Singapore must remain exceptional in order to survive: PM

Singapore must remain exceptional in order to survive, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the May Day Rally on Friday.

Lee said that three vital factors, which are successful economy, hardworking and skillful workers as well as outstanding leadership, are important for Singapore to work towards to remain exceptional.

"We might be small with only 5 million people, but other countries take us seriously; they believe we can make a contribution beyond this island," he said.

Lee noted that every country faces similar challenges today, and economies have to be restructured to become more productive.

He said the SkillsFuture scheme for raising employees' skills is a big challenge, but it could boost Singapore by creating many pathways for workers to grow.

"If we fail in education and training, our workers' future will be bleak," Lee said. "But if we succeed, Singapore will continue to be exceptional, and our children will live in a country that is even better than the one we live in today."

Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's passing in March was a reminder that exceptional leadership made a big difference for Singapore, Lee said, "This place could not have been built, and cannot be kept going, without exceptional leaders. "

He also stressed that Singapore needs people "who are committed to Singapore, with high ability, strong character, dedication and gumption" to keep the country exceptional. Endi