'S'pore must be home that endears'
President:
President Tony Tan Keng Yam set out the Government's proposed directions, as Parliament re-opened yesterday after a mid-term break.
Calling on every Singaporean to pitch in, he said: "Singapore cannot be just a marketplace in the global economy... Singapore must be a home that endears, with an active citizenry dedicated to creating our shared future."
Dr Tan outlined what the Government has done in recent years:
- Sped up housing and public transport programmes to address urgent needs.
- Implemented parenthood and immigration policies to ensure a sustainable population, with Singaporeans forming the heart of the nation.
- Slowed the inflow of foreign workers while maintaining a vibrant economy to create opportunities and jobs for Singaporeans.
- Introduced the Wage Credit Scheme and the Progressive Wage Model to help raise wages.
But some things will remain in focus:
- Strong defence and policing to ensure safety and security.
- Safeguarding Singapore's interests abroad through effective diplomacy, co-operating with other countries and earning respect around the world.
In the future, Singaporeans can expect:
More opportunities, especially through education
There will be more investment in pre-school education, so those born with less have every chance to achieve their full potential.
Diverse options will be created to meet students' different abilities and development pace.
More university places and degree programmes with practical applications will also be offered.
Affordable housing for all
There will be help for low- and middle-income households to own their HDB homes and build up a retirement nest egg, and new options to encourage extended families to live closer together.
Affordable health care
Examples include enhancing the Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) in which Singaporeans receive subsidies at participating general practitioners (GP) and dental clinics, expanding Medisave use and increasing subsidies for outpatient care.
Affordable MediShield Life premiums are also in the works.
Help for the vulnerable and elderly
The Government will be looking into strengthening social safety nets beyond home ownership and Workfare, and improving existing CPF savings and CPF Life annuity schemes.
This is how we will build a nation for tomorrow, a home where we feel a sense of responsibility for one another, and not just a sense of entitlement to the benefits of citizenship.
- President Tony Tan on the need for active community involvement
It is crucial to maintain constructive politics that puts our nation and our people first... But in many countries, the hurly-burly of politics has resulted in short-term populist measures, and sometimes gridlock and paralysis. This sort of politics will weaken Singapore.
- President Tony Tan on the need for constructive politics
Rebel King set to rule again
RACE 1 BELMONT (1,000M)
1 REBEL KING: Returned with a devastating 4-len win on May 3. The real deal.
3 SASS ‘N’ GLAM: Couldn’t match it with Rebel King on May 3 but caught the eye with a strong finish. Each-way.
2 OUR MEMORY GIRL: Good enough behind Rebel King May 3 but needs to do a lot more to turn the tables.
RACE 2 KEMBLA GRANGE (1,200M)
11 MESSIAH’S JEWEL (Runs:21 Wins:1(1G) Places 2): 5¾-len last 52.5kg to Time To Strike 1,600m G’burn Cls 3 April 28.
7 RAPIDO FELINO (Runs:10 Wins:1(1G) Places 4): 5½-len 8th 59kg to Country Hustle 1,300m Kem.Gr BM60 Aug 17.
10 CLINT (Runs:3 Wins:1(1G) Places 0): Sht nk win 57kg over Miss Fearless 1,000m G’burn Mdn April 28.
RACE 3 BELMONT (1,000M)
6 SOVEREIGN DEBT: Biggest margin of defeat is 2 lengths and finished in the placings 8 of 9 times since moving to Western Australia.
2 CELEBRITY MISS: Won her only attempt at 1,000m by 2.5 lengths and has the flexibility to sit close or rearward.
4 SWAP YA: His 1,000m form looks OK and is normally honest.
RACE 4 KEMBLA GRANGE (1,200M)
11 DISAGREE (Runs:4 Wins:1(1G) Places 1): ½-len 2nd 55kg to Half For You 1,200m Bath. Cls 1 April 25.
12 BUTTERFLY SKY (Runs:18 Wins:2 (1G,1H) Places 5): 5-len 6th 50.5kg to Tail Risk 1,200m Mudgee BM60 May 4.
2 STEPTORIO (Runs:21 Wins:3(3G) Places 5): ¾-len win 58.5kg to Lunch At Tiffanys 1,200m G’burn BM55 April 28.
RACE 5 BELMONT (2,100M)
9 DRAGONLEAD: Proven at this range of distance and very hard to leave out.
7 GO TIGER: Narrowly defeated by Ora Dare on May 3. Only has to maintain form to finish in the money.
10 FA’EM: Hasn’t really come on after four runs this campaign but can surprise.
RACE 6 KEMBLA GRANGE (1,200M)
4 WHAT’S UP SNIP (Runs:2 Wins:0 Places 0): 1¼-len 5th 59kg to Snitziola in 1,100m G’ford Mdn May 8.
2 BAYVIEW EMPEROR (Runs:2 Wins:0 Places 0): 2½-len 5th 59kg to Lofty’s Menu 1,200m G’ford Mdn May 8.
5 FIERCELY DEFIANT (Runs:4 Wins:0 Places 1): Lg nk, nk 3rd 59kg to Mitchell Road 1,200m Wagga Mdn May 2.
RACE 7 BELMONT (1,000M)
5 ARCADIA ROSE: Statues were being commissioned after her first three wins, but found trouble in the Burgess Queen and can simply forget about the Champion Fillies. Won trial.
