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Singapore appointed 2 idiots to lead the task force.
- Thread starter LaoTze
- Start date
Lawrence caught snippets of the SEA games on tv. 
Caught snippets of the 31st SEA Games opening ceremony on TV tonight. Best wishes to all Team Singapore athletes — fly the flag, do your best and stay safe!
Of course am super excited too about Singapore hosting the SEA Games in 2029! Still remember the experience of our last Games in 2015, and looking forward to seeing out athletes in action on home ground again!
(Video from Mediacorp YouTube)
#OneTeamSG
#teamsingapore
#teamsg
Lawrence Wong
Yesterday at 23:04 ·Caught snippets of the 31st SEA Games opening ceremony on TV tonight. Best wishes to all Team Singapore athletes — fly the flag, do your best and stay safe!
Of course am super excited too about Singapore hosting the SEA Games in 2029! Still remember the experience of our last Games in 2015, and looking forward to seeing out athletes in action on home ground again!
(Video from Mediacorp YouTube)
#OneTeamSG
#teamsingapore
#teamsg
from yahoo.com:
By Philip J. Heijmans, Joyce Koh and Ramsey Al-Rikabi
(Bloomberg) —The words of Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s finance minister, are beginning to take on greater weight since he was tapped last week to be the city-state’s presumptive next prime minister, only its fourth since independence. On Monday, he warned in a speech about how the world is facing a sharper trade-off between economic growth and inflation, a painful test policymakers are grappling with globally.
Read more: Google Searches Surge for Singapore’s New Leader-in-Waiting
As a window into how he might lead Singapore, here are excerpts from recent speeches and comments by Wong. While they reflect the outlook and policies of the establishment People’s Action Party, which has ruled the country since 1965, they also reveal Wong’s thinking on some of the key challenges facing Singapore, from racism and immigration, to balancing China and the U.S., to climate change and the city-state’s economic future.
“As a small island-state with no natural resources and no hinterland, the only way we can only survive and prosper is to stay open and connected.
“What is our response to these global businesses? Do we want them in Singapore or not?
“These companies can locate their functions in any other hub city, be it Hong Kong, New York or London. If we were to take a politically craven approach and impose many stringent conditions on their ability to operate here, we will lose out on many good investments. We would have fewer foreigners for sure. But many Singaporeans will also be deprived of good jobs and career opportunities. It’s like cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.
“Singapore will remain open and welcoming. We must. But those who do business here must also recognise the value of our workforce and abide by our rules.
“We will continue to ensure that the companies we attract and root in Singapore are those who are committed to nurturing and growing our Singaporean core. Both sides need to make the effort. Singaporeans must be big-hearted and accepting of those who are different from us. Non-Singaporeans must respect our norms and way of life, and make the effort to fit in.”
“Social media has helped to create greater awareness of racism here. This has made us, especially the majority, look closely in the mirror and reflect deeper about who we are, and who we want to be.
“We must recognise that in any multi-racial society, it is harder to be a minority than a majority. This is so everywhere in the world.
“So, it is important for the majority community in Singapore to do its part, and be sensitive to and conscious of the needs of minorities. This cuts across all aspects of daily life.
“Let me be clear: I am not saying that we should refrain from voicing our unhappiness, or that minority Singaporeans should pipe down about the prejudices they experience. On the contrary, we should be upfront and honest about the racialized experiences various groups feel, and deal squarely with them.
“We must continue to speak up, and even be prepared to have uncomfortable discussions – not to start arguments, but to begin civilized discussions, listen to each other, and understand all points of view.”
“These constraints that we are facing on labor and on carbon, they are not temporary. It’s wishful thinking to sort of hope that some point down the road we can do away with these constraints. Because we can’t. Why? Let me explain.
“On labor, so long as Singapore is successful as an economy we will always have a tight labor market, always. And I’m sure all of us want the Singapore economy to remain successful. So you can’t run away from that. Number two, carbon. If we want to do something about climate change and global warming, we have to cope with carbon as a constraint. This will always be there, in fact we have to move more decisively to reduce carbon.
“So if we understand that labor and carbon will be permanent constraints in our economy, wouldn’t it be better for us to move early, to adjust, restructure and transform our business processes to rely less on labor and to be less energy intensive?”
“We have entered a new era of greater contestation for influence between countries and blocs, which may erode the rules-based multilateral system that has been so crucial to Singapore’s success. In particular, rivalry between the two great powers – U.S. and China – has intensified, and will impact the world for the rest of the decade and more.
“In short, we are entering a future where conditions are more volatile, the global environment more unpredictable, and change more fast-paced than ever. We can and must adjust, and still excel in this new environment.”
