Wishes for Budget 2024

In a few hours, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will deliver the Government’s Budget 2024 statement in Parliament. In the lead-up, I’ve left here a story from the business desk outlining what’s the wish lists for businesses and families. Associate editor and senior columnist Vikram Khanna also explains what he thinks the statement should address from the mass of ideas that have poured in over recent weeks from academics, professional economists, labour groups, consulting firms and citizens. For our extensive coverage of the Budget statement from 3.30pm today, here’s how you can follow us.

Elsewhere in the region, Indonesia just saw the conclusion of the world’s largest single-day elections. Our bureau in Jakarta has been busy capturing the heated campaigning and the events from polling day and will continue to bring you the latest on the formation of a new government later this year. Our other bureaus in the region will also keep track of the implications of Mr Prabowo Subianto’s win.

For now, we look forward to more news from Budget 2024. And for your weekend ahead, we leave you some of our other noteworthy stories from the past week. Have a great weekend.

— Jaime Ho , Straits Times Editor

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Budget 2024: S’pore businesses, workers and families want help to defray costs, stay productive

Businesses are hoping for a Budget that lays the groundwork for long-term competitiveness.

Prabowo set to become Indonesia’s new president as voters choose continuity

He won nearly 60 per cent of the vote, based on unofficial quick counts of sample votes.

‘I would either run away or join with revolution forces’: Myanmar youth worry over conscription law

The recruitment drive is believed to be triggered by the military’s unprecedented losses in the north.

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• The ex-prisoner who became a top chef at Michelin-starred restaurant
• How parents can use hongbao to teach their kids about money
• I’m relearning my father’s dialect to preserve bonds and make new ones
• On the trail of Beethoven’s Ode To Joy in Germany and Austria

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• How to collect ST’s nine-part infographic series on Taylor Swift’s ‘eras’, win limited-edition poster
• Food Picks: Ami Patisserie, Wildfire Burgers and FairPrice’s Home Flavours