Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced a series of policy adjustments with the aim to further improve living conditions for his people.

In his annual National Day Rally address on August 18, Lee said his government will exert more efforts to ease pressures on citizens by adapting new policies in the context of a changing global environment and an aging population.

One of the major changes that PM Lee unveiled is in medical insurance, with the expansion of a low-cost medical insurance scheme called MediShield. The programme provides life-long coverage to all, including those over 90 years old or even with pre-existing illnesses. The benefits will be increased so patients will pay less out of their own pockets.

The PM also pledged to expand policies to help households afford houses.
To have more land for housing, the Singaporean Government has decided to move a 800-ha airbase at Paya Lebar to Changi and all container ports in Tanjong Pagar to a new area in Tuas.

It plans to turn the outdoor parking area at the Changi airport’s terminal No. 1 into a trade and eco-tourism area to lure more visitors while upgrading its three existing terminals and building two new ones.

According to PM Lee, the plan will help Singapore keep its position as the centre of Southeast Asia and create more job opportunities for Singaporeans, as air-related services now employ 163,000 people and contribute 6 percent to the country’s GDP.

He also revealed changes in the education sector, including those for primary school leaving examination.-VNA