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S'poreans to gain from strong Govt revenue
Upcoming Budget should hold good news: PM at PAP conference
By Zakir Hussain , POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday hinted that the upcoming Budget 'should have some good news', as Government revenues have been better than projected.
He also pledged that this growth will be channelled to improve the lives of Singaporeans across the board.
The funds will be spent on building homes, upgrading and rejuvenating housing estates, and strengthening the country's social safety nets, said Mr Lee. The Government will invest heavily in education and skills training so workers can have better jobs and earn more. It will also improve medical care, build new MRT lines, and add trains to serve the growing population, he said.
Mr Lee was addressing about 1,700 People's Action Party (PAP) activists and cadres at the party's biennial conference, its last before the next general election, due by February 2012.
He did not say how much more in revenue had been collected, but the Government last year projected $40.73 billion in operating revenue. The economy is set to grow by 15 per cent this year.
The Budget is usually delivered in Parliament in February.
Speaking in Malay, Mandarin and English for over an hour at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore, Mr Lee outlined the PAP Government's plans to improve the lives of all Singaporeans, and in particular to help lift the lot of low-income earners.
In rallying activists to convince voters to work with the ruling party to improve their lives and sustain Singapore's prosperity, he acknowledged that the country's rapid growth in recent years had created 'side effects'.
These include more foreigners, higher property prices, and a sense of disorientation among people. The Government was addressing these problems and will continue to do so, he said.
But, he added, it was far better to be faced with such problems of success than to have to manage problems of failure such as unemployment or a lack of confidence in the economy.
Mr Lee noted how just two years ago, Singapore was hit by the global financial crisis, with many citizens worried about their jobs, their families and their futures.
The Government prepared a decisive early Budget, and was fortunate that the global situation turned around faster than expected.
But more than luck or favourable circumstances, the Government had built up its savings over many years in preparation for a crisis.
And when the time to do battle came, unions, bosses and grassroots leaders worked with the Government, which showed leadership in setting the right policies and mobilising the nation, he added.
Mr Lee noted that although there were still uncertainties in the global outlook, Singapore was in a strong position, with every reason to be confident of the future and strong growth benefiting its workers.
Turning to the future, Mr Lee spoke of how older Housing Board estates will be remade. 'Provided Singaporeans support the Government and its plans, we can do it. We will make this one of the best countries in the world to live, work, bring up families and retire in,' he said.
He also acknowledged that not everyone will do as well, but said everyone will be given an equal stake in the country.
The most successful will have every opportunity to shine, so that they can give back to society and help lift others, he said.
And the less skilled, the poor and especially the elderly will get a helping hand to catch up and keep up, so that they too will benefit from Singapore's prosperity.
He stressed there was no shortage of funds to help the deserving and needy, and cited housing grants, Workfare, and Medifund and ComCare aid schemes.
The Government will also do more to help those who are not quite so poor, Mr Lee said, adding that it was only fair to give the most help to those most in need.
Turning to the hot-button issue of immigration, Mr Lee said the Government will manage the inflow and strive to integrate newcomers, such as by encouraging them to learn English. 'We have made clear that citizens come first, but we cannot do without foreigners,' he added.
On housing prices, Mr Lee said the Government was watchful of a bubble forming, and pledged to keep public housing affordable and ensure enough homes.
As for citizens feeling that things are changing too fast for comfort, Mr Lee pledged to retain key landmarks and preserve significant places and memories: 'The world will not slow down for Singapore, but we will help Singaporeans to keep their bearings and help them adapt.'
At the start of yesterday's conference, the party cadres elected 12 members to its central executive committee. They included Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who sent his apologies for not being present yesterday.
In his closing address, touching on the coming general election, PM Lee said more than 240 potential candidates have been invited to 'tea', and more than 40 have been interviewed by a committee chaired by himself.
Retired accountant Eugene Lim, 61, welcomed news of possible goodies in the Budget. He hoped 'a substantial portion' would benefit the less fortunate while improving citizens' standard of living.
Noting that the goodies would likely come quite close to the election, he said with a chuckle: 'It'll be an election Budget'.