Wong returned to the topic on Monday, in the Q&A session, when discussing how the U.S. and China could potentially cooperate within new international frameworks.
“The Biden administration has now talked about a new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which we welcome and support. We hope that the framework will be effective. We hope countries will join and I’m sure there are many countries in Asia looking forward to it.
“We would strongly encourage that this is a framework that remains open and inclusive too. It’s not just about U.S. and a few countries, but as broad a range of participation as possible. Of course, you can set standards of entry, so be it. And down the road, if China were to say ‘We would like to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.’ Well, if they meet the standards, why not? And if we were to have that in mind in designing our regional architecture — open, inclusive, ensuring that all the major powers have stakes in the region — I think that’s a way for us to build shared interest interdependencies, and that’s a way for us to ensure a path away from a conflict down the road.
“We are talking about what’s the best way forward in building constructive relations and ensuring that China plays a more responsive, responsible role as a major player in the new global architecture. And from that point of view, I would say that given China’s weight in the global economy now, certainly, the issues of representation in these institutions are relevant.”
Also during the Q&A session at the business conference in March, Wong addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how that threatened the independence of sovereign states, no matter their size.
“From a broader macro perspective and from a longer term perspective, we are concerned about what this means for broader geopolitics and what this means for the world. Will we, with this event happening, be entering a more divided, a more bifurcated world? Will we start to see a world where increasingly it’s more about might being right and an erosion of the international rules-based order that has enabled small countries like Singapore to thrive and prosper? These are our concerns.
“These are important for us because they they will impact Singapore’s future. And that’s why we have taken a strong stance in our approach toward this crisis because it does affect our core interest.”
What Singapore’s next leader says about China, racism and expats
By Philip J. Heijmans, Joyce Koh and Ramsey Al-Rikabi
(Bloomberg) —The words of Lawrence Wong, Singapore’s finance minister, are beginning to take on greater weight since he was tapped last week to be the city-state’s presumptive next prime minister, only its fourth since independence. On Monday, he warned in a speech about how the world is facing a sharper trade-off between economic growth and inflation, a painful test policymakers are grappling with globally.
Read more: Google Searches Surge for Singapore’s New Leader-in-Waiting
As a window into how he might lead Singapore, here are excerpts from recent speeches and comments by Wong. While they reflect the outlook and policies of the establishment People’s Action Party, which has ruled the country since 1965, they also reveal Wong’s thinking on some of the key challenges facing Singapore, from racism and immigration, to balancing China and the U.S., to climate change and the city-state’s economic future.
Open for Business...and Immigrants
Singapore has sought to carefully balance its need for an immigrant workforce, whether it be cleaners and labourers or doctors and executives. Speaking in Parliament in September, Wong was among several government ministers trying to make the case to wary pockets of the populace chafing under the economic pressures of the pandemic, and to assure global businesses that their investments are welcome.“As a small island-state with no natural resources and no hinterland, the only way we can only survive and prosper is to stay open and connected.
“What is our response to these global businesses? Do we want them in Singapore or not?
“These companies can locate their functions in any other hub city, be it Hong Kong, New York or London. If we were to take a politically craven approach and impose many stringent conditions on their ability to operate here, we will lose out on many good investments. We would have fewer foreigners for sure. But many Singaporeans will also be deprived of good jobs and career opportunities. It’s like cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.
“Singapore will remain open and welcoming. We must. But those who do business here must also recognise the value of our workforce and abide by our rules.
“We will continue to ensure that the companies we attract and root in Singapore are those who are committed to nurturing and growing our Singaporean core. Both sides need to make the effort. Singaporeans must be big-hearted and accepting of those who are different from us. Non-Singaporeans must respect our norms and way of life, and make the effort to fit in.”
Racism in Singapore
Among the first priorities at independence from Malaysia in 1965 was creating a shared identity among the mostly Malay, Indian and Chinese citizens of the new republic. The governments has aggressively sought to tamp down tensions. Wong in June 2021 publicly took the conversation forward in a speech at the Institute of Policy Studies and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, not just reaffirming the need for harmony, but calling for greater sensitivity among the majority Chinese population and stating flatly “racism still exists in Singapore.”“Social media has helped to create greater awareness of racism here. This has made us, especially the majority, look closely in the mirror and reflect deeper about who we are, and who we want to be.
“We must recognise that in any multi-racial society, it is harder to be a minority than a majority. This is so everywhere in the world.
“So, it is important for the majority community in Singapore to do its part, and be sensitive to and conscious of the needs of minorities. This cuts across all aspects of daily life.
