On Tuesday (June 28), Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged Singaporeans to give suggestions for shaping the nation's future, which he characterized as being at a crossroads post-Covid-19.
Their contributions will be incorporated into a "Forward Singapore" road map that will be released in the middle of the following year, outlining both policy recommendations and how various sectors of society can better contribute to the nation's shared goals, based on its values of a unified people and a just and equal society.
"I hope to see a society and system that benefits the many, not the few; that rewards a wide variety of talents, not a conventional or narrow few; that values and celebrates all individuals for who they are and what they can accomplish; and that offers all opportunities to do better throughout their lives," he said.
Mr. Wong, who assumed the position of Deputy Prime Minister on June 13, was speaking to unionists at the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Centre on Marina One Boulevard.
Mr. Wong will spearhead the Forward Singapore initiative, which will feature six pillars led by his fellow fourth-generation leaders in sectors such as jobs, housing, and health.
This is Mr. Wong's first significant address since becoming Deputy Prime Minister and since being chosen head of the People's Action Party's 4G team in April, opening the path for him to become Singapore's next Prime Minister.
Mr. Wong, who is also the Minister of Finance, stated that it is essential to revise and update the social compact so that it stays relevant as circumstances evolve.
Mr. Wong stated, "A social contract that is regarded fair by all segments of society creates social capital and fosters trust, and this is what enables us to advance as a nation together."
On the other hand, the deterioration of such agreements in Europe and North America over the past decade, as a result of people feeling left out of their countries' progress, has fueled the rise of extremist political parties and caused these societies to turn inward and xenophobic, unable to reach consensus on significant national issues, he said.
Mr. Wong stated that he understands the difficulties Singaporeans face, maybe more so now than in the past, and that he wanted to have frank discussions about these issues and how to address them together.
Students, for instance, feel trapped in a system where the stakes are high from an early age, whereas graduates and employees are concerned about their future and the housing market.
He stated that it might be difficult for older workers to be considered for new positions after being laid off or laid off.
"Sometimes, persons who do not meet established standards of excellence may be denied chances. They may feel defeated by early failure and be unwilling to try again," Mr. Wong added.
As the globe and society have changed and will continue to change, it cannot be business as usual, as tomorrow's stability may easily be upset by today's instability, he added.
He stated, "If our social contract collapses, a significant portion of Singaporeans would feel alienated from the rest of society and believe the system is not on their side.
"Trust in the government will drop across all segments of society. Singapore's politics will become vicious and polarized, and we will become a society with low levels of trust, like so many countries in Asia and Europe.
"And Singapore will undoubtedly fracture if this occurs," he said.
"Fortunately, the situation in Singapore is not as terrible as in many of these nations," Mr. Wong explained. In the midst of the epidemic, the city-state has demonstrated a strong feeling of social solidarity and is in better economic position than others.
However, the nation is currently at a crossroads, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict driving global inflation, increased geopolitical tensions, interrupted supply lines, and a globe that is becoming more divided.
Domestically, Singapore is confronted with a rapidly aging population, concerns about decreasing social mobility, and anxieties of not performing adequately or falling behind.
Mr. Wong and his 4G colleagues have launched on this endeavor because, by bolstering the social compact, Singapore can transform each set of obstacles into possibilities.
Mr. Wong described four essential areas in which the social compact might develop: the economics, meritocracy, social assistance, and solidarity.
Mr. Wong stated that, in terms of economic management, Singapore has traditionally depended on open and free markets for growth. However, if left uncontrolled, the free market can lead to excessive competition and growing disparities.
"This is why we have always mitigated extreme market results and avoided a winner-take-all economic system," he explained.
Staying open, for instance, necessitates accepting some level of competition from foreign employees and experts both domestically and internationally, which might induce concern.
Mr. Wong stated that Singaporeans are constantly at the center of whatever the government does, citing major investments in skills retraining and forthcoming laws to guarantee firms adhere to fair work practices as evidence.
In a similar vein, the government will guarantee that public housing remains cheap, particularly for young people and first-time homebuyers, and will continue to assist disadvantaged employees through Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model.
Mr. Wong stated that the progressive system of taxes and transfers would be enhanced so that everyone pays something, but those with more contribute more to assist those with less.
Second, Mr. Wong stated that meritocracy is still the greatest method to organize society, despite its disadvantages, such as the affluent providing their children with greater chances and the risk of privilege being entrenched through generations.
He stated, "We cannot forsake meritocracy, but I believe we can make our meritocracy more accessible and humane."
Mr. Wong stated that one approach to do this is to invest more in the early years of every kid, especially those from disadvantaged households, so that their birth circumstances do not dictate their destiny.
The government has previously invested in pre-school education, but Mr. Wong believes that more can be done in the early years, particularly for children from low-income households.
A second approach is to expand the notion of merit beyond academic qualifications by recognizing and cultivating abilities in many professions and offering opportunities for advancement at all stages of life.
Mr. Wong stated, "The most significant reform is not something the government can legislate into existence, since as a society we must all learn to recognize the contributions of every worker in every profession and sector."
Mr. Wong stated that technological and economic upheavals necessitate a reconsideration of the adequacy of present social assistance.
The government will investigate how it can do more to assist employees during difficult economic times, as well as how it can offer better care for the rising older population.
Mr. Wong stated that society must choose jointly how much more the government should spend and on what, as well as how much more people are willing to pay to finance these expenditures.
How to unify Singaporeans and prepare for future generations concludes the paper.
Mr. Wong stated, "Some things should not, cannot, and will never change, such as our core principle of multiracialism."
He stated that Singapore's variety is a source of strength, but it also demands ongoing modifications to strike the correct balance - steadily expanding common space while providing each minority as much freedom as possible to practice its culture.
A robust social contract must provide not only for this generation, but also for future generations, and "it is our holy obligation not to waste what we have received," as Mr. Wong stated.
Mr. Wong stated that he and his 4G team are honest and devoted to engaging with Singaporeans, listening to their feedback, and building on momentum gained over the years.
He urged Singaporeans to engage in the exercise and acknowledged that Singapore's path forward will not be simple.
"I hope we can all approach this with an open mind and a big heart, be prepared to give and take, and negotiate painful trade-offs so that we may arrive at our desired destination stronger and more unified than when we began."
Comentários