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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong emphasised that Singaporeans should "uphold our country's reputation" overseas and "make full use of this Singapore brand" but remember to "never sully it".
He reminded Singaporeans that Singapore's survival "depends on our being able to do business with the world" and "to deliver value to others".
PM Lee said that "many express their admiration for Singapore", but "many Singaporeans take this good reputation for granted" as "they do not realise how important this high standing we enjoy is to us".
S'poreans need to "remain one united people"
Speaking in Parliament on Apr. 19, 2023, the third day of the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, PM Lee reminded Singaporeans of the global situation that is "graver" than what Singapore has "experienced for a very long time" and outlined how Singapore can navigate the simultaneous global crises it faces.
He first emphasised the need for Singaporeans to “remain one united people”.
"We have come through repeated challenges over the last six decades, because we worked together, took adversity in our stride, and kept faith with one another."
PM Lee said Singapore "painstakingly created" a harmonious multi-racial and multi-religious society, and "avoided the schisms and factions that have troubled other societies".
Dealing with sensitive issues while maintaining trust and understanding
PM Lee highlighted that, in recent years, Singapore has tackled "sensitive issues that could easily have caused deep rifts among Singaporeans".
He raised how the government has dealt with these sensitive issues “firmly and fairly” in a way that "maintained mutual trust and understanding between different communities".
He pointed out that Singapore allowed Muslim nurses to wear the tudung with their uniforms two years ago, and last year, Section 377A of the Penal Code was repealed "while safeguarding the institution of marriage".
“Many foreigners, especially our critics in the West, don’t understand this about us. In Singapore, when faced with a divisive issue, our approach has always been to find a middle way, bridge the differences, strike compromises and heal divisions.”
"Cultural or identity politics" can divide Singaporeans
PM Lee warned against "grand posturing" and "cultural or identity politics" as they could "divide and polarise Singaporeans".
“Our instinct always is to keep Singaporeans together. We have to keep thinking and acting like this. Please do not take our harmony for granted. It's a very precious thing, and very fragile.”
He called on Singaporeans to continue working on Singapore's "social cohesion and national strength".
PM Lee explained that while a "troubled external environment" will create "new stresses and strains" for Singapore’s society, Singapore must not allow these pressures to "divide Singaporeans along fault lines in our society", and it is "all the more important for us to close ranks".
"Divided, we stand no chance."
PM Lee urged all Singaporeans to work hand-in-hand towards a shared vision of Singapore's future.
S'poreans need to maintain “go-getting spirit”
However, PM Lee said that merely maintaining unity among Singaporeans “will not be enough”.
He emphasised that it is equally important that Singaporeans have the “go-getting spirit of self-reliance and enterprise” to create prosperity for Singapore and achieve the best for the nation in a "very troubled world".
PM Lee said in 1968, when British forces were soon to withdraw from Singapore, removing about one-fifth of then Singapore's economy, Singapore was "heading into a major storm" with high unemployment rates and economic uncertainty.
S. Rajaratnam, one of Singapore's founding fathers, who had just become the Minister of Labour, rallied Singaporeans for the tough measures and hard times ahead.
PM Lee said Singaporeans heeded Rajaratnam’s words and set their hearts and souls to nation-building, reminding themselves to be ready to postpone immediate reward for greater gains in the future and that Singapore has no "escape hatch" many other countries have.
"We survived the withdrawal of the British forces, we overcame many more subsequent crises, and created today’s Singapore."
PM Lee emphasised that this "grit and self-reliance" mindset was crucial.
Young S'poreans are not "soft"
PM Lee highlighted that there is good reason to be confident that Singaporeans have not gone soft and forgotten these fundamentals.
He shared his encounters with young Singaporeans in Rwanda who "dared to take the path less travelled" and "strike out on their own in these less familiar lands".
He also talked about an NUS student he met in Silicon Valley who was "prepared to take the leap of faith to start a business of his own" even though "he doesn’t know if his business will succeed".
"And in my daily work, interacting with Ministers and their officials, I come across young officers who are passionate about their work, feel a sense of mission serving the nation, and are keen to improve the lives of Singaporeans through their ideas and efforts."
