Everything About PM Lawrence Wong’s First National Day Message as PM Summarised for You

Lest you’re not aware, our Prime Minister will give a National Day Message before National Day, and a National Day Rally after National Day.

You can think of the National Day Message as a “preview” of the National Day Rally, whereby the Prime Minister will announce some new initiatives or policy.

For example, last year, a S$7 billion Majulah Package for young seniors, Pioneer and Merdeka generations was announced, and most importantly, then PM Lee also announced changes to HDB flat categorisation.

Today (8 August 2024), PM Wong gave his first National Day Message as Prime Minister, and here’s what the “preview” is all about.

Everything About PM Lawrence Wong’s First National Day Message as PM Summarised for You

For a start, PM Wong pledged increased support for families and assistance for Singaporeans facing employment setbacks

He said that at the National Day Rally on 18 August, he will present strategies to enhance social safety nets. His three main approaches to advance Singapore include creating new opportunities, stabilizing living costs, and bolstering social support systems.

Speaking from Sri Temasek at the Istana, PM Wong reflected on the challenges faced by founding PM Lee Kuan Yew on the night before Singapore’s independence in 1965. He mentioned his current concerns, such as global conflicts, US-China tensions, rising populism, and economic protectionism, which shape the nation’s environment.

Singapore, despite its global acclaim, cannot rely solely on past methods. The nation must act with agility, foresight, and courage, seeking new solutions and forging its own path forward.

A key strategy is enhancing social support to help those struggling with rapid changes. PM Wong highlighted the need for more assistance for the aging population and those caring for both children and elderly parents.

The government is investing in social infrastructure, boosting retirement adequacy, and improving pay for lower-wage workers. Initiatives like Healthier SG aim to better care for seniors.

Singapore is also focusing on innovation and massive infrastructure projects like Changi Airport Terminal 5 and Tuas Port to strengthen its global logistics hub status. These efforts are paying off, with multinational companies like Pfizer, Hyundai, GlobalFoundries, and Maersk expanding their presence in Singapore, creating new job opportunities.

To prepare workers for future jobs, the government will utilize the SkillsFuture program and collaborate with NTUC and employers.

Additionally, PM Wong committed to stabilizing living costs, acknowledging inflation as a significant concern. The government has mitigated global inflation impacts by maintaining a strong Singapore dollar and plans to continue supporting lower- and middle-income groups with measures like CDC vouchers, cash payouts, and utility rebates.

You can watch a summary of the support here:

On housing affordability, PM Wong noted that cooling measures and increased HDB flat supply have stabilized the property market. The new Standard, Plus, and Prime framework, announced during the last National Day Message, will offer greater subsidies for flats in prime locations, making them more affordable.

He also emphasized the importance of individual and community efforts alongside government actions. He encouraged hard work and mutual support to maintain a cohesive and resilient society.

Forward Singapore, indeed.

Concluding his message, PM Wong then acknowledged the formidable challenges ahead but expressed confidence in Singapore’s ability to overcome them and progress together.

So yes: no many details about what’s coming is revealed.

Guess you’d just have to catch the National Day Rally on 18 August then.

You can watch the entire National Day Message here: