Singapore's fourth-generation leaders: Clear-eyed about the tasks ahead

AT first glance, President Halimah Yacob's address to Parliament on Monday evening seemed to be business as usual on the policy front, with the government's agenda led by ongoing key priorities.

Yet, as a speech that was, for the first time, drafted mainly by Singapore's fourth-generation leadership, the address - which spells out the government's prime concerns and tasks for the second half of its term - also reflected the spirit and ethos of the younger ministers who are poised to take over the reins, probably within a decade. And they made it clear that they would not shy from future policy changes, even going for "bold changes" if need be, rather than just "tweak things at the margin".

To be sure, the key priorities of the government for the second session of the 13th Parliament remain broadly unchanged from those set out at the start of its term in January 2016. Then, the speech that opened Parliament kicked off with the need to ensure security against threats such as terrorism. This time, this external goal was framed more broadly in terms of "(securing) Singapore's place in the world", including upholding the international order and free trade, and strengthening regional unity. The other priorities - urban transformation; economic dynamism and a focus on skills; forging a caring society; and nation building - are also ongoing (arguably even perennial) issues. But while they may be continuing mission imperatives for Singapore, implementing and achieving them even a few years hence would, in today's rapidly changing world, necessarily call for different ideas and strategies; certainly a nimble mindset.