EMBARGOED TILL 1600 HRS
THURSDAY, 15 APR 04
PRESS RELEASE
UPDATE ON REMAKING SINGAPORE COMMITTEE’S
RECOMMENDATIONS
GOVERNMENT SAYS ‘YES’ TO MAJORITY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Remaking Singapore exercise in 2002/2003 was aimed at
addressing challenges in the social, cultural and political spheres, and to
complement the efforts of the Economic Review Committee. Its report,
submitted to Prime Minister Goh in July 2003, proposed recommendations
around four themes for renewal and change, viz. A Home for All Singaporeans,
A Home Owned, A Home for All Seasons, and A Home to Cherish.
2. Collectively, these recommendations aim to i) unleash the creative
potential of Singaporeans and attract discerning talent to live and work here; ii)
fine-tune Singapore’s safety nets and engender a more compassionate society;
iii) expand common spaces and strengthen social cohesion; and iii) create more
opportunities for Singaporeans to contribute to the country and strengthen their
emotional bonds to Singapore.
3. Just how seriously the Government is taking the recommendations has
been demonstrated by the many policy changes that have been announced in
the past few months. Some of the more notable changes include:
A Home for All Singaporeans
§ Allowing schools and tertiary institutions greater flexibility in admitting
students
§ Setting up a pre-tertiary independent Arts School
§ Modifying the ranking of schools
A Home Owned
§ Easier registration of groups/societies
§ Relaxation of policies regarding funding of performance/forum art, vetting
of play scripts and busking
A Home for All Seasons
§ Consolidation and rationalization of various assistance schemes for
those affected by structural unemployment
§ Facilitation of employment for the disabled
A Home to Cherish
§ Harmonizing citizenship privileges of overseas-born babies of
Singaporean women and their foreign husbands
4. The RSC has been heartened by the Government’s response. But the
remaking process does not end with this review. It is an on-going work, and
one in which the Remaking Singapore Committee hopes all Singaporeans will
continue to contribute to.
For media queries, please contact :
Ms Senbagavalli, Tel : 6325 7244 or Mrs Julia Hang, Tel: 63257222