SPEECH BY MR CHAN SOO SEN, MINISTER OF STATE (MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SPORTS), AND MP FOR JOO CHIAT CONSTITUENCY, AT THE JOO CHIAT NATIONAL DAY DINNER 2004 ON SATURDAY, 7 AUG 2004, AT 7.30 PM AT NEPTUNE THEATRE RESTAURANT

Mr Long Foo Choo, BBM
Chairman, Joo Chiat CCC

Mr David Chan
Chairman, National Day Celebration Working Committee

Grassroots Leaders

Residents

Distinguished Guests

Ladies & Gentlemen

Good evening

        Year 2004 is indeed a milestone year for us.  In a few days’ time,   political succession will take place.  With the new Prime Minister and his team in place, there will be new impetus to bring Singapore to new and greater heights. As the new Prime Minister and his team are all well tested members of the government known to our community, the transition will be smooth and we can all feel at ease.

2      The transition takes place when our economy is showing very encouraging signs of recovery. Economic figures are looking up.  We have experienced strong growth since the beginning of this year in most sectors of the economy.  I know not everybody has experienced the benefit of the strong growth yet. Some sectors still look depressed. However, most of us feel better and more secure about this year’s prospects.  Companies are recruiting again. Unemployment rates are showing signs of improvement.  Having gone through the difficulties of the last few years, year 2004 is indeed refreshing.

3      There are some dark clouds at the horizon.  Threats from international terrorism are still looming.  Situation in the Middle East remains tense.  Oil prices are up. There will thus be pressure on costs. Situation at Taiwan Straits is tense.  Taiwan is having Legislative election.  China is watching closely.  Hostilities can break out if sensitive lines are crossed. 

4      All these dark clouds bring anxiety and uncertainty. They may even bring some rain and storm.  However, if we show the same spirit of solidarity and resilience, we will pull through together and see beautiful sunshine.    

5      Indeed it is the same spirit of solidarity and resilience that brought us from the third world to the first in the last 39 years. It is also with the same spirit of solidarity and resilience that Singaporeans have accepted painful but necessary steps to restructure and reposition our economy.  These include CPF cuts, GST reform, wage restructuring, downsizing, and skills retraining. All Singaporeans made sacrifices. But we make Singapore more competitive, and we help to position Singapore for growth in the coming years.

6      External factors are looking very promising. We see strong growth in USA, Japan, China, India, and Southeast Asia. The longer term growth of our region is promising.  Indeed we are located in a region of dynamic growth.  Competition is strong, but opportunities are plentiful. If we remain nimble and responsive, have the courage to seize opportunities, and commitment to make adjustments, we will benefit from the region’s growth and scale new heights.

7      However, some from my children’s generation appear to feel that they are not as fortunate as my generation.  They feel that though my generation was born into a poorer society, we grew up and entered the workforce in the years of rapid growth.  So we were more or less certain about better life every year.  On the other hand, they were born into the first world and would enter the workforce in this era of very strong competition.  They wonder whether they are going to make it.  Some even feel the party is over, and think of emigrating. 

8      We shall prove them wrong.  To my children’s generation, let me say that although my generation grew up during a period of rapid growth, our foundation was much less solid. We were not as well educated, and not as skilled. Singapore did not have the strong reserve and defence capabilities. Our region was in turmoil.  

9      Today, our foundation is not only much stronger, but has been tried and tested. Indeed, Singapore is a bigger brand name now than during my youth. It is true that in order to do well, my children’s generation would have to be more resourceful and entrepreneurial. But then, they are   much better prepared than my generation. They are better educated and better connected to the world. If they are truly exceptional, they will do much better than the truly exceptional in my generation.      

10    What they need is the same determination and commitment to strive and to achieve, the same courage to take chances and make things happen, and the same solidarity and resilience as Singaporeans.  This is a real challenge for them. Compared with my generation, their status quo are much nicer, and they feel they have more to lose if they should fail.      

11     In this fast changing world, status quo is not a viable option. As their parents, we must prepare them by giving them opportunities to discover the entrepreneurial and tough side of them. We must give them the space to develop, the opportunities to take charge, the occasions to make choices, as well as the experience of learning and recovering from mistakes.  Certainly it is against our instincts as parents to see them in difficult situations. But then it is our duties to develop and bring out their zest, confidence, and courage to create a better future for themselves. We rely on them to continue with the Singapore dream, and the Singapore party.

12     As Singapore enters into our next chapter in nation-building, I wish all of you good health and happiness.  Let us learn from the difficult years we have just gone through, and feel a greater sense of solidarity, resilience, and confidence.  We have made the adjustments, we have a new generation that is well prepared, and we have a new leadership to lead us into the next chapter, a more glorious chapter.

        Have a Happy National Day! Maju-lah Singapura!