Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts

36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963.

Tel: 3757794/5

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Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.

We in Singapore live in a multi-racial society and we have made the choice to make this feature of our society an asset. Not everyone shows tolerance of, respect for and acceptance of racial differences, and examples abound around the world to show this. We however, from past experience, are well aware that if we allow racial politics to rule, we will only court danger. The older generation need only recall the racial riots in 1950s Singapore. And so that the younger generation is not ignorant of the perils faced by a society divided along ethnic lines, national education has been instituted, and Racial Harmony Day is now commemorated by schools every 21 July.

2 Racial harmony is not just a matter of setting aside a day to ask all the races to live together in peace. To achieve harmony amongst the races, we do not merely tolerate differences in people; we have to move beyond tolerance to acceptance that we may be different, and yet despite these differences, we are valued as Singaporeans. We respect these differences for we see that they are strengths that make a person unique. We also look beyond these differences and recognise that there are similarities too. For instance, every parent, whatever his race, has aspirations for his child; every taxpayer, whatever his race, wishes for a wise and responsible government that is prudent with spending; every man, whatever his race, desires a stable environment in which to develop himself and to raise his children. The desire for happiness, progress, peace and stability is definitely universal. If we could focus on our collective aspirations, we could channel our national energy into building a united sovereign country made up of a people with a common destiny. This of course is a mammoth task and we have to work at it constantly.

3 Today’s event is a timely reminder of what our focus should be: cultivate ties that bind our society. Residents and visitors are more than welcome to join us in the concert and visit the cultural booths set up. I hope the children will enjoy learning about the traditional games that their parents and grandparents played and still play perhaps, and the adults can take time off to play with the children.

4 I am also heartened to see our schools cooperating with grassroots bodies in such community events. These are valuable learning experiences: students can learn to work in teams and value every contribution, and the school’s ties to the community are reinforced.

5 I thank Pasir Ris Zone ‘11’ RC, Northeast CDC for organising this event, and Loyang Secondary School for supporting community involvement projects. Enjoy yourselves with your family and friends. Thank you.