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SINGAPORE – Singapore should face the new year with renewed confidence and hope after passing through an “exceptionally tested” 2020, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday (December 31).
In his traditional New Year’s message, Lee said the country has faced an unprecedented crisis and stabilized its Covid-19 situation through enormous effort and sacrifice.
“We have achieved our primary goal of protecting lives and keeping our people safe,” he said, noting that what stood out in Singapore’s Covid-19 response is the trust that Singaporeans have in the system and in each other.
The country entered phase three of its reopening on Monday and began vaccinating its healthcare workers against Covid-19 two days later.
“Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Lee said, adding that Singapore’s economy is also beginning to see signs of stabilization after its most severe decline since independence.
But it will still be some time before enough people are vaccinated to prevent another major uncontrolled outbreak, he noted. In the meantime, people should maintain discipline and continue to practice precautionary measures.
“Now is not the time to celebrate,” the prime minister warned. “That moment will come. In the meantime, I ask for your support to maintain our efforts and not waver in this final stretch.”
On the economic front, Lee said employment has recovered and multinational companies are making significant new investments in Singapore.
A report from the Ministry of Manpower earlier this month showed that employment rose among residents to levels close to pre-Covid-19 in the third quarter of 2020.
However, he said that, moderating expectations, the economic recovery will be uneven and activity is likely to remain below pre-coronavirus levels for some time.
To avoid massive job losses and business failures, the government approved five budgets, totaling nearly $ 100 billion, and largely used past reserves to fund various support schemes, he said.
It also delayed the work of employers and unions to keep Singaporeans employed.
While Covid-19 deepened failures and tensions in many countries, Singapore has thankfully avoided major divisions among its people and the loss of trust that took place elsewhere, Lee said.
Confidence in Singapore’s system remains high, and Singaporeans have complied with the Covid-19 rules because the government has been open and direct about the facts, he added.
In the 2020 general elections, Singaporeans renewed their mandate for the Popular Action Party government because they were confident that it could help them overcome the crisis and move the country forward, Lee said.
The PAP returned to power in the July 10 elections, with 61.2 percent of the vote.
“My team and I will strive to continue to earn your trust, to continue to strengthen our social compact, to keep Singapore’s promise as a just and equitable society, and to help you achieve your hopes and dreams,” he said.
“We are determined to give all Singaporeans the same opportunities to do well, to prepare them to seize opportunities in a different world, and to help them cope with life’s inevitable setbacks.”
While the outlook for the post-pandemic world is uncertain, Singapore must emerge strengthened by the shared experience of the crisis, he said.
Whether Singapore succeeds in becoming a more vibrant economy and a resilient society will depend on its people, he added.
And just as Singapore has come together to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, it must do the same to rebuild stronger and face any new and unexpected obstacles that lie ahead, the prime minister said.
“In the months and years to come, we will face new and unexpected obstacles. Things may happen that force us to change our plans. But as long as we are together as one Singapore, I am confident that we will pave a way forward.”
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