Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State, Ministry of Education at the Finale of the Polytechnic Forum 2007, on Friday, 14 September 2007, at 5.45 pm at Temasek Polytechnic Auditorium 1

SPEECH BY REAR-ADMIRAL LUI TUCK YEW, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AT THE FINALE OF THE POLYTECHNIC FORUM 2007, ON FRIDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2007, AT 5.45 PM AT TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC AUDITORIUM 1

1 Good evening. It gives me great pleasure to join you here at the Polytechnic Forum 2007 Finale. I am heartened to note that for the past three days, you have all been engaging yourselves actively in discussion on issues that are of national interests. I believe by now you would have gained a good understanding of some of the most pressing issues and challenges that Singapore is facing, in light of the changing environment both within and outside Singapore. As aspiring leaders of tomorrow, I hope that many of you will be inspired to participate in devising new solutions to these issues and challenges and help to shape the role that young Singaporeans can play in the years to come.

2 The World in a Little Red Dot: Unlimited Possibilities; Unknown Perils. I am glad you chose this as your main theme for this year’s Polytechnic Forum. We need to be excited by the possibilities even as we are mindful of the dangers that confronts a small nation. You would by now have deliberated, debated and discussed the topic and I look forward to hearing your findings. I therefore intend to make only some brief remarks and hope that we can spend more time in a dialogue following your presentations.

3 Singapore celebrated its 42nd National Day last month. We have come a long way since our inauspicious beginning in 1965. We have turned our disadvantages to strengths. Our lack of natural resources helped us to recognise early the importance of developing our human capital. Our lack of a hinterland and a small population required us to adopt economic policies eg export-led growth, that ran counter to conventional wisdom. Our lack of size meant we had to look overseas and grow our external wing even as we tried to shape a new outline for our coast through reclamation. Our lack of water caused us to look to conservation and technology in our quest for self-sufficiency. The list goes on and the common factor here is to recognise the need to have the mindset that the only way for Singapore and Singaporeans to continue to prosper is through gumption, far-sighted policies and sheer hard work.

4 Our medium term future is promising. Our fundamentals are sound. The economy has grown strongly these last four years, a significant number of new jobs are created, investments flow into Singapore is strong. Our efforts to transform the economy, underpinned by a well-educated and productive work force, are paying off. At the same time, we are building an exciting living environment for all Singaporeans. Our HDB heartlands will be rejuvenated systematically, making better use of waterways and extending the links to parks and green spaces. If we stay nimble, anticipate the challenges ahead and fine-tune our strategies accordingly with changing conditions, we can continue to grow strongly and do well for a good number of years. The possibilities for Singapore and Singaporeans are unlimited.

5 But we know of some of the domestic challenges ahead and indeed Prime Minister had spoken at length on these issues in his National Day Rally address. The widening income gap, experienced by many countries and millions of people around the World, can impact our national cohesion and social harmony. The older, less-educated Singaporeans are most affected and we have and will continue to extend a helping hand to assist them, through our social safety nets like Workfare and ComCare and community efforts.

6 Another challenge is the ageing population and what we can do to help them lead meaningful, independent and secure lives. But the government cannot alone solve all problems and it must be mindful to effect solutions that are sustainable on a long-term basis without creating an unjustifiable and excessive burden on future generations. Otherwise, the erosion of our economic vitality may be gradual but sure. The solutions to such issues must be a national effort, with individuals and community chipping in to help, recognising their obligation to give something back to society. If we are to be truly successful as a nation, we must be competitive as well as compassionate.

7 Getting youths to think, tease out and identify new possibilities and solutions to known problems is exciting. We need to turn the impossible into possible. Even the word ‘Impossible’ itself presents a possibility. Just add an apostrophe between the first letter ‘I’ and the second letter ‘m’ and we get the words – I’m possible. This is what each of us needs to realize - I’m possible. Making possibilities a way of life is a matter of attitude. It is an attitude I hope you will carry with you as you make your way through life.