NATIONAL DAY RALLY 2012 PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG'S SPEECH IN ENGLISH, SUNDAY, 26 AUGUST 2012 AT UNIVERSITY

CULTURAL CENTRE A Home With Hope and Heart

1. Singapore has travelled from Third World to First a. Singapore Story to date is well known

b. Question is: What is the next chapter in the Singapore Story? Where do we want Singapore to be 20 years from now? 2. Next 20 years will see many changes in the world a. b. Will there be peace and stability in Asia, and in the world? If not, Singapore must brace ourselves for a rough ride

c. If so (which looks likely), it will be an exciting era of rapid progress and dramatic change 3. Singapore is both a country and a city, hence must see our future against leading countries and cities around the world a. Asian countries will continue to rise, especially China and India i. Competing with us in many business areas manufacturing, services, R&D and surpass us in some ii. Offering many opportunities for Singaporeans

b. Cities like Shanghai and Beijing, Mumbai and Bangalore will become even more vibrant and exciting places to live and work c. Developed countries may not change so dramatically or may occasionally have problems, but their leading cities like New York, Los Angeles, and London will thrive d. Technology will completely transform our lives too i. Already huge part of how we live, work and play

2 ii. Sometimes taken for granted, but fundamentally a gamechanger iii. 20 years ago (1992): (1) Coin/card phones to handphones (a) Recruits had to queue up in camp to call home on the coin/card phone (b) Today coin/card phones are practically extinct (c) Every NSF has a handphone, and BMTC instructors remind recruits to call home the first night in camp mothers first, then girlfriends (2) Internet had not yet come to Singapore (a) No one imagined Facebook or YouTube, and their impact on societies and people (b) Today we are one of the most wired countries in the world iv. How can anyone imagine what breakthroughs will happen in the next 20 years? How this will impact our livelihoods and lives? (1) e.g. unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (a) Saw picture recently on Facebook of a UAV photographing a BMT Passing-Out Parade (i) People thought it was some top secret MINDEF project (ii) I asked MINDEF (iii) Answer: it was Jack Neo filming his latest movie (Ah Boys To Men)! (b) UAVs will have many uses in the future civilian and military

3 (c) US DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) ran a competition to crowdsource UAV design (UAVforge.net) (i) NTUs team led by Joshua Chao

(ii) Their UAV (Extractor X) ranked sixth overall out of 140, ahead of MIT and the Japanese Ministry of Defence (d) One day SIA may fly passengers in UAVs (although cannot replace the Singapore Girl) (2) Healthcare too: (a) A*STAR doing research on reading brain waves to control robots and artificial limbs (b) Photo shows a person using his brain waves to control a machine, which in turn moves his arm (c) Tremendous possibilities, e.g. rehabilitating stroke patients 4. How will these technological advances affect us? a. Entire industries will change, e.g. retailers under pressure from online merchants (books, videos, even groceries) b. Some jobs will disappear, others will have to be redesigned use technology to raise productivity, e.g. cleaning, personal secretaries c. Social norms will change how we communicate, interact with one another d. Will transform Singapore in many ways

5. Also domestic factors which will change Singapore greatly over the next 20 years a. Some trends foreseeable more mature economy, ageing society, better educated generation b. But future is not predetermined

4 c. It depends on ourselves i. ii. iii. What we make of our resources, our education, our people What we hope Singapore will be What we will Singapore to become

6. Must set a clear direction, rather than sail off course or drift with the tides a. Hence asked Heng Swee Keat to lead a national conversation on Our Singapore, to define what sort of Singapore we want and how we can achieve it b. Please join in this national effort

c. Think seriously about our future, contribute your ideas and work together to make it happen 7. Singapore must keep improving in such a rapidly changing world a. If we stand still, we will fall behind

b. But if we adapt to changes and exploit new opportunities, we will thrive 8. What should the next chapter of the Singapore Story be about? a. Three words: Hope, Heart and Home

BRIGHTER HOPES
9. Singapore must always offer hope of a better future a. b. c. An economy that creates opportunities for our people A society which nurtures our people to the fullest potential A people who look to the future, and not just to the past

d. A nation where our children will live better lives than us, as we did our parents 10. Have done it in this generation

5 a. e.g. Teck Ghee resident Mr Toh Phee Seng i. ii. Met him recently at my MPS Works in construction industry

iii. Needed help with Construction Safety Orientation Course recertification iv. Confident he could pass the exam, but could not read the test questions v. vi. b. Because he is illiterate I gladly wrote him a letter requesting help to take the test

Proudly told me his two children were graduates i. ii. The daughter (Huey Sun) an accountant with IRAS The son Wei Seong an A*STAR researcher (1) Graduated from Singapore Poly, went on to university, eventually earned a PhD from NUS (2) Awarded A*STAR International Fellowship to do postdoctoral fellowship in Harvard (3) Now a research scientist at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology iii. Happy that his children had done much better than himself

c. d. e.

