Let's broaden definitions of success beyond academic, material achievements: PM Wong

There needs to be a broader definition of success in Singapore that goes beyond narrow metrics of academic and material achievements, and where everyone is valued for who they are, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

- Agqil Hamzah

In a six-minute video message on June 22, PM Wong outlined his vision of the kind of society that he and his team of ministers hope to build – a Singapore where every Singaporean matters.

That would mean moving away from past definitions of success, such as the much-vaunted 5Cs – cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club, he added.

He said: “Now, these were not bad things in and of themselves. Who doesn’t want a better life for themselves and their children? But we have also seen how such a narrow definition of success can lead to negative consequences.”

It has led to society becoming more frenetic – and competition more toxic – as Singaporeans seek to outdo one another, he added.

“We become more anxious and stressed, and worse, we pass this on to our children. This is not the society I want Singapore to become. It is certainly not the society that I hope our children will grow up in,” he said.

Instead, PM Wong said he wants to see a Singapore where every Singaporean matters, and where everyone is valued for who he or she is.