Morning Briefing: Top stories from The Straits Times on May 3, 2025
S'poreans head to the polls in PM Wong's first election as leader
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Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Straits Times
Strong S'pore-Australia ties underpinned by bonds that are continually renewed: President Tharman
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox President Tharman Shanmugaratnam meeting Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who is on a state visit to Singapore, on Aug 4. SINGAPORE – In a world that is increasingly turbulent, Singapore and Australia are working closely together across a range of sectors, from defence to education, culture and sports, and to uphold an open, rules-based trading system globally, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Aug 4. Underpinning this strong partnership is a long shared history, and bonds between both countries and their people that are lived, felt and continually renewed, he added. He was speaking at a state banquet held to host Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, whose state visit from Aug 3 to 6 marks Singapore's 60th year of independence and commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Singapore-Australia diplomatic relations. Ms Mostyn separately met Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and affirmed the strong people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries. They also spoke about the importance of the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was established in 2015 and serves as a broad-ranging agreement to deepen Singapore's collaboration with Australia. To date, the partnership has seen more than 110 completed initiatives across six pillars which include economics and trade, defence and foreign affairs, science and innovation, people-to-people ties, the digital economy, and the green economy. Ms Mostyn and PM Wong said they look forward to the upgrade of the CSP later in 2025 when PM Wong visits Australia. The upgraded CSP will see deepened bilateral cooperation in areas such as defence, supply chain resilience, renewable energy, and cyber and critical technologies. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore launches review of economic strategy to stay ahead of global shifts Singapore A look at the five committees reviewing Singapore's economic strategy Business More support for sectors and workers vulnerable to tech disruptions, global competition Business Singapore to tap advanced manufacturing, AI under strategic review Singapore All recruits at BMTC will be trained to fly drones and counter them: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Ong Beng Seng to be sentenced on Aug 15, prosecution does not object to fine due to his poor health Singapore Pritam Singh had hoped WP would 'tip one or two more constituencies' at GE2025 PM Wong said in a Facebook post: 'Our strong and enduring partnership is anchored on shared perspectives and deep mutual trust.' He added that he looks forward to taking the partnership to the next level when he visits Australia later in 2025. At the state dinner banquet, Mr Tharman said Australia was among the very first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Singapore, and that ties go back even further to World War II when Australian soldiers helped in the defence of Malaya and Singapore. 'Out of that shared history has grown a resilient partnership. We cooperate in increasing depth, and across an unusually broad span of endeavours,' he said. Mr Tharman highlighted defence as a critical pillar of that relationship, as 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of Exercise Wallaby – the Singapore Armed Forces' largest overseas training exercise. Both countries are deepening relations in education, culture and sports too. Over 60,000 people of Singaporean heritage live in Australia, while more than 20,000 Australians have made Singapore their second home, he noted. 'We are navigating a world that is now radically more uncertain, more exposed to shocks, and at growing risk of damage from the climate crisis and renewed global health threats,' Mr Tharman said. 'Amid this global turbulence, Singapore and Australia have chosen to look ahead, and to lead together.' He noted that both countries were the first to sign bilateral agreements on the digital economy and green economy – 'pioneering new and constructive ways of cooperation for the future', he said. 'At the same time, Singapore welcomes Australia's continued and deepening engagement in our region, in particular with Asean,' Mr Tharman added. Both countries are also driving global efforts to shape future trade rules, he said. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam with Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn at the state banquet on Aug 4. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO Along with Japan, Singapore and Australia are co-convenors of the World Trade Organisation Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce to establish the first global digital trade rules. 'It reflects not only our shared commitment to multilateralism, but our readiness to lead in adapting it for the future economy,' Mr Tharman said. Singapore and Australia are not just close partners by obligation, but by choice, he added. 'I am confident that in the years ahead, we will continue to learn from each other, support each other's aspirations, help uplift the region, and work together to broker cooperative solutions internationally.' In her speech, Ms Mostyn said: 'Together, we stand at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, cyber security and green technologies. One of Australia's five start-up landing pads is here in Singapore, where entrepreneurs are working on everything from fintech to healthcare.' She noted that Singapore is one of Australia's most significant sources of foreign investments. 'We work together in regional forums like Asean and the East Asia Summit and our prime ministers meet every year,' she added. Earlier in the day, Ms Mostyn received a ceremonial welcome at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She called on Mr Tharman and they discussed a range of issues, including how both countries could learn from each other's strategies in supporting mental health among young people, and in developing and updating skills for a rapidly changing labour market. She also visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where an orchid hybrid was named after her, as well as the Samaritans of Singapore. Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn, with Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah and Singapore Botanic Gardens group director Tan Puay Yok, viewing an orchid hybrid named after her. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO In commemoration of 60 years of diplomatic relations, Ms Mostyn presented Mr Tharman with a specially commissioned Australian indigenous artwork. Mr Tharman reciprocated with an artwork symbolising Singapore's harmonious growth, creativity and diversity across six decades by Singapore artist Leong Sijun. During the rest of her visit, Ms Mostyn will lay a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial for Australian soldiers who fought in Singapore's defence during World War II. She will also visit the Changi Chapel and Museum and Gardens by the Bay, where she will attend an Australian native tree dedication ceremony and unveil a permanent installation of an indigenous sculpture. Ms Mostyn's visit is the latest exchange between leaders from both sides. In 2025, Australian Prime Minster Anthony Albanese met PM Wong in Singapore in May . Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles also met PM Wong and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing in June on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue. PM Wong's visit to Australia later in 2025 will be an introductory one, to launch the upgraded partnership, commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and attend the 10th Annual Leaders' Meeting. In 2024, Australia was Singapore's 12th largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade in goods amounting to $30.3 billion. Singapore's top imports from Australia include petroleum oils, natural gas, semi-precious stones and metals, as well as animal and vegetable oils. Meanwhile, Singapore's key exports to Australia are petroleum oils, mechanical appliances and electrical machinery. Australia is also an important food source for Singapore, as it is Singapore's second-highest import source for beef and pork, and third for milk, milk products and vegetables. Economic relations are underpinned by the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which was signed and entered into force in 2003.
