have been the site where Palembang Prince Sang Nila Utama spotted a beast, which led him to name Temasek as Singapura or Lion City.

A national monument gazette is the highest form of recognition for a structure or site's significance. Evaluation factors include its historical, architectural and social importance to Singapore's built heritage. The Padang, which is state land, is approximately 4.3ha - about the size of five football fields. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) currently has guidelines on the site's usage to ensure its protection.

New $20 note to commemorate Singapore's Bicentennial; available for public exchange from 10 June 2019

President Halimah launches commemorative $20 notes to mark bicentennial year
By Yuen Sin, The Straits Times, 6 Jun 2019

A new $20 note that features Singapore's pioneers such as philanthropist Tan Kah Kee and scholar and writer Munshi Abdullah was launched by President Halimah Yacob at the Istana's Hari Raya Puasa open house yesterday.

The commemorative note, issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to mark Singapore's bicentennial year, depicts the journey to nationhood.

The $20 commemorative note features a portrait of Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak on the front, as well as two national monuments - the former Supreme Court and City Hall - which now make up the National Gallery Singapore.

The monuments witnessed key events such as the swearing-in of the state government in 1963 and Singapore's first National Day Parade in 1966, said MAS.

The back of the note features eight individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds who made significant contributions to nation building in various fields such as education, culture, social work, sports and defence.

The portraits of these pioneers are placed against a "then and now" image of the Singapore River, which depicts the old Singapore River flowing into the present-day river - a symbol of Singapore's development as a trading port and subsequent transformation into a business and financial hub.

"We've been able to achieve so much primarily because we all stood together and fought as one on all fronts. For us to be able to leapfrog and seek quantum leaps of growth and development, we need to have the same spirit of unity and togetherness," Madam Halimah told reporters yesterday.

MAS' assistant managing director of finance, risk and currency Bernard Wee added that the $20 denomination was used instead of $200 so that it would be more affordable for Singaporeans.



Munshi is regarded as the founder of modern Malay literature and was Stamford Raffles' secretary, interpreter and Malay tutor, while Tan was a community leader who helped set up schools such as Tao Nan School and Ai Tong School.

The other individuals featured are:

• British botanist Henry Nicholas Ridley, the first director of the Singapore Botanic Gardens from 1888 to 1911;

• Philanthropist P. Govindasamy Pillai, who contributed to temple building and community welfare;

• Prominent social worker Teresa Hsu, who founded the Home for the Aged Sick and devoted her life to helping the poor and destitute;

• Alice Pennefather, a badminton and tennis champion who won titles at the Singapore National Badminton Championships and Singapore Ladies Tennis Championship;

• Adnan Saidi, a lieutenant who led the Malay Regiment in a valiant defence of Bukit Chandu during the Japanese invasion in 1942; and

• Ruth Wong, a pioneering educator who was the first director of the Institute of Education, now the National Institute of Education.