8 things to know about PM Lee Hsien Loong's speech
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 18), discussed the challenges facing Singapore and the steps that the Government will take to renew the city for the next century.
In Singapore's bicentennial year, he called on Singaporeans to carry the grit and resolve of their forefathers in tackling difficulties ahead, such as a slowing economy, trade tensions between the United States and China, and climate change.
Here are eight things to know from his speech:
- GOVERNMENT TO 'PROMPTLY RESPOND' IF ECONOMIC SITUATION WORSENS
- MAKING PRE-SCHOOL MORE AFFORDABLE - JUST LIKE PUBLIC HOUSING
- TERTIARY FEES TO GO DOWN, GOVERNMENT BURSARIES TO BE ENHANCED
- RAISING RETIREMENT AND RE-EMPLOYMENT AGES FROM 2022
- INCREASING CPF CONTRIBUTION RATES FOR OLDER WORKERS
- PREPARING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND RISING SEA LEVELS
- BUILDING 'PUNGGOL BY THE BAY'
- DEVELOPING PULAU BRANI
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From retirement age to climate change, here are 9 things you need to know
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveiled plans to raise the retirement age and re-employment age by 2030, and to increase CPF contributions for older workers in the National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 18).
He also announced measures to make education affordable - from pre-schoolers to students in tertiary institutions. Mr Lee touched on current global issues as well, such as climate change and the US-China trade tensions, and how they affect Singapore.
Here are the main takeaways from his speech:
- RETIREMENT AGE TO INCREASE TO 65 BY 2030
- HIGHER CPF CONTRIBUTIONS
- REDUCED UNIVERSITY, POLYTECHNIC FEES FOR LOWER-INCOME STUDENTS
- MORE PRE-SCHOOL SUBSIDIES
- “GRAVE” CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
- SO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
- ANOTHER UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SINGAPORE?
- SINGAPORE APPROACH TO US-CHINA TENSIONS "PRINCIPLED"
- MALAYS IN SINGAPORE HAVE "UNIQUE IDENTITY"
PM Lee’s National Day Rally 2019 summarised into 16 things
But amid concerns over a possible recession, and speculation of an upcoming general election, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong instead chose to focus on the long term.
After mentioning the past by referencing Singapore’s ongoing Bicentennial commemoration, PM Lee unveiled his plans for “renewing the city for the next century”, in terms of both its infrastructure and the people.
The much-speculated announcement on changes to retirement ages was made, but climate change and education were also emphasised in his 2019 address:
- Education
- Financial support for preschool
- Preschool should be treated like housing and healthcare
- More financial support for tertiary education
- More support for medical students
- Schools should set up their own bursaries
- Workers living longer, highest life expectancy
- Both employers and employees need to help seniors work productively
- Raising retirement and re-employment age, along with CPF contributions
- Gradual increases in retirement age
- Increase CPF contributions for older workers
- CPF withdrawal policy to remain unchanged
- Singapore’s “gravest” threat
- Treat climate change defences like how we treat SAF
- Redeveloping and revitalising the Greater Southern Waterfront area
- Looking back and looking forward
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National Day Rally 2019: The cheat sheet
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a slew of announcements related to climate change, education and older workers at the National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 18). He also spoke about the economy and how the ongoing tensions between the United States and China could have an impact on how Singaporeans live and travel.
Here’s all you need to know about the three speeches he delivered:
- A major focus of Mr Lee’s English speech was the challenge posed by climate change and, in particular, rising sea levels to Singapore’s existence.
- Mr Lee also outlined the steps that the Government has already taken in recent years to prepare Singapore for the effects of climate change, and what it plans to do next.
- In a widely anticipated move, Mr Lee announced that the retirement age will be raised from 62 to 65, while the re-employment age will be raised from 67 to 70.
- To make preschool fees affordable for more Singaporean households, Mr Lee said the Government will raise the income ceiling for those seeking extra subsidies to S$12,000 next year, from S$7,500 now.
- Higher education will be made cheaper for Singaporeans, especially those from lower-income households.
- Pulau Brani, now home to a port terminal, will be redeveloped to host new attractions similar to Universal Studios on Sentosa, Mr Lee said, as the Greater Southern Waterfront will be rebuilt and revitalised with more housing, office space and lifestyle areas.
- The trade war between the United States and China could result in Singapore having to decide which telecommunications system to install and Singaporeans needing to carry multiple phones overseas, Mr Lee noted.
