Anxiety, then relief, as PM Lee Hsien Loong completes rally after taking ill
He falters and is helped off stage but returns smiling and looking well
By Tham Yuen-C, Assistant Political Editor, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong drew a standing ovation from a relieved audience when he resumed his National Day Rally speech last night, after he was suddenly taken ill while addressing the nation on live television.
At about 9.20pm, 2½ hours into the rally, he paused, faltered and appeared unable to continue. Three ministers and several security officers rushed up on stage as the audience in the auditorium at ITE College Central - as well as those watching on TV - looked on anxiously.
He was helped off the stage but waved as he left.
Some in the audience went outside to the reception area, while others stayed in their seats. The mood was sombre. About 10 minutes later, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that a medical team attending to him had assessed that his condition was not serious. The mood became perceptibly lighter.
Twenty minutes after that, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean announced that Mr Lee would resume his speech. The PMO also said that Mr Lee had felt "unsteady because of prolonged standing, heat and dehydration". It added: "His heart is fine and he did not have a stroke."
At 10.40pm, he returned to speak for another 15 minutes. He looked well and thanked the audience for waiting for him.
Smiling, he said: "I've never had so many doctors look at me all at once. They think I'm all right but anyway I'm going to have a full check-up after this. But before that I'd like to finish my speech."
After the rally, he went to the Singapore General Hospital for a check-up.
The rally is where Mr Lee traditionally spends the better part of three hours mapping out the Government's plans for Singapore, speaking first in Malay, then Mandarin and English.
Yesterday, in marked contrast to last year's celebratory rally during Singapore's 50th year of independence, he sketched out threats and challenges facing a Singapore at 51.
But he painted an upbeat portrait of the future, saying that although the nation will be tested from time to time, he was confident it would succeed as long as Singaporeans held fast to their foundational tenet of staying one united people, regardless of race, language or religion.
"We are a people building on the work of each generation, looking to the future with confidence," he said.
He said disruptions to businesses and workers from technology and globalisation would be a defining challenge. He noted that small and medium-sized enterprises have found it tough to adapt to the relentless changes, and urged them to stick out the rough patch, promising that there would be opportunity in crisis.
As a small state in a region grappling with the threat of terrorism, Singapore also had to contend with geopolitical and security realities, he added, calling on citizens to understand the national interest and support Singapore's position in its relations with other countries.
He noted that a dozen radicalised Singaporeans had been picked up in the past two years, and this multiracial society will come under strain should an attack happen. Whether it survives an attack will boil down to "our collective resolve to stand with each other".
Singapore is in a good place as religious and community leaders have taken a courageous stand by refuting extremist views, and made clear that terrorists do not represent Islam, said Mr Lee.
Religious leaders, in particular Muslim leaders, have made sure their faiths are practised in a way fit for Singapore's multiracial context.
Ultimately, prosperity and security depend on good politics, Mr Lee said. "Our politics must unite the country and uphold our multiracial society."
To this end, changes will be made to the elected presidency to ensure that minorities are elected to the highest office from time to time. The Government has also accepted in principle the recommendations by a Constitutional Commission on a review of the elected presidency. It will release the commission's report soon, issue a White Paper on the changes later, and debate the matter in Parliament.
Still on the topic of good politics, Mr Lee expressed relief that he had managed to reinforce his team in last year's general election and would continue to do so at the next polls. The issue of succession was all the more important, he said, in the light of what happened to him earlier in the night.
PM Lee had no cardiac abnormalities or stroke, on medical leave till Aug 29
By Annabeth Leow, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is on medical leave until Aug 29, the Prime Minister's Office said on Monday (Aug 22).
In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will cover Mr Lee's duties.
Mr Lee, 64, is taking medical leave on the advice of doctors after suffering a near-fainting spell on stage during the National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 21).