Mr Tohs family reflects the experience of many families Epitomises Singapores transformation from Third World to First For info: MPS outcome i. NTUC Learning Hub (training provider) advised Mr Toh to take (its) computer-based audio exam ii. He passed!

11. Know people sometimes worry about the future: can our children do better than us?

6 12. But take a step back, and see our position in perspective a. b. We are in much better shape than we give ourselves credit for Strong fundamentals: world-class workforce, sound finances

c. Our system works: not perfect, but we will fix its imperfections and make it better d. We may be very conscious of our shortcomings, but others have a high regard for what we have achieved e. As former-MIT President Susan Hockfield told me recently: Singapore is the only country where we can see the full potential of the human spirit 13. If we all work together, we can confidently tackle our problems, and improve our lives a. Jobs i. Bringing in many new investments to create new and better jobs ii. Strengthening the Singapore core in the workforce, e.g. new Singapore-Industry Scholarship for Singaporeans to go to university, and work in local companies (90 scholarships this year with more to come) iii. Upgrading low income workers, e.g. in cleaning and security industries iv. Take advantage of these opportunities, upgrade yourselves to become more competitive and employable b. Transport i. We are making major investments in trains $60b over 10 yrs (1) Work on Thomson Line (from Woodlands to Marina Bay area) will start very soon (2) Downtown Line (Bukit Panjang to Changi Expo) will open in phases, starting next year

7 ii. iii. However, train projects will take time to complete Hence we are doing the BSEP

iv. Commuters should start to see new bus services and better frequencies by next month c. Ageing and healthcare i. New hospitals on the way Ng Teng Fong hospital in Jurong, next one in Sengkang ii. Building more nursing homes and day care centres

iii. But please make the effort to keep fit and live healthily best and cheapest healthcare anyone can provide himself d. Housing i. Cut waiting time to book HDB flats

ii. Confident nearly every Singaporean household can afford their own home iii. Enough space to accommodate our population (1) Developing more housing estates (2) Longer term reclaiming more land iv. Not just building flats, but creating better living environments, with green spaces, blue waters and clear skies v. vi. Building stronger communities together with Singaporeans Know singles concerned about housing (1) Can buy HDB flats on resale market (with grant), but not directly from HDB (2) Fully understand their concerns (3) MND is looking into the issue 14. Beyond these immediate challenges, critical to look ahead and prepare ourselves for the longer term

8 Education 15. Our most important long term investment in our people: education a. b. Key response to progress in technology, to changing world Learn to control computers and robots, not be replaced by them

c. Must keep upgrading ourselves to out-think and out-smart our competition 16. Good education system, at all levels a. Universities: Producing graduates who are highly sought after here and abroad b. ITEs and Polys: Students win many medals (e.g. in World Skills Competition 2011) i. Latest at FIRA RoboWorld Cup competition yesterday in Bristol, NYP won 12 medals ii. NYPs large robot (Evo Rocky) won the overall Gold (Golds for Sprint, Weight Lifting, Penalty Kick, Lift & Carry, Marathon) iii. The small robot (Red ATOM) is the world record sprinter (BBC: Usain Bolt of robots)! c. Schools: Our students shine in international competitions this year our team won the International Biology Olympiad, and a Singaporean (Lim Jeck) came first in the International Mathematics Olympiad 17. But we are not just focussing on the best students a. Yes, we should celebrate our gold medallists and outstanding students b. But schools and teachers are also doing their best for every student, from the weakest to the most talented 18. Hence we aim to make every school a good school, in every neighbourhood