“Let me be clear: I am not saying that we should refrain from voicing our unhappiness, or that minority Singaporeans should pipe down about the prejudices they experience. On the contrary, we should be upfront and honest about the racialized experiences various groups feel, and deal squarely with them.
“We must continue to speak up, and even be prepared to have uncomfortable discussions – not to start arguments, but to begin civilized discussions, listen to each other, and understand all points of view.”
Constrained Future
In March, Wong was asked at a conference about the costs for businesses from stricter carbon taxes and labor regulations, and if implementation can be delayed further after coming out of the pandemic.“These constraints that we are facing on labor and on carbon, they are not temporary. It’s wishful thinking to sort of hope that some point down the road we can do away with these constraints. Because we can’t. Why? Let me explain.
“On labor, so long as Singapore is successful as an economy we will always have a tight labor market, always. And I’m sure all of us want the Singapore economy to remain successful. So you can’t run away from that. Number two, carbon. If we want to do something about climate change and global warming, we have to cope with carbon as a constraint. This will always be there, in fact we have to move more decisively to reduce carbon.
“So if we understand that labor and carbon will be permanent constraints in our economy, wouldn’t it be better for us to move early, to adjust, restructure and transform our business processes to rely less on labor and to be less energy intensive?”
U.S., China and Rules-Based Order
In his maiden budget speech in February, Wong addressed another possible disruptor to the “rules-based” order, the growing strategic competition between the U.S. and China, which is playing out in Singapore’s home field of Southeast Asia.“We have entered a new era of greater contestation for influence between countries and blocs, which may erode the rules-based multilateral system that has been so crucial to Singapore’s success. In particular, rivalry between the two great powers – U.S. and China – has intensified, and will impact the world for the rest of the decade and more.
“In short, we are entering a future where conditions are more volatile, the global environment more unpredictable, and change more fast-paced than ever. We can and must adjust, and still excel in this new environment.”
Wong returned to the topic on Monday, in the Q&A session, when discussing how the U.S. and China could potentially cooperate within new international frameworks.
“The Biden administration has now talked about a new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which we welcome and support. We hope that the framework will be effective. We hope countries will join and I’m sure there are many countries in Asia looking forward to it.
“We would strongly encourage that this is a framework that remains open and inclusive too. It’s not just about U.S. and a few countries, but as broad a range of participation as possible. Of course, you can set standards of entry, so be it. And down the road, if China were to say ‘We would like to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.’ Well, if they meet the standards, why not? And if we were to have that in mind in designing our regional architecture — open, inclusive, ensuring that all the major powers have stakes in the region — I think that’s a way for us to build shared interest interdependencies, and that’s a way for us to ensure a path away from a conflict down the road.
“We are talking about what’s the best way forward in building constructive relations and ensuring that China plays a more responsive, responsible role as a major player in the new global architecture. And from that point of view, I would say that given China’s weight in the global economy now, certainly, the issues of representation in these institutions are relevant.”
Also during the Q&A session at the business conference in March, Wong addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and how that threatened the independence of sovereign states, no matter their size.
“From a broader macro perspective and from a longer term perspective, we are concerned about what this means for broader geopolitics and what this means for the world. Will we, with this event happening, be entering a more divided, a more bifurcated world? Will we start to see a world where increasingly it’s more about might being right and an erosion of the international rules-based order that has enabled small countries like Singapore to thrive and prosper? These are our concerns.
“These are important for us because they they will impact Singapore’s future. And that’s why we have taken a strong stance in our approach toward this crisis because it does affect our core interest.”
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from msn.com:
At a press conference at the Istana on Saturday (Apr 16), Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, said that while he’s grateful that he was chosen by a large majority of his peers to head the People’s Action Party’s fourth-generation or 4G of leaders, he knows that “the mandate ultimately comes from the people.”
Former minister Khaw Boon Wan today, who had been tasked by PM Lee to facilitate the determination of the next 4G leader, said that out of the 19 people he had spoken to on the matter, 15 had chosen Mr Wong to helm the 4G team.
None of the other names that had arisen from Mr Khaw’s canvassing had gotten more than two votes, he said at the press conference.
Among the individuals, he spoke to are PM Lee, Senior Ministers Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Teo Chee Hean, a number of 4G leaders and Cabinet ministers, as well as Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and labour leader Ng Chee Meng.
On his part, Mr Wong was asked by a reporter from CNA if he feels any pressure in bringing the 4G team together, given that PM Lee had been chosen unanimously by his peers, whereas four of those canvassed by Mr Khaw had not picked Mr Wong to be the 4G leader.
“And beyond that, for the broader electorate, do you feel that as you start writing the next chapter of the Singapore story, you need to seek a mandate from the people sooner rather than later, perhaps?… Are we looking at the GE (General Election) one year from now?”
