Thanked His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein and the Jordanian government for facilitating Singapore’s humanitarian assistance for Gaza. @thersaf, at the invitation of the Jordanian government, will air drop humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza together with the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The RSAF is deploying a Multi-Role Tanker Transport and a Hercules C-130 to Jordan to conduct the mission. Singapore will do what it can to help the civilians in Gaza. Given the dire humanitarian situation, the international community should work together to alleviate the suffering and save as many innocent lives as possible. We believe that a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, is the only viable path to a comprehensive, just and durable peace between Israelis and the Palestinians. The way forward is more challenging than ever, but we cannot lose hope. – LHL (Photos by @mindefsg)
Thanked His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein and the Jordanian government for facilitating Singapore’s humanitarian assistance for Gaza. @thersaf, at the invitation of the Jordanian government, will air drop humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza together with the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The RSAF is deploying a Multi-Role Tanker Transport and a Hercules C-130 to Jordan to conduct the mission. Singapore will do what it can to help the civilians in Gaza. Given the dire humanitarian situation, the international community should work together to alleviate the suffering and save as many innocent lives as possible. We believe that a negotiated two-state solution, consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, is the only viable path to a comprehensive, just and durable peace between Israelis and the Palestinians. The way forward is more challenging than ever, but we cannot lose hope. – LHL (Photos by @mindefsg)
Happy to speak to President @jokowi over the phone today to welcome the entry into force of the agreements under the Expanded Framework. The three agreements on airspace, extradition and military training were signed two years ago, at the 2022 Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in Bintan. They reflect our shared commitment as close neighbours to work towards win-win outcomes for both countries. The agreements are a major milestone in relations between Singapore and Indonesia. Look forward to our going further, to explore promising new areas of cooperation in the years ahead. 🇸🇬🇮🇩 – LHL (With President Joko Widodo at the 2022 Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat in Bintan. / MCI Photo by Terence Tan)
Dr Tony Tan was my Minister when I first entered politics and was posted to the @mti_sg. He was a nurturing mentor with sharp insight and vision. I was honoured to launch his autobiography, “Tony Tan Keng Yam: My Political Journey”. The book offers a glimpse into Dr Tan’s extensive and illustrious career which spans academia, the private sector, public service and politics. He spent nearly half a century in public service, first as an MP for Sembawang, later as DPM, and finally as President. He held senior appointments in national institutions and many ministerial posts. He oversaw major transformations and policies, and made courageous and far sighted decisions. His decision to step forward as President was no less difficult – he protected our reserves, unified our nation, and served Singaporeans with distinction. Working with Dr Tan has been a great privilege. I thank him for his distinguished service, and congratulations again on the launch of his book! – LHL (PMO Video by Chua Fang En)
Our Muslim friends welcomed the Holy Month of #Ramadan this evening. Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a time of reflection. Muslims fast before dawn breaks to sunset, and aim to grow spiritually. Mosques will be enlivened with tarawih prayers. Supplementary prayer spaces around the neighbourhood will be made available too. I will be joining our Muslim friends this month to break fast, and I encourage you to do so too. Take the time to learn about other religions and cultures, something Singaporeans have the privilege of doing, in our multi-religious and multicultural society. Support local Ramadan bazaars too and soak in the liveliness of this season 🙂 I wish all Muslims in Singapore a meaningful Ramadan! – LHL #Ramadan2024 (PMO Photo by Farez Juraimi)
Feeling the heat lately? The latest report by @nea_sg’s Meteorological Service Singapore found 2023 to be our fourth warmest year on record, with temperatures hitting 37°C on May 13 in Ang Mo Kio. Our local findings echo a recent UN report, which found that 2023 was the warmest year on record for the world. 2024 is projected to be even warmer! Climate change is palpably warming the earth and creating extreme weather patterns. The government is committed to sustainability. We are enhancing coastal protection, and funding research on heat resilience. We aim to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The transition will require careful long term planning, enormous resources, and sustained effort from all. But we have accomplished difficult tasks before, and for our survival we must embark on this now. We must work together to safeguard our future. Small steps make a big difference – reducing waste, switching to energy-efficient devices, and buying local produce. Start tonight by turning off all non-essential lights during #EarthHour at 8:30pm. As we go green, remember to stay hydrated to battle the heat! ☀️ – LHL (Photo by me)
Our Lions displayed fighting spirit and grit last night, at the @fifaworldcup Qualifiers at the National Stadium. Playing against China, they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2. Well done to the team and coach Tsutomu Ogura! Every effort counts, so keep working hard and continue flying the flag high. All the best for your upcoming match with China again in Tianjin on Tuesday. – LHL
The transformation of the Singapore River from a heavily polluted waterway to a vibrant recreational space is one of the most inspiring successes of our sustainability journey. The monumental 10-year operation took planning, political will, and sustained effort by multiple government agencies. The cleanup was not just about curbing pollution and improving sanitation. It also increased our water supply, as the clean water could now be collected and used. With climate change and erratic weather conditions, clean water will become even scarcer. This year, @pubsingapore’s water conservation campaign is themed “Save water. Big ways, small ways. All OK!”. It reminds us of the myriad of ways in which the community can contribute to a more sustainable water future for ourselves. As we celebrate #WorldWaterDay, let us remember the hard work it takes to get clean water, and play our part in protecting this precious resource. – LHL #MakeEveryDropCount (The Singapore River cuts through the heart of our city, reminding us of the importance of a clean water supply. / PMO Photo by Jeline Chia)