Doctors have confirmed there were no cardiac abnormalities and no stroke, the statement said. It added that Mr Lee had taken ill due to a temporary drop in blood pressure, due to prolonged standing, exhaustion, and dehydration
Mr Lee underwent a check-up at the Singapore General Hospital following the rally and medical tests came back clear.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan posted on Facebook Monday morning and described the incident - which saw Mr Lee pause and falter during his English speech at around 9.20pm as the audience looked on anxiously - as a "vasovagal episode".
A vasovagal response results from an abnormal circulatory reflex resulting in abnormal relaxation of the body's blood vessels. A person usually faints during such a reaction.
Mr Lee returned to the stage at 10.40pm to a standing ovation and continued delivering his speech for another 15 minutes.
He posted a short Facebook update on Monday, thanking viewers for watching the speech.
In a longer statement half an hour later, Mr Lee offered “heartfelt thanks to all of you for your concern and good wishes”.
" I’m glad to report that the doctors think I am ok, but they have advised me to rest, so I will be on MC for this week," he added.
His Facebook followers returned the sentiment, with one user, Evangeline Yap, writing: “Thank you for going back to finish your speech despite being unwell.”
Timeline of events
The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
8pm: PM Lee begins his English speech.
9.18pm: He takes ill. Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen rushes to his aid, along with Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. Mr Lee is led backstage. He waves to the audience as he leaves.
9.22pm: The National Day Rally is suspended.
9.30pm: The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announces a 30-minute break on Mr Lee's Twitter. On Mr Lee's Facebook, PMO says Mr Lee took ill while speaking. A medical team attending to him has assessed that his condition is not serious.
9.51pm: DPM Teo announces that Mr Lee will resume his speech. "PM Lee says please enjoy the reception," he adds.
10.19pm: Guests are asked to take their seats.
10.22pm: PMO issues another statement saying Mr Lee was unsteady because of "prolonged standing, heat and dehydration". It adds that his heart is fine and he did not have a stroke.
10:40pm: Mr Lee reappears to a standing ovation.
One anxious hour before PM returns smiling
MPs describe atmosphere in the auditorium as he sways and clutches both sides of rostrum
By Lim Yan Liang and Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
With beads of sweat on his brow and his voice wavering, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a longer-than-usual pause right after stating that Singapore had worked hard over the decades to build racial harmony.
Some in the audience, like MP Zainal Sapari, thought Mr Lee had paused to collect his thoughts.
"In the past, when he talks about issues close to his heart, he can get quite emotional," he said. "It was only when he started swaying that I realised something was not right."
Others, like MP Alex Yam had noticed something amiss earlier, during Mr Lee's Chinese speech. "He usually does not trip over his words," said Mr Yam. "During the English speech, he stumbled over some words as well and he was reaching for his water more often. But it's been quite a hot day."
An audible gasp rose from the audience when the pause became a full stop, and Mr Lee's expression changed from one of animation to confusion as he clutched both sides of the rostrum to steady himself.
As some craned their necks to see what was happening, many covered their mouths in stunned silence.
A hush descended on the auditorium of ITE College Central as people tried to figure out what was happening, said MP Zaqy Mohamad.
From the first row, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Acting Minister for Education (Schools) Ng Chee Meng rushed on stage.
Two security officers were also by Mr Lee's side in seconds.
There was a smattering of applause from the audience, as if giving hesitant encouragement to Mr Lee as he waved to the crowd while being led offstage. Mr Zainal said he heard Mr Lee say, "I'm sorry, I'm okay."
"As PM left, he actually raised his hand and I think people did not know how to react," he said.
Dr Ng then signalled to Minister of State for Education Janil Puthucheary and Minister of State for Health Lam Pin Min, and the two doctors went backstage to help.
An announcement of a break ensued and the Rally guests were invited to join the reception. But few felt like eating after what they had witnessed, said MP Baey Yam Keng. "People were anxious as they didn't know what had happened," he said.
Online and TV viewers took to social media to express their worry.
Many shared the sentiment of Facebook user Oli To: "Mr Lee, your health comes first. Please rest and recover fully. You had such an exhausting schedule in Singapore and overseas. Thankfully, it is nothing serious."
