Cover Photo: Facebook/Lee Hsien Loong
Photo: Facebook/Lee Hsien Loong
1 / 1
We list the key takeaways from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally speech
Singapore’s 2022 National Day Rally speech was delivered last night on August 21 at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Headquarters by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and it contained several key announcements.
From the announcement that Section 377A of the Penal Code would be repealed to major changes in our mask-wearing regulations, there was plenty to take note of.
Don’t worry if you were unable to catch the speech in its entirety last night. Below, we list the most important takeaways from his speech.
Don’t miss: Singapore Government To Repeal Section 377A
1. Section 377A Will Be Repealed
One of the biggest announcements at the NDR was that Singapore will be repealing Section 377A of the Penal Code.
That said, Mr Lee emphasised that the government will continue to uphold and reinforce the importance of marriage between a man and a woman through national policies. He added that most Singaporeans have voiced concerns about keeping it this way.
Mr Lee went on to explain that the reason the country would be repealing the law is that there is a significant risk of the law being struck down by judges in future legal challenges. He added that it would be unwise to ignore this and do nothing.
He also acknowledged that societal attitudes towards the homosexual community have “shifted appreciably” and that it is about time that lawmakers consider whether sex between men in private should be a criminal offence.
“We need to find the right way to reconcile and accommodate both the traditional mores of our society and the aspiration of gay Singaporeans to be respected and accepted,” he said in his speech.
“I believe (repeal) is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will now accept. This will bring the law into line with current social mores, and I hope, provide some relief to gay Singaporeans.”
At the same time, Mr Lee added that the constitution will be amended to protect the definition of marriage as one between a man and woman so that the matter cannot be challenged in court.
“For some, (the repeal of 377A) will be too modest a step. For others, it will be a step taken only with great reluctance, even regret. But in a society where diverse groups have strongly held opposing views, everyone has to accept that no group can have things all their way,” he said.
2. Masks Will No Longer Be Required in Most Settings
The moment many of us have been waiting for is finally here. Soon, masks will only be required on public transportation and in healthcare settings, such as clinics, hospitals and nursing homes.
In his speech, Mr Lee thanked Singaporeans for their response to the Covid-19 pandemic and acknowledged that we have come a long way in our fight against the virus. In an effort to “prevent people from getting tired”, mask rules will largely be eased.
However, as Mr Lee said in his speech, don’t take your masks off this very moment. Rather, the Covid-19 task force will announce details at a later date.
“The most important lesson is to maintain the spirit of personal and social responsibility,” Mr Lee said.
“Continue to nurture trust in our society, day in, day out, during normal times, so that during the next crisis, we can again draw upon a deep reservoir of trust to see us through.”
3. 150,000 New Homes Will Be Built At Paya Lebar Air Base After The Move
Paya Lebar Air Base will be relocated to Changi in the 2030s and after they move, an estimated 150,000 new public and private homes will be built in its place. This is roughly the number of homes in Punggol and Sengkang combined and will pave the way for a future town in Paya Lebar.
In his speech, Mr Lee elaborated that the airbase’s move will impact neighbouring towns like Hougang, Marine Parade and Punggol, as building height restrictions in those areas can be lifted.
This means that towns can now make better use of their spaces and develop more amenities.
“It will not happen overnight. But over decades, we can completely reimagine the eastern part of Singapore.”
He added that Singaporeans do not have to worry that the country will run out of space in the future and that housing will continue to be available and affordable.
“Our problem is not finding the space to build enough flats, nor keeping the flats affordable for Singaporeans. It is having enough babies to grow up and live in them,” said Mr Lee.
4. Work on Changi Airport Terminal 5 Will Resume
In his speech, PM Lee announced that after a two-year hiatus owing to the pandemic, work on Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 has restarted. However, the terminal has since been redesigned with resilience in mind.
The terminal will be able to operate more flexibly and safely during a pandemic and has also been made greener and more energy-efficient.
A business and lifestyle destination called the Changi East Urban District will be developed next to T5 as well.
5. Singapore Will Work Towards Building a World-Class Talent Pool
Singapore is consistently developing its talent pool and while discussing Forward Singapore, an exercise recently launched by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to “set out a roadmap for the next decade and beyond”, Mr Lee emphasised what must be done to “meet the enduring aspirations of every Singaporean”.
One of these key pillars includes building a world-class talent pool in Singapore.
“We need to focus on attracting and retaining top talent, in the same way, we focus on attracting and retaining investments,” he said.
“In this global contest for talent, Singapore cannot afford to be creamed off, or left behind.”
He then addressed concerns about the impact of having more non-residents living and working in Singapore.
“The government is following up to tackle the problems, and ease these concerns,” he said. “But while we manage the overall population of foreign professionals here, we must not stop seeking out top talent who can contribute to our Singapore Story.”
Mr Lee continued by saying that the post-pandemic world provides a window of opportunity to bring more top talent to Singapore.
The Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the economic agencies will soon be unveiling new initiatives to do this.
6. A Special State Award Will Be Presented to Frontline Covid-19 Workers
During his speech, Mr Lee highlighted how individuals and organisations have contributed to Singapore’s response to the pandemic.
From volunteers who brought senior citizens to get vaccinated to companies who provided resources and industry expertise, he passionately explained how grateful the government was.
To recognise these efforts, the government will present a special state award, the Covid-19 Resilience Medal, to those who participated directly in the fight against the pandemic.
Those who made “exceptional contributions” will also receive existing state awards such as the Commendation Medal, the Public Service Medal and the Public Administration Medal, Mr Lee said.
The awards list will be released at the end of the year, with award ceremonies to be held in 2023.
NOW READ
Ho Ching to Join Temasek Trust Board as Chairman in 2022: 5 Things To Know About Her
Jacqueline Poh: 5 Things To Know About Singapore Economic Development Board’s New Managing Director
4 Things to Know About Richard Teng, Binance Singapore’s New CEO
Topics
Camillia Dass is the digital writer for Tatler Singapore.
