SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has outlined several new initiatives across four key areas - economy, family, education and housing - as part of the government's refreshed outlook for the next chapter of the Singapore Story.

Wong, who is also the finance minister, announced several initiatives during his maiden National Day Rally (NDR) speech on Sunday, including a financial aid scheme for retrenched workers, increased shared parental leave, and the development of the Kallang area as the new sports and lifestyle destination in the country.

"I believe we have reached the stage where all of us, young and not so young, want a refreshed Singapore Dream, where we feel for our fellow citizens and support one another, where we thrive and flourish on our own terms in ways that are less prescribed and determined.

"Realising our ambitions require a major reset in our policies. But equally important, a major reset in our attitudes," he said at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central here on Sunday.

He said this reset is important amidst uncertainty in geopolitics, including the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China, as well as rapid technological disruptions, and the impact of climate change.

Elaborating further, Wong said under the new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, lower- and middle-income workers who become involuntarily unemployed will be provided with a temporary financial support, in total up to S$6,000 over a period of up to six months.

Meanwhile, to encourage Singaporeans to equip themselves with new skills, everyone, aged 40 and above, can benefit from the SkillsFuture Level-Up programme if they wish to take time off from work to study full time. They can receive an allowance of up to S$3,000 per month for the duration of 24 months.

"If you do the sum, that adds up to S$72,000 per person. So, you can space out your training and get fresh injection of skills whenever you need them as you progress in your career. Details will be shared later," he said.

To create a more family-friendly environment and encourage more Singaporeans to start a family, Wong said the government will provide 10 additional weeks of shared parental leave for parents with newborns, as well as mandatory paternity leave beginning April 1, 2025 for fathers.

Mothers already enjoy 16 weeks of maternity leave. In total, parents can enjoy government-paid parental leave of up to 30 weeks by April 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, under the Kallang Alive Master Plan, the Singapore Sports School will move its campus from Woodlands to the area, the set up of new sports science and sports medicine facilities, in addition to a new indoor arena with an 18,000 capacity that has already been announced earlier this year.

Wong said to achieve all these, he needs the support of all Singaporeans to move forward together and united.

"My fellow Singaporeans, your dreams, inspire my actions. I asked for your support as we embark on this journey. We have much to do and a full agenda ahead. Let us join our hands and hearts, and chart our way ahead together," he said.

The NDR, held in conjunction with Singapore's National Day, is an annual event where the prime minister will outline his policies and outlook for the nation.

- BERNAMA

TAGS: Singapore, Lawrence Wong, initiatives, National Day Rally