This fear must go

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Election is about Singaporeans recognising much is at stake in this new environment: PM Wong​

PM Lawrence Wong said a strong and united Singapore is needed to survive a challenging global environment.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Alyssa Woo
Mar 26, 2025

HANOI – The upcoming general election is not just about the PAP needing a strong mandate, but Singaporeans recognising that much is at stake for the country in this new environment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on March 26.

“In order to survive, in order to thrive, in order for us to navigate a very challenging global environment, we will need a strong and united Singapore,” he said. “So there is much at stake in the elections.”

“And when the elections come, I will present my case for the PAP, for me and my team, and I hope Singaporeans will give me the chance to serve them and to serve Singapore,” he added.

PM Wong was speaking to Singapore reporters in Hanoi before flying home after a two-day visit to Vietnam, his first to the country since taking over as prime minister in May 2024.

He said his introductory visits to the various Asean countries – he has been to Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand – have allowed him to strengthen his relationship with his counterparts, affirm Singapore’s partnership with these key neighbours, and identify new areas in which to strengthen cooperation.

“All of us in Asean can see the changes happening in the world,” he said. “There is a profound change in the global order – competition is intensifying, trade barriers are going up,” he added.

“Great power rivalry is increasing and, more and more, it feels like we are entering a world where it’s every country for itself, and stronger countries will use aggression or even coercion to get what they want at the expense of smaller countries,” he said.

“Even within Asean itself, the large countries on their own will feel that this is a very difficult, inhospitable global environment. But if we can combine together... as a collective, we are much stronger, and we can hold our own.”

In the interview with Singapore media, PM Wong was asked about his progress in recruiting new candidates for the PAP team.

He noted that he had, at the ruling party’s conference in November 2024, said he was making a great effort to renew the leadership team and the People’s Action Party, and leadership renewal has remained a key priority for him.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time doing that in the past one, two years. I could have just decided to do less on the renewal front and largely contest with the present team,” he said.

“Things will be okay in one term, in the next five years, but if there is no renewal, I think we will feel the effects of it – not immediately, not even for the next five years, but certainly in the next 10 to 15 years,” he added.

“If that were to happen, it is not just the PAP, but Singapore and Singaporeans that will pay the price.”

PM Wong said he has been working hard to engage and persuade individuals to take the step forward to enter politics, and was glad that some had answered the call, including some public servants.

At the same time, the party has continued to recruit potential candidates from different sectors, including academia, before the final slate is chosen to be fielded, he added.

“Along the way, we expose them, we test them, and it’s a two-way street. Some we may feel are not ready this round, we may consider (them for the) next round. Individuals themselves may decide ‘this is not quite for me’, and they may decide perhaps they don’t want to continue, and that’s why there will inevitably be some who decide not to proceed,” he said.

“You will see faces popping up on the ground. I’m sure the media is closely monitoring who they are,” he added.

Pressed on how successful he had been in getting candidates from the private sector, PM Wong said some are prepared to step forward, but acknowledged the challenge they faced.

“For someone who is in the private sector, who is very successful, for example, in his 30s or 40s... potentially moving into a senior leadership position in a firm, MNC or large local company, the sacrifice is much greater,” he said.

“It’s not just a recent phenomenon. That has always been the case. It’s always been difficult,” he added.

“It remains that they must have the commitment to serve, the right values, and they are entering politics for the right reason, which is to serve their fellow Singaporeans, to give their all to make Singapore better for their fellow citizens.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Need to redouble efforts to maintain Singapore’s social cohesion: PM Wong​

PM Lawrence Wong arriving at a dinner to celebrate the Taoist Federation’s 35th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th year of independence.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Chin Soo Fang
Apr 01, 2025

SINGAPORE – Singapore must work hard to guard against powerful forces that could pull society further apart along racial and religious lines, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on April 1.

And the Republic must redouble efforts to maintain social cohesion, he told about 1,000 guests at a dinner to celebrate the Taoist Federation’s 35th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th year of independence.

Among the guests were leaders of Singapore’s major religions, including representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

Their presence is a testament to the religious harmony Singapore enjoys, PM Wong said.

This did not happen by chance, but is the result of hard work by successive generations of Singaporeans, he noted. While the Government passed laws and policies to protect and safeguard cohesion, religious leaders put in effort to build mutual trust and understanding, and Singaporeans also helped build a harmonious and united society, he said.

Elaborating in Mandarin, PM Wong said 60 years – or “yi jia zi” – symbolises a complete life cycle in Chinese tradition and is an important milestone, PM Wong said.

