A resilient Singapore: partnering Singaporeans for a caring, cohesive and confident nation

The pulse of a nation

1. With your permission, I will display some slides.

2. MCCY’s work goes to the heart of our nation. What we do in building “heartware” is often intangible, non-quantifiable, but there are moments when it becomes clearly evident; when everyone feels the same strong emotion deep in our hearts; when we all feel the pulse of our nation’s heartbeat.

3. In 2016, one defining moment took place at 9.12am on the morning of 13 Aug. Across the island, Singaporeans held their breath as they witnessed history being made in a swimming pool halfway across the world.

4. From runners at a Charity Run, to football “kakis” meeting up for their regular weekend game, Singaporeans watched the most significant 50.39 seconds in our sporting history. For the first time, we heard Majulah Singapura being played at the Olympics. Singaporeans celebrated wildly. We hugged one another. We proudly “Whatsapp-ed” the photo of our hero to everyone we knew. Thousands lined the street to welcome Joseph Schooling home and congratulate him – regardless of race, language or religion.

5. These moments will be part of our common memory for years to come. They reflect our national pride and celebrate our common journey. We saw this at the height of our SG50 celebrations too, when our Jubilee Weekend peaked at 2015hrs on 9 August, with 200,000 gathered around the Marina Bay dressed spontaneously in red and white, or during the SEA Games when Singaporeans sang our Anthem loudly even when the PA system malfunctioned. Moments like these affirm the work of MCCY.

2017 – a climate of uncertainty

6. The work of MCCY matters more than ever, at a time when the world around us is becoming increasingly uncertain.

7. In developed countries, growing discontent with globalisation has fuelled a mood of nativism. During the Budget and COS debates, Members like Dr Tan Wu Meng, Mr Kok Heng Leun, Ms Kuik Shiao Yin, Mr Amrin Amin, and Mr Lee Yi Shyan, rightly noted that we are witnessing the rise of post-truth politics, where many inhabit echo chambers unwilling to distinguish fact from fiction.

8. Within our region, the threat of terrorism is on the rise. Issues of race and religion loom large, with the potential to stoke tensions. Beyond these traditional fault-lines, there is a growing risk of rifts along the lines of class, ideology and nationality.

9. As Dr Lim Wee Kiak pointed out, in these uncertain times, the question facing us is whether we have the social ballast to remain united and resilient in adversity. The strength of our national identity and solidarity will be central to how we fare in a more volatile future.
   

Co-creating the future with Singaporeans

10. We have been described as a small “sampan” in a big ocean. In turbulent times, when many countries seem to be listing and about to tip, we need steady hands to right the ship and guide it to safety. Yet, survival and success depends not only on the captain, but on all aboard. Likewise, government does its work best when it does it together with the Singaporeans we serve.

11. So in this coming year, MCCY will partner Singaporeans in nation-building at three levels.

    1. We will nurture a caring people, because we need to look out for one another. We are as strong as the most vulnerable among us.

    2. We will grow a cohesive society, because a society that stands as one, will be able to do difficult things together, and overcome the toughest challenges.

    3. And we will build a confident nation, because the courage to dream brought us to where we are today, and the same courage will propel us towards an even brighter future.

A caring people

12. Firstly, nurturing a caring people.
    
    Nurturing a strong civic culture
    

13. We want to grow a civic culture of consideration, care and contribution. These are virtues that Singaporeans can show by caring for each other, for their community, and for their country.
    
    Community
    

14.  During the Budget debate, Members, like Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Ms Tin Pei Ling, spoke about the need to grow a spirit of volunteerism. Mr Henry Kwek hoped to see more citizens volunteering.

15. The Minister for Social and Family Development talked about building a community of volunteers. Together with MSF and our partners, we are growing SG Cares, a nationwide movement to harness the goodwill of Singaporeans, inspire them to step forward, and support them to help others in need.

16. Through SG Cares, we can realise a more caring and compassionate society. We may be a small nation, but we can have a big heart.

17. Ms Fion Phua is one example. She started Keeping Hope Alive, a ground-up initiative of about 60 volunteers that includes doctors, plumbers, carpenters, students and families.  Every Sunday, they deliver porridge to residents from over 150 rental flats. They help the seniors trim their toenails, cut their hair, check for expired food or medication, replace faulty appliances, and so on.

18. These volunteers develop a deep understanding of the needs of the families’ over time and are able to support them well. The sense of community grows and the circle of caring and giving expands over time.