9 a. e.g. email from Mr V Balu (father of Praveen, a Primary 6 student in Townsville Primary School) [Read Quote 1] : b. I am impressed by the openness and approachability of the teachers... Together with the guidance and motivation of dedicated teachers like Mdm Suhaizan and Mr Quek, my son performed much better in his mid-year exams With such a dedicated team of educators, we are certain that my son will be much (better) prepared for his forthcoming PSLE. University 19. Beyond schools, opening up more paths in higher education 20. Singaporeans have very high aspirations a. Every parent wants his or her child to do well

b. Many ITE students hope to make it to poly, and many poly students hope to go on to get a degree 21. Have been increasing university places, but still more desire to go 22. Tasked Lawrence Wong to study this issue a. Concluded that we should create more university places, focusing on applied, practice-oriented degrees, e.g. engineers, physiotherapists, social workers b. But must not simply churn out more graduates regardless of quality or employment opportunities i. Other countries have made this mistake, resulting in many unemployed or underemployed graduates, e.g. US, Europe, even China 23. Currently have two institutions that work closely with industry and emphasise practice-oriented teaching a. SIM University (UniSIM): i. Private institution running part-time courses for adult students

10 ii. Collaborates closely with industry, e.g. runs courses in Aerospace Systems, partnering aviation companies; students get to learn about practical aspects of aerospace engineering b. Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): i. High quality foreign partners in focussed areas, e.g. (1) DigiPen (interactive digital media) Student rendering an AT-ST (All Terrain Scout Transport) Walker from Star Wars (2) TUM Technical University of Munich (science & engineering) Students learning to program robots (3) CIA The Culinary Institute of America (culinary arts) Students learning about pita bread from an American chef ii. Degrees awarded by foreign partners

24. Will increase full-time places for applied degrees a. b. SIT and UniSIM will be our fifth and sixth universities SIT will expand places and award degrees in its own name

c. UniSIM will add full-time programmes and build on strong industry links, but remain a private university d. Thus increase current full-time university intake by a total of 3,000 students per year by 2020 (from 13,000 today to 16,000) e. Enable 40% of each cohort to go to university (from 27% today) including more poly students 25. At same time, will not forget about part-time, adult students a. UniSIM presently runs part-time courses i. Most students are poly grads, aged late 20s and 30s (1) Chatted with some of them (2) Mature, clear aims in life, determined to succeed (3) Asked why they chose this path

11 (4) Some not sure what they wanted to do next when they left school (5) Decided to start work (6) After a few years, learnt more about the working world, and knew their own minds (7) Decided to go back to school ii. Students have families and jobs, so need tremendous commitment and grit (1) e.g. Alfred Toh (marketing) and Natalie Chen (visual communications), who had a baby (Zhi Xuan) mid-way through their course, both about to graduate from UniSIM b. c. Good option for some students Will give more support to part-time students i. Make more part-time places available

ii. Extend Government bursaries and loans to UniSIM part-time students, so that they get the same support as part-time students in NUS and NTU 26. MOE will announce details later 27. Hope Singaporeans take advantage of this not just to collect a piece of paper, but develop themselves, learn something useful and make a contribution to society Pre-School 28. Also need to improve quality of pre-school education 29. Education used to start at P1 a. b. c. My mother only learnt to read when she went to primary school Norm then, not because she was disadvantaged She never felt any loss

12 d. But when it came to my turn, she sent me to Nanyang Kindergarten to learn Chinese 30. Times have changed a. Family structures evolved i. More nuclear families, fewer children, more dual-income parents today ii. Hence fewer opportunities to socialise with grandparents, siblings or cousins b. Early years are important for childrens development i. Brain is most receptive to learning at that age, especially learning languages ii. Gain confidence and curiosity about the world around them

iii. Pick up positive behaviour, social skills and learning attitudes c. Hence good pre-school education will prepare students to enter P1 and provide many long-term benefits thereafter 31. Situation today a. Nearly all children (99%) attend pre-school

b. Diverse mix of pre-school operators: two key non-profit Anchor Operators (AOPs PCF and NTUC) and many different private providers c. Financial support (ComCare subsidies 1 for low income households, plus childcare subsidies) makes pre-school affordable d. Support to AOPs to raise standards

32. Making progress, but not enough. Must do much more

Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) and Centre-Based Financial Assistance Scheme for Childcare (CFAC)

