2.         Looking back at the past four decades of Nation Building, it is evident that harmony in a multi-racial society like Singapore  is not an entitlement, but the result of conscious and concerted efforts by our people.

3.          The racial riots on 21 July 1964 will always serve as a reminder of the fragility of racial harmony in Singapore. A joyous day that was originally meant to celebrate Prophet Mohamad’s birthday ended up as a depressing and frustrating day for Singaporeans, as the riots left 461 injured, and 22 dead.  Apart from the human casualties, this incident also stretched Singapore’s social fabric to breaking point, and gave our leaders much cause for concern on the well-being of Singaporeans, and the future of Singapore. The outbreak of the riots revealed that planning, clever use of the media and a simple trigger were all the ingredients needed to cause suspicions, distrust, and even animosity amongst Singaporeans.

4.         In the recent years, especially after the 911 incident in 2001, there is a greater need to remind ourselves not to take things for granted. History is not merely a thing of the past. The lessons learnt from the past should be critically used to live our present, and prepare for our future. The common spaces that Singaporeans share is one important building block for racial harmony. Common spaces, as the term implies, simply refers to avenues and platforms that we have to enhance, cultivate and deepen our understanding and relations with fellow Singaporeans of different races. The government has actively and continuous played their part in protecting and creating more common spaces for Singaporeans. National events like the National Day Celebration and Racial Harmony Day Celebration today are two prominent examples of common spaces that all Singaporeans can be a part of.

5.         The focus for this year’s Racial Harmony Day is the celebration of the common spaces that we share. In line with the emphasis on common spaces, the activities planned today will focus on some of the other common spaces that Singaporeans share on a more regular basis. These ‘spaces’ include Rites of Passages (e.g. weddings, festivals); Sports and Games; Daily Activities (e.g. eating, shopping); and overcoming common adversities (e.g. SARs, Terrorism). The organising committee has taken the concept of a party to celebrate the peace, prosperity and progress we enjoy as a nation.  Included for the first time, is a Parade of 200 party-goers featured in different modes of transport, sports, colourful golf-buggy floats and winning float panel designs. 

6.         Joining the party this year’s for the first time is ‘A Cultural Extravaganza – A Special Gift by our Parents’, featuring traditions and handicrafts of the various races.  A total of 60 PSG members from different schools all over Singapore have responded to our invitation to participate in this party. Parents play an important role in MOE’s effort of cultivating and developing inter racial mixing and understanding. Their efforts in emphasising the importance of a harmonious multiracial society would help their children to reinforce and consolidate their learning.

The importance of parent support is not merely confined to the home, but also in schools. Parent volunteers from Sembawang Primary demonstrated the art of preparing Teh Tarek and Murukku-making when the school celebrated an Indian Cultural Day.   I am especially heartened today to see the enthusiastic support offered so generously by PSG members of different schools in Singapore. I am sure that their invaluable contributions in this year’s event will enhance both the fun and learning for all present today.

7.          It is important to reiterate that the celebration of racial harmony and common spaces, regardless its scope and extent, does not end with this event. The sensible and effective approach must be to ensure that a more holistic approach with deliberate, on-going programmes rather than sporadic large scale events is adopted. Some schools have found it meaningful and productive to integrate key messages of racial harmony in their formal curriculum. For example, some schools in North 5 Cluster have utilized the Cluster resources and dialogues on National Education as a means to consolidate, and drive their programmes.  Other schools have creatively used CCAs as a platform to deepen and strengthen racial harmony. For example, Greenridge Primary School  has opened their Chinese Opera CCA to both Chinese and Malay recruits, and CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent has an Indian Dance CCA open to all races.

8.         In conclusion, our important racial harmony journey will be a long road with no end-point as there is no ideal state of racial harmony.   However, the on-going journey in improving our understanding and relations with each other through our common spaces must go on. We cannot bluff ourselves, or be complacent. The state of our inter-racial mixing will not improve by merely creating more common spaces between the races. What is essential will be the right attitude of openness and understanding, coupled with these common spaces to have a multi-racial society that recognises each others uniqueness, yet finding the desire to be one nation.

9.        The efforts by schools and parents have been highly encouraging, but we know that more work can still be done. And this can certainly be done with fun, meaningful interaction, and learning.

           On this note, I wish you all present a wonderful time at this party.