Singapore truly needs another human rights ‘naratif’

Lee (middle row) and other Singaporean ministers including former prime minister Goh Chok Tong recite the pledge at the republic's recent national day celebration. — Straits Times/Asia News Network

READING the recent speech delivered by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the 2021 National Day Rally, when major policy announcements are made, could be one of the best ways to understand the approach of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) toward the greatest challenges faced by the city-state.

Lee spoke of a number of important proposals, from a new focus on assuring enhanced harmony among different ethnic groups to new ways to deal with discrimination and bias in the job market, as well as a further, progressive step-by-step tightening of work permits for expatriates earning high incomes.