13 a. Substantially raise quality of pre-school education for children aged 5 and 6 years old, especially the mass market (AOPs) b. While keeping pre-school affordable, especially to middle- and lower-income households c. Level up all our students, and make a positive difference to their development, especially those from disadvantaged families 33. Hence government will invest substantial resources in pre-school, and play a more active role a. Establish new statutory board to oversee pre-school education

b. Provide and upgrade pre-school teacher training to raise standards c. d. Bring in new AOPs in addition to PCF and NTUC Upgrade AOPs (existing and new) i. e.g. more attractive careers and structured development opportunities for teachers, creative learning methods for students e. Pilot a few Government-run pre-school centres to test new concepts in kindergarten education f. Give more support to low- and middle-income families

34. But we will not nationalise pre-school sector a. b. c. Mix of operators offers diversity and choice Should not deprive parents of this choice Instead emphasise raising the base

35. Sketched out broad outline a. How exactly to do this? MOE and MCYS will study this

b. Transformation will take some time, but confident we will see results in 5-7 years 36. Caution to parents:

14 a. Pre-school is to teach certain skills which are best learnt at that age, e.g. languages, social skills, basic motor skills b. Must not bring P1 syllabus down to 5-6 year olds

c. Education experts and child development experts warn against over-teaching pre-school children d. No homework is not a bad thing; good for young children to play, and learn through play e. Please: Dont send your kids to two kindergartens and tuition to prepare them for P1! 37. Education (pre-school, school or university) vital to creating Hope for a better tomorrow a. Hope is essential to Singapores future and the Singapore Story

A BIGGER HEART
38. Besides Hope, Singapore tomorrow must have a bigger Heart a. b. c. Care and compassion for the needy and elderly Also largeness of spirit, generosity to those around us Reflects the sort of people we are, and the values we hold dear

An Inclusive Society 39. Long recognised the importance of taking care of less fortunate a. Worked hard to build an inclusive society

b. Enable all to enjoy fruits of progress, especially the weak, elderly and disabled i. Through housing, education, healthcare

ii. Especially through growth, which has created jobs and improved lives for all

15 c. Over past decade, addressed new social needs through new programmes Workfare, ComCare, Additional and Special Housing Grants 40. Major shift in this years Inclusive Budget a. Significant initiatives for i. ii. iii. b. Elderly, e.g. Silver Housing Bonus Low and middle-income, e.g. GST Vouchers Disabled, e.g. more Day Activity Centres

Not just spending more, but setting a new strategic direction i. ii. Laying basis for stronger social safety nets Striking new balance in the social compact

c.

Will build on this in years to come

41. Have a care: Inclusiveness is not just more good things from the state a. All benefits must be paid for i. We are already relying on our reserves, by spending part of the returns from investing them (Net Investment Returns Contributions NIRC) ii. NIRC has helped us to fund new programmes and still balance our budget iii. In 2011, NIRC ($8 bn) (1) Exceeded what we collected in Personal Income Taxes (2) Paid for 1/7 (14%) of our expenditures 2 iv. But we must draw on our reserves in a sustainable way (1) Cannot spend everything on ourselves

Including Special Transfers

16 (2) We have a responsibility to husband them for future generations too v. Looking ahead, state will spend more on social services

vi. In many countries, politicians champion social spending, but pretend that it costs taxpayers nothing vii. Let me tell you the truth: As spending increases significantly, sooner or later taxes must go up too not immediately, but certainly within the next 20 years b. Safety nets must be coupled with self-reliance and resilience i. People must be motivated to do their best

ii. State will help you where it can, but cannot replace what you and your family can do for yourselves, and each other iii. To survive we must be resilient tough as individuals, close as families, cohesive as a society, and strong as a nation iv. Be prepared to compete and hold our own impossible to run away from competition v. When we encounter setbacks, we must have the spunk to pick ourselves up, and press on c. Sense of mutual responsibility, especially among more successful i. You have succeeded by working hard, but you have also benefitted from our system which nurtured you, from the many others who helped you do well ii. d. Hence only right that you help others to succeed too

Happy to see social enterprises taking root i. e.g. Josephine Ngs Alteration Initiative (AI) (1) Josephine ran a successful marketing agency, but decided to sell it and give back to society (2) Founded a social enterprise Alteration Initiative providing professional alteration services

