SINGAPORE — As Singapore looks towards the future, balancing respect for the past while embracing change, its core principles must remain steadfast, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Friday (Aug 23). Addressing reporters after the recent National Day Rally, Mr. Wong stressed that values like multiculturalism, meritocracy, and incorruptibility will remain essential even as policies are adapted to address new challenges.

During the press conference, Mr. Wong discussed how Singapore must always evolve while staying rooted in these fundamental values. He highlighted the recently introduced retrenchment support package as an example of adapting policies to suit the nation’s needs, while still remaining aligned with the ethos of self-reliance. The government, he explained, has long resisted unemployment insurance, citing negative outcomes in other countries, but the new policy was carefully designed to avoid such issues.

Future Priorities and Reflecting on the First 100 Days

Marking his 100th day in office as Prime Minister, Mr. Wong was asked about his top priorities for the early days of his leadership. He emphasized that his focus has not been on specific milestones, but rather on thinking long-term about Singapore’s next phase of nation-building. “My priority is to guide Singapore through this transition, building on what we have achieved while being bold enough to embrace necessary changes,” he said.

He noted that the recently concluded Forward Singapore exercise had been instrumental in gathering feedback from Singaporeans about their aspirations for the future. The National Day Rally was an opportunity to outline this vision and present concrete steps toward addressing key issues.

Upholding Core Values While Moving Forward

In his National Day Rally speech, Mr. Wong emphasized the importance of balancing progress with continuity. On Friday, he reiterated the need for Singapore to preserve key principles like multiculturalism, meritocracy, and a strong focus on family values. These pillars, he said, should be maintained even as bold new policies are introduced.

One example of this balance is the recently announced SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, which provides temporary financial aid to workers who have been retrenched. Mr. Wong explained that, while this represents a shift in Singapore’s traditional stance against direct financial support for job seekers, the scheme has been carefully designed to ensure that it encourages skills development and re-employment, rather than disincentivizing work.

“The key is to design policies suited to Singapore’s specific needs, without compromising on our fundamental values,” he said.

Evolving Policies, Constant Values

Mr. Wong also discussed the need for Singapore to continuously re-evaluate its policies in response to changing circumstances. “It’s not about changing for the sake of change, but rather recognizing that some policies can always be refined to serve Singaporeans better,” he said.

However, he made it clear that while policies can be adjusted, the core principles guiding them must remain inviolable. When asked if any policies were “non-negotiable,” Mr. Wong responded that it is not the policies themselves that are untouchable, but the values underpinning them.

“Multiculturalism, meritocracy, and incorruptibility are examples of values that cannot be compromised,” he said. However, he added that the specific policies created to uphold these values should always be open to debate and review. For instance, policies promoting meritocracy can be examined to ensure they do not inadvertently lead to stress or elitism.

A Vision for the Future

Mr. Wong’s National Day Rally speech had called on Singaporeans to join the government in a “major reset” aimed at creating a more inclusive and compassionate society. This reset, he explained, will require changes not only in policies but also in the mindset of the population.

Looking forward, Mr. Wong stressed that the government will continue to monitor its policies closely, making adjustments where needed to ensure that Singapore remains a stable, forward-thinking nation that stays true to its core principles.

“We must constantly evaluate how best to serve Singaporeans while ensuring that our foundational values stay strong,” he concluded.