PM wishes all Happy CNY
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PM confident of another good year for Singapore
Feb 6, 2008
PM confident of another good year for Singapore
Country in strong position to face uncertainties, he says in his CNY message
By Lydia Lim
THE new Chinese Year of the Rat begins tomorrow under more uncertain and challenging circumstances than the Year of the Pig, the Prime Minister said yesterday.
But Mr Lee Hsien Loong assured Singaporeans, in his traditional message to mark the occasion, that the country is 'in a strong position to weather any storm'.
'In the Chinese zodiac,' he said, 'the Rat symbolises wit, imagination and resourcefulness. Let us harness our creativity and ingenuity to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.
'Then despite the difficulties that come our way, we can all look forward to another good year for Singapore and for ourselves.'
Mr Lee recapped the economy's sterling progress last year, when it powered ahead to its fourth consecutive year of robust growth and created a record 237,000 jobs.
However, the external environment has changed, with turbulence in the global financial markets and a slowdown in the United States economy.
There is therefore a need to 'gird ourselves for further uncertainties ahead', but he also urged continued confidence as Singapore is in a strong position to tackle challenges.
In the face of public concern over rising food prices, Mr Lee reiterated that the Government has the resources to help ease the burden on the poor and elderly.
The Budget statement on Feb 15 is expected to include measures to do so.
But he also stressed that the Government cannot provide subsidies for basics such as rice and cooking oil as these will lead to 'artificial shortages, queues and a black market'.
This is the second time in three days Mr Lee has spoken on the cost-of-living issue.
He again noted that rising costs are due to soaring food and fuel prices worldwide, trends Singapore as a small, open economy cannot escape.
He pointed out the ways in which the Government has directly helped those in need, through programmes like the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme, which made its payout last month. About $150 million was given to 290,000 low-income workers.
Mr Lee also dwelt on the importance of family ties, the Chinese New Year traditionally being a time for reunion dinners and visits to relatives.
Building on the 2004 pro-family measures, he said the Government is studying practical matters to see how it can create an even friendlier environment for having and raising children. They include childcare facilities, flexible work options and parental leave.
The Prime Minister ended his message by wishing all Singaporeans a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year. -
and remember! Rice and Rice and Bread is Bread
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Rem to buy NTUC bread
dun waste monie buying 1.20 donut ok
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Happy New Year, PM!
*waves a slice of cheap bread*
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Happy new year to u too Ex-DPM...
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Ai yoh why so rude?
I wish him a happy new year too. He is only human lah. -
yes PM...happy new year...ang bao gia lai......
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I think that this wish would be better with them stepping down...
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So what plan is he coming up next to get more money from us? Increase ERP? Another transport fare hike?
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wah, ours pm gonghi us ar?
so solid leh.
i oso ah, asking ah my secretahlee to type a posting to wish all forummers a gonghi new year ah.
i oso ah...
lydia i heard got promo to edit oready ah... how she did it ah ?
hope this year all GOOD news ah... i think guaranteed ah.
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i think wat PM Lee mean was
"æ�å–œå�‘财，红包拿æ�¥!"
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Originally posted by 798:
i think wat PM Lee mean was
"æ�å–œå�‘财，红包拿æ�¥!"
ijjit??leta he will says... "hongbao no come... price increase will come.... hongbao got come... price increase will also come"
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Originally posted by Blurified:
ijjit??leta he will says... "hongbao no come... price increase will come.... hongbao got come... price increase will also come"
more good years ahead for the ministers.
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Happy CNY,Silverspoon kid PM.
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How come PM nv say tat Singapore's economy contracted 3.2% for the last quarter of 2007?
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It is part of his job to send greetings, nothing new and I doubt he means it.
In the year of the rat, PM can continue to paint beautiful pictures. May be one day he can have exhibition on all the beautifu pictures he paints and let the public view them.