17 (3) Employs women-in-need, trains them as seamstresses, gives them decent salaries (4) AI does not just alter clothes, but its employees lives too A Big-Hearted Society 42. Besides social welfare, having a heart also means knowing how to treat one another in our little island 43. Have built a harmonious society by being big-hearted, e.g. a. Treating fellow citizens with respect

b. Accommodating practices and beliefs of different races/religions, e.g. sharing void decks for Chinese funerals and Malay weddings c. Showing spirit of give-and-take, mutual accommodation

44. Indeed most Singaporeans are generous in nature, e.g. a. b. c. Heartwarming stories and thank-yous in ST Forum More donating to charitable causes Young people are passionate over social causes i. Met youth leaders over tea last month

ii. Ms Tok Kheng Leng: Youth volunteer, mentors other youth, leads overseas youth expeditions. Topped NYP, now pursuing social work degree in NUS iii. Mr Farhan Firdaus: Active youth volunteer, founded Voluntarius an organisation that brings youths together to volunteer for good causes, e.g. cycling to raise money for disadvantaged children 45. However, see some troubling signs recently a. Residents reserving public roads outside their houses to park their cars not with tissue paper, but dustbins and flower pots

18 b. Neighbours quarrelling over washing of common corridors, placing of potted plants and furniture, noise c. People opposing nursing homes or studio apartments in own precinct, but volunteering to site same facilities in neighbouring precinct d. Not new, and for now still only a minority

e. But we seem to be getting less patient, less tolerant, less willing to compromise in order to get along 46. Perhaps we are losing the kampong spirit a. In old days, neighbours would regularly meet in common spaces, e.g. common corridors, community centres (watching TVs) or while waiting for lifts b. Today, we lead more private lives fewer opportunities to bump into our neighbours c. d. Less interaction results in less consideration Hence rising trend of bad behaviour

47. Should not let this spread, and make us ugly Singaporeans a. Do our best to be big-hearted to our neighbours, fellow citizens, fellow human beings b. Not just a matter of courtesy, but goes much deeper i. ii. Reflects how unselfish we are How much we respect others

48. One difficult area we should be big-hearted: Relations between Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans a. Most Singaporeans understand need for immigrants and foreign workers, and accept them b. But many have concerns because the influx has caused real problems

19 c. Completely understand this

49. Fair enough to express concern, or disagree with our immigration trends or policies a. But I am worried by some of the nasty views expressed, especially online, and anonymously b. When a foreigner says or does something wrong, especially to a Singaporean, response is overwhelming c. But bad Singaporean behaviour often goes uncriticised, and a good deed by a foreigner often goes unnoticed 50. e.g. Internet posts a. Sun Xus offensive blog post was roundly and rightly chastised by Singaporeans b. Many nasty posts by Singaporeans about foreigners, even some websites devoted to such posts, but very few stand up and speak up to say this is wrong 51. e.g. recent incidents in buses a. ST letter about a foreign nurse on a bus being the only one to help a woman who became sick and threw up, while the other passengers ignored her 3 no video or internet response b. YouTube video of two women quarrelling over bus seat a Singaporean with a non-Singaporean (who screamed and behaved outrageously) went viral 52. This reflects badly on us a. Damages our international reputation that Singapore is antiforeigner and xenophobic i. e.g. NYT: In Singapore, Vitriol Against Chinese Newcomers4

3 4

The Foreign Nurse Who Made A Difference, ST Forum, 27 Jul 2012 NYT, 27 Jul 2012

20 ii. b. Stories in other newspapers too, e.g. IHT, FT, WSJA, Xinhua

More fundamentally, speaks poorly of the sort of people we are

53. There will be social frictions from time to time a. There will be non-Singaporeans who behave badly post something offensive, behave badly to neighbours, act insensitively to people of other races b. Ditto Singaporeans

c. Smartphones and the social media have made it much easier for people to offend, and to take offence d. Should deal with these incidents maturely i. Alright to express disapproval of what happened

ii. Not alright to condemn all non-Singaporeans or Singaporeans based on the actions of a few bad apples iii. Also wrong to slam shortcomings of others, but ignore our own transgressions 54. Have to work on this from both sides a. Singaporeans must show a generosity of spirit to one another, including new arrivals b. New arrivals must also embrace our values, commit themselves to Singapore and integrate into our community c. We will welcome you into our family, but you must make the effort too 55. There are success stories in integration, e.g. a. Many PRC immigrants serving in the grassroots or doing charity work b. Indian PRs volunteering as Youth Mentors in SINDA

c. One German PR (married to a Singaporean) shops at Tekka Market, makes his own sambal and loves durians