19. One volunteer, Ms Siti Nurani Salim, felt so inspired that she started Project Goodwill Aid, reaching out to other needy families in other estates. From distributing groceries to helping underprivileged children acquire items for school, Project Goodwill Aid has visited more than 1,000 households.

20. This is the spirit we hope to cultivate through SG Cares – communities self-organising to care for its members and inspiring others to do good. For giving to truly make a difference to the lives of people, you need to know the person you are helping well. It is the members of each community who truly understand the needs of their neighbours and friends, who are best placed to help make Singapore a truly caring society.

21. SG Cares is a call to all of us to step up to help a neighbour, or a cause. It will create conditions for volunteerism. SG Cares will organise the efforts of relevant public agencies, activate networks of volunteers to collaborate, and encourage corporates and non-profits to join in partnership. By linking needs on the ground with the time and talent of volunteers, and resources and capabilities of corporates, we will grow opportunities for volunteerism.

22. Over time, SG Cares will build capability in organisations to better engage volunteers, equip them with the necessary skills and training, and strengthen volunteer management capacity in our social service organisations. That way, we can grow and sustain a vibrant giving landscape.

23. Ms Joan Pereira reminded us that seniors can be a part of this movement too. The Silver Volunteer Fund supports volunteer programmes involving seniors, including the training, management and recognition of senior volunteers.

24. There are many ways for seniors to volunteer near home. Many of the PG Ambassadors, for example, are seniors. One of them, Mr Wong Phui Sian from my constituency of Yuhua, is one of the most senior PGAs at 75 years young. Mr Wong has been doing house visits twice a week since he signed up as PG Ambassadors in 2015. He also volunteers at the community garden actively.
    
    Youth
    

25. The youths of today will be the pioneer generation of tomorrow. Youth Corps Singapore provides volunteering opportunities for youths from all walks of life to contribute to a more caring Singapore.

26. Project Cent$ible is one such effort. In partnership with Lakeside Family Services, a group of Youth Corps members developed a financial literacy programme for families living in a transitional shelter. The young volunteers conducted a series of workshops that taught basic financial knowledge and helped cultivate a habit of saving.

27. Last year, Youth Corps launched its signature programme, ‘Common Space for Common Good’, to bring young volunteers together to serve the community. This year, we will launch the inaugural Youth Corps Service Week to encourage youths to contribute to social and community causes.
    
    Our Singapore Fund
    

28. Young or old, we can all contribute to issues that concern us, and exercise shared responsibility to shape the future.

29. We have been providing the space and resources for citizens to develop their own ideas. To encourage more citizens to take the lead in ground-up action, we launched Our Singapore Fund (OSF) to support projects that build national identity or meet social and community needs.

30. Mr Henry Kwek and Ms Joan Pereira asked about the status of OSF.  To date, close to 40 projects have been supported. They range across the arts, heritage, community and volunteerism sectors. Collectively, they supported projects reaching out to over 37,000 people.

31. Wheels@Ubin was a project we supported through the SG50 Celebration Fund. Members may be familiar with this project. In 2015, they brought about 100 wheelchair users to enjoy the sights of Pulau Ubin. It involved volunteers from SMRT, Changi Sailing Club, the Navy and many VWOs.

32. I met the team recently when they visited MCCY. Their application for funding under OSF was successful and this year, they plan to include not just wheelchair users but also the visually impaired. We are happy to see that they are continuing with this meaningful project and are glad to support them again.

33. Projects like Wheels@Ubin exemplify the Singapore spirit and show how Singaporeans from all walks of life can come together to help each other. Through the OSF, MCCY hopes to encourage more Singaporeans to step forward.
    
    Culture
    

34. Singaporeans also care about how they can play a part in enriching our culture. Our support and funding for the arts and culture will continue to raise arts excellence, grow audiences, and ensure that our offerings are accessible to all. We will cater to the emerging needs of the culture sector, whether it is in arts practice, audience development, capability development, or internationalisation.

35. Our approach has been to partner with the private and people sectors to grow our culture scene together. The Minister for Finance announced a top-up of $150 million to the Cultural Matching Fund. Since the CMF was implemented in 2014, we have committed about $150 million out of $200 million allocated. As of Dec 2016, over 80 organisations under the cultural sector have benefited from CMF. We hope that this top-up will encourage more philanthropy to the sector, and will provide Singaporeans another avenue to support a cause they care about.

