‘Strategic shift’ in nation-building needed: PM Lee

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (Aug 18) said Singapore must now make a “strategic shift” in its approach to nation-building, as the country reaches a “turning point”.

Elaborating on the changing roles between the individual, the community and the State, Mr Lee said that the balance must shift such that the Government and community do more to support individuals.

He acknowledged that it is “not enough” to rely on individual efforts, especially among the vulnerable like the low-income families and the elderly.

He noted that Singaporeans are “feeling uncertain and anxious”, with technology and globalisation widening income gaps.

While the community must take more initiative to organise and mobilise itself, the Government, on its part, will do more to support individuals and community, said Mr Lee, speaking at the National Day Rally.

The Government, he noted, has created conditions for a vibrant economy and good jobs, investing heavily in its people but kept state welfare low and targeted, stringent. “Some people call this tough love, but its tough love which has worked well. Today, the situation has changed,” said Mr Lee.

So amid a time of rapid change and uncertainty, the Government will make three important shifts, he said.

It will do more to give every citizen a fair share in the nation’s success by raising incomes and wealth of the low income, such as through home ownership. The Government will also strengthen social safety nets to assure citizens that “whatever happens to you, you can get the essential social services that you need”, especially healthcare, he said.

The third shift, said Mr Lee, is that the Government will do more to keep paths open upwards for all. This entails brining every child to a “good starting point” and to ensure the less privileged are not shut out.

“The Government must intervene more to keep ours a fair and just society,” said Mr Lee.