Latest news with #2025NationalDayRally
Time Out
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out
National Day Rally 2025: Exciting new developments in Singapore's North to look forward to
We've heard all about the East Coast Plan, but Northies, it's now your time to shine. Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took to the stage to deliver the National Day Rally on August 17, 2025 – and among updates on vaping laws and social support initiatives, there was much buzz on development plans for the North, specifically in the estates of Woodlands, Kranji and a summarised version of all you need to know about what's up-and-coming in the North if you missed the National Day Rally live telecast or simply need a recap. Woodlands Anticipate fewer jams during weekend trips across the Causeway, as Woodlands Checkpoint will expand to five times its current size. The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link – directly connected to Woodlands MRT station along the brown Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) – will also alleviate border-crossing traffic woes. New BTO flats will be launched along Woodlands Waterfront and next to Admiralty Park. Kranji A massive housing project with over 14,000 new homes – more than Biddadari's – will be launched in Kranji, where the former Singapore Racecourse once was. Don't worry about this being no man's land, as a new Kranji Neighbourhood Centre will be built near Kranji MRT to provide convenient amenities for residents. And here's to more city in nature. The former Kranji racecourse site will also be surrounded by lush greenery, including Mandai Nature Reserve, the Rail Corridor, the Sungei Mandai waterway, and two spaces set to open in 2028 – the Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park. To further improve connectivity, there will also be a new MRT interchange station at Sungei Kadut, connecting the blue Downtown Line and red North-South Line. Sembawang Sembawang Shipyard will be transformed into a mixed-development hub, with waterfront homes and recreational spaces for dining, events, sports and perhaps even concerts. More concrete plans to spruce up this expansive coastal area are still underway. These are just some key snippets from the 2025 National Day Rally. Watch the full 1-hour 35-minute speech on Channel News Asia via YouTube.
CNA
a day ago
- Health
- CNA
Snap Insight: Ageing well is a challenge Singaporeans must take on together
SINGAPORE: Age Well Neighbourhoods were one of the centrepiece initiatives in Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's 2025 National Day Rally speech, dealing with the reality that Singapore is on the cusp of becoming a super-aged society. By 2026, 21 per cent of the population will likely be aged 65 and above. Starting with Toa Payoh and one or two other areas where there are higher proportions of older residents, the Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative aims to deliver assisted living support and services to seniors where they live. These services would include not just basic health check-ups but access to wellness and social activities such as kickboxing and carpentry workshops. For those requiring more assistance, they might access help with their daily living activities such as washing, eating and housekeeping. Such services mirror those available in Community Care Apartments built by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in estates like Bukit Batok and Queenstown, but extended to more seniors who choose to remain in their own flats. IDEAL FOR LAND-SCARCE SINGAPORE Mr Wong made the point that Singapore would not want to set up retirement villages for seniors to live separated and isolated from the rest of society. Instead, the Age Well Neighbourhoods concept would allow for seniors to age in the communities that they are familiar with. This makes sense in land-scarce Singapore, with urban density allowing for services to be delivered much more readily to residents where they already live, rather than gathering them into dedicated retirement villages. This in-community model of senior living will require a network of assisted living service providers that offer customised care and would thus be resource-intensive. But this is where the other elements of the National Day Rally speech relating to technology and innovation as well as a 'we-first' Singapore spirit can contribute. New technological advancements such as artificial intelligence can drive significant productivity gains, for examples, by reducing the time public officers spend on tasks such as note-taking. Specifically in the case of healthcare, we might imagine that nurses would be freed from routine and repetitive administrative tasks. The time saved can be allocated to delivering personalised care in the community as part of the Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative. All of us could embody the 'we-first' Singapore spirit and volunteer our time to caring for others in our community. Perhaps this is the way we might, as a united people, achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WP urges Government to engage widely, explore all solutions following National Day Rally 2025