8 ZEDFIRE EXPRESS: Returned to racing May 3 with an arrogant victory, pulling away in the final stages to win by 2¼ lengths.
2 CHINETTI: Beat some very talented horses over this distance early last campaign and looks ready for another rewarding stint.
RACE 8 KEMBLA GRANGE (2,000M)
13 PIROLO (Runs:8 Wins:0 Places 3): Nk 2nd 54kg to Hussonet Song 2,000m Mudgee BM55 May 4.
2 POET’S FORTUNE (Runs:18 Wins:2(2G) Places 3): ½ hd nose 3rd 56kg to Sharkooch 2,100m G’ford BM65 May 8.
7 MOPORENA (Runs:22 Wins:2(1G,1D) Places 6): 3¾-len 4th 54kg to Medcaut 1,600m Kem.Gr Cls 2 April 29.
RACE 9 BELMONT (1,600M)
2 RUN FOR RUM: Very good behind Military Might on May 3 and looks poised Rebel King set to rule again for victory. Won last campaign when 3rd up and at this track & distance.
3 MILITARY MIGHT: Bounced back to win on May 3, after a torrid midweek run when a short-priced favourite. Looks more than capable to go on with the last start performance over the 1,600m distance.
13 TICK TICK BLOOM: Blew Scenic Lord away late on April 30. Looks a nice progressive type and that victory looks to be a defining moment in his career.
RACE 10 BELMONT (1,400M)
5 ACHEATIN’ SMILE: Massive last start when wide and persistent finish to be beaten by 0.1 length by Big Red’s Back on May 4.
2 THUNDER EXPRESS: Geraldton form is very strong, finishing in the Top 3 in his last eleven races.
10 NAVELLO: Very good last start when three wide with intermittent cover behind Angel Wing on April 30. Narrowly beaten on that occasion.
RACE 11 TOOWOOMBA (1,300M)
7 RIVER GEORGIA (Runs:4 Wins:1(1D) Places 1): 3¼-len 10th 55.5kg to Cooper’s Girl 1,200m M’bah Cls 1 May 6.
5 FIERY GIRL (Runs:8 Wins:1(1D) Places 4): 5¾-len 4th 56kg to Lord Beaufort 1,300m Twba Cls 1 May 3.
2 MIDNIGHT BEAUTY (Runs:5 Wins:1(1G) Places 2): 1¼-len 4th 55.5kg to Eastern Prince 1,200m Twba Cls 1 May 7.
RACE 12 BELMONT (1,200M)
1 LUCKYGRAY: Not much more needs to be said about this horse, four from four at the track, five wins from eight starts over 1,200m. It’s a freak.
11 MAGNIFISIO: Ever-improving fouryear- old that claimed her third Listed race in a row when taking out the Northam Stakes by 1½ lengths.
10 CHECKPOINT: Form over the spring carnival was excellent, highlighted with a narrow defeat in the Lee-Steere stakes to Conservatorium.
RACE 13 TOOWOOMBA (1,300M)
3 ROYAL SHOUT (Runs:35 Wins:3(2D,1H) Places 14): 3-len 5th 54.5kg to Time To Plunder 1,200m E.Farm Cls 6 April 26.
1 ARADO (Runs:27 Wins:6(5G,1S) Places 9): 10¾-len 8th 54kg to Mr Favulous 1,200m Twba BM85 May 10.
11 SIGMUND(Runs:18 Wins:3(2G,1D) Places 4): 4-len 2nd 59kg to Narcissus 1,300m Twba Cls 3 May 7.
RACE 14 BELMONT (1,200M)
8 FUCHSIA BANDANA: This will be her 10th run since December and an incredible 6 wins. Recently defeated Carry The Nation by ¾ length over 1,300m. Must be considered.
2 TRADING DAY: Three wins from four starts last campaign. Returns here off no trial but always turns up fresh.
5 FIDDLERS ELBOW: Won four races in a row to stamp himself as a genuine racehorse and trialled well leading into this.
RACE 15 TOOWOOMBA (1,100M)
6 GRACEFUL ROSE (Runs:7 Wins:0 Places 3): 2¾-len lg nk 3rd 55.5kg to Lucia 1,650m D’Ben Mdn Nov 20.
4 SHAFTSMAN (Runs:4 Wins:0 Places 3): ¾-len 2nd 55kg to Be Fair 1,400m E.Farm Mdn Aug 14.
8 TIMELESS TALE (Runs:12 Wins:0 Places 5): 1½-len 2nd 53kg to Mister Looseel 1,300m Twba Mdn April 5.
RACE 16 TOOWOOMBA (1,000M)
8 TARTUFO (Runs:4 Wins:0 Places 2): 14½-len 8th 55kg to Tieres Rock 1,060m Kilcoy Mdn Feb 20.
3 ELLIE BELLE (Runs:8 Wins:0 Places 3): 7½-len 6th 56.5kg to Our Zidane 1,400m G.Cst Mdn Nov 5.
6 RAGE WITHIN (Runs:3 Wins:0 Places 0): 6¾-len 6th 55.5kg to Casino Express 1,200m Suncst Mdn May 4.
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