Singapore and China plan to extend visa-free travel to 30 days, revealed by DPM Wong at the 19th JCBC in Tianjin on Thursday.
The countries will collaborate to finalize implementation details, aiming to enact the 30-day visa exemption arrangement in early 2024, as per Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Deputy PM Lawrence Wong highlighted the challenges in accurately assessing wealth inequality, citing the diverse nature of assets and the complexities surrounding the valuation process, and instead emphasized the government’s proactive use of wealth taxes like stamp duties and property tax to address the issue.
This came in response to PQ filed by WP MP Louise Chua, who asked the Minister whether the Singapore Government tracks wealth inequality in Singapore and whether there is data on these indicators over the last ten years.
As PM Lee Hsien Loong announces his succession plans, public sentiment underscores a pivotal fact: DPM Wong’s rise to Prime Minister rests heavily on public endorsement in the forthcoming General Election.
Concerns also surface regarding potential disruptions during this transition, including pandemic resurgence, geopolitical strife, or domestic political turmoil, which could impact the planned handover.
Dr Chee Soon Juan critiques the Forward Singapore report, questioning the PAP’s sincerity and highlighting disparities in living conditions and freedom restrictions, urging authentic policy changes.
“For Singaporeans to truly live fulfilled lives, we need to be empowered in our own country and to be able to exercise the full franchise of our citizenship,” he asserted.
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized that the timing of the Forward Singapore report’s release carried no specific significance.
Regarding the 4G team’s mandate and leadership transition, he chose not to divulge details, promising further updates in the future.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong introduced the Forward SG report on Friday, defining it as a pivotal guide for the city-state’s future led by the fourth-generation leaders.
The report outlines seven essential shifts fostering a better quality of life and support for vulnerable populations, emphasizing collective societal involvement.
Initiatives launched amidst economic challenges suggest the possibility of an early 2024 General Election, potentially accelerating the political timeline despite the constitutional deadline set for July 2025.
Singapore intensifies social mobility efforts through an enhanced ComLink scheme, providing personalized support to lower-income families, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announces.
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to become the deputy chairman of GIC from 1 October, following Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s transition to Singapore’s ninth president. Additionally, Mr Wong leads the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as its chairman.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, lauded former President Mdm Halimah Yacob for her remarkable leadership during the demanding Covid-19 pandemic.
He commended Mdm Halimah for her diligent approach to her duties, “asking rigorous questions to understand the rapidly evolving situation”, and ensuring that the requested draws on reserves were necessary and justified.
As Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam clinches the presidency with 70.4% of the votes, leaders from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to opposition figures have rallied to extend their congratulations, acknowledging the election’s significance and assuring government cooperation.