He pointed out that many young Singaporeans think the same way.
"Growing up in Singapore, they have benefited from a good education system, opportunities, exposure, stimulation. They have made the most of it. They know that nobody owes them a living. They will work hard and blaze their own path forward."
S'pore needs to connect with the world to survive
PM Lee clarified that he's not just asking Singaporeans to work harder as individuals but reminded them that Singapore's survival "depends on our being able to do business with the world" and "to deliver value to others".
He highlighted that Singapore has a "strategy to make a living" as “a global city and an international hub”.
He explained that even though "it will be tough because globalisation is going the wrong way", Singapore cannot afford to "turn inwards", unlike countries with larger populations and bigger domestic markets.
"We are a small island state. A little red dot. And that is our reality."
PM Lee reiterated that Singapore must ”work hard to form good relations with other countries" so that "even with wars, tensions, and protectionism in the world", there will still be opportunities for Singapore as "countries still need to trade".
"We just have to work harder and smarter than before. In a world of troubles, not every country will prosper, but Singapore will not perish."
Importance of keeping up with tech
PM Lee said Singapore must "make the right moves to continue thriving", as staying "open and connected means being exposed to competition from the world".
He said Singapore must do things more competently and efficiently than its competitors by continually upgrading existing capabilities and keeping up with the latest technologies and industries.
He raised the example of AI technology.
“You have all heard of ChatGPT, and maybe even have tried it out. It didn't write this speech for me yet, though it probably can already summarise it quite well.”
He noted that AI will affect jobs in all sectors while creating immense opportunities to improve productivity.
PM Lee said that businesses will need to adapt and transform to respond to AI and many other technologies to come, such as developing new ways of operating and exploring new markets.
Foreign "skilled professionals" complements local talents
Workers will also need to "upskill and reskill" while Singapore complements its local talents with "skilled professionals" from all over the world "who have the expertise and experience to help us make this transformation".
"We have to integrate these foreigners into our workplaces and communities, so that they fit well into our society."
PM Lee said that while it will be challenging going forward, Singapore has "some things going" for it.
"Most importantly, we stand out compared to our competitors."
He explained that businesses, investors and talented individuals overseas are greatly interested in Singapore and want to bring in their talent, capital and investments.
"We welcome. We must welcome them. How can there be any doubt?"
He pointed out that pharmaceutical companies are investing in Singapore to produce drugs and vaccines, and many other companies from other industries are interested in Singapore too.
"They value the Singapore brand. They have a good view of Singapore, and that is how we can continue to create good jobs for Singaporeans."
Importance of the “Singapore brand”
PM Lee went on about the importance of upholding Singapore’s good reputation and standing in the world.
He said that when he meets foreign leaders and business people in Singapore or overseas, many express their admiration for Singapore and are "not just being polite".
“Many Singaporeans take this good reputation for granted. They are glad to carry our red passport. Overseas, they are proud to identify themselves as Singaporeans, and not be mistaken as someone else.
But they do not realise how important this high standing we enjoy is to us.
Nor how astonishing it is, for a small island state with no natural resources to enjoy this standing.”
He explained that the reason people "pay much attention to this little island" called Singapore which is "barely visible on the world map", because of the strong international reputation it has built over the years.
He highlighted that people know "the Singapore system works" and that Singaporeans are people of "high quality" with hardworking, reliable, skilled workers and honest, trustworthy, competent professionals.
Urges S'poreans to uphold S'pore's reputation overseas
He also noted that Singapore is known to honour its commitments and make useful contributions to global issues.
Singapore has strongly stood by international rule by law, such as condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Singaporeans have also contributed to the discussion of global issues, one example being Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues, Rena Lee, presiding over a United Nations marine treaty in March 2023.
“Because of all these and more, confidence and trust in the Singapore brand has grown. This is a precious asset in an uncertain world.”
He asked all Singaporeans to uphold Singapore's reputation, especially when they are overseas.
"Make full use of the Singapore brand, but remember, never sully it.
Build on it, enhance it for future generations. A high international reputation makes all the difference to Singapore."
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Top image via Facebook/Lee Hsien Loong