PM Lee Hsien Loong highlights three long-term issues for Singapore to tackle

Singapore should focus on the long-term issues of preschools, the war on diabetes and Smart Nation even as it deals with present challenges ranging from terrorism to trade protectionism, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (8 August).

In his National Day message, Lee said the government will create more preschool places, raise the quality of preschools and upgrade the profession of preschool teachers.

“We have been investing in preschools because the early childhood years make a big difference to children not just academically, but for life,” he said.

The move to expand preschools will help support parents in childcare so that they can focus on work and start a family.

Lee also highlighted that one big reason for ill health among elderly Singaporeans is diabetes, with almost a third of them above 60 suffering from the disease. If left unchecked, diabetes can lead to severe consequences including blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and amputated limbs.

“This is why we must go all out to fight diabetes. It is not just about more hospital facilities and better treatment. It also depends crucially on personal choices and lifestyles to prevent diabetes in the first place,” Lee said.

Hence, every Singaporean must take responsibility and adopt a healthy lifestyle from young, such as exercising regularly and drinking plain water instead of soft drinks.

Singapore should also harness the full potential of information technology to create opportunities and jobs as it aims to become a Smart Nation, Lee said.

While Singapore is highly connected and digitally literate, it can do much better. Other countries are using electronic payments to go cashless, building sensor networks to enhance public security and analysing big data to improve public services. Singapore should learn from these countries so that it can catch up with them.

“By using IT for practical applications, big and small, we can improve our lives, and make this a fun and happening place,” Lee said.

Lee said he will speak more on these issues at the National Day Rally on 20 August.

“We need to look ahead and build for the next generation, just as our forefathers looked ahead and built for us,” he added.