People felt somewhat reassured when at 9.31pm the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced on Mr Lee's Facebook page: "PM Lee took ill while speaking at the National Day Rally. The medical team is attending to him right now. They assess that his condition is not serious. PMO will update in due course."
A sense of normalcy returned at 9.51pm - almost half an hour after the break was called - when DPM Teo announced that Mr Lee was resting and would return to resume his speech. "PM Lee says please enjoy the reception, he's having a rest and he'd like to come back and greet all of you and conclude his speech."
Mr Baey said: "You could hear the relief when DPM Teo made the announcement."
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam also told reporters at the reception that the scare was just "a little blip", and that doctors had assessed him to be fine. "He's perfectly normal... These things happen in life but he's strong enough to carry on. He's been having a very tough schedule recently, he's been standing for some time, so he's just feeling a little faint."
PMO confirmed this in a statement at about 10.28pm, saying Mr Lee had been feeling "unsteady because of prolonged standing, heat and dehydration". It added: "His heart is fine and he did not have a stroke."
At 10.40pm, Mr Lee strode on stage to a standing ovation, thanked the audience for waiting and shrugged off the incident with a smile. "The last time I did this, I was on the parade square in Safti (the military's officer training institute) and fainted," he said. "I've never had so many doctors look at me all at once. They think I'm all right, but I'm going to have a full check-up after this."
.@NajibRazak Thanks for your good wishes. My doctors tell me I should be OK. - LHL
— Lee Hsien Loong (@leehsienloong) August 21, 2016
In a Twitter reply at 2am to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Mr Lee said: "Thanks for your good wishes. My doctors tell me I should be OK."
Additional reporting by Joanna Seow
Changes to elected presidency soon
By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
Singapore's Constitution will soon be changed to ensure that ethnic minorities are elected as president from time to time.
Individuals who want to run for president will also have to meet stricter requirements.
Announcing the impending changes, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the Government accepts in principle the recommendations of the high-level panel to review the elected presidency.
The Constitutional Commission, which started its work six months ago, submitted its report last week. The Government is studying the report and it will be released "soon", said Mr Lee.
Detailing the process by which the law will be changed, he said the Government will publish a policy White Paper on the exact proposed changes.
Following that, it will introduce a Bill in Parliament to amend the Constitution to include the changes to the elected presidency.
The details of these changes will be debated in Parliament after that, and at least two-thirds of the 89 elected MPs must vote for the amendment before it can be passed.
While Mr Lee did not go into the details of the specific changes recommended by the commission, he spent significant portions of his three speeches - in English, Mandarin and Malay - making the case for reform.
The commission, first announced in January, was tasked to examine three areas of review. These are raising the eligibility criteria for candidates, strengthening the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA), and ensuring minorities are elected from time to time.
The last issue was the most contentious and during the public hearings, some experts said such a tweak was necessary to ensure minority representation. Others were concerned that doing so would be affirmative action at best and an unmeritocratic move at worst.
Last night, in his starkest comments to date on the issue, Mr Lee said it is important that Singapore ensures that minorities regularly have a chance to become president so they feel assured of their place in society.
Race, he said, still matters in Singapore despite progress in race relations the past 50 years.
This puts minority candidates at a disadvantage, especially now that presidential elections are hotly contested.
Thus, if changes to the law are not made, said Mr Lee, minorities may ask if they are truly equal and the Chinese majority may become less sensitive to the needs of other races.
Reforms must therefore be implemented now while society is united, he said.
Such periodic political reviews are essential to Singapore's survival, argued the Prime Minister.
While the political system here is good, some aspects of it need to be updated, he said.
"If the political system malfunctions, we fail to produce good leaders whom we trust and work with, or we can't work together among ourselves and we are divided, then all our best laid plans will come to naught," he added.
He pointed to anxieties and pressures in other countries that had led to deep fault lines between the haves and the have-nots, and to a mistrust of political leaders.
For instance, Britain had voted to leave the European Union for complex reasons that included socioeconomic inequality and a lack of faith in the political class.
Such a situation can also happen in Singapore unless its politics unite the country and uphold multiracialism, he added.
