On the evening of May 16, 2014, President Tony Tan gave his customary address while looking stern-faced to open the second half of the 12th Parliament's term after a month-long break.

Members-of-parliament, who were gathered for the opening address as they anticipate a new round of carrying out a function of the democratic process -- albeit a lot of passive disagreeing and voting along party lines -- sat through the president's remarks looking stern-faced as well.

As the president's speech was made, the public on more than a few occasions, experienced a sense of deja vu, like somehow, somewhere, they've all heard these things said some time before in the past.

Here are 12 statements that President Tony Tan made last night that got you thinking because somehow they feel like reiterations and a rehash of almost everything that has been said in Singapore before in the last 49 years:

1. President Tony Tan: As Singapore heads into its Jubilee year, the Govt pledges to build a better future. The Govt will strengthen safety nets for vulnerable and elderly, and enhance retirement adequacy. The Govt will also support strong families and communities; create conditions for better quality of life.

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How you feel: "So, the government is pledging to still be operating tomorrow when I wake up? Okay, noted with thanks."

2. President Tony Tan: On education, those who do not succeed at first must always have chance to try again. We are investing more in pre-school education to ensure those born with less get to good starting point.

We recognise fact of competition in schools, especially at milestones like P1 registration or PSLE. We will continue to improve system so no one point in our education wholly determines our future.

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How you feel: "Sounds familiar man. I think our Education Minister has expressed this view before."

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat (Nov 2012): "PSLE is an important exam – but it is not the be-all-and-end-all. It marks the conclusion of one stage of the learning journey – and the road ahead is a long one. [...] It is not healthy to have such national focus at this stage of the journey. Rather, we should encourage them to persevere, to pursue learning along appropriate pathways, and help them succeed in the next phase."

3. President Tony Tan: ASPIRE committee is exploring ways to create more opportunities for ITE and poly students. While university places are being expanded, and new application-focused degree programmes introduced, Govt is also focusing on lifelong learning for working adults as jobs are changing faster.

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How you feel: "So, as President, do you also need to undergo skills upgrading? Or is your job requirement static?"

4. President Tony Tan: Focus is not just on low-income workers, but middle-income workers and PMETs as well. On housing, Govt will help low- and middle- income households to own HDB homes, a "nest-egg for retirement".

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How you feel: "I thought everybody is saying that it is financially wiser for us not to use HDB flat to fund retirement. Just in case our 99-year lease runs out. You mean you didn't get the memo?"

NCMP Gerald Giam: "All HDB flats are sold to Singaporeans on a 99-year lease. We are technically not home owners, but lessees.

I asked the Minister for National Development, during the 20 January 2014 Parliament sitting, what the value of HDB flats would be once their leases expire. I also asked whether the pace of SERS — the Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme — will be fast enough to replace the flats reaching the end of their lease.

The Minister confirmed that the value of the flats will be zero at the end of their 99-year lease. He also indicated that the selection of sites and pace of SERS depended on factors including the site’s redevelopment potential. Implicit in what he said was that SERS is not a scheme intended solely to replace old flats reaching the end of their lease."

5. President Tony Tan: We will pay particular attention to vulnerable Singaporeans, including low-wage workers and elderly. CPF savings and CPF Life annuity schemes will be improved to help elderly in their golden years. The Govt also working on options to help Singaporeans unlock the values of their homes when they retire, says Dr Tan.

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How you feel: "You mean I really got chance to retire next time? Will you still love me when I'm 60, 62, 65, 67?

Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Heng Chee How (3 March 2014): "With life expectancy continuing to rise, I firmly believe that the re-employment age ceiling need not and cannot stagnate at 65. This was why I pushed last year for the re-employment age ceiling to be further raised in the next step from 65 to 67 ..."

6. President Tony Tan: We must also give people the means and the incentives to help themselves. Belief that personal responsibility is essential to dignity & self worth is spirit that built Singapore. Let us preserve this pioneering spirit even as we strengthen social safety nets.

Government spending, by itself, does not create a wealthier, better or a happier society. It must be matched by individual and community efforts and initiatives.

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How you feel: "In short, you're really trying to say that if people are poor and helpless, it's because of personal responsibility, or the lack of?"

7. President Tony Tan: Singapore must remain a place where people of different races, religions and backgrounds live harmoniously. Treat new immigrants and foreigners with graciousness, kindness and fellowship, even as we expect them to respect our values and our Singaporean way of life.

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How you feel: "You no need to take MRT, easy for you to say."

8. President Tony Tan: Heartlands and neighbourhoods will be upgraded to create a "living environment" for all Singaporeans. We will make full use of new technologies to develop sustainable and innovative solutions that improve our lives -- and make Singapore a Smart Nation.

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How you feel: "Just get the fibre optic connection at my home to stop disconnecting on its own, I'm contented already."

In Nov 20 last year, Singapore's fiber broadband network builder OpenNet was fined $750k for wiring and connecting users too slowly.

9. President Tony Tan: To achieve these ambitious goals, it is crucial to maintain constructive politics. In many countries, hurly-burly of politics results in short-term populist measures. "This sort of politics will weaken Singapore".

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How you feel: "Basically, everyone must agree with one another and there should be no clashes, okay? Sounds convenient much."

But Bishan-Toa Payoh MP Hri Kumar (6 Dec 2012) once said: "A multi-party system only works if there is a genuine clash of ideas, and the pros and cons of policies and alternatives are scrutinised. "

10. President Tony Tan: We should continue to have vigorous debates, but cannot allow differences to pull us apart. All sides must take a long-term perspective for the common good. And once the debate is settled, we must come together again, to move ahead as one united people.

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How you feel: "That means we must not disagree because we must not disrupt the status quo? Okay, got it."

But Hri Kumar once criticised the opposition by saying that politicians should take a stand. He said: "Singaporeans are best served by politicians who make a stand, not those who sit on fences.".

11. President Tony Tan: As Dr Tan lists major shifts the Govt has made in labour, housing, parenthood and immigration policies, he notes that amid these changes, some things remain constant: Singapore is a small country.

Ukraine and recent regional tensions remind us not to take safety and security for granted, Dr Tan says. We need effective diplomacy, as well as a strong SAF and Home Team. Our NSmen have the spirit and resolve to defend our nation, and deserve our support and recognition.

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How you feel: "Okay, I understand. So this is supposed to explain why permanent residents in Singapore do not need to do NS?"

12. President Tony Tan: We must leave behind a better Singapore than we inherited. We, and especially our young, must take the torch, run faster and further. Let us pledge ourselves anew to build a better, brighter Singapore, says Dr Tan as he ends his speech.

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How you feel: "You think Olympics ah?"

All of President Tony Tan's summarised speech taken from Today Facebook.

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