36. The CMF has contributed to developing artistic excellence. Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT) is one example. The additional resources enabled SDT to perform in the region, nurture more local choreographers through annual workshops, and reach out to more schools and communities through their arts education programme.

37. By topping-up the fund, we hope to sustain the momentum of giving to the arts and heritage sector. MCCY will take the opportunity to review the CMF, as part of our regular review of how we fund and support the arts and culture.

A cohesive society

38. MCCY’s second focus is enhancing a cohesive society. Our future depends on our ability to maintain social cohesion. Our multi-racial and multi-cultural identity must be a source of strength and not a cause of fracture.

39. We may come from different lands, and speak different languages. We are proud of our own cultural heritage. Yet we identify ourselves as Singaporean.

40. Our museums, galleries, sports centres and community centres are spaces that bring people of diverse backgrounds together. Our religious organisations, youth networks and civil society groups enhance inter-cultural understanding. They enlarge our social commons and provide opportunities for Singaporeans to connect and bond.

41. At a time when tensions are tearing at the fabric of other countries, the bonds and bridges we build in times of peace will enable us to stand together in a crisis.
    
    Fostering mutual respect and trust
    

42. Mr Alex Yam and Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked how we can preserve our social fabric. We need to partner community leaders and members, and strengthen community vigilance at all levels to absorb shocks and bounce back quickly from any crisis.

43. We meet apex leaders from major religious and ethnic groups regularly to discuss racial and religious issues at a national platform. At the local level, every constituency has an Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle (or IRCC) that promotes racial and religious harmony.

44. We need to take our efforts one step further. In line with SGSecure, MCCY is establishing a SGSecure Community Network (SGCN) to complement the work of IRCCs on the ground and strengthen Government’s partnership with religious organisations. This network will connect with all religious organisations, going beyond the local IRCCs to include those that are not members.

45. All religious organisations should be plugged into the SGSecure movement, so that they are well-informed and can count on one another for help when the need arises. In the hours and days after a terrorist attack, we need respected community and religious leaders to convey messages of calm and solidarity to their congregations, and to the wider community.

46. The SGSecure Community Network will prepare our places of worship to be crisis-ready in case of a terrorist attack.

47. Earlier this year, together with the Home Team, we conducted two Counter-Terrorism Seminars for religious and community organisations. Over 500 leaders from nearly 180 organisations were briefed on how to develop crisis management plans and ways to keep their followers safe. Here is one session where the Roman Catholic Archdiocese shared its crisis plan with the leaders of other faiths. It reflected the co-operation and trust between the religious organisations. More Counter-Terrorism Seminars are being planned.There is also a need to broker honest conversations in a safe space on sensitive issues like race and religion, especially among our youths as Ms Rahayu Mahzam noted. We have been supporting ground-up projects that do this through the Harmony Fund.

48. ‘Youth Unconvention’ is one such project by the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). It brought together diverse participants to have frank and respectful discussions on issues of national identity, terrorism and racism over a full day conference. So we have brought the religious leaders together, and we have also brought youths of different faiths together.

49. While Singaporeans support racial and religious diversity, there are still knowledge gaps around religious practices. Left unaddressed, the knowledge vacuum could be filled by irresponsible voices that seed prejudice.

50. We will deepen religious understanding through in-depth engagements. MCCY will work with community partners to clarify the practice of religion in a multi-racial, multi-religious society, and address sensitive questions in a mutually respectful setting. We will also work with community partners to produce content, such as short videos and brochures, which address common, but often unasked, questions on the practices of different faiths.

51. Madam Chair, allow me to speak in Mandarin for the next section.

52. 今日的新加坡，不同信仰、种族的人民和睦相处，守望相助。要维护新加坡多元文化的社会，不仅要继续拉近各种族宗教群体之间的关系，更要发挥社区的力量，以抵御恐怖主义的威胁。为配合全国保家安民计划的推展，文化、社区及青年部将建立全国保家安民社区网络，辅助族群与宗教互信圈的基层工作。这个社区网络将全面连接宗教团体，纳入未参与互信圈的团体，延伸联络网。恐怖事件发生后，德高望重的宗教和社区领袖们，将是安抚民众、排除恐慌、维护团结的主力军。

53. 文、社青部也将和宗教及社区领袖们并肩合作，创造更多交流平台，让民众更深入地认识我国各宗教信仰与习俗。例如，新加坡南洋孔教会获得和谐基金的资助，举办《儒家与回教》讲座会，探讨儒家思想与回教教义之间的共同价值观。这类讲座提供了宝贵的交流平台，让华社理解回教教义，并提供一个良性的讨论空间，解答民众对回教的疑问，消除对回教的误解。
    
