The President (Mr C V Devan Nair): Honourable Members, the political leadership of Singapore has passed on to a new team of younger leaders. In Cabinet, 9 out of 12 were elected after 1968. In Parliament, of the 77 Government MPs, 61 were elected after 1968, and 24, or nearly one-third, in the recent General Election. NEW GOALS My Government's first duty is to safe-guard what Singaporeans have achieved. Its second duty is to improve upon what has been achieved by building a better society. In pursuing these higher goals, my Government will pay particular attention to those who find it difficult to keep up with the pace of change - the 15 to 20% in the lower income group and the aged. For the next five years, my Government's objectives will be: 1. to reach an accord on the character of the society people desire, and involve the young in working towards its achievement; 2. to strengthen the driving force of our progress, namely, the urge each citizen has to develop his potential to the fullest and to achieve his rewards in accordance with the worth of his contribution to our economy or society; 3. to target for economic growth rates of between 5-7% per annum, and an increase in the productivity rate of between 3-5% per annum; 4. to aim for 80% home-ownership by 1989, as the next stage towards a 100% home-owning society by 1999; 5. to help working mothers by providing well-run nurseries, creches and play schools for their young children; 6. to provide support for a socially-active life for the aged. Greater Participation by the Population My Government will seek the participation of our people both the young and the old in these tasks. Everyone has an honoured place in Singapore society. Everyone has a valuable contribution to make. All must participate in the big decisions which will re-shape their lives. We are examining ways to devolve control of the now towns by investing authority over the management in town councils or estate committees, which may include Members of Parliament and community leaders. Such autonomy should lead to speedier response to local problems and needs. Shared responsibility is good for neighbourliness and community solidarity. Each new town can develop its own distinctive character. Equal Opportunities For All A better life for all requires the creation of more wealth. Governments do not create wealth. They can only create the pre-conditions for fruitful efforts. These pre-conditions are an efficient and honest administration, a strong defence, political stability, social and racial harmony, good industrial relations, and a free market economy. Under these conditions, equal opportunities to every citizen for education and health will lead to the maximum individual effort and the highest team spirit. 100% Home-Ownership Society 81% of our population live in public housing. 60% own their homes. Few countries in the world have achieved such a high percentage of home-owners. We can do better. At the end of five years, we are confident we can increase the percentage of HDB home-owners in our population to 80%. By then, close to 90% of our population will live in HDB flats. The HDB will build 180,000 units in the next five years. About 113,000 out of 500,000 HDB households are in old rental flats. Only 17,000 of the rentals have registered to buy their own. The rest may need help to buy their flats. This Government will offer self-help schemes which with an extra effort in thrift and self-discipline can enable them to own their homes. In the next five years, we hope annually 7,000 to 10,000 families who now rent flats can become home-owners. Working Mothers and Upbringing of Children Women have become important contributors to our economic growth. There is a danger that their children may not receive enough parental care and guidance to grow up as moral and upright citizens. Foreign maids whose social backgrounds are different from ours, cannot be the imparters of cultural values to our young. The best care comes from parents and grandparents. The next best are creches and child-care centres under the charge of professionally trained child-minders. An important part of community development for a generation of working mothers is to provide high standards of care for pre-school children. Special Attention for the Aged Our senior citizens, those over 65 years, need better facilities to keep them socially active and healthy. Their numbers are increasing. The young must adjust their attitudes to make our senior citizens feel that they are participating members of society, and not left to be objects of charity, outside the mainstream of life. Achievable Goals As we achieve our goals we shall develop and mature as a society. Our people can be encouraged to find satisfaction and fulfilment beyond material pursuits. A more vibrant cultural environment can make living in Singapore more fun. This we can achieve if we set higher goals for ourselves, if we dare to achieve. Our performance in the last 25 years gives us confidence that we can succeed. At the conclusion of the President's Address, Mr Speaker,preceded by the Serjeant at Arms, the Clerk, the Principal Assistant Clerk and the First Assistant Clerk, escorted the President (accompanied by two A.D.Cs) out of the Chamber, and the House adjourned without question put, pursuant to the Standing Order Adjourned accordingly at Seventeen minutes to Nine o'clock pm to Friday, 1st March 1985 at 11 a.m.