More avenues to open up for Singaporeans to be heard and get involved: PM

He calls on citizens to partner government, turn good ideas for the nation into reality

- Kok Yufeng

From citizens' panels that study and propose policy changes to hackathons that use technology to solve problems, more avenues for Singaporeans to be heard and get involved will be opened up in this new term of government, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 17.

Building on his commitments to take a consultative and collaborative approach in his leadership, PM Wong said during his National Day Rally speech that his team is "not just doing things for Singaporeans, but doing things with Singaporeans".

Invoking what he called the "Singapore spirit", the Prime Minister urged Singaporeans to partner the Government and fellow citizens to "roll up our sleeves, come up with solutions, and turn good ideas for a better Singapore into reality".

"The process will not always be smooth. It can be messy, iterative and slower than we would like," he said in his first rally speech after the General Election in May and his second since taking office.

"But if we persevere, I am confident we will reach better outcomes because we will build stronger trust, deeper ownership and a greater sense of common purpose."

PM Wong acknowledged that there are areas where the Government can and should do more, especially when it comes to providing those in need with stronger social support.

But he said the desire is not to have a society where people rely solely on the state.

"It's about all of us - government, businesses, workers and unions, community groups and civil society - doing our part," he added.