Conclusion Madam Speaker, let me conclude very briefly. This Budget builds on the changes that we have been making in recent years as Singapore enters a new phase. We are transforming our economy to sustain improvement in incomes; we are opening up new opportunities for the young; and we are giving more assurance to our seniors. We can never be certain of the future. But the Pioneer Generation has given us something beyond the material. As the Prime Minister put it at the Pioneer Generation Tribute Event on 9 February, it is the pioneering spirit to be self-reliant, – and to be united in purpose. One of the people I met again at the Tribute Event was Madam Fong Yuet Kwai. She is now retired. She had been an educator for over four decades at Nan Hua Primary, including 21 years as principal, working tirelessly during the switchover from to English-stream and strengthening the school year by year. Madam Fong was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. She took a break, but came back after six months to re-immerse herself in school life. I was at Education a decade ago when she finally retired, and so I met her to thank her for her contributions to education. Her reply was was simple: “It my duty”. The best we can do for the Pioneer Generation is to live according to their values as we seek to build a better future for Singapore. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.
Conclusion Madam Speaker, let me conclude very briefly. This Budget builds on the changes that we have been making in recent years as Singapore enters a new phase. We are transforming our economy to sustain improvement in incomes; we are opening up new opportunities for the young; and we are giving more assurance to our seniors. We can never be certain of the future. But the Pioneer Generation has given us something beyond the material. As the Prime Minister put it at the Pioneer Generation Tribute Event on 9 February, it is the pioneering spirit – to be self-reliant, and to be united in purpose. One of the people I met again at the Tribute Event was Madam Fong Yuet Kwai. She is now retired. She had been an educator for over four decades at Nan Hua Primary, including 21 years as principal, working tirelessly during the switchover from to English-stream and strengthening the school year by year. Madam Fong was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. She took a break, but came back after six months to re-immerse herself in school life. I was at Education a decade ago when she finally retired, and so I met her to thank her for her contributions to education. Her reply was simple: “It was my duty”. The best we can do for the Pioneer Generation is to live according to their values as we seek to build a better future for Singapore. Madam Speaker, I beg to move.
FY2014_Budget_Statement.docx