Everything you need to know about PM Lee’s New Year Day Message 2015 in 60 seconds

Singapore's economy grew by 2.8% in 2014.

Martino Tan| December 31, 05:11 PM

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared his 2015 New Year Day Message with Singaporeans.

The annual message usually focuses on Singapore’s economic performance for the year and also addresses some of the significant events that occurred in Singapore in 2014.

PM said that 2014 has been "an eventful year" and said that "SG50 will be a time to look back, give thanks for what we have achieved, and look forward to the future with confidence".

Here are 5 key points of his message:

1. Economy: Singapore's economic growth was 2.8% and real median incomes rose by 0.4%. But PM Lee said that Singapore's "productivity performance has been disappointing". It is negative (-0.5%)  for the first three quarters of 2014.

2. Greater assurance for Singaporeans: Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) was introduced with good response. MediShield Life will come into effect in 2015 and give all Singaporeans better healthcare coverage for life.

3. More opportunities for Singaporeans: Singapore will invest heavily in early childhood education, make every school a good school, and build a strong and diverse tertiary system through our ITEs, polytechnics and universities.

4. Better home for Singaporeans: New flats are being built and there will be more buses, more trains and new MRT lines. There will be improvements from Jurong Lake District to Mandai , and Singapore will build up-to-date IT networks.

5. SG50: 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s independence. The SG50 Baby Jubilee Gift celebrates the joy of parenthood in Singapore. PM Lee said that Singapore can have a “well-founded confidence about our futures” and urged Singaporeans not to succumb to mediocrity as it is not good enough for Singapore to be an ordinary country.

 

Top photo from Lee Hsien Loong Facebook

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