Singapore 59th National Day 9 Aug 2024
A show of unity, as the Padang lights up for 59th National Day Parade
Hands on their hearts, they stood and pledged themselves as one united people, while around them the lights shone in the city they had helped to build for their nation, 59 years young.
Their voices capped a night of pomp, spectacle and tradition, of hard work and creativity, as Singaporeans celebrated how far they had come together, regardless of race, language or religion.
Joining the audience of 27,000 who had gathered at the Padang were President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, attending the National Day Parade (NDP) for the first time in their new roles. Some 7,500 others enjoyed the ceremony nearby at The Promontory @ Marina Bay, with official festivities spilling over to the open space near the Marina Bay Financial Centre for the first time.
Singapore's National Day Parade 2024 at the Padang
Despite an earlier downpour, the National Day Parade at the Padang kicked off as planned on Friday (Aug 9) to celebrate Singapore's 59th year of independence.
About 27,000 spectators, dressed in red and white, were treated to a visual spectacle that included the Red Lions' skydiving performance and the Total Defence segment featuring new military hardware.
Here are the highlights, with our reporters and visual journalists out and about to capture key moments of the parade.
27,000 brave the rain, humidity to commemorate Singapore’s 59th birthday
As the night drew to a close, the audience were treated to a 360-degree fireworks experience
Undeterred by early evening showers and high humidity, about 27,000 spectators filled the stands at the Padang to witness the National Day Parade (NDP), celebrating Singapore’s 59th birthday.
This year’s parade is the first attended by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (who was sworn into office in September 2023) and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (who assumed office in May 2024) in their new capacities as head of state and head of government, respectively.
The pre-parade segment – with musical and dance performances, athletics displays and carnival floats – was concluded by the arrival of the Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team (the Red Lions) landing in the Padang.
Singapore sees challenges amid ‘vicious turn’ in world politics
Singapore’s leader warned of challenges ahead as politics in many countries take a “vicious turn.”
“Across the world, we face growing populism, economic nationalism and protectionism,” Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his first National Day message since taking on the role in May.
He pointed to conflicts in Europe and the Middle East as well as increasing tensions between the US and China. “These are powerful forces that shape our operating environment,” Wong said. “They are what keep me awake at night.”
Efforts to keep cost of living stable to continue amid expected rise in wages this year: PM Wong
Even as wages are expected to rise this year with higher economic growth, efforts are still being made to keep the cost of living here stable, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his maiden National Day Message on Thursday (Aug 8). Support will be enhanced for families under the Forward Singapore initiative and to help Singaporeans bounce back stronger from employment setbacks.
He said he will share some ideas to achieve these aims at the National Day Rally on Aug 18. Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister, noted that inflation is a major concern for Singapore and many other countries, and that rising prices impact the daily expenses of Singaporeans.
“We cannot control global prices. But we can and have shielded Singaporeans from the worst effects of global inflation by keeping the Singapore dollar strong,” said Mr Wong, on the eve of the nation’s 59th birthday. The message was recorded at Sri Temasek on the Istana grounds, where Mr Wong’s office is temporarily located due to ongoing renovation in the main Istana building.
More support for families, help for Singaporeans facing employment setbacks: PM Wong
Families will get more support, and help will be given to Singaporeans who have met with setbacks in employment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Aug 8 as he set out how the Government intends to work with the people to build a better Singapore.
PM Wong said he will share plans to boost social safety nets at the National Day Rally, which will be held on Aug 18. In his first National Day message, PM Wong outlined three strategies to take Singapore forward: Forging new opportunities for the people, redoubling efforts to keep the cost of living stable and strengthening the system of social support. Addressing the nation in front of Sri Temasek within the Istana grounds, he said the two-storey bungalow – where his temporary office is while the main building is renovated – was where founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and his family spent the night of Aug 8, 1965.
Mr Lee had tossed and turned that night before Singapore’s formal separation from Malaysia and independence, consumed with worry over how to build a nation from scratch. What keeps PM Wong awake at night are the challenges brought by developments such as the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, tensions between the United States and China, growing populism, economic nationalism and protectionism across the world, and politics turning vicious in many countries. “These are powerful forces that shape our operating environment,” said Singapore’s fourth prime minister.
Even as a developed economy, Singapore must still pursue growth and upgrading: PM Wong
The government will forge new opportunities for Singaporeans, redouble efforts to keep the cost of living stable, and strengthen the social support system, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his first National Day Message on Thursday (Aug 8). In a pre-recorded message taped at the Istana, he said that a developed economy like Singapore cannot expect to grow as rapidly as before. Even so, there is still a need to pursue economic growth and upgrading, through innovation and productivity. And this, said PM Wong, is why the government is investing in research and development as well as new technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
Major infrastructure projects are also in the works, he said, citing examples such as Changi Airport Terminal 5 and the Tuas Port, to “sharpen our competitive edge” as a global logistics hub. “These strategies are working,” said the prime minister, adding that he has met with the chief executives of many multinationals in recent weeks, who have all expressed confidence in Singapore. “In a fractured and troubled world, they see Singapore as a stable, trusted and reliable base to expand and grow their operations in Asia,” he said.
PM Wong said that many global brands across different industries have opened new facilities in Singapore, among them Pfizer, Hyundai, GlobalFoundries and Maersk. BioNTech will soon open a mRNA manufacturing facility here, which would be the German biotechnology giant’s first such facility in the Asia-Pacific region. While he pointed out that these investments will propel the economy forward and create new jobs for Singaporeans, PM Wong said these will be different jobs from what people are used to, as they demand new capabilities.
Singapore's Max Maeder wins kitefoiling bronze medal on Olympic debut
Maximilian Maeder celebrates after winning bronze at the Paris Olympics
At the Marseille Marina today (Aug 9), four riders — Maeder, Slovenia's Toni Vodisek, Austria's Valentin Bontus and Italy's Riccardo Pianosi — raced for podium finishes.
The final, which started on Thursday, was postponed due to wind conditions. He is Singapore's youngest Olympic medalist, at 17 years old.
PM Wong to deliver his first National Day Rally speech on Aug 18
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his first National Day Rally speech on Aug 18 at the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his first National Day Rally (NDR) speech on Aug 18. The Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement on July 10, said the rally will be held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central in Ang Mo Kio. PM Wong, 51, was sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15.
The NDR is a key event in the Singapore political calendar. In 2023, then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his last NDR, announced the $7 billion Majulah Package to help “young seniors” in their 50s and 60s meet their retirement needs.
He also spoke about major housing developments that were to be rolled out, including a new classification scheme for Build-To-Order flats, more public housing options for singles aged 35 years and above and senior-friendly upgrades to existing HDB estates.
PM Lawrence Wong’s first National Day Rally speech in English
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver his first National Day Rally speech in English on Sunday (Aug 18), 8pm, at the Institute of Technical Education Headquarters in Ang Mo Kio.
