BUILDING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER Introduction The President (Mr S R Nathan): Honourable Members, when the Ninth Parliament opened in May 1997, the Asia Pacific region was prospering and our ASEAN neighbours were doing well. Barely a month later, the regional economic crisis erupted in Thailand and quickly spread to other countries in the region. The regional crisis has tested the sturdiness and resilience of our society. Our economy, social cohesion, and political structure have come under stress. Now the crisis is receding, and Singapore is emerging stronger and more united. We have passed an important trial of nationhood. We withstood the shocks because we had built a sound economy and society. We also dealt cohesively and rationally with our problems as external conditions worsened. Our strong tripartite relationship held. When the Government implemented the decisive cost cutting package last November, it did so with the full support of workers and employers. This package strengthened our competitiveness, minimised job losses, and restored our economy to growth. Post crisis, we are in a stronger position. But we can expect fiercer competition, and more daunting challenges. Our strategic environment has become more uncertain and complex. In the region, ASEAN's standing has been weakened, and will take time to recover. Indonesia is undergoing a wrenching political transition, which is not yet complete. Malaysia's economy is recovering, while its government faces political challenges, and general elections are due by next year. Globally, the major powers are grappling with the political and strategic implications of a globalised economy and the post Cold War power balance. They are tentatively exploring new configurations among themselves and with regional states. Fundamental questions have arisen about the evolution of the international system, and the international community's role dealing with internal problems of countries, for example in Kosovo and East Timor. In the economic field, globalisation continues unabated. Technology is advancing faster than ever. Therefore while dealing with immediate problems, we are also actively strengthening our long-term competitiveness. We are restructuring the financial sector, promoting technopreneurship, and investing heavily in our people. These steps will transform Singapore into a knowledge-based economy. Focus on People The past two years have shown that the key requirement to achieve our Singapore 21 vision is to develop our people and strengthen our social bonds. As we enter the new millennium, people will be the major focus of my Government's policy. First, we will create more opportunities and space for our citizens to develop to their full potential; and second, we will promote active citizenship, to get Singaporeans to play a full part in shaping our future. Everyone has a part to play in building Singapore. Everyone has a share in its success. These ideals are embodied in Singapore 21, the key programme of this Parliament. People Development People development will be a vital part of our programme. Our people must constantly upgrade and update themselves. We must go beyond using knowledge which has been created by others, to create new knowledge ourselves. This has deep implications for the way we develop the potential of Singaporeans, both before they enter the workforce and throughout their lives. Education We are refocussing our education system to prepare the next generation for a knowledge-based economy. The ten years of primary and secondary school will provide every child with a firm foundation for further education. We are revising the curriculum to encourage independent creative work, while maintaining our strength in mastering fundamentals. Our approach will be ability-driven, and tailored to the different needs of every child. We will widen the definition of success to encourage a wider range of skills, including in the arts and sports. We will make the best use of information technology, to create a stimulating learning environment. We are spending $2 billion on an Information Technology Masterplan, which will eventually equip schools with one computer for every two students. Every teacher will be IT savvy. We are upgrading and rebuilding existing schools, and building many new ones. Most important, we are providing principals and teachers with resources and autonomy. We want them to exercise their initiative and creativity, design programmes that suit their students, and teach with passion and conviction. Education is a joint responsibility, a shared adventure. To achieve full results, we need to change mindsets of teachers, students, parents, and the community. Close collaboration between school, home and community will be essential. Lifelong Learning With these programmes, our young will enter the workforce better prepared. But we also need to look after the interests of those already in the workforce. One third of them are unskilled, and another one third semi-skilled. Our workers will need training and retraining, to do new jobs requiring new skills. Otherwise as our economy advances, their old jobs will be phased out, and they may find themselves without jobs. Even skilled workers must refresh old skills and acquire new ones, to stay up to date. Hence we will promote lifelong learning. We have launched the Manpower 21 plan. This has to be a sustained and long-term national effort to upgrade our workforce for the knowledge and IT age. The Government will work with industry, unions and educational institutions, to tailor educational and training opportunities to suit those who are already in the workforce. We are developing a National Skills Recognition System, so that workers can earn credit for what they have learnt. Ultimately, lifelong learning will depend on workers themselves. They must make the effort to improve themselves, in order to stay employable, upgrade their jobs, and benefit fully from Singapore's growth and prosperity. Foreign Talent Besides investing in our own people, we also need to continue to attract talent as Singapore has always done. But now, it has to be from all over the world, people who can help us build our economy in the context of the changing world, and to make Singapore a vibrant and dynamic city. We have many talented Singaporeans, but not enough to fill all the fast growing demands of the nation. Without an infusion of foreign talent to give us that extra boost, Singapore will not be in the front ranks among many cities in Asia. Singapore should be a centre of opportunity, a global hub where people, ideas and capital come together to spark still more new ideas and opportunities. We must welcome talent to our shores, integrate them into our society, and work with them to create more opportunities and prosperity for Singaporeans. Developing Social Cohesion It is not enough for us, Singaporeans, to be individually talented. Our ability to work together, our commitment to Singapore and to one another, will determine whether we continue to survive, thrive and prosper. Visitors to Singapore see Changi Airport, our tree-lined highways, comfortable HDB flats, Shenton Way and Orchard Road. These are the physical attributes of modern Singapore. They appreciate our efficiency, clean and green environment, and safe streets. These are part of our software. But what really makes Singapore tick, and makes