SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said the Prime Minister's National Day Rally Speech on Sunday was the result of an intense effort by Cabinet ministers and officials to look at some of the long-term challenges facing the country.
Mr Heng, who is also the chairman of "Our Singapore Conversation", said the speech was a substantive response to the year-long conversation.
He was speaking on Wednesday evening to participants of the first public forum following the rally.
The government's feedback unit REACH invited some 180 members of the public to the forum. They included youths, grassroot leaders and representatives of business federations.
They took the opportunity to engage the education minister on the significant policy changes announced at the rally.
During the dialogue, Mr Heng described the Prime Minister's speech as the most significant in recent years.
He said: "I find the speech particularly empathetic and responsive -- empathetic to the concerns of fellow Singaporeans and responsive to the views which were expressed during the year-long exercise in Our Singapore Conversation."
Mr Heng added that the prime minister has tried to impress Singaporeans that the government is strategic and forward-looking concerning the long-term challenges of Singapore, and at the same time remaining creative and bold in seeking new opportunities for Singaporeans.
Referring to the future development of Changi Airport, Paya Lebar Airbase and the ports, Mr Heng said despite the country facing constraints in land, it can overcome the limitations.
Participants generally welcomed the policy changes. However, they also expressed concerns on how the government would be able to implement them.
Some have more suggestions for the government to consider.
Abdul Kader Sahul Hameed, a Radin Mas resident, said: "They say that if you have the first kid, you have priority for a home. Maybe if you have two kids, or three kids you may have some priority or rebates on COE because they can go as a family in a car."
A Sembawang resident, Isiah Majid, said: "Maybe the government can consider allowing them to purchase a house, way before they get married, for example, if they start working they have some funds in their CPF, then they can start applying already. That means when they get married they already have a house waiting for them."
Mr Heng said the National Day Rally cannot possibly address every single issue.
He said: "The key takeaway from the NDR Speech should not be just individual items, but really together, what does it show. I think it signifies a very significant shift in key policy positions."
REACH has received a lot of feedback on the rally speech on its various platforms.
Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health and Manpower, and chairman of REACH, said: "Many of it is positive to the overall message of NDR. You've got people describing it as 'inspiring', 'stimulating'.
"It shows the government has listened to Singaporeans, to their concerns. The government shows that it cares for the welfare of Singaporeans, among many other things."
REACH will continue to hold its feedback exercises until the end of the month. They include dialogues with working professionals, youths and a live Facebook chat.
- CNA/al
