‘Bold but necessary’ changes from NDR have to be matched with new attitudes: SM Lee

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s first National Day Rally (NDR) speech has promised significant changes in four key areas of policy – employment, upskilling, housing and families – to refresh Singapore’s social compact.

But mindset shifts are needed if these moves are to help Singapore succeed in a more troubled world, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Aug 24.

Speaking to more than 1,000 residents at a National Day dinner in his Teck Ghee ward, SM Lee said the Government will also tackle immediate issues, such as the rising cost of living.

Among the major announcements by PM Wong in his rally speech on Aug 18 is

the new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme,

which will provide the involuntarily unemployed with up to $6,000 over six months.

But workers will have to do their part and go for courses, look for jobs and explore new opportunities, SM Lee said at the dinner at Teck Ghee Community Club.

The commitment to make pre-school fees more affordable and to enhance parental leave –

10 more weeks of shared leave will be given to new parents from 2026

– will help create a more family-friendly environment.

But young couples also have to go forth and embark on their parenthood journeys, said SM Lee.

On the same note, there is more financial support now for mid-career workers who want to keep themselves competitive in the job market, but it is up to each individual to embrace lifelong learning, he said.

“These are bold but necessary policy changes to refresh our social compact,” he said of the policy moves. “Alone, they won’t be enough to see us through this turbulent period in the world.

“We also need to change our own attitudes and societal attitudes – workers to embrace upskilling and change, employers to take it upon themselves to support families with young kids.”

On housing, SM Lee pointed to the

new classification of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats

– into Standard, Plus or Prime – which will come into effect from the October BTO exercise.

This replaces the current categorisation of estates as either mature or non-mature. And it will help keep flats affordable for all Singaporeans, even in choicer locations, he said.

This is as Plus and Prime flats will have extra subsidies, but with tighter restrictions such as longer minimum occupancy period and the return of subsidies upon resale.

At the NDR, PM Wong had also announced that the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant

would be raised from Aug 20,

so that eligible families can get up to $120,000 and singles can get up to $60,000, depending on their income.

Previously, the grant gave a maximum of $80,000 for families and $40,000 for singles buying their first new or resale flat.

On Aug 24, SM Lee reiterated the Government’s commitment to continue helping Singaporeans cope with inflation.

Measures on this front include keeping the Singapore dollar strong, which has made a difference given that Singapore imports virtually everything that is consumed, he said.

Targeted schemes provide lower-income families with more help, while broad-based ones such as CDC vouchers, utility rebates and cash payouts mean everyone gets something, he added.

“Every month we get something in our mail to announce the next gesture,” he said. “Every month you get some benefit to help see you through and be able to care for your family.”

SM Lee’s remarks came a day after PM Wong said that

tackling cost of living remains a key focus for his Government,

which is looking at giving more help to specific segments of the population, including those with larger families and more young children.

At the dinner, SM Lee also addressed his residents in Malay and Mandarin, and gave an update on estate upgrading in Ang Mo Kio, such as renovations to its markets and hawker centres.

Teck Ghee resident and production lead Ong Aik Heng, 46, said the additional 10 weeks of shared parental leave is significant.

“It doesn’t apply to me, but more leave might be helpful for my younger colleagues who are starting a family or thinking of having another kid,” said Mr Ong, who has a nine-year-old daughter.

Another resident at the dinner, Mr Salehin Amin, 43, welcomed the refurbished multi-purpose hall area in the Ang Mo Kio town centre.

The assistant football coach said: “There are better seats, with wear and tear patched up. Ang Mo Kio is one of the older estates with many seniors, and the renovations make it easier and safer for them to move around.”

SM Lee concluded his speech by asking residents to support PM Wong to realise this shared vision for a renewed Singapore.

“Now as Senior Minister, I will do my utmost to support Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his team to help Singapore continue to succeed for many more years to come.”