    Translation:
    

54.  In Singapore, people of different beliefs and races coexist peacefully, and look out for one another. To preserve our multiculturalism, we must need bring religious and racial groups closer together, and utilise the strength of the community to counter terrorism threats. In line with the SGSecure movement, MCCY is establishing a SGSecure Community Network, to complement IRCC’s work on the ground. The SGSecure Community Network will connect all religious groups, including groups that have yet to join the IRCC, to improve understanding and trust between various communities. In the unfortunate event of a terrorist attack, these senior leaders of religious and community organisations, will be our core mobilisers to convey messages of calm, assuage fear, and restore solidarity in the days after.

55. MCCY will collaborate with religious and community leaders to create more platforms for the public to learn and appreciate the various religious beliefs and practices in Singapore. For instance, through the Harmony Fund, we supported the Nanyang Confucian Association’s "Confucianism and Islam" seminars, which discussed common values between Confucianism and Islamic theologies and practices. We have a small Muslim community amongst the Chinese population in Singapore, so seminars such as these provide valuable platforms for the Chinese community to understand the principle of peace advocated in Islam ideology, and a safe space for discussion to address queries and dispel misconceptions about Islam.
    
    Bringing the nation together through sport
    

56. Mr Melvin Yong asked how sport can break down social barriers, promote inclusion and bring communities together.

57. Since last year, ActiveSG launched three Sports Academies in Basketball, Football and Tennis and two Sports Clubs (Athletics and Outdoor Adventure). They offer quality programmes at very low cost for young children. They also bring families and neighbours from all backgrounds together.

58. When we launched the Athletics Club, a group of mothers who called themselves “Bedok Mums” requested for such a programme at Bedok Sports Centre for their children. ActiveSG Athletics Club started the programme there and the group of mums, and dads, meet regularly, twice a week in fact, while accompanying their children. They share parenting tips on the track side. From the photo, we see multi-racial, 3-generation groupings forming friendships along with their children.

59. In 2017, ActiveSG will be launching more Academies to provide additional pathways for members to engage in and through sports. They include traditional sports like Badminton and Hockey, and non-traditional sports that are gaining popularity, such as Frisbee and Floorball. The programmes will cater to different competency levels and provide young adults with both recreational and competitive opportunities to remain active in sports even after leaving the school system. To encourage more seniors to be physically active, an Active Masters Programme will also be launched to offer modified sports and fitness activities suitable for their physical conditions.

60. Under the Sports Facilities Master Plan, we will expand the roll out of the Sports-in-Precinct (SIP) programme to additional precincts, to ensure a good geographical spread and create more sporting spaces near homes. $50 million has been set aside for this.  Parliamentary Secretary Baey will elaborate on this.

    • Growing shared experiences

    • Student visits to arts and heritage institutions

61. Mr Kok Heng Leun asked how we can introduce our students to local artworks. Ms Sun Xueling asked about co-curating our arts and heritage with students. Ms Rahayu Mahzam and Ms Joan Pereira asked about the need to ensure access to arts and heritage.

62. One way is to expose students to our local arts and heritage scene at an early stage. MCCY is working with MOE to develop more structured student visits to our arts and heritage institutions.

63. At present, some schools already organise visits to our institutions. Some 50 per cent of Primary 5 students have visited the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) tapping on exhibits in the museum to complement their Social Studies syllabus. By discovering the stories behind the artefacts, students learn about what we inherit from past civilisations. They get to appreciate how history impacts our lives today and develop a habit of learning outside the classroom, beyond textbooks.

64. MOE and NAC are piloting museum-based learning as part of the art curriculum. Last year, Primary 4 students from 15 schools visited institutions like the National Gallery Singapore as part of this pilot. Students from one such school, North Spring Primary, got to understand the history of Singapore through Chua Mia Tee’s piece titled ‘National Language Class’. Through this, students learn to appreciate art, the work of Singapore artists and how their art chronicles our shared history.

65. This year, NAC will be piloting a Performing Arts based Learning Programme for Lower Secondary students, to complement the General Music Programme. Students can look forward to attending a concert by say, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Through this programme, students will learn about concert etiquette and develop a greater appreciation of musical concepts in an orchestral setting.

66. Our aim is for students who have gone through our public school system to have an appreciation for Singaporean artworks. The experiential learning in arts and heritage can become a common reference point for our young regardless of their background. We hope it will be a shared experience that all our students enjoy and that it will cultivate the audience of the future.
    
