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National Day Rally: Balancing between a ‘reset’ and policy continuity

Breaking new ground while maintaining stability will be a delicate act for the prime minister

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Sharon See

Sharon See

Published Sun, Aug 18, 2024 · 10:49 PM
    • Singaporeans, PM Wong reiterated at the rally, want a more compassionate and inclusive society even as the country continues to seek economic growth. Realising these ambitions will require a "major reset" both in policies and people’s attitudes.
    • Singaporeans, PM Wong reiterated at the rally, want a more compassionate and inclusive society even as the country continues to seek economic growth. Realising these ambitions will require a "major reset" both in policies and people’s attitudes. PHOTO: GAVIN FOO, ST

    IN MANY ways, Singapore’s fourth prime minister, Lawrence Wong, is an embodiment of the “Singapore dream”.

    Growing up in an average middle-class family in post-independence Singapore, he attended schools near his home but was given ample opportunity to develop his potential and excel, eventually clinching a government scholarship.

    At his first National Day Rally (NDR) on Sunday (Aug 18), his personal stories about his seeming ordinariness were striking and relatable. He had trouble adjusting to kindergarten at first; he had to put more effort to learn Chinese as his family did not speak Mandarin; he went to schools in his neighbourhood and, in his words, “turned out okay”.

    National Day RallyLawrence Wong

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