The questions elicited a laugh from PM Lee, who interjected, “You surely don’t expect an answer, right?”
And Mr Wong calmly thanked the journalist and replied, “On the first part of the question, while it is an overwhelming majority in the first instance,” for the caucus, “everyone unanimously” supported him as the choice as 4G leader.
“So in that regard, I don’t feel the pressure. I am humbled and grateful for the support that everyone has given to me.
But I also am fully aware that the mandate ultimately comes from the people, and I do not take that for granted. We all know by when the next GE must be held, so in due course, we will work out our strategy and will work hard for the privilege to serve the people of Singapore in government.”
“But for now,” he added, he and the team will need time to see what next steps need to be taken.
In another part of the press conference, he said that “Collectively, we have a strong team and I will continue to work on strengthening the team. And amidst this diversity, in the end, it is about all of us working together.”
Lawrence Wong: I am fully aware that the mandate ultimately comes from the people
At a press conference at the Istana on Saturday (Apr 16), Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, said that while he’s grateful that he was chosen by a large majority of his peers to head the People’s Action Party’s fourth-generation or 4G of leaders, he knows that “the mandate ultimately comes from the people.”
Former minister Khaw Boon Wan today, who had been tasked by PM Lee to facilitate the determination of the next 4G leader, said that out of the 19 people he had spoken to on the matter, 15 had chosen Mr Wong to helm the 4G team.
None of the other names that had arisen from Mr Khaw’s canvassing had gotten more than two votes, he said at the press conference.
Among the individuals, he spoke to are PM Lee, Senior Ministers Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Teo Chee Hean, a number of 4G leaders and Cabinet ministers, as well as Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin and labour leader Ng Chee Meng.
On his part, Mr Wong was asked by a reporter from CNA if he feels any pressure in bringing the 4G team together, given that PM Lee had been chosen unanimously by his peers, whereas four of those canvassed by Mr Khaw had not picked Mr Wong to be the 4G leader.
“And beyond that, for the broader electorate, do you feel that as you start writing the next chapter of the Singapore story, you need to seek a mandate from the people sooner rather than later, perhaps?… Are we looking at the GE (General Election) one year from now?”
The questions elicited a laugh from PM Lee, who interjected, “You surely don’t expect an answer, right?”
And Mr Wong calmly thanked the journalist and replied, “On the first part of the question, while it is an overwhelming majority in the first instance,” for the caucus, “everyone unanimously” supported him as the choice as 4G leader.
“So in that regard, I don’t feel the pressure. I am humbled and grateful for the support that everyone has given to me.
But I also am fully aware that the mandate ultimately comes from the people, and I do not take that for granted. We all know by when the next GE must be held, so in due course, we will work out our strategy and will work hard for the privilege to serve the people of Singapore in government.”
“But for now,” he added, he and the team will need time to see what next steps need to be taken.
In another part of the press conference, he said that “Collectively, we have a strong team and I will continue to work on strengthening the team. And amidst this diversity, in the end, it is about all of us working together.”
Lawrence congratulates Shanti.
Shanti Pereira set our new national record and won her second women's 200m gold medal at the 31st SEA Games today - seven years after she won her first on home soil in 2015.
I was at the National Stadium back then, when she secured Singapore's first 200 metres sprinting gold medal in the 28th SEA Games. We celebrated and I remembered vividly her joy of achievement.
My warmest congratulations to Shanti - our sprint queen, you have done us proud!
Top photo: [
: Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth - MCCY./ With Shanti and Team Singapore at the 28th SEA Games opening ceremony.]
Bottom photo: [
: Sport Singapore/ Jeremy Lee./ Shanti at the 31st SEA Games.]
Lawrence Wong
2 hrs ·Shanti Pereira set our new national record and won her second women's 200m gold medal at the 31st SEA Games today - seven years after she won her first on home soil in 2015.
I was at the National Stadium back then, when she secured Singapore's first 200 metres sprinting gold medal in the 28th SEA Games. We celebrated and I remembered vividly her joy of achievement.
My warmest congratulations to Shanti - our sprint queen, you have done us proud!
Top photo: [
Bottom photo: [
Lawrence wishes all Buddhists a blessed and peaceful Vesak Day. 
Wishing all Buddhists a blessed and peaceful Vesak Day. On this day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Buddha, many devotees will go to the temples for prayers and offerings, and reflect on the virtues of Buddhism, including kindness and patience. Many thanks to our team member for showing us her visit to the temple today.
Enjoy the long weekend everyone and stay safe!
