TodayOnline-Aug 9
While the Republic’s economy continues to expand steadily, and productivity and incomes are on the rise, external conditions could pose a threat to the country’s growth and prosperity, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
But regardless of the uncertainties caused by global trade tensions and the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Government wants the country to do as well as possible, said Mr Lee in his National Day message released on Wednesday (Aug 8).
“In the meantime, we are strengthening Singapore’s resilience and creating new opportunities,” he said. “In the last few years, the Government has been reviewing major education, healthcare and housing policies. We are making changes to improve the lives of Singaporeans, strengthen social safety nets and build a more cohesive nation.”
Mr Lee also acknowledged public concerns over the cost of living, citing education, healthcare and housing as the three “significant items” which Singaporeans fret about.
The Government has been keeping these key public services affordable and of high quality “for all Singaporeans, rich or poor”.
“This is how we have helped families to manage their cost of living and given an extra hand to those who need it. For more than five decades, this approach has worked well,” Mr Lee said.
In recent years, Singapore’s economy has grown steadily, to the tune of 3 per cent to 3.5 per cent, he noted. With productivity and incomes on the up, “Singaporeans enjoy a good quality of life, better than many others in the world”, Mr Lee reiterated.
This year’s National Day message was recorded at Kampung Admiralty, and Mr Lee held up the “public housing innovation” as an example of the Government’s efforts to transform education, healthcare and housing to improve the lives of Singaporeans.
The integrated housing estate designed for seniors features flats with built-in features, such as grab bars and non-slip tiles for the safety and comfort of elders. It also has amenities such as a medical centre, childcare centre, a hawker centre and a community garden.
“Here, our education, healthcare and housing policies come together for the residents in a tangible and holistic way,” said Mr Lee.
As the society ages, Kampung Admiralty serves as a model for future public housing, as it encourages residents and their families to rally to build a community. The Housing and Development Board will continue to foster other innovative housing concepts for the young and old, “so that future generations can also own their homes and live comfortably and happily in their neighbourhoods”, Mr Lee said.
CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON
On the external environment, Mr Lee, however, struck a more somber note.
In the past year, trade tensions have worsened seriously between the world’s major economies, denting global trade, investments and business confidence, he noted.
“Singapore’s own growth and prosperity will be affected, too,” said Mr Lee.
There are wider implications for regional and international security, which are at risk as trade conflicts also erode trust between the major powers. This hinders their co-operation on other key issues, he added.
Last month, the United States imposed hefty tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese imports, sparking a tit-for-tat trade war with Beijing.
Under America’s latest tariff list, which targets nearly 280 imported Chinese product lines, about US$50 billion (S$68.15 billion) worth of Chinese imports face a 25 per cent tariff.
On the Korean Peninsula, Mr Lee said many challenges remain before denuclearisation and peace can be achieved.
This is despite Singapore’s successful hosting of the historic summit in June between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, which has eased tensions, Mr Lee noted.
The landmark meeting culminated in Mr Kim committing to work towards denuclearisation, but North Korea has offered no details of how it may go about this.
At a regional forum in Singapore over the weekend, Washington pressed South-east Asian nations to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it abandons its nuclear-weapons programme. Pyongyang, in turn, expressed alarm at the US’ intentions — underscoring the hurdles that have long stood in the way of efforts to end North Korea’s nuclear build-up.
Closer to the Republic’s shores, Malaysia has a new government at the helm, led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, after a watershed election in May.
Mr Lee said Singapore will strive for good relations with its closest neighbour “based on mutual benefit and respect”.
Points of contention have surfaced since Dr Mahathir’s government took power, with the authorities in Malaysia raising the prospect of scrapping or postponing a high-speed rail link stitching Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and reviewing a longstanding water deal.
Elsewhere, Indonesia will hold its presidential election next year, and Mr Lee said Singapore will continue to work with Indonesia to advance their wide-ranging co-operation.
Mr Lee said the Government was casting a close eye on these external developments. As chair of the Association of South-east Asian Nations this year, Singapore also hopes to further its co-operation with its partners in the regional grouping, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, he added.
But “whatever the external circumstances”, the Government wants the country to “do the best we can”, said Mr Lee. Ultimately, present-day Singapore is a nation of opportunities because each generation has built on the foundations laid by those preceding them, he said.
This has allowed all to pursue their passions, excel in various fields and strive to “create a better tomorrow”. “Now, it’s our generation’s turn to build on what we have inherited and make our own contribution to the nation,” he added.
Moving ahead, the work of building Singapore through the next five decades will be a “massive, long-term” undertaking straddling generations. To achieve this, the country will need not only a strong economy and sound government finances. “Most importantly, we need social cohesion, political stability and good government for many years to come, in order to carry out and realize our vision,” he said.
