NDR 2025 a rallying cry amid significant challenges, say analysts

Emphasis on 'we first' society signals Govt wants to involve S'poreans in shaping future

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent and Shermaine Ang

At the heart of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on Aug 17 was a rallying cry for Singaporeans as the country faces near- and medium-term challenges, from an ageing population to issues confronting young people, political analysts said.

PM Wong's emphasis on a "we first" society also signalled that it is not only the Government that sets the direction for Singapore. It wants to actively involve Singaporeans in shaping the country's future, they added.

The speech was a rallying call around the Singapore spirit, said Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).

"Being SG60, the PM laced the speech with robust references to what built the nation — the sense of purpose, grit and agency," Dr Koh said.

Associate Professor Eugene Tan, a political analyst and law don at the Singapore Management University, agreed.

"At a time of pervasive gloom globally, the PM's National Day Rally speech sought to be reassuring, optimistic, encouraging, and a call to action. It is a rallying cry for the country to be united," he said.

In his speech at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio, PM Wong said Singapore must be a "we first" society to keep the country going, and the Republic is finished if everyone thinks only about "me" and puts "me" ahead of "we".

Dr Mathew Mathews, a principal research fellow at IPS and head of its Social Lab, said it is a much-needed refrain, especially with Singapore being home to people from around the world.