SINGAPORE – The Workers' Party (WP) has urged the Government to engage widely and explore all policy suggestions in good faith, including previously untapped ones. In its response to the 2025 National Day Rally, the opposition party said Singapore should 'leave no stone unturned' in collective efforts to build a truly resilient nation for the future. The WP issued its statement following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Rally speech at ITE College Central on Aug 17, where he called for Singaporeans to unite to write the next chapter of the country's history and outlined new schemes to support workers and independent living for seniors, among others. PM Wong also spoke extensively about the challenges Singapore faces, including an unstable global economy and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) impacting jobs and businesses. The WP addressed some of the new initiatives, and added its suggestions and concerns. On government efforts to address economic concerns, WP said it agrees that Singapore's economy needs to 'keep up with the times'. Responding to a new scheme announced by PM Wong during the Rally where Community Development Councils will match workers with jobs near their homes, the WP said: 'We agree with the approach of improving job-matching efforts for Singaporeans, and ask that the relevant organisations accelerate the setting up of this programme with the economic uncertainty ahead.' It added that in the party's experience, many residents referred to NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute receive career counselling, but 'not the direct job-matching support they truly need'. 'The new approach reflects what many job seekers are looking for: not just advice, but real opportunities and connections to employers who are hiring,' it added. It urged the Government to also tackle 'present concerns surrounding businesses and employees', including rising rental costs, skills-related underemployment and 'slow rate of real income growth of 0.7 per cent per annum over the past five years'. The WP reiterated some proposals from its GE2025 manifesto. These included having JTC Corporation, which oversees industrial infrastructure, expand its market share to offer low-rent options for small and medium-sized enterprises, and for a statutory minimum wage to be established. The party also responded to PM Wong's announcement of a new government-funded traineeship scheme for graduates from the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities. PM Wong said the scheme will begin as a 'focused' one which can be scaled up if the economy worsens. The WP said it recognises the importance of helping young graduates and mid-career workers find their footing, but urged the Government to ensure the programme is designed with safeguards so that it is effective and fair. The party said: 'State-sponsored internships and apprenticeships must not be used by companies only as a source of cheaper, subsidised labour. 'There should be clear performance metrics and a transparent commitment from participating companies to consider trainees for full-time employment once the training period ends.' It is also essential that all trainees receive basic workplace protections, including paid sick leave and safe working conditions, it added. The party will advocate for fair, transparent and sustainable employment pathways, especially for younger Singaporeans and those navigating mid-career transitions, it added. On the impact of AI on schools and the economy, the WP said it agrees with the importance of preparing students for life, not just exams – which PM Wong said the Government is doing more of. The WP called for an increase in the number of allied educators, which can lead to a 'meaningful reduction in class sizes' so students receive the attention they need to develop essential soft skills such as empathy and adaptability. The opposition party also called on the Government to improve social safety nets in the light of the ongoing disruptions caused by AI adoption, and reiterated its call for Singapore to introduce redundancy insurance. The WP said it looks forward to championing these ideas and others in the 15th Parliament. The party will have 12 MPs in the House when Parliament reopens on Sept 5, its largest-ever contingent. Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Leong Mun Wai also released a statement following the Rally in which he welcomed immediate support for new graduates but raised concerns that these proposals 'risk being mere Band-Aid solutions that do not address our country's deeper structural issues'. PSP also said the new government-funded traineeships raise the question of whether tertiary education is adequately preparing young people for the workforce 'if graduates are increasingly expected to settle for traineeships instead of full-time jobs'. Singapore must confront some fundamental questions in the years ahead, and the PSP believes these are not questions the Government can answer alone, said Mr Leong. 'Ultimately, the National Day Rally provided some ideas, but many critical questions on key issues such as housing affordability and cost of living were left unanswered,' he said. 'The PSP will continue to push for more fundamental reform in these areas and provide alternative policy proposals.' Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here: Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Workers' Party urges Singapore government to engage widely, explore all solutions following National Day Rally
SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party (WP) has urged the government to engage widely and explore all policy suggestions in good faith, including previously untapped ones. In its response to the 2025 National Day Rally, the opposition party said Singapore should 'leave no stone unturned' in collective efforts to build a truly resilient nation for the future. The WP issued its statement following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (pic) Rally speech at ITE College Central on Aug 17, where he called for Singaporeans to unite to write the next chapter of the country's history and outlined new schemes to support workers and independent living for seniors, amongst others. PM Wong also spoke extensively about the challenges Singapore faces, including an unstable global economy and the rise of artificial intelligence impacting jobs and businesses. The WP addressed some of the new initiatives, and added its suggestions and concerns. On government efforts to address economic concerns, WP said it agrees that Singapore's economy needs to 'keep up with the times.' Responding to a new scheme announced by PM Wong during the Rally where Community Development Councils will match workers with jobs near their homes, it said: 'We agree with the approach of improving jobs matching efforts for Singaporeans, and ask that the relevant organisations accelerate the setting up of this programme with the economic uncertainty ahead.' It added that in the party's experience, many residents referred to NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) receive career counselling, but 'not the direct job-matching support they truly need.' 'The new approach reflects what many job seekers are looking for: not just advice, but real opportunities and connections to employers who are hiring,' it added. It urged the government to also tackle 'present concerns surrounding businesses and employees,' including rising rental costs, skills-related underemployment and 'slow rate of real income growth of 0.7 per cent per annum over the past five years.' The WP reiterated some proposals from its GE2025 manifesto. This included having JTC Corporation, which oversees industrial infrastructure, expand its market share to offer low-rent options for small and medium-sized enterprises, and for a statutory minimum wage to be established. The party also responded to PM Wong's announcement of a new government-funded traineeship scheme for graduates from the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities. PM Wong said the scheme will begin as a 'focussed' one which can be scaled up if the economy worsens. The WP said it recognises the importance of helping young graduates and mid-career workers find their footing, but urged the government to ensure the programme is designed with safeguards so that it is effective and fair. It said: 'State-sponsored internships and apprenticeships must not be used by companies only as a source of cheaper, subsidised labour. 'There should be clear performance metrics and a transparent commitment from participating companies to consider trainees for full-time employment once the training period ends.' It is also essential that all trainees receive basic workplace protections including paid sick leave and safe working conditions, it added. The party will advocate for fair, transparent and sustainable employment pathways, especially for younger Singaporeans and those navigating mid-career transitions, it added. On the impact of artificial intelligence on schools and the economy, the WP said it agrees with the importance of preparing students for life, not just exams – which PM Wong said the government is doing more of. It called for an increase in the number of allied educators, which can lead to a 'meaningful reduction in class sizes' so students receive the attention they need to develop essential soft skills such as empathy and adaptability. The opposition party also called on the government to improve social safety nets in light of the ongoing disruptions caused by AI adoption, and reiterated its call for Singapore to introduce redundancy insurance. The WP said it looks forward to championing these ideas and others in the 15th Parliament. The party will have 12 MPs in the House when Parliament reopens on Sept 5, its largest-ever contingent. Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Leong Mun Wai also released a statement following the Rally, where he welcomed immediate support for new graduates but raised concerns that these proposals 'risk being mere band-aid solutions that do not address our country's deeper structural issues.' PSP also said the new government-funded traineeships raises the question of whether tertiary education is adequately preparing young people for the workforce 'if graduates are increasingly expected to settle for traineeships instead of full-time jobs'. Singapore must confront some fundamental questions in the years ahead, and the PSP believes these are not questions the government can answer alone, added Mr Leong. 'Ultimately, the National Day Rally provided some ideas, but many critical questions on key issues such as housing affordability and cost of living were left unanswered,' he said. 'The PSP will continue to push for more fundamental reform in these areas and provide alternative policy proposals.' - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
