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4G leaders must 'fire up' new generation of S'poreans and 'earn the right to lead': President Halimah
By SIAU MING EN
Nuria Ling/TODAY
President Halimah Yacob delivers her speech during the opening of the Second Session of the Thirteenth Parliament on May 7, 2018, at the Parliament House.
Published07 MAY, 2018
UPDATED 07 MAY, 2018
SINGAPORE — The fourth generation leadership must "fire up and mobilise" the spirit and energy of young Singaporeans, and grow with the people they represent, said President Halimah Yacob in her address on Monday (May 7) which sets out the Government's plans for the second half of its current term.
In her inaugural address to the 13th Parliament after she was elected as President last year, Mdm Halimah also called on the 4G leaders to embrace a diversity of views and ideas but at the same time, forge a clarity of purpose and unity of action.
Stressing the importance of leadership in an "uncertain and volatile world", she said it will "continue to make a critical difference to Singapore" where a new generation of citizens is coming of age, with dreams, hopes and fears that are different from those of their parents and grandparents.
"They dream of a bright future, and pour their energies into exploring fresh horizons and building a better world. They want to see their parents age well. They hope for a fairer and more equal society… Most of all, they are eager to take on responsibilities, participate in building and guiding Singapore, and step up to serve their community and country," she said.
In responding to the challenges of their times, the 4G leaders will work together with Singaporeans, she stressed.
The President's Address, which was drafted by the 4G leaders, came after a major Cabinet reshuffle about two weeks ago, which saw two-thirds of the government ministries now helmed by younger leaders.
Following the Cabinet changes, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the leadership transition is "well underway". Earlier, Mr Lee had said on Facebook that he had tasked the 4G leaders with drafting Mdm Halimah's address — which he noted had gone through multiple revisions — as this would give Singaporeans a better sense of next generation of political officeholders and their thoughts.
In her speech, Mdm Halimah reiterated that while the duty of the 4G leaders is clear, "the path will not be easy".
There will be times of hardship where they need to demonstrate their leadership and resolve as well as "moments of truth" where they have to stand firm on principles and ideals while seeking practical resolutions, she said.
"They will need to listen to the views and feelings of the people, and by their words and deeds, show that they have heard; yet never fear to lead and mobilise public opinion to support difficult policies in the long-term interest of Singapore," Mdm Halimah added.
This is how the 4G leaders will "earn the right to lead" — a right that cannot be inherited, she said.
"The trust between the people and their leaders is not automatically passed on from one generation to the next. In each generation the people and leaders must work with one another, go through trials and tribulations together, and forge their own bonds afresh," she added.
Mdm Halimah noted that as a new generation comes to the fore, the struggle for independence and the journey from Third World to First are gradually fading from Singaporeans' lived memories.
However, Singapore is not done with nation-building after 52 years of independence, she stressed.
"Born and raised in post-independence Singapore, (the new generation) must dedicate themselves to write the next chapter of our story, understanding that becoming Singaporean – 'one united people, regardless of race, language or religion' – continues to be an undertaking of conviction and choice," she said.
Following the President's Address on Monday, the various ministries will share their respective plans with the public. Parliament will subsequently sit to debate the plans and policies during the Motion of Thanks for the President's Address.
There will be a new seating plan for the second half of the Government's current term.
Following the Cabinet reshuffle, several 4G leaders will be occupying the front-row seats, with some of their predecessors moving to the back.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Ng Chee Meng, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo — who previously occupied the second row — will now take their seats in the first row, along with most of the other Cabinet Ministers.
Meanwhile, retired ministers Mr Lim Swee Say, Mr Lim Hng Kiang and Dr Yaacob Ibrahim will move to the second row.
There is also movement across the aisle, with new Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh taking over the seat previously occupied by former Opposition leader Low Thia Khiang in the front row of the other side of the House. Mr Low stepped down as WP secretary-general last month.
By SIAU MING EN
Nuria Ling/TODAY
President Halimah Yacob delivers her speech during the opening of the Second Session of the Thirteenth Parliament on May 7, 2018, at the Parliament House.
Published07 MAY, 2018
UPDATED 07 MAY, 2018
SINGAPORE — The fourth generation leadership must "fire up and mobilise" the spirit and energy of young Singaporeans, and grow with the people they represent, said President Halimah Yacob in her address on Monday (May 7) which sets out the Government's plans for the second half of its current term.
In her inaugural address to the 13th Parliament after she was elected as President last year, Mdm Halimah also called on the 4G leaders to embrace a diversity of views and ideas but at the same time, forge a clarity of purpose and unity of action.
Stressing the importance of leadership in an "uncertain and volatile world", she said it will "continue to make a critical difference to Singapore" where a new generation of citizens is coming of age, with dreams, hopes and fears that are different from those of their parents and grandparents.
"They dream of a bright future, and pour their energies into exploring fresh horizons and building a better world. They want to see their parents age well. They hope for a fairer and more equal society… Most of all, they are eager to take on responsibilities, participate in building and guiding Singapore, and step up to serve their community and country," she said.
In responding to the challenges of their times, the 4G leaders will work together with Singaporeans, she stressed.
The President's Address, which was drafted by the 4G leaders, came after a major Cabinet reshuffle about two weeks ago, which saw two-thirds of the government ministries now helmed by younger leaders.
Following the Cabinet changes, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the leadership transition is "well underway". Earlier, Mr Lee had said on Facebook that he had tasked the 4G leaders with drafting Mdm Halimah's address — which he noted had gone through multiple revisions — as this would give Singaporeans a better sense of next generation of political officeholders and their thoughts.
In her speech, Mdm Halimah reiterated that while the duty of the 4G leaders is clear, "the path will not be easy".
There will be times of hardship where they need to demonstrate their leadership and resolve as well as "moments of truth" where they have to stand firm on principles and ideals while seeking practical resolutions, she said.
"They will need to listen to the views and feelings of the people, and by their words and deeds, show that they have heard; yet never fear to lead and mobilise public opinion to support difficult policies in the long-term interest of Singapore," Mdm Halimah added.
This is how the 4G leaders will "earn the right to lead" — a right that cannot be inherited, she said.
"The trust between the people and their leaders is not automatically passed on from one generation to the next. In each generation the people and leaders must work with one another, go through trials and tribulations together, and forge their own bonds afresh," she added.
Mdm Halimah noted that as a new generation comes to the fore, the struggle for independence and the journey from Third World to First are gradually fading from Singaporeans' lived memories.
However, Singapore is not done with nation-building after 52 years of independence, she stressed.
"Born and raised in post-independence Singapore, (the new generation) must dedicate themselves to write the next chapter of our story, understanding that becoming Singaporean – 'one united people, regardless of race, language or religion' – continues to be an undertaking of conviction and choice," she said.
Following the President's Address on Monday, the various ministries will share their respective plans with the public. Parliament will subsequently sit to debate the plans and policies during the Motion of Thanks for the President's Address.
There will be a new seating plan for the second half of the Government's current term.
Following the Cabinet reshuffle, several 4G leaders will be occupying the front-row seats, with some of their predecessors moving to the back.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Ng Chee Meng, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo — who previously occupied the second row — will now take their seats in the first row, along with most of the other Cabinet Ministers.
Meanwhile, retired ministers Mr Lim Swee Say, Mr Lim Hng Kiang and Dr Yaacob Ibrahim will move to the second row.
There is also movement across the aisle, with new Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh taking over the seat previously occupied by former Opposition leader Low Thia Khiang in the front row of the other side of the House. Mr Low stepped down as WP secretary-general last month.