Besides ensuring ethnic minority representation, changes to give more weight to the advice of the CPA have been proposed and will be incremental and straightforward, he said.
Also, the criteria for someone to be a candidate for president should be raised to ensure that the president, who safeguards reserves and senior civil servant appointments, has the right experience.
Mr Lee argued that the president has to make critical economic and policy decisions sometimes, which is why Singapore needs the best qualified person for the job.
The current criterion of having had experience running large, complex companies with paid-up capital of $100 million is out of date and thus has to be updated, he said.
Help for longer time likely with ElderShield review
By Joanna Seow, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
An impending review of the ElderShield insurance scheme for long-term care of people with severe disabilities could see more of them receiving help for a longer period of time.
The Health Ministry will form a committee to study the scheme, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced yesterday. "We hope ElderShield will be able to cover more people, provide better protection and be kept affordable."
The national scheme, which has helped more than 7,000 people since it was introduced in 2002, needs to be strengthened because society is ageing rapidly, he said.
Citing figures, he said one in every two persons will eventually have a long-term disability and become unable to look after themselves.
Currently, if a person develops a severe disability and needs help with daily activities, ElderShield provides cash payouts of $300 a month for up to 60 months or $400 a month for up to 72 months, depending on when the policyholder joined the scheme. This can help offset the cost of, say, nursing needs or employing a maid.
But six years of payouts may not be enough, and not everyone is covered under the scheme, said Mr Lee, explaining the need for a review.
Singapore residents with Medisave accounts are automatically enrolled in the opt-out scheme at the age of 40. Those with pre-existing severe disabilities may not be covered.
The review is part of improvements to the social safety net for the elderly in recent years. These include the introduction of MediShield Life and the Pioneer Generation Package to help them with medical expenses, as well as the CPF Life annuity and Silver Support for their living expenses.
The Government has tripled its social spending from 10 years ago and is now supporting more people, Mr Lee said. "That means all of you would have received some measure of help from the Government, and those who are in need receive more help," he said. "With the enhanced ElderShield, we will pretty much have all the components of our social safety net in place."
Heng Swee Keat to resume work; Lawrence Wong appointed as second Finance Minister
By Royston Sim, Assistant News Editor, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, who suffered a stroke in May, will resume his duties, after doctors gave him the green light to do office work, but with minimal interaction with people.
National Development Minister Lawrence Wong will be made second minister to help run the Finance Ministry, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He announced this after resuming his National Day Rally speech at 10.40pm yesterday. He had taken ill while speaking and the Rally was suspended for more than an hour.
When he came back on stage, Mr Lee stressed the importance of leadership succession. "What happened makes it even more important that I talk about it now."
Building leadership and preparing for succession are his top priorities: "Nothing that has happened has changed my timetable, or my resolve to press on with succession."
Mr Lee said he will reinforce his team again at the next General Election. "Soon after the next GE, my successor must be ready to take over from me. Sui yue bu liu ren (Time does not stand still for man). You cannot wait." While the core team for the next-generation Cabinet is in place, ministers are also mortal, he said.
"Heng Swee Keat recently gave us a bad scare - worse than what I gave you just now, much worse," he said. "I am very glad he pulled through."
Mr Heng, a key member of the fourth-generation leadership, had collapsed from a stroke on May 12. He was taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital where surgery sealed off an aneurysm in his brain.
He was discharged from hospital six weeks later and a video showed a slimmer Mr Heng thanking the medical staff who cared for him .
"It is a miracle that he is all right," Mr Lee said, as he lauded the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) team that responded to the emergency for "an excellent job".
The same team of paramedics, who were guests at the rally, helped treat Mr Lee last night.
Doctors have recommended Mr Heng avoid crowds for a few more months to minimise the risk of infection, Mr Lee said. While this rules out community and grassroots work, doctors say he can go to work.
Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will then stop covering his duties as Acting Finance Minister.
