SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says how
well Singapore does in the long term depends on its policies and
politics.
In his traditional May Day message on Saturday, he
said Singapore needs both the right policies and the right politics
to produce governments that pursue sound policies, a stable
environment for growth and confidence in Singapore's long-term
prospects.
Singapore's good government and policies have led to
better jobs and lives, said Prime Minister Lee.
The country has to keep this virtuous cycle going, he added.
Mr Lee said politics here have looked after the interests of
workers, not just in the sense of parties and elections but in the
sense of Singaporeans understanding what their future depends on
and supporting leaders who will work with them to secure their
future.
It is also about upholding key institutions like the tripartite
partners so that the country is resilient when confronted by
challenges and to emerge from crises tougher and more united.
On inflation, Mr Lee said it has been higher than the people wished
and that hopefully it will moderate later this year.
The stronger Singapore dollar will help to mitigate imported
inflation, and businesses too have responded well to the
government's efforts to hold down prices of basic essentials.
Meanwhile the S$3.2 billion "Grow & Share" package will help
homes cope with the higher cost of living.
Mr Lee believes that for most lower- and middle-income households,
the package should more than make up for the higher cost of living
this year.
Mr Lee said: "We aim to grow not for its own sake, but so as to
raise the standards of living of our people across the board.
Without growth, we would lack resources to invest in our future and
to help Singaporeans in need.
"But even with growth, we must make a concerted effort to enable
all Singaporeans to benefit, through social programmes like home
ownership, education and affordable health care, as well as through
special measures like the 'Grow & Share' package when the
economy does exceptionally well."
2011 also marks 50 years of partnership between the People's Action
Party and the labour movement, NTUC.
Mr Lee said this unique symbiotic relationship has produced
successive PAP governments that have improved the lives of workers
beyond recognition.
Mr Lee urged workers to continue working together to grow the
economy, create more good jobs and secure a brighter future
together for many years to come.
- CNA/ir