祝所有佛教徒有个愉快和平安的卫塞节！希望大家都能具备佛教里仁慈和耐心的美德，也趁这个长周末好好休息。
Lawrence Wong
10 hrs ·Wishing all Buddhists a blessed and peaceful Vesak Day. On this day that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of Buddha, many devotees will go to the temples for prayers and offerings, and reflect on the virtues of Buddhism, including kindness and patience. Many thanks to our team member for showing us her visit to the temple today.
Enjoy the long weekend everyone and stay safe!
祝所有佛教徒有个愉快和平安的卫塞节！希望大家都能具备佛教里仁慈和耐心的美德，也趁这个长周末好好休息。
Lawrence hopes everyone can live with dignity.
What is our ideal Singapore
? It is a home where everyone is accepted and valued, and treated equally and with respect, no matter our background or station in life.
My hope is that as one united people, we can build a home where everyone can live with dignity, and grow and flourish in our own way. #ForwardSingapore
Lawrence Wong updated his cover photo.
6 hrs ·What is our ideal Singapore
My hope is that as one united people, we can build a home where everyone can live with dignity, and grow and flourish in our own way. #ForwardSingapore
Lawrence explored nature.
Took some time out this long weekend to explore our beautiful city in nature! Great way to get refreshed and rejuvenated before leaving for my work trip to Indonesia early tomorrow morning.
Lawrence Wong
3 hrs · Instagram ·Took some time out this long weekend to explore our beautiful city in nature! Great way to get refreshed and rejuvenated before leaving for my work trip to Indonesia early tomorrow morning.
Lawrence is happy to make his first visit to Indonesia as Finance Minister.
Happy to make my first visit to Indonesia as Finance Minister.
Indonesia is our close neighbour and important partner. We have worked with each other for many years, with deep and multifaceted cooperation in areas spanning the economic, security and people-to-people spheres. And this year marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between our countries!
Looking forward to meeting several Ministers, as well as regional leaders in Jakarta and Central Java. I will visit the Kendal Industrial Park too, and meet key business leaders and Singapore start-ups.
It's going to be a busy week. I'll keep you updated - stay tuned!
Lawrence Wong
10 hrs ·Happy to make my first visit to Indonesia as Finance Minister.
Indonesia is our close neighbour and important partner. We have worked with each other for many years, with deep and multifaceted cooperation in areas spanning the economic, security and people-to-people spheres. And this year marks 55 years of diplomatic relations between our countries!
Looking forward to meeting several Ministers, as well as regional leaders in Jakarta and Central Java. I will visit the Kendal Industrial Park too, and meet key business leaders and Singapore start-ups.
It's going to be a busy week. I'll keep you updated - stay tuned!
from straitstimes.com:
SINGAPORE - Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will be visiting Jakarta and Central Java in Indonesia from Tuesday (May 17) to Friday.
During his trip, he will meet several ministers and regional leaders, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Monday.
Mr Wong will also visit Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, meet key business leaders and connect with Singapore start-ups in Indonesia.
He will be accompanied by officials from MOF.
Finance Minister Lawrence Wong to visit Indonesia from Tuesday to Friday
SINGAPORE - Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will be visiting Jakarta and Central Java in Indonesia from Tuesday (May 17) to Friday.
During his trip, he will meet several ministers and regional leaders, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Monday.
Mr Wong will also visit Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, meet key business leaders and connect with Singapore start-ups in Indonesia.
He will be accompanied by officials from MOF.
Lawrence pleased to catch up with several ministars.
It was good to catch up in-person with several Ministers today.
Glad to meet Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto. We spoke about the close and long-standing relations between our defence establishments. I am glad our defence relationship has grown from strength to strength over many years, including during the pandemic.
Also met with Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, where we exchanged updates on our domestic Covid-19 situations, and how we can strengthen our bilateral and international partnerships.
Had fruitful discussions too with Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, to discuss our shared commitment to deepening bilateral and multilateral economic and financial cooperation.
Looking forward to
taking our relationship to the next level, including working together on new areas of cooperation, such as digital and green finance.
[
: Photos by MCI]
Lawrence Wong
15 mins ·It was good to catch up in-person with several Ministers today.
Glad to meet Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto. We spoke about the close and long-standing relations between our defence establishments. I am glad our defence relationship has grown from strength to strength over many years, including during the pandemic.
Also met with Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, where we exchanged updates on our domestic Covid-19 situations, and how we can strengthen our bilateral and international partnerships.
Had fruitful discussions too with Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, to discuss our shared commitment to deepening bilateral and multilateral economic and financial cooperation.
Looking forward to
taking our relationship to the next level, including working together on new areas of cooperation, such as digital and green finance.
[
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