    OBS @ Coney
    

67. OBS is another experience that we hope all Singaporeans will come to share. Last year, we announced the construction of a new OBS campus on Coney Island as part of our National Outdoor Adventure Education Masterplan. In January this year, we launched the MOE-OBS Secondary Three Programme. By 2020, students from all secondary schools, will have the opportunity to attend a five-day OBS expedition.

68. The new OBS @ Coney will stretch the ability of our youths to work together and build resilience. We will combine several schools in one camp to encourage youths to work with peers from different backgrounds. There will be new features such as advanced rope courses that require participants to work in teams. They will also undertake water expeditions around mainland Singapore and learn to respond to challenging scenarios with limited resources.

69. The new campus will triple our capacity for youth development to about 45,000 youths annually. We hope that this experience will toughen our youth, create shared memories, and forge a more cohesive society for Singapore.

A confident nation

70. Madam, a caring and cohesive society lays the foundation for a confident and resilient nation. 75 years ago, our pioneers went through one of the darkest periods of our history. The fall of Singapore taught us a painful lesson about the importance of national defence. So we built up the SAF to safeguard our sovereignty and this year, we commemorate 50 years of National Service.

71. New threats have emerged. Today we face down the threat of terrorism; tomorrow it might be economic restructuring. But whatever future challenges might arise, we can overcome them if we have the inner confidence that comes from a strong Singapore Spirit; one that is built on values such as unity and resilience.

72. During the Budget debate, Mr Kok Heng Leun described how the arts and culture can build resilience. I agree. Art and music are important parts of what it means to be a well-rounded person and help articulate the voices of a multi-faceted society.
    
    Inspiring pride and building affinity through sports and arts
    
    Arts excellence
    

73. That is why we want Singaporeans to be active participants of the arts, and to be proud of our arts and heritage institutions and achievements. There is much to be proud of. Our cultural scene has come a long way. More Singaporeans recognise the value of arts and culture, and participation in arts and cultural activities has increased across the board.

74. Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked how we are helping our artists and athletes realise their aspirations and how Singapore is projecting soft power. The growth of a vibrant arts ecosystem has seen our young artists develop a good international reputation.

75. One example is Wong Kah Chun. At 30 years old, he has conducted orchestras in more than 20 cities. Last year, Kah Chun won the prestigious Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Germany, it is actually the Olympic equivalent for music.

76. Kah Chun’s parents bought him his first trumpet when he was a band member at River Valley High School. During NS, Kah Chun played the trumpet so often in the SAF Band that he suffered damage to his lips, so he switched to composition and conducting. Scholarships came from Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, National Arts Council and the Public Service Commission, allowed Kah Chun to pursue his music education and career, while the SCO and SSO gave him opportunities to hone his musical craft.

77. Despite his achievements, and what I really like about Kah Chun is that he has a heart for the community. Last year, he partnered Superhero Me, a ground-up community arts movement, and set up Project Infinitude to bring music to underprivileged and special needs children. He roped in fellow musicians from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory and Asian Contemporary Ensemble to teach the children to play musical instruments through a 10-week programme. For the first few weeks, they get to try a variety of instruments, and then they will select their own. In the last few weeks, they will practise a piece and they will have a little concert to perform; and the concert is coming soon.

78. So I met one of them at last weekend’s session. Brandvan Yang, the boy that is wearing a cape in the photo. Because it is Superhero Me, so that is his superhero cape. He told me that he loves the violin because it helps him feel relaxed and calm. He even asked me if I was in a music CCA in school. It was a moving moment to listen to the children play. Kah Chun and his friends, all highly talented musicians, are using their gift to inspire Singaporeans who might not otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to music. Now these are children from a block of rental flats across the premises. And this little boy who played the violin for me actually told me, quite proudly, that it was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in minor key.
    
    Sports excellence
    

79. Similarly, Team Singapore athletes’ have been great role models to us. Their achievements over the years show how we can make our dreams a reality. 

80. We want to sustain a strong showing at the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games, and continue to nurture champions at the Asian and world levels.

81. Mr Darryl David called for greater efforts to promote sporting excellence. We will enhance our High Performance Sports (HPS) system. I wish to highlight some lessons from our own and other countries’ experience at recent Major Games. Podium success at world championships and the Olympics requires a focused and sustained effort at all levels.