all the other hardware and software work, is our Heartware. This is the master software that gives us that inner strength and common purpose to build a better Singapore and rally together when faced with adversity. An orchestra needs virtuoso soloists to bring a performance to a climax. But it is the high quality of the orchestra as a whole that makes a truly great performance possible. The regional crisis has shown this clearly. Many countries came under stress. In some, fault lines showed up tragically. But Singaporeans remained united, and Singapore stayed peaceful and calm - a safe and secure harbour in the storm. Active Citizenship My Government will implement programmes to strengthen that `Heartware' of Singapore. We are systematically opening more avenues for citizens to participate in the nation's affairs, to tap the widest range of views. This will not only improve policies, but also give people a stake in their success. Active citizens form a people sector that complements the public sector and the private sector in a constructive three-way partnership. Each of us must become a participant in building the Singapore we want, and not merely be an observer, a passenger or a critic. By studying problems and contributing ideas, we understand better what is at stake, whether in our community or on the national stage. When we put our suggestions into action, we take ownership of the problem and share responsibility for the outcome. We will not always agree on every issue. Indeed constructive disagreement is often an essential step in clarifying issues and finding the best solution. We should not be afraid to debate major issues honestly, logically, and robustly, but always with a view to determining what is best for Singapore. After all the debate and discussion, we must build a consensus and move forward as one nation. Racial and Religious Harmony One important aspect of social cohesion is racial and religious harmony. Singapore is a young nation. Our people trace their roots back to the great civilisations and religions of the world. While Singaporeans of all communities now feel more Singaporean, each community feels a deep desire to preserve its own distinctiveness - its language, religion and culture. We have enjoyed racial harmony for a generation, but we cannot assume that the fault lines in our society have permanently closed. Events in the former Yugoslavia and our own region remind us how differences long thought to be dormant can re-erupt suddenly and violently, with tragic consequences. We must continue to build mutual understanding and respect among the communities, through living and working together, accommodating and learning about one another. Gradually we will strengthen the common Singaporean identity. The Ageing Population As our population ages, we also need to maintain social cohesion between the young and old. The Government set up the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Ageing Population in October last year. Its task - to make recommendations to prepare our society for the effects of an ageing population. We must start now to implement policies and programmes to address these future needs. At the individual level, we want citizens to plan for old age, stay healthy, active and secure, and continue to contribute to society. At the family level, we must encourage strong extended families. We need to maintain and reinforce the family's role. The family is the first line of care for its older members. It is the primary avenue for the young to support the old, and for transmitting values from generation to generation. At the community level, we must build a strong network of community services to enable the elderly to continue to live with their families and in the community. At the national level, we will need to harness the contributions of older persons, not only in the workforce, but also in the community at large. We must manage any strains between older and younger Singaporeans, and keep Singapore vibrant and competitive. Caring for the Less Successful Social cohesion also depends on the bonds between successful Singaporeans and those who have done less well. In our system of meritocracy, opportunities are open to everyone, but outcomes and rewards depend on ability, enterprise and hard work. Not all will do equally well. Those who do well succeed not simply through their own efforts, but because Singapore society has given them the opportunities to get ahead. They have an obligation to serve their fellow Singaporeans. On their part, Singaporeans should cheer for those among us who do well, and not envy them. For the successful help us all to progress. All citizens have helped to build Singapore through their hard work and commitment. All deserve to share in the country's success. Over the years, the Government has introduced many programmes to give all Singaporeans tangible shares in Singapore's success. These include HDB home ownership, HDB upgrading, the share ownership scheme, CPF top-ups and Medisave top-ups. So long as the economy continues to do well, and Government revenues can afford it, we will continue to implement asset-enhancement schemes to give Singaporeans stakes in our success. We must also look after the less fortunate in our society. Many helping hands are needed to do this well. Community Development Councils (CDCs) play an important role looking after the social needs of their residents. They involve dedicated volunteers, and often work together with other voluntary welfare organisations. During the economic downturn, CDCs provided counselling and job matching services, and assisted those who faced difficulties with expenses for utilities, medical care and education. We will gradually expand the role of CDCs, to develop a Singaporean model of a local community social safety net, that renders help where it is needed but does not undermine incentives for people to be self-reliant and to strive to uplift themselves. Conclusion The new millennium brings exciting challenges. In the last four decades we have laid a firm foundation for the future. Now we have to build on it; we have to respond creatively to the challenges of globalisation and the knowledge-based economy. Our people-development programmes will prepare Singaporeans to make the most of these new opportunities. We must also deepen our commitment to each other as Singaporeans. Globalisation must not weaken the sense of mutual obligation between us, between the more and the less successful. The knowledge-based economy must not widen the gap between those who sprint ahead with the new technologies and those who struggle to master them. Some of us may be more heartlanders, and others more cosmopolitan, but there must be a bit of the heartlander and a bit of the cosmopolitan in every Singaporean. Otherwise we will not gel together as one society. Our hearts must beat for Singapore - the place where most of us were born, and where we were nurtured and grew up. Here our family and friends are; here we will bring up our children. From here we take wing, to grasp and grapple with the immense opportunities of the information age. Wherever we may roam, we will always return to Singapore, some physically, yet others emotionally. This is our home and our future - a special place within our souls. This is the vision we shall realise as we build our future together. Adjourned accordingly at Eight Minutes to Nine o'clock pm.