My wife and I are delighted to join you this evening.  Ayer Rajah has always had a special place in my heart.  First, your MP is a good and old friend of mine.  Next, I actually know more about Ayer Rajah than he did.  Of course, I am referring to the old Ayer Rajah of the 40’s and early 50’s before Ayer Rajah Constituency was formed.  (Let me elaborate in Hokkien.)

2                             You see, I grew up in Pasir Panjang 5th milestone.  I used to visit my relatives living at 9^th milestone who ran a small provision shop and reared pigs and chickens.  I also had relatives living at 10^th milestone, West Coast Road.  They owned a prawn pond.  I went there occasionally to catch prawns.  I think the prawn ponds were located somewhere here, at Teban Gardens.

3                             West Coast Road then was picturesque.  It was lined with kampong houses on stilts.  Many were built over water.  Today, the kampongs and prawn ponds are all gone.  In their place are high-rise HDB flats and modern facilities.  In many ways, the growth and transformation of Ayer Rajah is like the story of Singapore – from fishing village to a bustling city, from prawn ponds to modern housing estate.

4                             What are the factors behind Singapore’s success?  Tonight, I want to use Ayer Rajah to illustrate the main factors behind Singapore’s success.

Good Leadership

5                             First, good leadership.  All communities need good and effective leaders to live in harmony, especially if they are multi-racial and multi-religious.  Ayer Rajah has good leaders.

6                             Tan Cheng Bock has been the MP for Ayer Rajah since the constituency was formed 25 years ago.  I have known him longer than this, in fact, for half a century.  We were classmates in RI.  I recommended him to the PAP.  He was then a doctor running his clinic at Ama Keng.  He passed the rigorous selection process and stood as PAP’s candidate in 1980.  He won decisively.  Cheng Bock works hard and is not afraid to speak his mind in and outside Parliament.  He speaks with passion.  He has substance.  In Hokkien, we say “wu liao”.  Cheng Bock is also compassionate.  He cares for his constituents, and will go out of his way to help those who need help.  I was told that even at his clinic, he would frequently waive his medical consultation fees for patients who were genuinely poor and unable to pay.  That is why he received such strong support in election after election.

7                             However, the success of Ayer Rajah is not due to Cheng Bock alone.  He is supported by many dedicated grassroots leaders.  Tonight, I will name just two.  First, Bernard Chia.  He has been the Chairman of Ayer Rajah CCC for 25 years.  He understands the concerns of the residents because he had risen up the ranks from an RC.  He was also a former Ayer Rajah resident himself.

8                             Another grassroots leader who deserves mention is CCMC Chairman Peter Kong.  He draws on his own business network to seek sponsors for the constituency’s numerous grassroots events.  I am highlighting Bernard and Peter as examples of some of Ayer Rajah’s unsung heroes.  There are many more who have contributed without seeking publicity or any material rewards.  I ask you to join me in showing our gratitude to them.

9                             Ayer Rajah’s community leaders share a sense of common purpose and unity.  There is no power grabbing, no in-fighting.  They are all part of one big happy family.  Grassroots leaders are driven by their genuine desire to serve.  They do not seek favours and receive no financial rewards.  This type of selfless spirit and sincere desire to serve is the key factor behind Ayer Rajah’s and Singapore’s success.

Adaptable People

10                         The second factor for Ayer Rajah’s success is the adaptability of the people.  In many ways, Ayer Rajah’s residents display the same qualities of our pioneer Singaporeans.  They are adaptable and resilient.  Although many of you were farmers living in kampongs and villages, you have adapted quickly to urban living.  You also picked up new skills and worked in factories that were built in Jurong Industrial Estate.  You invested in education.  Many of your children have become professionals and senior executives of large corporations.

11                         Ayer Rajah residents also have a compassionate side.  You have been running your own Ayer Rajah Daycare Centre for the elderly and children for many years.  Not only do you volunteer your time and service, you also donate to and raise funds for the centre.

12                         You are rooted to Ayer Rajah.  Many of you are old-timers who have been living here for many years.  Even though you are able to afford newer and bigger apartments or your children have grown up and moved out, you have chosen to stay here.  Ayer Rajah is your home.  Singapore is where you will live and bring up your children.  As Cheng Bock likes to say, you are the “pak si buay zhao” old-timers.

Collective Sense of Responsibility

13                         The third factor for Singapore’s and Ayer Rajah’s success is our collective sense of responsibility.  Community service in Singapore is provided for the people by the people.  They are provided by grassroots organizations such as CCCs, CCMCs, RCs, Town Councils and CDCs.  These grassroots leaders are mainly residents of the constituency.  They understand the special needs of their own community better than civil servants.  Services provided by volunteer grassroots leaders come from the heart.  They demonstrate the care and concern by Singaporeans for their neighbours and fellow Singaporeans.  By helping one another, we are also helping ourselves.  This collective sense of responsibility is what makes our community strong.

14                         This is how the Government, too, involves Singaporeans in looking after Singapore.  We let you have a greater say in policies and help shape the future of Singapore.  This way, we deepen your attachment to Singapore.  We are all stakeholders of Singapore.

Values

15                         Finally, Singapore is special because our leaders and people possess strong and noble values.  These values include discipline and honesty, compassion and selflessness, a sense of justice and fairness, and loyalty to friends, community and country.  Our values define who we are.  They give us the strength to weather all crises and the ups and downs of life.

Conclusion

16                         Both Singapore and Ayer Rajah have done well.  But where do we go from here?  Our economy is picking up and we are likely to do well for the next few years.  However, there are still many big challenges ahead.  Security and terrorism remain a major concern.  Our population is aging and there is a need to help older workers remain employable.  The number of unmarried Singaporeans is rising.  The global marketplace has also become more competitive, so our economy must still undergo further restructuring to stay ahead.

17                         But we have many basic strengths.  One of them is our continued political stability.  Our leadership transition took place smoothly.  PM Lee is now in-charge.  He is weighing when to call the General Election.  He has until mid-2007 to do so.  But I believe he will want to seek a mandate before then to tackle the many challenges ahead.

18                         Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.