1.             I am happy to join you this evening for the launch of the “World War II – Eurasian Story” Exhibition.

Contributions of the Community

2.             The Eurasian community is small in number, but your contributions to Singapore society have been significant.  Some have likened the Eurasian community as salt to Singapore – only 0.4% of the population, but imparting flavour to our society through your warm hospitality, unstinting contributions, strong sense of family, and openness to other cultures.

3.             Eurasians have excelled in the arts, music, and sports, and left their mark in many professional fields.   Many have distinguished themselves in public service.  To name a few: Professor Maurice Baker was among the first generation of diplomats when Singapore became independent.  Professor E S Monteiro, an eminent physician, was a Fellow of the Royal Society and became Ambassador to Cambodia and the US.  Mr Stanley Stewart and Mr George Bogaars were both Heads of the Civil Service.  And of course Dr Benjamin Sheares became Singapore’s second President.

4.             Many Eurasians entered politics and served as Members of Parliament (MPs), notably Mr E W Barker, who was a Cabinet Minister for twenty five years.  There was a gap after Mr Barker retired, when for some years no Eurasian MPs sat in Parliament.  But a new generation of Eurasians, better educated, confident and determined to excel, are doing well in their careers, and rising in the professions, the media, and the arts.  They are pursuing their aspirations and diverse passions, and moving ahead in our open, meritocratic system.  Quite a few are active in social and community causes.  They are proving themselves as leaders not just of the Eurasian community but also on the national stage.  We have had two Eurasian NMPs in recent years, and I am confident that in the not too distant future the PAP will also be able to field able and committed Eurasians, chosen on their merits, in its line up of candidates.

5.             There was a period after our independence when the Eurasian community was demoralised and many emigrated to Australia.  But we have seen in recent years a revival of the Eurasian spirit.  I congratulate the Eurasian Association for revitalising the community and leading it forward with renewed purpose and direction.  I also applaud your efforts to uplift the community through education.  These efforts have produced results – the percentage of Eurasian students in each cohort that completed secondary education increased from 73% in 1990 to 86% last year. 

6.             In the Budget Speech last week, I announced the setting up of Opportunity Funds to provide more curriculum and enrichment opportunities for needy children.  $2 million has been put aside for the self-help groups to set up their own Opportunity Funds, on a matching basis.  A portion of this will be made available to the Eurasian Association.  I have no doubt that the Association will raise the matching funds from the community, to take full advantage of its share of the Opportunity Fund. This will provide a further boost to your efforts to reach out to students, especially those from low income families.

Experiences in World War II

7.             Tonight, we remember an important period in the history of the Eurasian community in Singapore – your experiences during the Second World War. 

8.             The story is one of courage, survival, and triumph over adversity.  When the Japanese invaded Singapore, many Eurasians volunteered and fought bravely in the ‘D’ Coy of the Singapore Volunteer Corps.  During the Japanese Occupation, the Eurasians suffered, as did other Singaporeans.  But the Japanese held the Eurasians in deep suspicion because of their European ties, and singled them out for special treatment.  Eurasians were interned and sent off to toil and perish on the Siam Death Railway.  One of the most wrenching experiences was the forced resettlement of the community to the jungle area of Bahau, Negri Sembilan.  We do not have many accounts of what happened in Bahau, but Joe Conceicao, in his memoirs “Flavours of Change”, gives a vivid description of this “jungle-side internment”. Many died of malaria, dysentery and other tropical diseases due to the primitive, harsh conditions.  But many others who made friends, looked out for each other, and had the toughness of mind to endure and not despair survived, and returned to Singa­pore after the war.

9.             This Exhibition describes this bleak period in Singapore’s history. It records the bloodshed, misery and untold suffering.  But more importantly, it recalls and celebrates the courage and fortitude of Singaporeans who pulled together as a people, and emerged from this experience stronger than before. 

10.        More than sixty years have passed since Singapore fell to invading Japanese forces on 15^th February 1942.   For many younger Singaporeans, the war is an event in the distant past, recorded in the history books.  But for those who lived through this difficult period, the memories are indelibly etched in their minds.  Some of the veterans from the Volunteer Corps are with us tonight.  We salute you and all our war veterans, living and dead, who went in harm’s way and risked everything to fight on the battlefield in defence of Singa­pore. 

11.        In our midst, we also have some members of the Eurasian community who endured and survived the hardships of the war and occupation.  You bring to life the exhibits displayed here.  You provide the links to our past, through your collective memories and experiences.  We must pass these down to our children and grandchildren, so that future generations of Singaporeans will have a keener appreciation of our history, and not forget where we came from and what we have been through together. 

One Nation, One People

12.        One of the key lessons of the war is that we must never take our peace and stability for granted, and must always stay united as one people to keep our country safe and secure.     

13.        Over the years, we have built a strong foundation of social harmony and trust between the ethnic communities.  But we are far from done.  To succeed as a nation, we must consolidate and deepen the sense of Singaporean-ness among our people.  This requires constant attention and effort by both the Government and the people.  We must continue to nurture a spirit of togetherness and solidarity among Singaporeans of different races, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds.  We must keep our social fabric tightly knit, and never allow it to be torn apart by external stresses, especially along potential faultlines.

14.        The Eurasian community is one element of this multi-racial, multi-religious society. It is the product of a specific phase in our history. Many members of the community are of Portuguese mixed descent, with a Portuguese-influenced Kristang language and culture. Over time, the community embraced many others of mixed European and Asian parentage, and later also adopted a broader definition of Eurasians to include those from mixed marriages with a Eurasian parent. You have evolved your own distinctive identity and traditions, and contributed to our diverse cultural heritage.

15.        Today, something similar is happening with a new generation of Singa­poreans. With globalisation, more Singaporeans live and work abroad, and many foreigners live and work in Singa­pore. So it is natural that we are seeing more mixed marriages, and a new group of Singa­poreans of mixed descent. In 2004, more than a quarter of resident (Singaporean and PRs) grooms married foreign brides, while 9% of resident brides married foreign grooms.  Not all these would be mixed marriages, but quite a few were.

16.        The children of these new mixed marriages are a very diverse group. Some identify with and are adopted by one or other of the main communities in Singa­pore.  Others see themselves as inheriting the cultures and traditions of both their parents.  Our society must accept and integrate them, as I believe in general we do. They add to the richness and diversity of our community. The more we are able to make them feel at home, and find their own place in our society, the richer we will be for it.

Conclusion

17.        Together, let us celebrate life in Singapore with all its colour and diversity.  Nowhere else in the world is there such a unique celebration of ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity.  While we have several distinctive communities, we also find common ground in the shared values, vision and purpose that define us all as Singaporeans, and bind us together as one people.  Regardless of race, language and religion, we live in peace and harmony as a cohesive Singapore family. 

18.        The Eurasian community is very much a part of our Singapore family. Many of you belong to families which have lived for four or more generations in Singapore.  Your history is part of Singa­pore’s history. Your traditions contribute to the tapestry of Singa­pore society.  As the Eurasian community grows in confidence and vibrancy, I have no doubt that you will play an even more active and significant role in the progress of our nation.