21 56. One story caught my eye Le Ha Thanh Mai a. Came to Singapore from Vietnam on a scholarship at 15, had difficulty adjusting due to language and cultural barriers b. Got better after joining Temasek JC classmates welcomed her and helped her integrate c. At SMU, so localised that no one could tell she was a foreigner except for her name i. Elected by fellow students as International Students Secretary of the SMU Students Association ii. Led efforts to encourage international students to integrate with locals and learn more about one anothers cultures d. Reflected on her experience [Read Quote 2]: I feel as much a Singaporean as I am a Vietnamese. I have come to love the hawker food, the Singapore river that I jog along, the fireworks every national day on the magnificent background of Singapores skyline, the shopping malls a few streets down the road, the cinemas where I spend many nights watching movies, the schools I attended and most importantly, the friendships I have made 57. Ultimately up to us how big-hearted Singapore will be a. b. May be a small island, but cannot be small-minded We cannot just be a prosperous and successful country

c. We must also be a caring, generous, decent people, who are gracious and warm towards one another, as well as towards others d. Best way to ensure that Singapore tomorrow will have a bigger Heart

OUR BEST HOME

58. Besides Hope and Heart, Singapore must always be our best Home a. b. Feel that we belong Show loyalty to country

22 c. Take pride in what we have achieved together, and what we stand for d. A home we love the theme for this years NDP (Loving Singapore, Our Home) 59. Families are a big part of what Home means a. b. c. Families are central to our sense of who we are Families give us reason to defend and protect what we have Set up home means to settle down and start a family

Having Our Own Babies 60. Hence Singapore must be a home where people want to get married, have children and bring up the next generation a. b. Alas we are having too few babies! TFR still falling steadily: 1.2 in 2011

c. Last time we exceeded replacement rate was in 1976 three Dragon years ago! d. Mini-peaks each Dragon year thereafter, but each smaller than the previous one e. f. Expect more Dragon babies this year But long-term trend is down

61. Will not give up! 62. Received many (serious and non-serious) words of advice, e.g. one Asian politician: Have more blackouts 63. But not so simple a. More Singaporeans remaining single, or getting married later i. b. Working too hard connected 24/7

Married couples have fewer children

23 i. Each married woman has two babies on average (this number has been declining too) ii. Replacing mum and dad, but not making up for those not marrying and having children 64. Many Singaporeans explained their concerns about having children a. Spoke to one teacher recently i. Mother of four, youngest just one year old

ii. Appreciates schemes for working mothers, e.g. paid maternity leave, flexi-work arrangements iii. But feels pressure to work hard and fulfil her responsibilities in school iv. Asked what was the one thing that would encourage Singaporeans to have children, she said improve work-life balance, but added but the government cannot deliver that b. Another young couple in my branch i. Newly married, moved into HDB flat, not ready for children yet ii. Husband: Make childcare more accessible, offer flexible work arrangements iii. Wife: Did not want six months maternity leave (because she might be away from work too long), but wanted paternity leave so fathers could help raise children 65. Sensible views, shared by many couples 66. What more can we do? a. b. c. NPTD studying this carefully as part of population issue Consulting widely Will work out package by the time White Paper is published

67. Meanwhile, some broad ideas taking in views we have received so far:

24 a. Work-life balance i. Promote flexible work arrangements

ii. Improve work culture and employer attitudes not entirely within Governments dispensation b. Housing i. c. Give priority to couples with children

At birth i. Maternity leave 16 weeks is about right

ii. Paternity leave (in some form) said no for a long time, but time to say yes, to signal importance of fathers role, and shared responsibility for raising children d. Medical i. Create a Medisave account for each child at birth, and put in a small hongbao to start life with can defray childhood medical expenses, and reassure parents no need to worry e. Pre-school i. Earlier steps to raise pre-school standards and keep it very affordable will be helpful f. Childcare and Infant Care i. More financial support to low- and middle-income households ii. Will also continue to help operators to set up centres in housing estates and near workplaces g. Improve Baby Bonus i. Always welcome

