Keeping Faith with Singaporeans
Renewing The Social Contract
It was refreshing listening to Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong at the swearing-in of the 14th Parliament on 27 July 2020. After a victorious General Elections on the 10 July, where the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) was again returned to power with another overwhelming “super” majority of parliamentary seats, PM Lee’s speech was one of national unity when he reminded that “whatever our political persuasions, never forget that we are first and foremost Singaporeans. Let us all unite and focus our energies on the major challenges ahead.”
It was déjà vu. I recalled his National Day Rally Speech after he became the 3rd Prime Minister in 2004, he had promised then that Singaporeans will be ‘a people in partnership for a common destiny’.
Under his leadership over the past 16 years, Singapore has developed to become a haven with a soul where there is no stigma, no blame, and no fear for the man in the street. Ours is a diverse and inclusive society, a nation where everyone is included — those from every ethnic and religious background, and also those foreigners who choose to call Singapore home. We have become a community of family, where active citizens, friends and loved ones close ranks for support and understanding, regardless of circumstances. The Covid19 pandemic has tested and reaffirmed to confirm the Singapore spirit and Singaporeans’ resilience as one people.
BEYOND SURVIVAL — RENEWING AND REFRESHING THE SOCIAL CONTRACT
With great defiance, PM Lee declared that his goal is not just to survive the severe economic and public health challenges confronting Singapore. Beyond our inevitable survival, he reassured that “the better, long-term solution is to invest our resources to develop new capabilities, grow new industries and create new jobs”. He said: “Beyond economic prosperity, the broader ambitions that Singaporeans have for their country must also be fulfilled”.
As if reminding Singaporeans of his 2004 Social Contract, his words again projected great confidence and hope for the future. I could see his continuous underlying emphasis on partnership, the encouragement of community, interpersonal relationships, and the power of shared vision.
Keeping faith with Singaporeans in the refreshed social contract of hope, recovery and return to prosperity, PM Lee has gathered possibly his best Cabinet of experienced Ministers and new 4th-Generation (4G) leaders to enhance confidence and reassurance that he and his team will always be with Singaporeans in all circumstances, beyond temporary limitations towards new heights to attain the goals which just beyond our grasp.
Clearly, the renewed Social Contract reiterated PM Lee’s unshakeable promises to strengthen in Singaporeans:
· A sense of uniqueness as a Singaporean: to feel important and special;
· A partnership with something greater than ourselves: that we are part of a bigger global world;
· A sense of usefulness: actively contributing feedback as well as diverse views for change;
· A deep sense of hopeful confidence of where we are going, where we are; the Big Picture.
GE2020 has propelled us into the next level of nationhood. A fairer, more equitable and socially just society with abundant opportunities for all, an inclusive trusting community where people look out for one another without racial or religious discrimination, a respectful tolerance for dissenting political perspectives and a harmonious home where Singaporeans believe our children and grandchildren will have better lives than us and where the human spirit can flourish into a better future on this tiny island in the sun.
