SPEECH BY THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, RADM (NS) TEO CHEE HEAN, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SINGAPORE STORIES: MEMOIRS OF LEE KUAN YEW (ABRIDGED) & THE BIOGRAPHY OF LEE KUAN YEW (A TRILOGY) ON FRI 12 MAY 00 AT 11 AM AT BALLROOM III SUNTEC CITY

Ladies and gentlemen

1. I am pleased to join you this morning to launch this set of books on Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

2. These books, the abridged version of The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, and The Biography of Lee Kuan Yew: A Trilogy, will help contribute towards National Education and inculcate a sense of shared history among Singaporeans.

3. Let me elaborate on the rationale behind National Education and the importance of knowing the Singapore Story.

NATIONAL EDUCATION

4. Three years ago, DPM Lee Hsien Loong officially launched the National Education (NE) programme. NE seeks to develop instincts for survival and confidence in the future among Singaporeans. These instincts for survival and confidence are built upon the principles that underpin our success, namely meritocracy, incorruptibility, strong political leadership, racial and religious harmony and self-reliance.

5. NE was included in our school curriculum because it was found that many Singaporeans, especially those of school-going age and younger Singaporeans, knew little of our recent past and the people closely associated with our recent history. They did not know how Singapore became an independent nation. Many of our young people did not know when Singapore gained independence, and that Singapore was once part of Malaysia. Neither were our young able to explain Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965.

6. Another disturbing indicator was reflected in a survey conducted by Lianhe Zaobao in 1996 that found a large majority of the 659 respondents from secondary schools expressing little interest in nation building. This lack of interest could be attributed to the lack of coverage given to Singapore's self-rule, independence and nation building in existing history books.

7. To arrest this worrying trend, the Ministry of Education has taken steps to instil a sense of history in our students. Revisions to our curriculum and school programmes have been made to ensure that our young have a basic understanding of our recent past, the nation building process as well as the values that enabled us to succeed against the odds and thrive.

8. These changes are already evident in several subjects, like lower secondary History, primary Social Studies and primary Moral Education syllabi that are being introduced in phases from this year. These changes are aimed at strengthening the sense of rootedness amongst our young.

THE SINGAPORE STORY

9. It would be a loss - a big gap in our national consciousness - if our people are not familiar with the Singapore Story. We have a generation today who have grown up after the struggles during our early years. They are familiar only with stability, growth and prosperity. It would be disturbing if our young think that the fruits they now enjoy are the natural order of things, or even theirs as a right. We have achieved success out of difficult times. But in success, if we are not careful, can also be found the seeds of decline. We have to make sure that we maintain the vision, drive, energy, and self confidence to continue to survive, succeed and thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

10. The Singapore Story serves as an instructive tool to remind our young that they cannot take security, stability and progress for granted. It charts out how an independent Singapore overcame the odds in the early years to become a peaceful and prosperous country that is held in high regard by the international community.

11. The story of Singapore is one that all Singaporeans need to know, in order for us to have a sense of shared history and common destiny, regardless of race, language or religion.

12. In order for us to understand and feel what it means to be a Singaporean, we must know how we came to be a nation, and what the fundamental principles and beliefs are which have stood us in good stead through the turbulent years of nation building, and which should guide us into the future.

WHITHER A NATION?

13. When PM Goh said that Singapore was not yet a nation last year, it generated a lot of soul searching and discussion. Yet, it is true that unlike a state, a nation cannot be created in the short space of a mere thirty-four years of nationhood.

14. Traditionally, a nation is conceived in terms of ethnicity, language, religion and other culturally distinct characteristics.

15. However, a nation is also built and moulded on the shared history and shared aspirations of its people. This shared history, especially key defining moments, provides the social glue to bind the people together and enhances the sense of identity, community and comradeship. The common aspiration to build a nation, which they continue to strive for, provides a sense of unity and purpose that lays the foundation for further growth and development of a united people and nation.

16. However, this aspiration to be a nation needs to be nurtured and cultivated. This can come about only if the people see themselves as one. Each one of us, not just the teachers in schools, needs to play his part to make the Singapore nation a reality.

THESE BOOKS

17. I am pleased to add that since the launch of NE, there has been a renewed interest in the Singapore story. These books we are launching today will enrich the existing corpus of books and materials on Singapore, making the Singapore Story more accessible than before.

18. The abridged version of The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, though not an official history of Singapore, provides valuable insights into momentous historical events through the eyes of SM Lee Kuan Yew, who has played a pivotal role in Singapore's history and nation building process. This version will enable even more Singaporeans to have a good sense of our history.

19. Written in simplified Chinese, the trilogy on The Biography of Lee Kuan Yew is a boon for the individual. These books are all excellent materials for those who are curious and keen to find out more of our recent past.

20. The life of Lee Kuan Yew in many ways mirrors and parallels the development of the Singapore Story, taking us through the most tumultuous years of Singapore, from the Japanese Occupation to separation from Malaysia. These books provide valuable insights into the many behind-the-scene workings in the unfolding of our history.

CONCLUSION

21. The history of Singapore is one that concerns all Singaporeans. As citizens of Singapore, we need to know our history and our heritage - our past. History is what made us, and what has moulded the Singaporeans of today.

22. The philosopher George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it".

23. With a sound understanding of the past, one is able to have a better understanding of the present and more importantly, to be better prepared for the future.

24. I believe these books will encourage a large majority of us, particularly the young to find out more about the Singapore Story.

25. It now gives me great pleasure to launch these books - the abridged version of The Singapore Story: Memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew, and The Biography of Lee Kuan Yew: A Trilogy.