S’pore to remain a place ‘where children can chase rainbows’: President
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — The Republic needs to renew its economy so that it remains a place “where our children can chase rainbows and fulfil aspirations”, said President Tony Tan this evening (Jan 15) as he laid out the direction for the Government in its coming term.
Singaporeans, however, cannot expect an easy journey ahead, “whether it is the next five or fifty years”, Dr Tan said.
“Upgrading will entail restructuring. There will be winners and losers among companies, with some painful dislocation, but economic progress will ultimately benefit all Singaporeans.” said Dr Tan, adding that the Committee on the Future Economy will develop strategies to “ensure that Singapore remains relevant and competitive”.
While Singapore is in a stronger position compared to half a century ago, the fundamental realities remain unchanged. “We remain a small country with no natural resources apart from our people. We earn a living only because we are useful to the rest of the world. And in a world where size and power still matter, Singapore thrives only because it safeguards its interests,” he said.
Singapore must upgrade its maturing economy to sustain growth, given the land and labour constraints and amid more severe global competition, Dr Tan said. Noting the challenges of an ageing population and an increasingly diverse society — not only in terms of race and religion, but also in interests and perspectives — Dr Tan said Singaporeans “must first resolve to move ahead together” in order to remain special.
“We must have a shared understanding of what unites and binds us to one another. That is why in the last term the Government held Our Singapore Conversation, so that Singaporeans could share their hopes and aspirations with one another,” he said.
“That is also why we paid tribute to our pioneers through the Pioneer Generation Package. It was because of our pioneers’ determination to build a multi-racial society, their ruggedness and their willingness to sacrifice, that we, their children, enjoy better lives. The tribute to the Pioneer Generation reminded us of our founding values, and set the tone for SG50.”
Looking back on the previous term of Government, Dr Tan said that its programmes “reflected our commitment to move forward together”.
“We strove to leave no one behind, even as we created opportunities for all. We dealt with pressing concerns in housing, healthcare, transport and population,” he said. “Our lives improved tangibly: 81,000 families received keys to new HDB homes; there were 760 more buses on the roads; and we added 40 new stations to our rail network.”
Citing MediShield Life and the Silver Support scheme, Dr Tan noted that the Government also made major shifts in social policy. Investments in infrastructure — including the building of two terminals at Changi Aiport, and more hospitals and polyclinics — have also been made to transform the country, he said. “But the work of securing this nation and improving our lives is never-ending. We must continually adjust our programmes and politics to ensure that Singapore keeps on an upward path.”
Dr Tan also spoke about pressing on with a caring society that is sustainable over the long term. Member of Parliament Tin Pei Ling said after the address: "It's important that the President (spoke) about a caring society - you can't imagine living in a cold society. It all starts with an act as simple as extending your hand to the neighbour next door."
