Singapore Government Press Release, Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

REMARKS BY PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG AT THE DIALOGUE SESSION ON INTEGRATED RESORTS

Grassroots Club 26 Apr 2005

1. Government has decided to proceed to Request for Proposals for two IRs with casinos.

2. Purpose of meeting today

a. To explain decision to you

b. To explain what we are doing to mitigate the downsides of allowing more gambling

c. To ask for your support and help in dealing with the problem

3. Invited community leaders, religious leaders and social service VWOs

a. You have given feedback

b. You have strong views on issue

c. You are on the front line dealing with families who have problems

4. Decided to proceed with IRs because

a. IRs will bring substantial economic benefits – investments, tourists, jobs

b. They are part of the remaking of our city

c. Region is changing

i. Other cities are changing fast

ii. Gambling is all around us

5. But recognise social and moral issues involved

a. Increase in problem gambling and impact on families

b. Risk to Singapore’s brand name as a clean, orderly, wholesome and family friendly city

c. Risk to the moral values of Singaporeans

6. Recognise also the strong views against among a significant number of Singaporeans, especially religious groups

a. Acknowledge and respect these views. In fact majority of ministers started out holding the same reservations, and some still do

b. We have decided to proceed, but not because we think these considerations are wrong or unimportant. The minuses are real, but we have reluctantly concluded that the pluses outweigh the minuses, especially in the new environment we are in

7. We have debated this issue publicly for over a year

a. Many Singaporeans have expressed views

b. Most Ministers, including myself started off having reservations.

c. But as we learnt more about the project, what IRs entailed, we concluded we could not ignore the economic benefits. So finally Cabinet decided to proceed. We announced decision in Parliament last week, and more than 50 MPs spoke in the debate

d. Not all MPs were for, but preponderant view supported going ahead

e. Among public, I believe a majority support IRs

8. Religious groups and the family, social and community sectors have strongly opposed the IRs (and still do)

a. Respect the convictions and teachings of the religious groups, and the religious choices and beliefs of individual Singaporeans. These are personal choices for individual Singaporeans to make in accordance with their consciences and faiths.

b. Also understand why many family and social service VWOs are strongly against allowing casinos. You deal with problem families, and see the human cost when a breadwinner fails to take care of his family, whether because of addiction to gambling or other problems.

c. Singapore society is the stronger because it contains this strand of strict, moralist thinking. This is an important component of our social immune system.

9. But the Government must take a secular and pragmatic approach, and decide based on the long term interests of Singapore

a. We are a multi-racial, multi-religious society

b. We must keep religion and politics separate

c. Singaporeans have different views on matters of conscience and faith

d. The way to accommodate these is through tolerance and mutual respect

e. The Government cannot enforce the choices of one group on others, or make these private choices the basis of national policy

10. Specifically on gambling

a. Singaporeans hold a range of views

i. Generally disapproving, but not all to the same degree

ii. Many Singaporeans accept social and recreational gambling, provided it is not excessive

iii. Even among those against IRs, not all are opposed to the same degree

b. Gambling is a reality – 58% of Singaporeans gamble regularly

c. We cannot stop gambling

d. We do not treat gambling as absolutely forbidden, unlike drug taking

11. A practical approach

a. Discourage Singaporeans from gambling

b. Institute means to help and treat problem gamblers

c. Educate Singaporeans to understand its dangers and make right choices

d. Quote from an email:

“I believe the way forward is not to restrict (you honestly can’t stop them!) but to empower. Imbue our youths and people with the right values that will keep them on the right paths. Help them exercise their power of choice – that they will choose to live with wisdom. Provide stronger support for people who are contributing to this process of empowerment.”

12. Having decided to have the IRs, we will do our best to minimise the downside

a. Specific measures to make the IRs less accessible to Singaporeans, and to exclude problem gamblers from the IRs

b. A national framework to deal with problem gambling

13. Heartened that some religious, family and community groups have expressed willingness to help tackle this problem despite their natural disappointment at the decision

a. Christian groups

i. National Council of Churches of Singapore stated they would cooperate with Government in dealing with the social fallout and offer counselling for people with gambling problems,

ii. Archbishop Nicholas Chia stated that he understood the economic arguments, but was very worried about the cost of human, family and social well being, and would try to dissuade people from being addicted and educate people on the ill effects of problem gambling

b. Muslim leaders, including some present tonight

i. Understood the give and take necessary when living in a multi-racial society

ii. MUIS said “this is part and parcel of living in an open modern society, a very globalised society where we will have to face moral challenges”

14. Much that religious groups can do

a. Propagating good values

b. Discouraging followers from gambling

c. Encouraging gambling addicts to exclude themselves from IR

d. Supporting families who want to exclude their loved ones with gambling problems

e. Helping families which get into trouble – intervention and counselling services

15. Government looks forward to your contributions, and ideas on how to manage this and other social problems

16. Should now close ranks and move on

a. Have had a full debate. Government has decided, taking into account all views, and the national interest

b. Government understands and accepts that some Singaporeans will still oppose IRs even after our explanations

c. Hope those who still oppose the IRs also accept the government’s decision, and the reasons for it

d. Public debate has been constructive and valuable

e. Must now move on, and make the decision work

f. Not fruitful to continue arguing this issue – can be counterproductive

g. May harden opposing views and polarise our multi-racial, multi-religious society

h. Instead must bring people together, despite differing views

17. We want to keep Singapore safe and wholesome, but to make it vibrant and dynamic

a. This goal has not changed

b. Must do many more things besides having IRs to remake Singapore

c. Let us work together on this national goal

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