3 key takeaways from the Forward SG documentary series

Written by: Janella Ching

Let me guess, you’ve probably heard of the term ‘Forward SG’ through social media or on banners plastered around Singapore. But have you ever wondered what it really entails?

Let’s Begin: The Forward SG Story is a five-part documentary web series which gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the 18-month-long journey of the Forward SG exercise.

The series follows Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong, the 4G leaders and most importantly the people of Singapore, as they share their views and hopes for the near future.

Forward SG engagements and dialogue sessions began in June of last year, involving over 200,000 Singaporeans. PHOTO CREDIT: FACEBOOK/LAWRENCE WONG

The Forward SG Report and Forward SG Festival roadshows were launched in October, following the culmination of these engagements.

According to DPM Lawrence Wong, Singapore is at a “critical inflection point” – we are entering a “more dangerous world” and facing “pressing domestic challenges”.

This can “easily pull us apart and cause our social compact to fray”, which is why it is crucial for the Government and people of Singapore to consider how we might chart a new way forward with new policy changes.

Let’s Begin aims to give viewers a better understanding of the Government’s intentions with Forward SG, and their future plans. The documentary series also features six everyday Singaporeans who came forward with their concerns and aspirations for the country.

Here are three key points from the series:

1. A joint effort between the Government and Singaporeans is necessary to move forward

The documentary begins by introducing viewers to the Forward SG exercise and its objectives, from the perspective of DPM Lawrence Wong and the 4G leaders.

The 4G leaders share that society has changed and Singapore is facing diverse issues, from lack of natural resources to low employment rates.

A recurring theme in Chapter 1 of the series is that Singapore’s strength lies in the unity of its people. Thus, a shared effort is crucial to bridge the gaps between us.

“We are not competing against each other in this country, but we are competing with the rest of the world together as Team Singapore,” Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing highlights.

Minister for National Development Desmond Lee also believes that progressing Singapore forward can never be a one-man job.

“I don’t do this alone. I cannot carry this on my own,” he says. “It is a team effort. It has been, is, and always will be.”

Unity does not mean everyone has to have the same views, but rather, it is recognising that we have common challenges. Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah champions this, sharing that the only way we can do well is if we have each other’s backs.

Making Singapore a better country is not just the responsibility of the Government. It is a collaborative effort together with the people of Singapore, as noted from the sentiments shared by the 4G leaders.

2. The importance of diverse professions and upskilling

Back in the day, success for Singaporeans was widely defined by the 5Cs – cash, car, credit card, condominium and country club membership – and whether you were able to own them.

In Chapter 2 of the series, DPM Lawrence Wong reflects on this: “There was a perception that you need to go through a certain pathway and education system and then get a certain type of job in order to achieve the 5Cs.”

However, the definition of success is different today. Breaking away from the 5C stereotypes, Singaporeans are encouraged to minimise comparison with one another and rather pursue their own ambitions.

Every profession is important in its own way and we should not look down on someone that is doing something different from us, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing says.

He also adds that education is a continuous long-term process. It is not just what students achieve in their first 15 years in school, but what they achieve in the next 50 years beyond school that is truly important.

Hence, initiatives such as top-ups of the SkillsFuture Credit are in place to help mid-career Singaporeans maintain and upgrade their skills.

Additionally, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng says that nine in ten low-wage workers will see an uplift in their salaries by 2024 or 2025, under the Progressive Wage Model.

Regarding life outside work, Chapter 3 sees Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung speaking about his vision for Singaporeans to age well and live well. The Government aims to enable this with the help of programmes like HealthierSG and Age Well SG.

3. Maintaining a good environment for future generations to enjoy

Stephen Beng, a marine conservationist, poses this question in Chapter 4: “How do we become custodians of our natural spaces?”

Environmental issues do not just involve the weather, the sun or the sea. They involve people as well.

“We must really go to the heart of the people, to bring the scenarios to them,” shares Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

She adds that it is important to relate the impact of environmental effects to what Singaporeans see in their daily lives, in order to effectively convince them to care for the environment.

One example is fluctuating food prices, which are increasingly being caused by climate change.

Rising sea levels are also a cause for concern, as Singapore is a small island surrounded by water on all sides.

“If we don’t solve the problem, somewhere down the road, our children will not have an island called Singapore to live on,” says Shamir Osman, a journalist.

Hence, Singaporeans should work together as “protectors” and “guardians” of the island that will eventually be handed over to the next generation.

The final chapter concludes with DPM Lawrence Wong sharing that the launch of the Forward SG Report is not seen as the end of the exercise.

Rather, it can be seen as a new beginning. As part of this journey of nation building, changes will be made for Singapore, moving us in the right direction towards a desirable future.

“We have to evolve, get better, but as we do so preserve the parts that are good and worth keeping.”

All five episodes of Let’s Begin: The Forward SG Story are available for viewing on the Our SG YouTube channel.