2024 marked a pivotal year for Singapore as Mr Lawrence Wong delivered his first National Day message as the nation’s fourth Prime Minister. Following his ascension to office in May, PM Wong’s speech introduced “bold but necessary”[1] policies designed to fortify Singapore’s social compact in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. His speeches, delivered in English, Malay, and Mandarin, each touched on different aspects of this vision for Singapore’s future, though some elements stood out more strongly in certain languages.
Geopolitical Tensions and Economic Realities
Singapore is not insulated from the challenges of a volatile global landscape that is rapidly changing. Beyond United States-China tensions mentioned in PM Wong’s speech, other conflicts have gripped communities worldwide like Israel’s recent expansion of its campaign from Gaza into Lebanon, threatening a wider Middle East war and Russia’s war on Ukraine. There are also conflicts with lesser media coverage like Sudan. Closer to home, there are the territorial disputes in the South China Sea, civil war in Myanmar and confrontations over Taiwan. Peace-making worldwide is in disarray and according to ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data), in 2023, 97% of all political violence occurred in 50 countries[2]. There are 195 countries in the world today, which makes the number slightly over a quarter and this is disconcerting.
The rise of populism and economic protectionism in many countries have also led to a sharp decline in trade agreements, with only five signed annually in the 2020s, compared to double in the early 2000s. 2023 also saw nearly 3,000 trade restrictions imposed worldwide, five times the number in 2015. The global economic outlook has also worsened in recent years, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) reporting that global trade expanded by just 0.2% in 2023, marking the slowest pace of growth in 50 years outside of global recessions[3]. This stagnation underscores the need for affected countries to be agile in their economic strategies to remain competitive and adaptable in an environment where global supply chains are shifting.
Reshaping Singapore’s Social Compact
Beyond global concerns, PM Wong’s National Day Rally message focused heavily on strengthening Singapore’s social compact. His call to “refresh” the Singapore Dream and “renew” Singapore’s social compact is significant, as it acknowledges that the social and economic policies that once fuelled Singapore’s growth need to evolve, addressing public concerns over hardening social mobility, protracted elitism and growing inequality. PM Wong’s account of his own humble beginnings, growing up in a neighbourhood school and crediting his success to strong mentorship also resonated with many Singaporeans, especially younger generations who may feel disconnected from traditional pathways to success. His speech reflects a strong commitment to tackling inequality, promoting social mobility, and ensuring that Singaporeans have access to opportunities, regardless of their backgrounds.
However, the real test lies in execution. The speeches in the English, Malay and Mandarin languages touched on different pieces of a complete puzzle. It is uncertain if every viewer watches all 3 to get that complete picture, but it is beneficial to piece them together. The Malay speech was also rather short and missed out on important updates present in the English and Mandarin language speeches. On the ground, particularly among seniors in the community, there appears to be much confusion over the various new initiatives and policies, with uncertainties over how, where and when to access them. Also, how to gain further information regarding them. It thus appears that these updates don’t reach as many people in the community as one would like.
Key Policy Announcements (English Language)
Here are some key reflections and takeaways from PM Wong’s maiden National Day Rally Speech in English and for the community to take note of:
For Businesses:
Singapore’s future competitiveness will rely heavily on innovation and the state will continue to invest in research, development, and infrastructure to foster a vibrant ecosystem for startups and established companies. Regulatory burdens on businesses will also be reduced, and this will be particularly helpful for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to help lower operational costs and increase efficiency. As businesses adapt to changing global conditions, minimising red tape will allow them to respond more quickly to new opportunities.
SMEs make up 99% of enterprises in Singapore[4]. Fostering a vibrant ecosystem for SMEs may align with the aspirations of many Muslim entrepreneurs who have traditionally been active in industries such as food services, retail, and logistics. Many Muslim-owned businesses also fall within the SME category, and this support offers a critical lifeline, to help these businesses explore new growth opportunities beyond their traditional markets. In particular, the push to embrace digitalisation and innovation will also assist these businesses thrive in a more connected and technology-driven global economy.
For Job Seekers:
Singaporeans aged 40 and above have received a $4,000 SkillsFuture Credit top-up and are eligible for a new training allowance of up to $3,000 per month for full-time courses. This will help older workers reskill and remain competitive as new industries emerge. The SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme offers up to $6,000 for workers who have lost their jobs, with support tied to career coaching and job matching[5]. This initiative acknowledges that retrenchment is a reality across all industries and provides a safety net for workers while they transition into new roles.
The world of work is changing rapidly, and the rise of automation, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation is transforming industries and making some jobs obsolete while creating opportunities in others. This shift is particularly relevant for workers in the Muslim community employed in industries like manufacturing, construction, and services, which are vulnerable to automation and technological disruption. This initiative should be most helpful for individuals who feel they are at a disadvantage due to a lack of access to higher education or specialised training but will have the opportunity to reskill and transition into growing sectors such as green energy, biotechnology, and digital services. For others who may be overrepresented in lower-paying and less secure jobs, these programmes offer a pathway to greater stability and career advancement.