AsiaOne
4 days ago
- AsiaOne
PM Lawrence Wong to deliver National Day message on Aug 8 , Singapore News
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day message will be delivered on Aug 8 (Friday), the eve of National Day. PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, will deliver his message in English. This is his second National Day message since he took over as Singapore's fourth prime minister on May 15, 2024. His message will be broadcast at 6.40pm on CNA and radio station CNA938. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong will deliver the message in Mandarin, and it will be broadcast on Mediacorp's Channel 8 and radio station Capital 95.8FM at 8.40pm. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim will deliver the message in Malay. This will be broadcast at 8.30pm on Mediacorp's Suria. Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash will deliver the message in Tamil. This will be broadcast at 9pm on Mediacorp's Vasantham and radio statio Oli 96.8FM. The Prime Minister's Office said that the National Day message will also be available on its website and YouTube channel after the first broadcasts. In PM Wong's maiden National Day message last August, he addressed key concerns regarding cost of living in Singapore. He also spoke on housing affordability, and the social support system. At the swearing-in of the new cabinet on May 23, 2025, PM Wong talked about navigating Singapore through economic challenges, and securing an "assured place" for Singapore in a "changed world". He also said that the Government will be strengthening Singapore's social compact by keeping essential services - including education, healthcare and housing - accessible and affordable. The National Day Rally will be held at the Institute of Technical Education on Aug 17. [[nid:697780]] editor@
Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Straits Times
S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Being small, Singapore can get ahead of new technology like artificial intelligence to create new jobs, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on July 29. He pointed to its 'compact system' and the strong relationship between the Government, employers and unions, saying this means the Republic can discuss redesigning jobs and retraining workers, even before new technology is rolled out. 'That's what we must do in Singapore, not just rush headlong into AI,' said PM Wong. 'Yes, embrace it, adopt it, but always make sure that the technological changes that we harness, the power of technology benefits workers, not replaces them, and always ensures that workers will thrive in this new environment.' He was answering a question at the Global-City Singapore: SG60 and Beyond conference, hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies and the Singapore Business Federation. IPS director Janadas Devan moderated the dialogue, held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, which covered topics like AI, the social compact and tariffs. Ambassador-at-Large Tommy Koh, who was in the audience, had asked whether Singapore is prepared to harness the benefits of technology and its impact on employment. Prof Tommy Koh (onscreen) asks questions during a dialogue with PM Lawrence Wong and IPS director Janadas Devan on July 29. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG PM Wong noted that history has shown that some jobs disappear or evolve with every wave of new technology, but new jobs – usually better and higher-paying – get created. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Singapore 12 motorists nabbed for providing illegal private-hire services: LTA Life Alone but not lonely: Tips from seniors who live solo and like it Asia Extreme weather turns Beijing into rain trap; 30 killed, over 80,000 evacuated The concerns with AI are that it is so powerful and can do many things that humans can, he said. He acknowledged the worries people have about AI and its impact on jobs , amid the broad-based adoption of AI which Singapore has to do 'because we have no choice'. To truly reap the benefits of any technology, Singapore has to harness it and think hard about how it is applied, he said. People get very enamoured with countries that are the leaders of cutting-edge, frontier technology, noted PM Wong. While there are rewards that go to these pioneers, the big advantage of technology is when there is broad-based adoption across the entire economy, he said. 'So with technology, it is not just about cutting-edge frontier. It is about broad-based adoption, and we will have to think hard about how we do that for AI today,' said PM Wong. The Government is thinking about how it can help firms , especially smaller enterprises, make full use of AI to transform themselves or elevate productivity significantly, he added. 'If we can make it happen, company by company, it can yield significant advantages for us. If there is any country that can do that, it is us, because we are small, we are compact, and we can do this company by company.' Earlier in the forty-minute session, Mr Janadas had asked how PM Wong would envision Singapore as a global city in today's circumstances. He had cited a 1972 speech by former foreign minister S. Rajaratnam, who was envisioning the nation's future. PM Wong said that even in a fragmented world, a global network of cosmopolitan cities will stand out. 'We want to be one of them. A shiny node where the human spirit thrives, where people want to be here, to do business and to make things happen,' he said. At the same time, Singapore does not have to copy others, and should be confident in charting its own way, he added. 'We will never be like New York or Paris, and we do not have to be. Here, we are cosmopolitan, but we are Asian, we are multi-cultural. Some say we are boring… But at the same time, we are stable, we are predictable,' said PM Wong. 'We are reliable and we are trusted, and these are intangible assets that others would die to have.' Singapore must also continue to be a home for its citizens, he said. 'Even as we talk about being a global city, we must set the house rules. That means we stay open, but there will be house rules that apply,' he added. These include on housing and labour. Foreigners who want to buy a home or property will have to pay additional duty, while there are 'prudent controls' on foreign manpower, said PM Wong. 'We manage the flows so that Singaporeans always remain at the centre of everything we do; Singaporeans benefit.' He said: 'Being a global city will eventually translate into better homes, better lives, improved standards of living for Singapore.'