There are ups and downs in a person’s life, and the same might be said of Singapore’s progress in the last 60 years, he added.

“Many did not look favourably on Singapore when it became independent in 1965,” PM Wong said. “But we succeeded in overcoming difficulties and creating miracles.”

The country not only survived but also thrived, becoming a prosperous little red dot, he added. Singapore’s founding fathers did not give up, creating a country where “everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of race, language or religion”.

PM Wong noted that “yi jia zi” is not only a happy ending but also a new beginning, adding that Singapore has to be ready for new challenges.

He said the world is at a turning point, with many countries torn apart due to racial, religious or political issues.

Larger countries with abundant resources can continue to operate under such circumstances, but not Singapore, PM Wong added. This is why it must do everything it can to unite and work together to overcome challenges, he said.

“Fortunately, multiculturalism has always been our strength,” he said. “We have different religious beliefs, but we have always respected each other and lived in harmony.”

Leaders of Singapore’s major religions at a dinner to celebrate the Taoist Federation’s 35th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th year of independence.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
The Prime Minister elaborated on the role that religious groups such as the Taoist Federation play in protecting racial and religious harmony.

For example, the federation has promoted Taoism and united the Taoist community, and also strengthened collaboration between religious groups, he said.

As a member of the National Steering Committee on Racial And Religious Harmony and the Inter-Religious Organisation, it has always encouraged its members to establish friendly ties with other religious groups, and promoted mutual understanding and respect.

For example, it has worked with the Singapore Buddhist Lodge and Jamiyah Singapore to provide bursaries to students from low-income families.

In 2024, a number of Taoist temples also responded to the Racial and Religious Harmony Circle’s fund-raising campaign to help Gaza civilians.

“The Taoist Federation and other religious groups must play a more crucial role in strengthening mutual trust among our people,” PM Wong said.

Mr Tan Thiam Lye, president of the federation which has over 500 members, said it will focus on areas such as training its youth, inter-religious cooperation, international exchanges, and enhancing online and bilingual communication.

Mr Tan is confident that the federation will grow at a rapid pace in the next 20 years.

He said: “I urge all members to seize the opportunity to keep pace with the times and promote the faith, while contributing to Singapore’s racial and religious harmony.”

 

[laksaboy]

Election is about Singaporeans recognising much is at stake in this new environment: PM Wong​

I agree. I just don't want you and your globalist buddies to have any stake in the future.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

US tariffs could set off global trade war, dampen S’pore’s economic growth: DPM Gan​

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong speaking at the National Press Centre on April 3.ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY

Ovais Subhani
Apr 03, 2025

SINGAPORE – The move by the US which has subjected its goods to tariffs will have a significant impact on Singapore and could escalate into a global trade war, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said on April 3.

DPM Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, was speaking to the media following US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 10 per cent tariff on most goods imported into the United States from Singapore and key partners, with higher duties for many other countries.

Analysts have said that the move could intensify a global trade war and impact growth around the world.

“This 10 per cent baseline tariff on Singapore would have a significant impact on our economy,” said DPM Gan.

“Our households and our businesses have to be prepared for rough waters ahead of us,” he added.

Singapore is also reassessing its growth forecast for 2025, and it is prepared to offer support to households and businesses if needed, he said.

“It’s still early days, because some of the information is still not fully available, so we will need to take time to reassess and to adjust and to see whether there’s a need to recalibrate our economic forecasts,” he said.

While the tariff of 10 per cent on goods from Singapore is less than that on goods from other countries, there will be an impact on growth if global trade and economic activity slows down significantly, he noted.

He pointed out that some countries are already announcing retaliatory tariffs.

“If these tit-for-tat tariff measures continue, it may escalate into a situation where you may end up with a global trade war, and this will have a significant impact on the global economy,” he added.

“You will affect trade flows, you will create choke points for supply chains, and you will also undermine the confidence of consumers and businesses, and investments may also slow down. All these eventually may lead to a significant slowdown in the global economy, and this will also in turn affect Singapore’s economic outlook in the medium to long term,” he said.

Singapore and the US have had a longstanding economic relationship and a free trade agreement (FTA), said DPM Gan.

The Republic will engage the US to understand how it has calculated the tariffs, and to clarify any misunderstanding that has led to the 10 per cent levy, he added.

“The US-Singapore FTA has been a very important FTA for both countries, and has benefited the US significantly. US imports to Singapore have enjoyed zero tariffs for more than two decades, and they have also enjoyed a significant, substantial trade surplus with Singapore amounting to $30 billion,” he said.