68. Ultimately, not about money, but values and deep motivations a. Singaporeans will marry and have children because of the fulfilment that having a family brings

25 b. Measures address the practical problems couples face in having and bringing up children c. And signal where we must change our mindsets and norms employer attitudes, work-life balance, fathers duties d. Beyond that, we want to create the right social environment and ethos so Singaporeans want to settle down and have kids e. Strengthen the sense that this is home, here is where we want to raise our families Our Singapore Home 69. Besides families, memories of places, old friends, past events are also essential to keeping Singapore our best home 70. Often the simple things remind us most of home a. e.g. email from Ms Thecla Loh [Read Quote 3]:

Its the simple things that I love about my country, like waking up on a Sat morning, feeling the chill in the morning air, deciding to go downstairs to have a warm bowl of duck porridge instead of the usual cold cereal, having freshly fried, piping hot you zha gui with ice cold soya milk on a whim. Having an elderly lady in a wheelchair pull up beside me, mistaking me for one of her kopi kakis and discussing the weather with me in Hokkien, watching the Indonesian maid speak fluent Hokkien to her elderly wheelchair-bound employer and showing genuine concern and care for the old lady, reminding me of my grandmother and her Indonesian helper whom I am truly grateful for helping to take care of the needs of my grandmother in her last years. 71. Thecla remembers Singapore by the food, the people and most importantly her family 72. Likewise with me home, family, growing up: a. Pic of family at 38 Oxley Road, May 1965

73. Over years, more links form, memories accumulate. To me, home also means:

26 a. Memories of places where I have known for many years, now changed i. ii. iii. iv. Nanyang PS now and then Orchard Central and Orchard Road car park Best ou luak! SMU and SJI Field Marina Bay MBS and Breakwater (1) b. Today an icon of the Singapore skyline

People meeting old friends and comrades i. Meeting some old soldier who served together with me years ago (1) e.g. Omar Haron (a) Met him again at an iftar in Teck Ghee recently (b) Former corporal, vehicle electrician, Taman Jurong Camp, 1975 (c) We were both so happy that I took this picture of us together (d) Son now a cardiologist (e) Similar story to Mr Toh Phee Seng! ii. Being greeted by fellow citizens while abroad we are also from Singapore (1) e.g. in Dalat, Vietnam, last December, having breakfast (2) Two young ladies came over to ask to take a picture

(3) One introduced herself as a teacher (Priscilla Pan) in Teck Ghee Primary School (4) After breakfast, ran into another extended family group, also from Ang Mo Kio

27 (5) They are proud to be Singaporean, and they make me feel proud to be Singaporean too c. Events remembering National Days for nearly half a century since 1966, especially the flag flying past while we sing Majulah Singapura i. ii. Helicopter has changed: From the UH-1H to the Chinook But the pride and emotion are the same

CONCLUSION
74. All of us have our own memories and stories to tell a. Hence Singapore Memory Project 300,000 memories collected so far and counting 75. Shared many peoples memories today a. Mr Toh Phee Seng: Giving his children the education he himself never had b. Mr Chung Win Kee: Discovering a whole new world online, and perfecting his chicken rice recipe along the way c. Mdm Chang Ka Fong: 87 years young, and still playing basketball daily d. Iskandar Jalil: Creating beautiful pottery displayed the world over

76. Shared about younger ones, their lives ahead of them, who will write the next chapter of the Singapore story, and build their own treasure house of memories a. Joshua Chao and the Extractor X team: Making new breakthroughs that will transform our lives b. Jauhari and Adil Hakeem: Inspiring other young Singaporeans to do their best c. d. Praveen and his teachers: Preparing for a brave new world Thecla Loh: Discovering new things to love about Singapore

28 e. Alfred and Natalie: Raising little Zhi Xuan to be a proud, patriotic Singaporean 77. These memories come together to define the Singapore story for all of us a. b. c. Individually our lifes experiences Collectively the soul of the nation Must cherish them, and build on them

78. In our shared future a. b. The world may be completely different Our lives will be quite transformed

c. But our drive to keep the Singapore story vital and fresh for all of us must never falter 79. Let us work together to create a better Singapore a. b. Where we look to our shared future with confidence and Hope Where we treat one another and others too with a big Heart

c. Where we build for our children and grandchildren our best Home 80. Good Night! .....