82. A talented and dedicated athlete is a necessary starting point. To groom that athlete into a world champion, we need great coaches supported by deep sports science and sports medicine capabilities. The Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) and the National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) are critical enablers in this process. For example, performance analysts help swimmers improve their performance by providing underwater video feedback on how the swimmers can improve their stroke mechanics. We must focus on applying science and know-how to help our athletes raise their game.

83. Another learning point is that success at the elite level requires long term commitment. We did not produce champions overnight.  Schooling is a two-time Olympian, Pin Xiu and Theresa are three- and four-time Paralympians respectively. Growing our pipeline of talent and grooming them for podium success requires long term athlete development plans and the resources and technical expertise to create a high performance training and competition environment. The day-to-day training and competition environment is critical. So SportSG and NSAs will have to work closely so that efforts are aligned and optimised.

84. Finally, we need our corporates, parents, and the wider public to rally behind our athletes. That is why we are setting up a ‘One Team Singapore matching grant’, which will match sports donations up to $50 million into the Vision 2030 Fund dollar-for-dollar over the next five years.

85. We will review our HPS system with these principles in mind. Being a small country without a large population base, we must ensure that resources are used effectively for sustained performance. This will require a long term focus, technically sound training plans and continuity of effort.
    
    A shared identity through heritage, values and ideals
    
    Heritage Plan
    

86. Our heritage forms an integral part of our national identity. Historical buildings, our urban landscape, our food and festive celebrations, all tell stories of where we come from, who we are, and our legacy for the future.

87. Mr Darryl David and Mr Kok Heng Leun asked how we are strengthening our identity and resilience through heritage. We have made considerable effort to preserve our heritage assets with the help of the people sector.

88. One example is My Community, which has been documenting social memories and championing community heritage in Queenstown, Singapore’s first satellite town. Working with NHB, they have taken the initiative to research and put together heritage trails that bring visitors to landmarks such as the first HDB flats at Stirling Road.

89. To celebrate the civic life of the neighbourhood, My Community has been putting up exhibitions to showcase the social history of the area. They are not just preserving heritage; they are adding to the richness of cultural life in the community through their own efforts and initiatives.

90. Complementing these ground-up efforts, the NHB has launched nation-wide surveys on our tangible and intangible heritage in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Both surveys are guided by NHB’s Heritage Advisory Panel comprising experts from various fields.

91. Next, we plan to put in place a strategy to document, promote and safeguard our heritage.

92. NHB will be embarking on a Heritage Plan for Singapore, which will be a comprehensive national blueprint for our heritage sector. Our goal is to preserve and celebrate our shared heritage as Singaporeans. We will also make legislative changes so as to implement the Plan in the coming years. It will be drawn up in consultation with heritage stakeholders, the public, and other Government agencies. Parliamentary Secretary Baey will share more later.
    
    Founders’ Memorial
    

93. Our sporting and cultural heroes are an inspiration because they epitomise the Singapore spirit. They show us the importance of having a bold vision, to commit to excellence, determination, a sense of resilience and sacrifice. These are values and ideals exemplified by Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team who founded independent Singapore.

94. We have been actively engaging Singaporeans to co-create a Founders' Memorial that commemorates these values and ideals upon which our nation was built. Singaporeans young and old expressed strong support for such an effort. Many expressed hope that the memorial will help current and future generations to cherish and live by such values and ideals.

95. In February, the Founders’ Memorial Committee led by Mr Lee Tzu Yang announced that a majority of Singaporeans engaged thus far support Bay East Gardens as the preferred site of the memorial. We thank the Committee for leading this community effort. The work does not stop here. We want Singaporeans to be involved at all stages of conceptualising the Memorial.

96. A public showcase will be launched next week to gather more views on the desired attributes of the Memorial. This will guide the next steps of the design and development. Ultimately, the Memorial will be one for the people, by the people.

Conclusion

97. Madam Chair, to borrow the words of the Committee, we are an unexpected nation that succeeded against all odds. Through courage and diligence, our forefathers forged a nation. Through determination and adaptability, they turned challenges into opportunities. With integrity and a commitment to nation building, they united a people.

98. This tells the extraordinary story of the Singapore Spirit. When it’s ready, the Founders’ Memorial will serve that purpose, to continue telling the story. And the story doesn’t end there. We will write the next chapters together. We will be Singaporeans who care for one another, Singaporeans who overcome challenges together, and Singaporeans who dare to dream and are not afraid to pursue our aspirations and our passions for a better Singapore.