“We are, of course, naturally disappointed. Under the FTA, we have recourse, we are able to take countermeasures and also seek dispute resolution. However, we have decided not to do so because imposing retaliatory import duties will just add costs to our imports from the US, and this will affect our consumers and our businesses,” he added.

“We will reach out and engage our US counterparts, to better understand their concerns and to see how we can work together constructively to address some of these concerns.”

Meanwhile, Singapore will also engage its other trade partners, especially the Asean member countries, to see how they can work together to keep their economies ticking.

“Asean is a natural platform to have a conversation with our fellow ministers to see what we can do, how we can come together to further deepen our integration,” said DPM Gan.

At the same time, Singapore will continue to work with like-minded partners across the world to strengthen the World Trade Organisation.

“It is very important for us to make sure that we continue to strengthen and preserve the multilateral system to the extent possible, because this will provide a basis for collaboration for international trade under a rules-based order,” said the minister.

 

[k1976]

S'poreans must brace themselves for a less peaceful region, period of high inflation: PM Lee​

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered the National Day message from Gardens by the Bay. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION

Goh Yan Han
Political Correspondent

Aug 8, 2022

SINGAPORE - Singaporeans must brace themselves and be psychologically prepared that in the next decades, the region might not be as peaceful and stable as it has been, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (Aug 8).
And the world is not likely to return any time soon to the low inflation levels and interest rates people have enjoyed in recent decades, he added in his National Day message.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the cost of living is at the top of everyone's minds, and gave the assurance that the Government stands ready to do more to help Singaporeans if things worsen.
But the basic reality, he said, is that global economic conditions have shifted.
Singapore's deeper response must therefore be to transform industries, upgrade skills and raise productivity.
Only then can wages beat inflation and citizens earn more in real terms year by year.

PM Lee gave this sobering outlook on geopolitics and the economy in his speech that was recorded at Gardens by the Bay, and broadcast to the nation.

He noted that after battling Covid-19 for 2½ years, Singaporeans have come through as one united people.
Key to its success has been the high level of trust - not just people trusting the Government and following its advice on safe management measures and vaccinations, but also trusting one another to be responsible.
"We did the right thing even when no one was checking," he said. "Our mutual trust in one another made all the difference."


Singaporeans have emerged stronger and united from the pandemic, he added.
This unity is crucial as the country moves forward.

PM Lee noted that US-China relations are worsening, with intractable issues, deep suspicions and limited engagement between the two sides.
This is unlikely to improve any time soon, and miscalculations or mishaps can easily make things worse, he added.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine also has profound implications for the world and for Singapore.
First, it has set Russia, a nuclear power, bitterly against many states, especially the US and Nato countries. This hostility is deep and will not be resolved easily.
Second, the invasion violates fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity under the United Nations Charter. Such principles are vital to Singapore, as they underpin its security and existence, he said.
Third, war in Europe will affect regional security in the Asia-Pacific. It has further strained China's ties with the US, and with America's partners in Asia. "Singapore will be buffeted by intense rivalry and tensions in the region around us," he added.
"Staying united is key to Singapore's survival - it is the only way to deal with challenges in an increasingly troubled world," he said. "We must look to our Total Defence, and maintain a strong and credible SAF and Home Team."

Turning to the economy, PM Lee noted that while Singapore has emerged strongly from the pandemic, the outlook has clouded considerably.
The pandemic had disrupted supply chains and inflation was already on the rise.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine aggravated both problems, and food and energy prices are rising globally.
The Government is doing everything necessary to help Singaporeans cope with rising prices, PM Lee said.
Multiple support packages target assistance at those who need it most, with some measures already in place, while others will be rolled out in the coming months, he added.
"We have acted decisively to secure supplies of food and other essentials, diversifying our sources and building up adequate stockpiles."
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PM Lee added that he was glad to see companies and community groups starting their own support programmes.
"By helping each other, Singapore can be stronger together," he said.
Meanwhile, the Government has tightened its exchange rate policy and strengthened the Singapore dollar to dampen imported inflation.
"The Government also stands ready to do more to help Singaporeans if things worsen," he added.
PM Lee said: "More storms and turbulence lie ahead. But do not fear.
"As long as we stay united and resolute, we can keep our nation peaceful and secure, build a more prosperous economy, and forge an inclusive society that all of us can belong to and be proud of, for many years to come."

Face colour no good sia

 

[oliverlee]

Face colour no good sia

Can send him off faster by making him lose at least 3 more GRCs