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A speech to watch: How will Prime Minister Lawrence Wong approach his first National Day Rally?

His speech on Sunday takes on heightened political significance as a pre-general election rally, say observers

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Paige Lim

Paige Lim

Published Fri, Aug 16, 2024 · 02:00 PM — Updated Sun, Aug 18, 2024 · 08:37 AM
    • The NDR is the most significant platform Wong will have to address the nation before the next general election, says SMU associate professor of law Eugene Tan.
    • The NDR is the most significant platform Wong will have to address the nation before the next general election, says SMU associate professor of law Eugene Tan. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: SIMON ANG, BT

    ALL eyes will be on newly minted Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as he delivers his first National Day Rally (NDR) speech on Sunday (Aug 18) – from the topics he will broach, down to his fashion choices for the evening.

    The annual televised speech usually includes both big-picture messages and key policy moves.

    For instance, former PM Goh Chok Tong introduced the Baby Bonus Scheme in his 2000 NDR. Wong’s predecessor Lee Hsien Loong cut the civil service’s work week from five-and-a-half to five days in 2004, and – in his penultimate NDR in 2022 – announced the repeal of a colonial-era law banning sex between men.

    BrunchNational Day RallyLawrence WongSingapore economyGeneral elections

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