- Mr Lee acknowledged that the Singapore economy has been slowing down, but said that the current situation does not warrant immediate stimulus measures.
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Singapore PM outlines priorities for government agenda during National Day Rally
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveiled here Sunday evening a slew of initiatives to enhance people's welfare and better protect the environment amid global economic uncertainties.
Speaking at the country's National Day Rally which is regarded as the most important political speech of the year, he noted that while Singapore's current economic slowdown has also been affected by a weakening global demand and international trade, there is no need for immediate economic stimulus measures yet.
During the rally held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central, Lee added that the Singapore government is ready to step in promptly if the situation worsens.
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Bertha Henson: Open letter to PM Lee
Dear Prime Minister, I was at the Jewel at Changi Airport today and until you mentioned it in your speech, I had forgotten that you had spoken about this several National Day rallies ago. I usually switch off when you talk about infrastructural changes; you almost always refer to one project or another in every NDR. It makes me think of you as a property developer more than a PM!
But I was at the Jewel today…
It was a magnificent structure and that indoor waterfall-cum-forest concept was simply breathtaking. Like most malls, the place was filled with eating outlets and I am glad that most aren’t priced out of reach of the ordinary person. Stores are varied. Everything was well laid out. And thankfully, the crowd had thinned considerably since Jewel opened a few months ago. Yes, you delivered on what you promised. (But can cut ticket price for canopy walk or not?)
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Follow ST’s live coverage of PM Lee’s speech from 6.45pm on Aug 18
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will deliver the annual National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 18) at the Institute of Technical Education College Central campus in Ang Mo Kio.
This will be his 16th time giving the rally speech, which is widely viewed as the most important political speech of the year, where the Prime Minister outlines the Government's upcoming plans and priorities.
He will speak in Malay and Mandarin from 6.45pm to 7.30pm, and in English from 8.15pm to 9.30pm.
related: PM Lee to discuss climate change in National Day Rally speech
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PM Lee to talk about Singapore's response to climate change at National Day Rally
Stressing Singapore’s vulnerability to rising sea levels, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday (Aug 15) that he will be talking about Singapore’s response to climate change in his National Day Rally this coming Sunday.
Touching on a subject that he had raised in his recent National Day message, Mr Lee said in a Facebook post: “We must treat climate change very seriously. As a low-lying island, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.”
In his post, Mr Lee cited a BBC News article that he said gives a “sobering analysis” of how temperatures in 1,000 cities around the world have increased since 1900.
related: National Day Rally 2019 - Catch it here
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Joseph Nathan - Hard Truths of SG 19 hrs
WILL THE HARDSHIP, CONCERNS AND GRIEVANCES FACED BY SINGAPOREANS BE ADDRESSED HOLISTICALLY IN RALLY 2019?
When news broke that PM Lee Hsien Loong will be talking about climate change in his National Day Rally speech this Sunday, some Singaporeans were quite frustrated by the importance he is placing on climate change while others see him using this as an excuse to be imposing some form of Carbon Tax to pay for the expected increase in spending on public infrastructure.
Implication of the PAP’s 10-Million Population Policy:
Beyond these valid concerns which I hope PM Lee will be addressing, I think he should also address the implication of his 10-Million Population Policy, and let us know in specific term how he and his 4G team are going to address the increase in pollution and expected tension, the additional 210,000 metric tons of load that the additional 4.2-million people has on some part of the island where the foundation is largely make up of marine clay, and how our health and well being are being implicated by these changes.
If the health and well being of Singaporeans are going to be gravely impacted by a more stressful living and working environment, then I think we should be concerned as Singapore may literally end up being the Sick Man of Asia with this highly contentious population policy.
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Brad Bowyer shared a post. 9 hrs
One of the two articles I mentioned in Daily Brad episode 13. Well worth the read.
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National Day Rally 2019 to be held on Aug 18
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will deliver the National Day Rally speech on Aug 18 this year, said the Prime Minister's Office on Monday (Mar 11). It will take place at the Institute of Technical Education in Ang Mo Kio, the same venue as last year.
The speech is seen as the most important political speech of the year.
Last year, Mr Lee devoted a large part of his speech to housing concerns, and announced two major schemes to renew Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. He also announced the Merdeka Generation Package, which will help Singaporeans born in the 1950s with healthcare costs.
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PM Lee Hsien Loong delivers 2019 National Day message
Lee Kuan Yew: I WILL GET UP!