Happy to join residents of Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC for an early National Day with a picnic under the stars yesterday. I was here for their National Day celebration 10 years ago! Glad to catch up with some of them — babies whom I carried then are now teenagers, and others who have grown a little older, like me. Residents soaked in the festivities and performances, and bonded with families, neighbours, and friends. We celebrated the 59th National Day by singing popular National Day songs together. These songs remind us that Singapore and Singaporeans have come a long way. Our unity is strength. We have achieved much as one united people, and built up trust between the people and the government. We do not take this for granted. We must stay united so that we will have many more years of prosperity, and a safe and bright future for our children and grandchildren. I thank the organisers for planning this celebration, as well as all our grassroots leaders and volunteers for always keeping the people in their hearts, and making sure all Singaporeans are well-taken care of. 🇸🇬 – LHL @friends_of_aljunied_hougang (PMO Video by Alex Qiu and Koh Yong Sheng)
Had an engaging session with youths at the HarmonyWorks! Conference this morning. Organised annually by @onepeople.sg, the conference gives youths a platform to speak their thoughts and gather insights on issues related to race and religion. This year’s conference focussed on three main areas – social harmony, race and religious relations in the online space, and issues involving locals and new migrants. As a small country, Singapore has to remain open and connected to the world, but this also means that Singaporeans are constantly exposed to external events and developments that can trigger racial and religious tensions in our society. Dialogues like these help us to understand the impact of external events on our society, and the hard work it takes to maintain racial and religious harmony in Singapore. I appreciate the honest and candid thoughts shared by the attendees. It is heartening to see today’s youths wanting to play an active part in shaping our future. I hope you remain courageous and confident as you navigate future challenges. You can watch the dialogue here: go.gov.sg/lhl-harmonyworks-2024 – LHL (PMO Video by Jeline Chia)
Joined Muslim friends for buka puasa (breaking of fast) at @masjidalaminsg yesterday. Glad to see the community coming together for such events, to affirm our communal ties and shared values of family, mutual respect, and harmony. Also took a look at the new features of the mosque after its upgrading last year. The multi-purpose hall where we broke fast also serves as an extended prayer space when there are large congregations on Fridays and during Hari Raya. The main prayer hall upstairs is now more accessible to persons with disabilities. This is especially important with our ageing population, and such initiatives will make for a more inclusive society. We are a couple of weeks from Hari Raya. I wish everyone Selamat Berpuasa and a blessed #Ramadan! – LHL (PMO Video by Koh Yong Sheng)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful flora and fantastical displays at the @sggardenfest over the weekend. The Festival is a biennial event that brings together local and international designers, florists, and horticulturists to showcase beautifully-designed garden and floral displays, as well as horticultural products and services from various regions. Besides the professional displays, the Singapore Gardeners’ Cup and Landscape Design Challenge features garden displays by community gardening groups and local tertiary school students. SGF will be on till 11 August, at Level 4 and 6 of Suntec Singapore. Do check it out! – LHL @nparksbuzz (Photos by me)
Delighted to meet many friends of Singapore at the President’s Annual Diplomatic Reception (PADR)! This is the first PADR hosted by President @tharman.sg. Heads of diplomatic and consular missions, and representatives of international organisations were invited to the Istana in appreciation of their contributions towards our diplomatic ties. The PADR affirms Singapore’s good bilateral relations with many countries. Our diplomats play an important role in fostering strong ties, building mutual understanding, and deepening win-win cooperation. These are always important to a small nation, but especially in uncertain and turbulent times. Hope everyone enjoyed the evening catching up over our local cuisine! – LHL @mfa_sg (PMO Video by Chua Fang En)
Had a great time with residents at the Fernvale Family Carnival yesterday! Happy to see families all having fun at game stalls and enjoying local delights including satay and nasi lemak. There was even a heritage corner for residents to know a bit more about the history of the estate. Such events bring neighbours together, build a closer community, and strengthen our social tapestry. I thank the organising committee, @ganthiampoh_ and his team for putting this together, and hope everyone enjoyed yourselves! – LHL (PMO Video by Koh Yong Sheng)
The March school holidays are here! Hope you had a good start to the year, learning new things and making new friends. While you take a short break, do also spend time with your family and friends, go for some outdoor activities, or pick up a new hobby. Have a great week ahead! 🙂 – LHL (MCI Photo by Lim Sin Thai)
Had a lively discussion with grassroot leaders and participants from Ang Mo Kio GRC, Kebun Baru and Yio Chu Kang SMCs at a community dialogue today! Cost-of-living continues to be a hot topic as many feel the strain of rising prices. Many are also concerned with the declining birth rate and aging population, and hope for more support to young families and seniors. Besides local issues, we also spoke about recent regional and global developments, and how these could affect Singapore. The future may be uncertain, with many challenges ahead, but we must always stay confident and united in the face of adversity. The government will continue to work hard and support Singaporeans. Please work with your government to build a better Singapore for the next generation. – LHL (PMO Video by Jeline Chia)