WP urges Government to engage widely, explore all solutions following National Day Rally
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – The Workers' Party (WP) has urged the Government to engage widely and explore all policy suggestions in good faith, including previously untapped ones. In its response to the 2025 National Day Rally, the opposition party said Singapore should 'leave no stone unturned' in collective efforts to build a truly resilient nation for the future. The WP issued its statement following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Rally speech at ITE College Central on Aug 17 , where he called for Singaporeans to unite to write the next chapter of the country's history and outlined new schemes to support workers and independent living for seniors, amongst others. PM Wong also spoke extensively about the challenges Singapore faces, including an unstable global economy and the rise of artificial intelligence impacting jobs and businesses. The WP addressed some of the new initiatives, and added its suggestions and concerns. On government efforts to address economic concerns, WP said it agrees that Singapore's economy needs to 'keep up with the times.' Responding to a new scheme announced by PM Wong during the Rally where Community Development Councils will match workers with jobs near their homes, it said: 'We agree with the approach of improving jobs matching efforts for Singaporeans, and ask that the relevant organisations accelerate the setting up of this programme with the economic uncertainty ahead.' It added that in the party's experience, many residents referred to NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) receive career counselling, but 'not the direct job-matching support they truly need.' 'The new approach reflects what many job seekers are looking for: not just advice, but real opportunities and connections to employers who are hiring,' it added. It urged the Government to also tackle 'present concerns surrounding businesses and employees,' including rising rental costs, skills-related underemployment and 'slow rate of real income growth of 0.7 per cent per annum over the past five years.' The WP reiterated some proposals from its GE2025 manifesto. This included having JTC Corporation, which oversees industrial infrastructure, expand its market share to offer low-rent options for small and medium-sized enterprises, and for a statutory minimum wage to be established. The party also responded to PM Wong's announcement of a new government-funded traineeship scheme for graduates from the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities. PM Wong said the scheme will begin as a 'focused' one which can be scaled up if the economy worsens. The WP said it recognises the importance of helping young graduates and mid-career workers find their footing, but urged the Government to ensure the programme is designed with safeguards so that it is effective and fair . It said: 'State-sponsored internships and apprenticeships must not be used by companies only as a source of cheaper, subsidised labour. 'There should be clear performance metrics and a transparent commitment from participating companies to consider trainees for full-time employment once the training period ends.' It is also essential that all trainees receive basic workplace protections including paid sick leave and safe working conditions, it added. The party will advocate for fair, transparent and sustainable employment pathways, especially for younger Singaporeans and those navigating mid-career transitions, it added. On the impact of artificial intelligence on schools and the economy, the WP said it agrees with the importance of preparing students for life, not just exams – which PM Wong said the Government is doing more of . It called for an increase in the number of allied educators, which can lead to a 'meaningful reduction in class sizes' so students receive the attention they need to develop essential soft skills such as empathy and adaptability. The opposition party also called on the Government to improve social safety nets in light of the ongoing disruptions caused by AI adoption, and reiterated its call for Singapore to introduce redundancy insurance. The WP said it looks forward to championing these ideas and others in the 15th Parliament. The party will have 12 MPs in the House when Parliament reopens on Sept 5, its largest-ever contingent. Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Leong Mun Wai also released a statement following the Rally, where he welcomed immediate support for new graduates but raised concerns that these proposals 'risk being mere band-aid solutions that do not address our country's deeper structural issues.' PSP also said the new government-funded traineeships raises the question of whether tertiary education is adequately preparing young people for the workforce 'if graduates are increasingly expected to settle for traineeships instead of full-time jobs'. Singapore must confront some fundamental questions in the years ahead, and the PSP believes these are not questions the Government can answer alone, added Mr Leong. 'Ultimately, the National Day Rally provided some ideas, but many critical questions on key issues such as housing affordability and cost of living were left unanswered,' he said. 'The PSP will continue to push for more fundamental reform in these areas and provide alternative policy proposals.'
