SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on 17 August urged Singaporeans to come together to write the “next chapter” of the nation’s story, as he laid out plans to support citizens across various life stages in the face of global uncertainty and technological disruption.
In his second National Day Rally since becoming Prime Minister and securing a stronger mandate in the 2025 General Election, Wong delivered his address at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio, outlining how the government will respond to mounting demographic, economic, and social challenges.
“We are not going to sit back and resign ourselves to being mere bystanders in a world shaped by others,” he said.
“We will take charge of our own destiny. We will shape the future we want – through our own actions, and our own choices.”
“Jobs, jobs and jobs” remain the priority
Wong placed employment at the centre of the government’s economic strategy, emphasising support for both fresh graduates and mid-career workers.
“Ultimately, our economic strategy is about jobs, jobs and jobs – that’s our No. 1 priority,” he said.
He announced three initiatives to boost employment readiness, the details of which will be released later:
- A new government-funded traineeship programme for tertiary graduates
- A town-level job-matching scheme
- Enhancements to SkillsFuture, focused on mid-career retraining
While reaffirming Singapore’s commitment to technological adoption, Wong assured that workers would not be left behind amid AI-driven disruption.
“Even as we embrace AI and technology, we will not lose sight of our key priority. Singaporeans will always be at the centre of everything we do.”
Age Well Neighbourhoods: Supporting seniors to age at home
Wong announced the launch of Age Well Neighbourhoods, a new initiative designed to help seniors live independently in their own communities. The scheme builds on the existing Age Well SG programme and will first be piloted in Toa Payoh and other selected towns.
Inspired by HDB’s Community Care Apartments model, the initiative will feature:
- More Active Ageing Centres for social connection
- Expanded home-based care services such as basic health checks and housekeeping
- Improved access to healthcare within neighbourhoods
“That’s how we will grow old – not in isolation, never alone, but always together as one Singapore family,” he said.
Youth, digital safety and social responsibility
Addressing concerns facing younger Singaporeans, Wong highlighted rising trends of vaping and excessive screen time among children.
He described vaping as a “serious concern” and signalled that stronger enforcement is imminent, saying it will be treated similarly to drug offences.
The government is also studying how other countries manage youth access to social media and internet content, as part of wider efforts to strike a balance between protecting young people and enabling them to benefit from technology.
“We have to find the right balance — protecting our young from harm, while empowering them to harness the full potential of technology.”
Long-term planning for Singapore’s future
Wong also sketched out physical redevelopment plans for Singapore’s north, including Woodlands North, Kranji Racecourse and Sembawang Shipyard, under the URA Draft Master Plan 2025.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to climate adaptation, particularly in developing strategies to protect coastlines from rising sea levels.
“So even as climate shifts and circumstances evolve, one thing is certain: Singapore’s progress will never be left to chance.”
A call for shared responsibility
Throughout his speech, Wong emphasised the importance of shared ownership of Singapore’s future.
“We certainly do not want to end up as a society where people rely solely on the government. It’s about all of us – government, businesses, workers and unions, community groups and civil society – doing our part.”
He called for a shift toward a “we first” society, where citizens think collectively and not just individually.
“If each of us does our part for the ‘we’ – care, contribute and look out for one another – then the ‘me’ will thrive and flourish too.”
Wong added that his leadership style would focus on collaboration and participation:
“Not just doing things for Singaporeans – but doing things with Singaporeans.”
Looking ahead: resilience through unity
Concluding his address, Wong urged Singaporeans to stay united, adapt boldly, and keep pushing boundaries, warning that “standing still today is the same as falling behind.”
“We never give up and we never let each other down. That’s how we’ve achieved exceptional performance. That’s how we will continue to stay exceptional – as a people and a country.”
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