Over the last five days, 74 Members of Parliament (MP), including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, spoke in response to President Halimah Yacob’s address.
All of them had the conviction to improve the lives of Singaporeans, recognising unity as the binding force that will tide the country over this unprecedented crisis.
NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay made the overarching point in his round-up speech in Parliament on 4 September 2020.
“We must unite so that our economy will again prosper anew. We must unite, even more so as external forces seek to divide us. We must unite so that we can leave behind a better society for our children and their children,” he said.
In his closing address, Mr Tay outlined the speeches into five unifying themes.
In her address, Mdm Halimah spoke about the need to be more resilient and nimbler than others in responding to change.
Mr Tay acknowledged the need for change but underlined the necessity of a shift in mindset, which includes the ability to see opportunities in the COVID-19 crisis.
There were proposals put forth on environmental sustainability; smart commerce; supply chain digitalisation; industry 4.0 and digital transformation.
“These new areas and business models will create new jobs and new ways of thinking. We need to stay positive and see these risks and challenges as opportunities to transform the way we do things,” he said.
Mr Tay also touched on the common theme to drive transformation by equipping the workforce with the necessary skills to take on the tasks ahead.
Job insecurities and anxieties are topmost on people’s minds against the backdrop of today’s economic and social disruptions.
Not surprisingly, many MPs spoke passionately about strengthening the Singapore core.
Mr Tay said he is heartened that the Ministry of Manpower pledged to ensure fair hiring opportunities.
At the same time, he also agreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s statement that Singapore cannot look inwards but must remain open to attract investments.
With more retrenchments and fewer jobs in the coming months, there is also a need to pay special attention to groups that will be hardest hit – the low wage workers and older workers, Mr Tay said.
In response to Mdm Halimah’s call to build a fair and just society, Mr Tay said that Singapore’s “transformation, therefore, must be inclusive and also build social cohesion.”
He added that the new social compact must be practical and should balance the needs of Singaporeans with their aspirations and dreams.
The areas of concern include:
“As we deal with the major changes in the economy and labour market, it is important to strengthen our social safety nets and keep inequality in check,” said Mr Tay.
The Singapore Tapestry is woven out of diversity and adversity with “its colours brightened by the idealism and energy of our youth,” said Mr Tay.
He urged the younger generation never to stop dreaming and lose their sense of optimism and promised that the Government would work with them to realise their goals.
Mr Tay also reiterated the need to continue building a culture of openness and trust, “one in which the Government listens, consults and engages regularly with citizens.”
Finally, Mr Tay acknowledged the new aspirations and expectations of Singaporeans. This includes a desire for more diverse voices to be heard, together with stronger checks and balances.
“Moving forward, both the Government and the Opposition must share the common goal of working together to better Singapore,” he said.
Mr Tay also mentioned that many MPs applauded the Government for recognising the Leader of the Opposition.
“It is crucial to have constructive, rational debates to further the interest of Singapore,” he added.
In closing, Mr Tay thanked the President for her address on behalf of members of the house. He reiterated the called for unity “to build a liveable and sustainable society that is founded on mutual trust with opportunities for all.”