In a Facebook post last night, Mr Heng said he will focus on next year's national Budget and the Committee on the Future Economy, which he co-chairs with Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran. He also welcomed Mr Wong's appointment, saying they had worked closely at the Education Ministry when Mr Wong led the Committee on University Education Pathways beyond 2015.
PM Lee said it was critical to have good people who are capable, committed and have integrity in politics, in order for the political system to continue working properly.
He made the point in the speech he was scheduled to give but did not deliver after he took ill. His office gave the media the speech.
Mr Lee also said he wanted to bolster his team from all fields, including academia and civil society, but it was difficult to convince good people to enter politics.
The suitable few are very difficult to persuade, he said. "I hope you feel strongly enough for Singapore that if we ask you, you will say 'yes'."
Disruption the 'defining challenge' for Singapore economy
Singapore must keep up with relentless pace of technological change or risk being left behind
By Chia Yan Min, Economics Correspondent, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
Five minutes into his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong asked how many members of the audience arrived at the venue by Uber and Grab.
Several people put their hands up but certainly more than when Mr Lee asked who came to the rally by taxi. "Our taxi drivers must be getting worried," he said.
It is such disruption that will become the defining challenge for Singapore's economy, said PM Lee yesterday. He was delivering his National Day Rally speech at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio.
The country is dealing with a host of economic issues, such as slower growth and the need to help people upgrade their skills. But chief among them is the relentless pace of technological change sweeping many industries. What is key, said Mr Lee, is how Singapore chooses to respond - close itself off, or embrace the change and help incumbents adjust.
Mr Lee said Singapore must opt to embrace change, and it needs "an overall strategy" that will help firms move into this digital space, support entrepreneurs in coming up with innovative ideas, and help workers gain new skills.
The Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) - a task force formed to retool Singapore for the future - is working on this. "Maybe the next Google or Facebook or Alibaba may come from Singapore," said Mr Lee.
In dwelling on the economy - traditionally the subject that gets the foremost mention in his English National Day Rally speech, Mr Lee had his eye fixed firmly on the future.
He noted that economic growth has slowed this year - the labour market has cooled, unemployment is inching upwards and business has stagnated for many companies.
The rapid pace of growth that Singapore experienced in previous decades is no longer sustainable as the economy has matured.
And even as growth slows, technology is disrupting existing business models - not just in the taxi industry but across all sectors.
In retail, for instance, brick-and-mortar stores have been hit hard by the growing popularity of online shopping. In Orchard Road, for instance, shops have become places where people "look, see, go home to buy", said Mr Lee.
People can even order joss paper and incense online for the ongoing Hungry Ghost Festival, he said in his Mandarin speech.
Neighbourhood coffee shops are also facing new competition from the likes of VendCafe, a cluster of vending machines serving hot meals and drinks in Sengkang.
These disruptions are the "new normal" and companies big and small need to adapt in order to thrive, he said.
Still, it is not all bad. Mr Lee said companies in sectors such as general manufacturing, furniture design and food have transformed and expanded overseas.
New jobs have also been created.
The growth of e-commerce means rising demand for logistics services, which Singapore has an edge in, given its status as a transport and financial hub. There are also new opportunities in industries like data analytics and digital marketing, Mr Lee added.
"Every industry is disrupted but every industry is disrupted differently," he said, adding that government agencies will work with companies and trade associations to tailor programmes, invest in technologies and develop skills.
Mr Lee gave a preview of the work CFE is doing to help the country prepare for the uncertainties ahead.
First, the Government will continue helping companies build new capabilities in areas such as the digital space. Singapore is well placed to capitalise on opportunities in it, he said. Flashing a photo of a group of people gathered at a playground staring at their smartphones, Mr Lee asked: "Where do you think this is, and what do you think they are doing?
"That's Pokemon Go! Pokemon Go has gone viral... It shows that everybody has a phone, everybody is online, everybody is comfortable, able to use digital."
Some businesses, such as logistics firm Ascent Solutions, are already making progress, he said. The firm developed a container tracking device called iSpot, which allows round-the-clock monitoring, prevents theft and speeds up the customs clearance process.
