新加坡总理李显龙新年英语演讲稿
My fellow Singaporeans:
What were your most memorable moments of 2019? For me, four moments in particularstood out.
The first was on 29 March, when we sent off our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan aporeans lined the streets to bid him a final farewell. The rain was pouring. As the guncarriage left Parliament House, people shouted his name. I was deeply moved to see everyone’sfaces – drenched, grieving, but not downcast. We were one people, grateful for what ourpioneers had achieved, resolved to take Singapore further forward.
The second moment was the weekend of 4 July. Over three days, I attended five events – anSG50 Catholic mass; the Jubilee Day of Prayer organised by Protestant churches; a Harmony inDiversity concert organised by the Taoist Federation and New Creation Church; and two iftars –one in Al-Ansar Mosque, and another organised by Jalan Kayu grassroots organisations as partof a Racial Harmony Night. Together, the events reflected the diversity of our society, ourracial and religious harmony, and the Singapore identity which we have built over the past 50years.
My third moment was on 9 August, when we celebrated our Golden Jubilee at the Padang. Itwas not just the scale of the mobile column and fly-past, but the Singapore story told throughthe lives of ordinary Singaporeans past and present. That is why when our pioneer soldiersmarched past, we gave them our loudest cheer.
Schoolchildren in LED costumes put up an energetic and spectacular performance to endthe show on a high note. They reminded me why we are building Singapore and gave meconfidence that they can chase their own rainbows and take Singapore higher and further.
The fourth moment was on 11 September, polling day of the General Elections. Which directionwould Singapore go? Which team would we choose to lead us forward?
As the results came in, I felt gratified and happy that voters had delivered a big win forSingapore. We were united in our desire to secure our shared future, to achieve the best forSingapore. As I joined our supporters at Toa Payoh Stadium that night, I took a photo of asupporter who had brought her baby along to share this historic moment. It encapsulated whatthe election was about – our people and our future.
Why did I find these four moments memorable?
Because they showed the world – and ourselves – what a determined and united people cando; why Singapore is a shining red dot. Despite the threats of ISIS and jihadist terrorism, whenother societies are troubled by intolerance and racial tensions, here in Singapore we rejoicein our multi-racial harmony. Where other countries are mired in political gridlock andpessimistic for the next generation, we in Singapore are united, hopeful and confident aboutour future.
But most of all, these were moments when we came together, and took responsibility for oneanother. We wept, we sang, we celebrated, we bonded together, and emerged stronger as oneunited people.
As SG50 ends, the next chapter of the Singapore Story begins. We live in a very different worldfrom our pioneers fifty years ago. Yes, we have many more opportunities in the globalisedworld, but we also face fiercer competition. Yes, we have more resources, but we also havehigher aspirations. Our economy is slowing down and undergoing transition. We cannot expectan easy journey ahead.
But the journey can be every bit as exciting as the first 50 years. Because we know that comewhat may – challenges, disappointments and sorrows – we will be here for one another. We willcelebrate our successes together, because we know we can only succeed together. The Futureof Us Exhibition gives us a glimpse of the future we can have. Through the SGFutureconversations, we will all play a part in writing the Singapore Story.
Our future is for us to make together, and I look forward to travelling the road ahead with youtogether.
Happy New Year!