[email protected]
Upcoming Budget should hold good news: PM at PAP conference
By Zakir Hussain , POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday hinted that the upcoming Budget 'should have some good news', as Government revenues have been better than projected.
He also pledged that this growth will be channelled to improve the lives of Singaporeans across the board.
The funds will be spent on building homes, upgrading and rejuvenating housing estates, and strengthening the country's social safety nets, said Mr Lee. The Government will invest heavily in education and skills training so workers can have better jobs and earn more. It will also improve medical care, build new MRT lines, and add trains to serve the growing population, he said.
Mr Lee was addressing about 1,700 People's Action Party (PAP) activists and cadres at the party's biennial conference, its last before the next general election, due by February 2012.
He did not say how much more in revenue had been collected, but the Government last year projected $40.73 billion in operating revenue. The economy is set to grow by 15 per cent this year.
The Budget is usually delivered in Parliament in February.
Speaking in Malay, Mandarin and English for over an hour at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore, Mr Lee outlined the PAP Government's plans to improve the lives of all Singaporeans, and in particular to help lift the lot of low-income earners.
In rallying activists to convince voters to work with the ruling party to improve their lives and sustain Singapore's prosperity, he acknowledged that the country's rapid growth in recent years had created 'side effects'.
These include more foreigners, higher property prices, and a sense of disorientation among people. The Government was addressing these problems and will continue to do so, he said.
But, he added, it was far better to be faced with such problems of success than to have to manage problems of failure such as unemployment or a lack of confidence in the economy.
Mr Lee noted how just two years ago, Singapore was hit by the global financial crisis, with many citizens worried about their jobs, their families and their futures.
The Government prepared a decisive early Budget, and was fortunate that the global situation turned around faster than expected.
But more than luck or favourable circumstances, the Government had built up its savings over many years in preparation for a crisis.
And when the time to do battle came, unions, bosses and grassroots leaders worked with the Government, which showed leadership in setting the right policies and mobilising the nation, he added.
Mr Lee noted that although there were still uncertainties in the global outlook, Singapore was in a strong position, with every reason to be confident of the future and strong growth benefiting its workers.
Turning to the future, Mr Lee spoke of how older Housing Board estates will be remade. 'Provided Singaporeans support the Government and its plans, we can do it. We will make this one of the best countries in the world to live, work, bring up families and retire in,' he said.
He also acknowledged that not everyone will do as well, but said everyone will be given an equal stake in the country.
The most successful will have every opportunity to shine, so that they can give back to society and help lift others, he said.
And the less skilled, the poor and especially the elderly will get a helping hand to catch up and keep up, so that they too will benefit from Singapore's prosperity.
He stressed there was no shortage of funds to help the deserving and needy, and cited housing grants, Workfare, and Medifund and ComCare aid schemes.
The Government will also do more to help those who are not quite so poor, Mr Lee said, adding that it was only fair to give the most help to those most in need.
Turning to the hot-button issue of immigration, Mr Lee said the Government will manage the inflow and strive to integrate newcomers, such as by encouraging them to learn English. 'We have made clear that citizens come first, but we cannot do without foreigners,' he added.
On housing prices, Mr Lee said the Government was watchful of a bubble forming, and pledged to keep public housing affordable and ensure enough homes.
As for citizens feeling that things are changing too fast for comfort, Mr Lee pledged to retain key landmarks and preserve significant places and memories: 'The world will not slow down for Singapore, but we will help Singaporeans to keep their bearings and help them adapt.'
At the start of yesterday's conference, the party cadres elected 12 members to its central executive committee. They included Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who sent his apologies for not being present yesterday.
In his closing address, touching on the coming general election, PM Lee said more than 240 potential candidates have been invited to 'tea', and more than 40 have been interviewed by a committee chaired by himself.
Retired accountant Eugene Lim, 61, welcomed news of possible goodies in the Budget. He hoped 'a substantial portion' would benefit the less fortunate while improving citizens' standard of living.
Noting that the goodies would likely come quite close to the election, he said with a chuckle: 'It'll be an election Budget'.
[email protected]