For Parents:
One of the most significant policy changes announced was the extension of paternity leave from two to four weeks, starting in April 2025. Additionally, a new Shared Parental Leave scheme will be introduced, allowing parents to split caregiving duties more equitably. These policies aim to address Singapore’s declining fertility rate, which hit a historic low of 0.97 in 2023, by making it easier for parents to balance work and family life. The 2025 Budget Announcement will provide more details on the introduction of new support measures for families with three or more children, further encouraging Singaporeans to expand their families.
Our community’s fertility rate has not, fortunately, declined as low as the national average. With slightly larger families, this initiative benefits the community in a different manner, marking a significant shift towards greater equal sharing of caregiving between parents. While possibly celebrated by parents though, a mindset shift and support of employers and fellow colleagues will still be needed, particularly for smaller organisations where the sharing of workload from an employee’s absence is more significantly felt.
For Home Seekers:
Housing affordability has been a growing concern, especially for younger Singaporeans looking to start families. The state will ramp up the supply of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats by 2025 to stabilise the market and enhance the CPF Housing Grant for lower-income families[6]. Singles will also be extended priority access to BTO flats near their parents starting in mid-2025, a move that promotes family cohesion and offers more housing equity as an increasing proportion of youths choose to remain unmarried.
This is especially relevant for Muslim families, many of whom live in extended family structures. For Muslim families, where filial piety and intergenerational living are highly valued, this is particularly beneficial where strong extended family ties are highly emphasised, and adult children are generally expected to take on caregiving responsibilities for their elderly parents.
For Students:
In a major shift, the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) will be replaced by a more inclusive approach where all primary schools will identify and support high-ability learners[7]. This allows greater equity among students, regardless of their school or background to reach their full academic potential. The criteria for taking higher mother tongue as a subject will also be relaxed, allowing greater accessibility for students to pursue mother tongue language studies at a higher level.
This shift reflects a desire to ensure that talent and potential are recognised across the board, rather than concentrated in a select few schools. For many students who may be underrepresented in elite programmes like the GEP due to socioeconomic factors, this policy change offers a more level playing field and ensures that students have greater opportunities to excel. The relaxation of entry requirements to pursue higher mother tongue languages will provide greater flexibility in their education and allow students who are keen to develop their language skills further.
For Sports Enthusiasts:
The Kallang area will be transformed into a new lifestyle destination centred around sports, with expanded facilities at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and the creation of a pedestrianised community boulevard. These developments will enhance Singapore’s sports infrastructure and promote a healthier, more active lifestyle for all citizens. Singapore Sports School will also move to the Kallang precinct.
Key Policy Announcements (Mandarin Language)
Here are some key takeaways from PM Wong’s maiden National Day Rally Speech in Mandarin and for the community to take note of:
- Announcement of latest tranche of CDC vouchers given out in June 2024, amounting to $300 for every Singaporean household; and the service and conservancy charges and utility rebates disbursed, most recently in July amid gas and electricity price hikes.
- See above “For businesses” to address concerns by small and medium-sized enterprises concerned about the rise in costs.
Key Policy Announcements (Malay Language)
The significant announcement in PM Wong’s speech for the community was the establishment of the Singapore College of Islamic Studies. This new institution will play a crucial role in nurturing future Islamic leaders and scholars, while allowing such individuals to remain grounded in Singapore’s multiracial and multireligious context. For the community, this development likely addresses a gap in religious education and leadership training as students typically undertake their further education overseas and adapt their learning back to the Singapore context upon returning. This initiative reflects the state’s broader support for the community while maintaining its distinctive customs and values.
However, it is worth noting that the Malay speech was shorter and less comprehensive than its English and Mandarin counterparts, missing key updates on policies and initiatives. This may reflect the demographic shift within the Muslim community, as younger generations are increasingly proficient in English and may rely more on the English-language speech to stay informed. Nevertheless, the Malay community’s progress and contributions were acknowledged, with PM Wong affirming his commitment to work with Malay/Muslim leaders to build a “Community of Success.”
The Path Forward
PM Wong’s inaugural National Day message outlined both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Singapore. His speech balanced a recognition of the global and regional uncertainties with a firm commitment to adapting Singapore’s social and economic policies to meet these challenges. The challenge now is ensuring that vital information on announced policy changes and new initiatives are well proliferated to the ground and responded to, to translate into real, tangible benefits for all Singaporeans.
1Spoken by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, to more than 1,000 residents at a National Day dinner in his Teck Ghee ward on 24 August 2024.
2Conflict Watchlist 2024. (2024, Jan 17). https://acleddata.com/conflict-watchlist-2024/
3Kose, M. & Mulabdic, A. (2024, Feb 22). Global trade has nearly flatlined. Populism is taking a toll on growth. World Bank Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/voices/global-trade-has-nearly-flatlined-populism-taking-toll-growth
4According to the Singapore Department of Statistic’s SME Report, 2022.
5IMinister for Manpower, Mr Tan See Leng will provide more details at a later date.
6Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee will announce further details at a later date.
7Ministry of Education will announce further details.
Rifhan Noor Miller is Centre Manager for the Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs (RIMA). Her research interests include gender, equity and social justice issues.
