Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts, 36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963. Tel: 3757794/5
____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS BY DR JOHN CHEN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, ON THE OCCASION OF MPA'S FIRST FAMILY DAY HELD AT THE SINGAPORE DISCOVERY CENTRE AT 9 AM ON SUNDAY 22 JUNE 1997
Good morning to everyone here. I hope you are ready to enjoy yourself at the MPA's first Family Day.
MPA was formed to perform a specific role. In line with the Government's decision to corporatise PSA, there arose a need to set up a regulatory body to oversee the development of the Singapore port and to safeguard Singapore's maritime interests. Hence MPA was established last year in February, with staff coming from the National Maritime Board, Marine Department, PSA as well as new staff with other valuable experience.
Over the last one and a half years, MPA has made good progress. It has worked out a regulatory framework and built up the necessary expertise and standing to perform its role as a regulator and promoter of the port industry. MPA also played a critical role in the preparation for PSA's corporatisation; which is scheduled for this year. Much of the credit should go to all of you - the staff of MPA. Without your hard work and support, we would not have been able to achieve this much in such a short time.
Today's function is a good opportunity for the MPA management to thank its staff for the effort put in during the first one and a half years of MPA's history. It is also a good occasion for all of you to get together either to renew old acquaintances or to get to meet new colleagues, as I understand that MPA staff are currently located in offices in various parts of Singapore.
As today's event is held at the Singapore Discovery Centre, I thought it would be appropriate for me to say a few words regarding the importance of the National Education Programme which was launched last month by the Deputy Prime Minister to help young Singaporeans understand our history.
In a nutshell, the National Education Programme aims to develop national cohesion and imbue in our young the instinct for survival and confidence in our future. This is done by fostering in Singaporeans a sense of identity, pride and self respect. We have to tell our young the Singapore Story - how Singapore succeeded against all odds to become a nation; highlighting to our children the unique challenges, constraints and vulnerabilities that Singapore faces on account of its smallness and lack of natural resources, including water. We must continually instil in our younger generation the core values of our way of life, the will to succeed and to rise above the challenges that will confront us as a small nation state.
The Singapore Dynamics Gallery of the SDC depicts a series of significant historical events from Singapore in the colonial days to present day Singapore. It tells the Singapore Story in a graphic and interesting manner to young Singaporeans who have not lived through the difficult times of our history.
The education of our young would however have to start from within the family. As you all know, the family is the building block of society of Singaporean society. It is therefore appropriate on this occasion of MPA's Family Day to re-affirm our commitment to our family. Strong family units are necessary for the building of a strong and resilient nation. We must spend sufficient time together as a family to foster a deeper sense of belonging and togetherness. I am therefore pleased that MPA has chosen to organise this event so that we can spend this Sunday with our family members to enjoy ourselves, and to learn something important and useful about Singapore's history.
On this note, may I wish all of you an enjoyable family day at the Singapore Discovery Centre.