It took the device to East Africa, with support from trade agency IE Singapore, and there are now 10,000 iSpots in Kenya and Tanzania. It used to take 20 days for a container to travel from Kenya to Uganda, but iSpot has helped cut this down to two days.
Besides digital, Singapore also needs to build deep capabilities in other sectors and help its small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) compete with the best in the world, said PM Lee. For instance, Singapore is holding its own in the engineering sector and home-grown SMEs like Hope Technik are flying the flag abroad.
The firm beat top engineering companies from around the world to win a tender from aircraft giant Airbus four years ago to build a scale model of a space plane for Airbus' civilian spacecraft programme.
"So, maybe in 20 years' time, when civilians go into space and space flight is a reality for all of us, then we can say a Singaporean firm helped this to happen," said Mr Lee.
The Republic also has to continue promoting entrepreneurship. Besides creating jobs and prosperity, entrepreneurs give society the confidence "that anything is possible". Mr Lee said: "Through our own actions, we can change the world. And if we fail, we try again".
He cited how five years ago, Singapore started Block 71 in Ayer Rajah Crescent as a place where start-ups can incubate. It has been very successful and has expanded to include an offshoot in San Francisco.
"The start-ups are growing. Investors are paying attention."
Lastly, CFE is also working to develop workers' skills to prepare them for the new economy.
This starts with equipping students with cross-disciplinary skills, and extends to helping those who are already in the workforce to upgrade and deepen their skills. The Government is also helping retrenched workers transition into new careers, Mr Lee said.
"This is how we can progress together, and thrive in a competitive and dangerous world."
Levelling the playing field for taxis, Uber, Grab
Government to look further into this, rules will be updated to foster fair competition
By Adrian Lim, The Straits Times, 22 Aug 2016
The playing field between taxis and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Grab is "not quite level", said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday, adding that the Government will look further into this.
The taxi sector is still subject to some extra rules - for example, cabbies must clock a minimum mileage daily and statutory requirements make operating taxis more expensive, he said.
"But then I remind the taxi drivers - you also enjoy some advantages. As drivers told me, they can 'sweep the floor'... that means you can pick up from the kerb. Uber and Grab cannot," he added.
"There are other advantages too. We will progressively sort all these things out. But I think we all know that we can't stop progress," he said at his National Day Rally.
He cited apps such as Uber and Grab as examples of how industries and jobs are being disrupted by technology and globalisation. He said that while Singapore must embrace disruption to stay ahead, it will help incumbents adapt.
Mr Lee said of Uber and Grab: "You open an app, it matches you to the nearest car... no need to book a cab by phone, no need to hail a cruising cab along the street." He said the apps also analyse travel patterns, and adjust fares to match supply and demand.
Despite the disruption these apps have caused worldwide, and the taxi industry saying its business has been hit, commuters are benefiting - "better service, more responsive, faster", he added.
Noting that cabbies in cities such as London, Sydney and Jakarta have staged protests seeking the blockage of these new services, Mr Lee said Singapore could close itself off, ban Uber and Grab, and impose restrictions to protect the "old ways".
"But we will be left behind and our commuters will lose out, and our economy will suffer. The other way is to embrace change, let the disruption happen... but help the incumbents, and especially help the taxi drivers, to adapt to the changes."
Mr Lee said this is being done, by updating rules to foster fair competition, while protecting commuters, and requiring drivers - whether cabbies or those under Uber or Grab - to have proper insurance and clean records.
In April, new regulations were announced, requiring Uber and Grab drivers to obtain a vocational licence by the first half of next year. Cars used for private hire must also be registered and be marked with a decal for easy identification.
Mr Lee said he knows quite a few cabbies who are anxious about their livelihoods. He said he told cabbies at a grassroots event: "I said you can also drive for the other side. They said yes but we have to work hard. But they can still make a living."
Taxi drivers here have been level-headed about the competition and made useful recommendations to level the playing field, he said. Some also welcomed the competition, which has caused taxi firms to take drivers "more seriously", responding with better offers and new technology, he added.
<spa