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Singapore's stability a key strength amid changing world, says Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s stability puts it ahead of the chasing pack amid a world in flux, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Feb 9), as he called on Singaporeans to “send a positive signal to the world” about its competitive advantage as the nation undergoes a political leadership transition.

From left: Past and present Tanjong Pagar GRC MPs Koo Tsai Kee, Melvin Yong, Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing, Joan Pereira, Chia Shi-Lu and Sam Tan.

From left: Past and present Tanjong Pagar GRC MPs Koo Tsai Kee, Melvin Yong, Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing, Joan Pereira, Chia Shi-Lu and Sam Tan.

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SINGAPORE — Singapore’s stability puts it ahead of the chasing pack amid a world in flux, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Feb 9), as he called on Singaporeans to “send a positive signal to the world” about its competitive advantage as the nation undergoes a political leadership transition.

Speaking to residents of Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru at a Chinese New Year dinner, Mr Chan reiterated that Singapore’s stability has been instrumental to its success and a reason why foreign investors are attracted to the Republic.

“As we prepare for the leadership transition in the coming years, we will need to send a positive signal to the world about our stability, our cohesion and our progressiveness so that we can continue to inspire confidence in all investors to want to invest in Singapore, to create good jobs for our people,” he said.

Mr Chan, who is a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency, is widely expected to be named Deputy Prime Minister in the next Cabinet reshuffle, as he and other members of the fourth generation of Singapore’s political leaders assume bigger roles in Government.

In his speech, he also called on Singaporeans to remain united and cohesive given the instabilities in other parts of the world.

STRONG LEADERS NEEDED

Besides stability, Mr Chan said Singapore needs strong and committed leaders who can make bold decisions in the best interests of the country.

“When we encounter challenges and problems, we will double down and put things right, never shirking from our responsibilities to each other or to our country,” he said.

“As a people and Government, we must never be complacent to let our system slacken or become mediocre… Instead, each and every day of our lives we must constantly think of how we can continue to improve on the system that we already have no matter how good we think they are.”

Mr Chan also touched on the Merdeka Generation package that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveiled at last year’s National Day Rally.

Mr Chan noted that the package “will be different” from that for the Pioneer Generation, which was for Singaporeans born before 1949.

He said that there will be two significant elements to the package, one that addresses their healthcare needs, and the other to help them live an active and healthy lifestyle.

Last Saturday, Mr Lee said that the package would be a “substantial” one, which will go some way to help 500,000 Singaporeans from the Merdeka Generation — those born in the 1950s — with their healthcare needs.

Mr Chan also said that the Merdeka Generation package will not be funded by the impending hike in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 7 per cent to 9 per cent, which was announced in last year’s Budget.

“If we decide to have the Merdeka Generation package in this term of government, it is the responsibility of this term of government to harness its resources, to put them into a fund to make sure that this burden is not passed on to the next government or future governments,” he added.

“So rest assured. The 2 per cent GST (increase) is not the one that is funding the Merdeka Generation package. In fact we have to put aside the money during this term of government to fund the Merdeka Generation package, just as how we put aside money in the last term of government to fund the Pioneer Generation package.”

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