| 137. Mr Speaker, Sir, recently
Ministry of Finance and SMU organized a forum: “If
you were the Finance Minister”, where students
developed and debated their own budget statements.
We should practise this with MPs as well. The budget
plan that was voted the most appropriate was entitled: “Staying
Ahead, Staying Together”. That is exactly
what this budget is about. 138. I did not read the plan. Perhaps my staff
may have borrowed some ideas from it, but that
is what this Budget is about:
- Staying ahead - building a vibrant economy
where there is prosperity for the nation and
good jobs for all.
- Staying together - forging
an inclusive society, where every citizen benefits
from
the country’s
progress.
139. Professor Koo Tsai Kee is correct when
he says this is a landmark year of profound change.
While sharing the fruits of growth is something
which the Government has periodically done, this
Budget is different because it recognises that
the world has changed and growth will no longer
deliver the same opportunities to every individual.
So going forward, we will work systematically
to ensure that no Singaporean is left behind
as we forge ahead. This Budget lays a foundation
for a strong and prosperous Singapore. It offers
a better life for all Singaporeans and that is
our shared responsibility:
- Courage and commitment
from every citizen - adapting, upgrading,
and seizing new opportunities.
- Strong and competent leadership from the
Government - focused on the long-term, in
touch with the
people and their needs.
140. Mr Ong Kian Min said some Singaporeans
think Singapore has reached its peak and it is
just downhill. I believe they are completely
mistaken. We have scaled the peak of one mountain,
actually we are not at the peak, we are on one
mountain, and we are climbing up. We see a whole
mountain range opening up in front of us. There
is a whole range of possibilities ahead. We can
choose which one to go to. We still have to climb,
it will still require great effort, but with
the skills and the strengths we have acquired
climbing the first mountain, we are stronger
and better placed to conquer the next higher
peak and then the next.
141. So let us work to make Singapore our best
home and together build a brighter future for
all. Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir.
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