Politics: Back to school

This year’s National Day Rally, fittingly held (again) at the Institute of Technical Education headquarters, resembled a lecture. Lawrence Wong, prime minister, shunned nationalistic fervour and motivational mantras for a mellow, and oftentimes soporific, policy exercise more befitting a professor. For instance, through a succession of slides, the techno-optimist narrated examples of AI’s impact in society, including transcription at government call-centres, automation at Tuas Port, and sophisticated diagnosis of anomalies in turbine components at GE Vernova, an American MNC. 

The AI-with-Larry module ended with a dental x-ray on screen with Wong using a laser pointer to point out coloured blotches on teeth. “You want as little dark red as possible, because that means potential tooth decay,” warned the prime minister, perhaps causing his subjects to drop their Dubai chocolates. “And all this is done by AI in under a minute.” The technocratic delivery was all the more unusual given that we’re in the age of politics as theatre, not only in the White House. Still, it’s how most Singaporeans like our leaders. Not all were impressed though. “Halfway through watching the NDR, I turned to my Lego bricks to construct a mansion,” wrote Bertha Henson, an independent journalist, before a good analysis of several points. 

Wong’s key announcements include: enhancements to the SkillsFuture Level-Up programme (meant to aid midcareer reskilling); new “Age Well Neighbourhoods” that will offer more accessible active ageing centres and healthcare services for the elderly; a dedicated campus in Rochor for the new Singapore College of Islamic Studies; a harsher crackdown on vaping (more below); and spanking new housing developments in Kranji and Sembawang (more below). The downtempo delivery worked less well when Wong called for a “We-First” society that puts “we” ahead of “me”. He cited examples of ground-up initiatives and called for more. His team believes in “doing things with Singaporeans” and wants to “open up more avenues for you to be heard and to get involved”, all of which will help “keep our Singapore spirit alive”. 

All laudable goals, though Singaporeans have heard variants before. Some scepticism is warranted. The best way for Wong to demonstrate “we” over “me” is to begin with the civil service and politics. Reduce the drastic wage inequalities within government; and level the electoral playing field, so the ruling People’s Action Party can no longer be accused of acting in its own self interest. And if Wong’s team genuinely wants to involve all Singaporeans in shaping our future, they could liberalise speech, for instance on racial and religious issues, so we have a better sense for how to address injustices. It may be a hard sell for the elder Mandarins, so used to dutiful crowds in air-conditioned lecture halls.