Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his annual National Day Message (NDM) this year at SAFRA Punggol.

Here are five things about what he said that you’re better off not knowing. For everything else, there is our summary in 60 seconds.

1. What is the NDM?

Pre-SG50: The NDM is pre-recorded and broadcast on the eve of National Day. It usually focuses on economic issues, with PM sharing official economic forecasts, Singapore’s economic performance in the past year and its challenges ahead.

Post-SG50: NDM is still pre-recorded and broadcast on the eve of National Day. But it no longer focuses on PM's official economic forecasts and Singapore’s economic performance over the past year.

NDM 2015 was the first time PM Lee did not mention the economy’s forecast growth figures.

But NDM 2015 was unique because it was Singapore's 50th anniversary.

NDM 2016 proved that there is no return to regular programming — economic forecasts are not mentioned in the two NDMs since 2014.

2. PM's choice of location to record the NDM, and how this has become significant

PM's earlier speeches used to be recorded at the Istana, but over the past few years, he started to feature his NDM in various locations of Singapore.

Past locations included the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall (2015), Alexandra Park Connector (2014), SAFRA Toa Payoh (2013), Bishan Park (2012), the Pinnacle@Duxton, the Marina Bay floating platform, the Toa Payoh HDB estate, and the National Library Building.

Increasingly, we're also seeing more emphasis in the choice of location for the NDM.

Last Saturday, PM Lee specially devoted a Facebook post to explain the reason for his choice this year.

He said Punggol is a place where one can see and experience the Singapore that "we are building together in the next 50 years".

In his NDM 2016 message, he explained this further, emphasising the importance of unity among Singaporeans:

"Here, at SAFRA’s new Punggol clubhouse – where I am speaking – you can see the Singapore that we are building together. The HDB homes, the Punggol Waterway, the NSmen and their families, the community – all testify to how much we can achieve when we work as one."

Here are some reasons for his choice of location over the years:

NDM 2015 (SG50): The historic Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was where “Majulah Singapura” was first performed in 1958. It was also where the late Lee Kuan Yew launched the People’s Action Party (PAP) in 1954.

NDM 2014: Alexandra Park Connector near Dawson was, in PM’s words, an example of how “we are upgrading Singapore, year by year”.

NDM 2013: The SAFRA clubhouse in Toa Payoh is the location of SAFRA’s 1st clubhouse in 1975. The objective is to thank the National Servicemen and their families for their contributions.

3. What will be the core message of NDM post-SG50?

Without economic forecasts forming the core of the NDM, how will PM Lee utilise NDM as a platform effectively?

Judging from the past two NDMs, PM Lee appears to use it as an opportunity to provide a short update to Singaporeans on the state of local and international affairs.

Another objective of his past two NDMs seems to rally Singaporeans together and to provide a forward-looking narrative for the government.

The buzzword for NDM 2015 is "celebrate" (mentioned 4 times), while the buzzword for NDM 2016 is "unity" (3 times).

Related article:

Everything you need to know about PM Lee’s National Day Message 2016 in 60 seconds

Top photo from Lee Hsien Loong's Facebook page. 

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.