4G leaders tasked with growing S’pore’s economy, ensuring social mobility and cohesion: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — Unlike the reopening of past Parliament sessions, the Government has set out “a broader vision, a longer term agenda” in this year’s President’s Address as Singapore reaches a turning point, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday (May 16).

It also comes at a time when the world situation is very uncertain. Singapore will also enter a new phase of its social and economic development, while a new generation born after independence with different views and aspirations will be coming to the fore, he noted.

In a wide-ranging speech delivered on the third day of the Parliamentary debate on the President’s Address, Mr Lee said that the fourth-generation (4G) leaders – who were tasked with drafting the address – will have to fulfill the list of tasks set out in the agenda, and continue beyond his time as prime minister.

These include coping with external changes, growing the economy, ensuring social mobility, maintaining social cohesion, and ensuring good politics and leadership, noted Mr Lee.

He added that while the prime minister is ultimately responsible for the Government’s agenda, his main role is “to be supportive, to help the 4G ministers present and implement the agenda”, and to see it through as much as possible.

GOOD RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS

As a small and open country, Singapore will always be vulnerable to what happens around it. It has to be aware and be prepared for changes and surprises, said Mr Lee.

Global order, which is based on openness, globalisation and free trade, is under great pressure, he added. Relations between big powers, particularly between the United States and China, the US and Russia, are under stress. If the institutions and international rules that underpin world peace and security change, “there will be significant long-term implications for Singapore”, noted Mr Lee.

Singapore also has to pay close attention to its relationship with its closest neighbour Malaysia after the “momentous development” in their recent election which saw the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition led by former PM Mahathir Mohamad defeating the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

Another neighbour, Indonesia, is holding local elections this year before the national elections in 2019. Mr Lee stressed that Singapore will work hard on relations with both neighbours “regardless of political cycles or election outcomes”.

"Their success makes for a more peaceful and prosperous region, and that is good for us," said Mr Lee.

GROWING ECONOMY A TOP PRIORITY

Singapore is in a strong position today because its economy has grown steadily for the past 50 years and more, said Mr Lee. However, growth forecast has moderated to 2 to 4 per cent as the nation has become more developed, leading to anxiety among some people.

Mr Lee said that this is just an estimate based on Singapore’s current stage of economic development, and that the numbers are “quite good for a mature economy”.

He stressed that the estimate should not limit the nation’s efforts or ambitions, and that Singapore is pushing ahead with economic upgrading.

These efforts include building up Singapore’s own tech sector and linking it with those in the region to developing frontier technologies in artificial intelligence, fintech, and advanced manufacturing.

But growth alone is not enough, and social networks must remain open and permeable so others with talent and ability can rise to the top, he said.

SOCIAL MOBILITY & COHESION

There needs to be social mobility, where Singapore society can “maintain an informal and egalitarian tone”, where people can interact freely and comfortably as equals with no rigid class distinctions or barriers.

Mr Lee said Singapore should also be “successful together”. Beyond race, language and religion, Singapore must work at building bridges between different groups in society, namely the unions and management, as well as old and new citizens.

This means getting the Labour Movement to embrace workers who are traditionally not covered by trade unions such as freelancers and professionals, adopt their concerns and be more inclusive.

While immigrants, who are part and parcel of Singapore’s history and identity, will have to contribute and make every effort to mix, Singaporeans should also welcome them.

GOOD LEADERSHIP

Mr Lee also noted that every generation will need new leaders to tackle its own challenges and make tough choices.

Both the ruling and opposition parties are undergoing leadership transition, but he noted that the longevity of the parties depends on whether they can renew itself, continue to serve people and bring progress to the nation.

On leadership succession, Mr Lee said that there is more than one qualified candidate to succeed him, but he stressed that it is as important, if not more important for leaders to work as a team for the country to succeed.

He added: “In many other countries, political leaders plan only up to the next election or next crisis. But in Singapore, we are able to think beyond the immediate and ourselves, we care about our community, our country and our future.”

MAKE S’PORE INCLUSIVE: MPs

On Wednesday, several Members of Parliament (MPs) continued the debate from the Parliament’s earlier session this week, as they raised concerns on recurring issues such as the rising cost of living, women in workforce, and social cohesion.

On social inclusion, Mr Gan Thiam Poh, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, pointed to the example of condominiums, as he said they do not allow non-residents to share the facilities within the estate. However, there are condominium residents who use the communal halls at Housing and Development Board estates for private functions such as a wake.

He said that this a barrier that has “divided both worlds apart”, and warrants a “rethink of the potential impact on the efforts to build a cohesive and inclusive society”.

Speaking on education, MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua noted that Singapore is ranked first in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s 2015 programme for international student assessment (Pisa). But she said that such a scorecard is only a “test of the skills and knowledge of 15-year-olds who have a whole life ahead of them”. 

She added that there "should be other data points to measure if we are doing right in developing every Singaporean to his/her fullest potential, and nurturing life long learners for the future”. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY ANGELA TENG