Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his second National Day Rally speech on 17 Aug 2025 at the Institute of Technical Education Headquarters in Ang Mo Kio.
The Prime Minister marked Singapore’s 60th year of independence as a milestone that “marks the start of a new chapter in our Singapore’s story”. He thanked Singaporeans for their support during the recent General Election, which saw the ruling People’s Action Party winning a supermajority of seats.
Wong acknowledged the contributions of Pioneer and Merdeka Generations. “We stand where we are today, only because of the grit, courage, and sacrifices of those who came before us,” he said.
The Prime Minister warned that “the next chapter opens in a more troubled and turbulent world” and outlined how Singapore can chart its course through this complex new era.
Trade Challenges and Economic Response
Wong addressed the US Liberation Day tariffs, which imposed a 10 per cent tariff on Singapore. He pointed out that more trade barriers will emerge globally, and Singapore’s small, open economy will feel the impact.
Singapore has convened the Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. The taskforce will review and refresh the country’s economic strategies.
The government’s priority remains jobs – helping Singaporeans seize opportunities, ramping up job matching services, and bringing more career fairs to tertiary institutions.
Government-Funded Traineeship Programme
A new traineeship programme will launch for Institute of Technical Education, polytechnic and university graduates. The government will fund this initiative to address job-finding concerns amid current economic uncertainties.
During the pandemic, a similar co-funded programme helped keep graduates’ skills sharp while preparing for economic recovery. Companies can now offer more training opportunities with fresh government support.
The programme will scale up if the economy worsens. The taskforce will share more details soon.
Job Matching by Community Development Councils
Community Development Councils will lead a new job-matching initiative at the town level. Their strong networks with local merchants, small and medium-sized enterprises, and community partners position them well to match job seekers with vacancies.
This approach particularly benefits those who prefer working closer to home. Mayors will share more details about this initiative soon.
SkillsFuture Level-Up Enhancements
The SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, introduced in 2024, helps Singaporeans aged 40 and above reboot their skills. Participants receive $4,000 in SkillsFuture credits and training allowances up to $3,000 per month for up to 24 months when taking time off work for full-time study.
Two enhancements will be made. First, the government will allow a portion of training allowances to be claimed for part-time courses. Second, it will expand course offerings beyond institutes of higher learning to include quality courses from industry leaders and private training providers.
Artificial Intelligence for Economic Growth
Wong acknowledged that the world is entering into a new era driven by Artificial Intelligence. AI advances rapidly and will continue improving.
Singapore will use AI as a “game changer” to raise productivity and create new value throughout the economy. The government will equip and empower every enterprise, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to harness AI effectively and sharpen their competitive edge.
The government will work closely with unions and workers to redesign jobs and empower workers. Teachers are encouraged to use AI creatively to improve learning outcomes and help students become discerning, responsible technology users.
Wong assured that embracing AI does not mean Singapore will “lose sight of its key priority”. The government will always place Singapore at the centre and will not rush to adopt new technology.
Age Well Neighbourhoods for Senior Support
The government will launch Age Well Neighbourhoods, starting with Toa Payoh and one or two Housing Board towns with higher elderly concentrations. These neighbourhoods take essential elements from Community Care Apartments, which are HDB flats combining housing with care arrangements for seniors.
Physical touchpoints like active ageing centres will become more accessible to seniors. Home-based services including simple home fixes and basic health checks will expand, with dedicated care staff visiting seniors regularly and serving as first responders during emergencies.
Healthcare services will move closer to seniors, allowing them to age in place with dignity, purpose and joy. Since senior care infrastructure already exists in many places, the key is ensuring all Singaporeans can access this care.
More Community Care Apartments will be built across HDB towns over coming years, though they cannot be the main solution.
Stricter Vaping Penalties
The government will “take much tougher actions against vaping”, which Wong identified as a “serious concern”. Many vapes contain addictive and harmful substances such as etomidate.
Despite vaping being banned in Singapore, people continue smuggling vapes and finding ways around laws. “So far, we’ve treated vaping like tobacco. At most, we impose a fine. But that’s no longer enough,” Wong said.
Vaping will now be treated as a drug issue with much stiffer penalties. Jail sentences and more severe punishments will target those selling vapes with harmful substances. Those addicted to vapes will receive supervision and rehabilitation to help them quit.
A major public education drive will begin in schools, institutes of higher learning, and during national service.
Online Safety for Children
The government is studying ways to support parents in strengthening online safety for children by examining experiences of countries that have passed laws tightening internet and social media access for minors.
Many parents worry their children spend too much time online. Young people overly immersed in virtual worlds may grow up more socially isolated or be exposed to harmful content affecting their mental well-being.
In the AI age, human qualities that machines cannot replicate matter most – character, values, empathy and sense of purpose. More allied educators and teacher-counsellors are being deployed in schools, with greater emphasis on Character and Citizenship Education.
The key is striking the right balance between protecting the young and empowering them with technology benefits.
Singapore College of Islamic Studies Campus
The new Singapore College of Islamic Studies will have its own campus next to the Singapore University of Social Sciences campus in Rochor. Both institutions will be housed in separate buildings, reflecting their distinct identities and purposes.
The campus will feature unique Islamic architectural elements and dedicated facilities meeting students’ needs. Students will access both Islamic studies facilities and shared campus amenities, including SUSS’s social science library resources and recreational spaces.
SCIS students can take SUSS social science courses as part of their studies. Both institutions will share facilities, allowing students to interact and enrich their campus experience.
Northern Singapore Development Plan
The government will rejuvenate and refresh northern Singapore, focusing on three areas: Woodlands, Kranji and Sembawang.
Woodlands will see the checkpoint redeveloped to become five times bigger. The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link will open by end of next year. Around 4,000 HDB units will be developed. Flexible industrial spaces will be built around the RTS Link station to support businesses taking advantage of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
Kranji will become a new public housing estate accommodating up to 14,000 homes. A new MRT station at Sungei Kadut will serve as an interchange connecting the North-South Line and Downtown Line.
Sembawang and Sembawang Shipyard will feature new community space for gatherings with family, friends and loved ones. New concepts for dining, shopping and housing are planned, with waterfront development proposals being formulated.
Coastal protection will be enhanced around the island, including the Long Island project for south-eastern shorelines and protection works around Changi Bay.
Building Singapore’s ‘We-First’ Society Beyond SG60
Wong emphasised that Singapore must become a “We-First” society to keep progressing. “If everyone only thinks about ‘me’, and puts ‘me’ ahead of ‘we’, then we are finished. Society will fray, and things will fall apart,” he said.
When everyone does their part as a “we” – caring, contributing and looking out for one another – then the “me” will naturally thrive and flourish. “Because when the whole is strong, each of us becomes stronger too. That’s how we strengthen the Singapore Spirit,” Wong explained.
Singapore got through the Covid-19 pandemic not only because of government measures, but also because of the Singapore spirit. Good plans and strategies are just the first step for continued progress. What matters equally, if not more, is the collective will of the people.
More avenues will be created for Singaporeans to be heard and get involved in shaping policy. This builds on existing hackathons, citizens’ panels and youth panels that the government has organised as channels for Singaporeans to co-create solutions.
Wong stressed the importance of strengthening bonds between citizens, which will help each person thrive and flourish in a collaborative society.
“That’s how my team and I intend to lead,” Wong concluded. “Not just doing things for Singaporeans – but doing things with Singaporeans.”
Would you be jailed for being half-naked in public? Well, the answer will shock you. Seriously. Watch this to the end and you'll understand:
