Staying united and resilient, in solidarity

An unprecedented four budgets in a year — Unity, Resilience, Solidarity and Fortitude were rolled out in quick succession as Singapore battled the global Covid-19 pandemic. The budgets cost a total $192.5 billion, of which $92.9 billion were in support measures to help Singaporeans and businesses fight the virus, and seize new opportunities. Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who presented them, assured Singaporeans that everything will be done with their interests at heart. Here are some highlights from Mr Heng’s speeches in Parliament.

UNITY BUDGET

Delivered on February 18 $106billion

RESILIENCE BUDGET

Delivered on March 26 $48.4billion

SOLIDARITY BUDGET

Delivered on April 6 $5.1 billion

FORTITUDE BUDGET

Delivered on May 26 $33 billion

($6.4 billion of Covid support measures) (Draw up to $17 billion from past reserves) (Draw $4 billion from past reserves) (Draw $31 billion from past reserves)

Unprecedented budgets to deal with challenges brought about by Covid-19

Urgency of the four Budgets

The Covid-19 pandemic is a generational crisis with no precedent, and the Government has summoned all the country’s resources and administrative capacity to help workers, businesses and families weather the storm, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

"We will adopt a nimbe fiscal posture, so that we can quickly channel the resources at hand to the most urgent and important needs of our people,” said Mr Heng who is also Finance Minister.

The Unity Budget, delivered on Feb 18, was soon followed by Resilience (March 26), Solidarity (April 6) and Fortitude on May 26. The last three budgets will require a total of $52 billion to be drawn from past reserves to fund them. It is the first time the Government is tapping on the reserves since 2009.

Pay cut for ministers, bonus for frontline healthcare workers

Public healthcare officers who are directly combating the Covid-19 outbreak will get up to an extra month of special bonus. Healthcare workers at the Ministry of Health, restructured hospitals and officers at other frontline agencies who have been directly involved will qualify for it, in recognition of their “outstanding courage and dedication”.

In a show of solidarity, all Cabinet ministers and political office-holders take a three-month pay cut. President Halimah Yacob, the Speaker and both Deputy Speakers have also volunteered to take a similar pay cut. All MPs will take a one-month cut in their allowance.

“It is in times of crisis that the true character of a nation can be seen. We are all in this together, and we must all look after one another in these trying times," said the DPM.

Strong trust between people and Government

Mr Heng said Singapore has been able respond strongly and effectively to Covid-19 due to the “trust and solidarity” between citizens and the Government, built up painstakingly over the years.

“We do not hide bad news. We do not flinch from doing the right thing. We will go the extra mile to help every one of us come through this together,” he said.