Speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Swearing-In Ceremony
30 May 2006

Mr President,

Colleagues,

Fellow Singaporeans,

This General Election has been another milestone in Singapore’s history as a nation. We have elected a new Parliament with many new MPs from the post independence generation. And my team and I have received a clear mandate to set the direction for the next phase of Singapore’s development. We will work with all Singaporeans to achieve the best for our country.

The previous general election was held in the shadow of 9/11. The five years since then have been eventful and unforgettable. We have come through major challenges, and been strengthened by the experience. Now we stand with renewed confidence to face a new era.

The world is changing faster than ever. China and India are growing and transforming rapidly. New markets are opening up, such as in the Gulf states and Russia. A rising Asia is creating huge opportunities for those willing and able to seize them. The major players around the world are assessing the new strategic landscape and repositioning themselves for the emerging opportunities. Singapore must do the same. By the next general election, we will face a very different world.

Where Singapore fits into this world depends on our actions in the next five years. We can build a future full of promise, and continue to grow and improve our living standards, provided we pursue the right strategies. At the same time, we must prepare for uncertainties and surprises along the way - a disruption of oil supplies in the Middle East that triggers a global recession, a bird flu pandemic that afflicts millions worldwide, terrorism or tensions in our neighbourhood that affect investor confidence in Southeast Asia. And we must root our people in Singapore, so that each citizen takes ownership of this country, and knows that we are all Singaporeans together. We will need all our wits and ingenuity to stay united, remain relevant and keep our compass in a rapidly changing world.

Singaporeans have endorsed our vision for Singapore:

To be a land of opportunity, where good jobs are constantly being created, where our children will enjoy a first-class education and the best possible start in life;

To be an inclusive society, where Singaporeans of all races and religions, young and old, at home and overseas play a part in shaping our nation’s future; and

To be the best home for all of us, where every person has a place, where each citizen is proud of his country, and all will fight for Singapore because of what it means to us, our families and our fellow citizens.

These are ambitious goals, but they are within our reach. We will grow our economy, develop new industries and upgrade existing ones. We will impart new skills to our workers and prepare our students for the global marketplace. We will play our part as a responsible member of the international community, helping our neighbours when they are in distress, like after the recent earthquake near Jogjakarta. We will keep Singapore safe with a strong SAF and Home Team, involve citizens in major decisions affecting us all, and strengthen our national values. Then we will have the best chance to live in peace and prosperity, and realise our dreams in a home which all of us have helped to build.

We want Singaporeans to scale a mountain range where each can climb his own peak. In our pursuit, we will remember those who cannot keep pace with the fittest and the strongest. We will help elderly citizens and lower income households, and address concerns over healthcare costs and the cost of living. But we cannot solve these problems by focussing narrowly on them alone. The world may not always be what we wish it to be, and problems cannot be easily corrected with a ‘reset’ button like in a computer game. For example, global oil prices have tripled over the last three years. But if we grow our economy then incomes can go up, households can afford their utilities bills, and we will have resources to help those in most need.

That is why it is vital for us to understand how the world is changing, and how Singaporeans can adapt ourselves to thrive in it. That is why in every field we need able and dedicated Singaporeans, leaders who will bring out the best in every one of us, and get everyone to work together and succeed together. This is especially so in government, whether in the Cabinet, in Parliament, or at the grassroots.

In this election, 24 new PAP MPs have been elected, and there will be one new NCMP. This is nearly one-third of the MPs in Parliament. New or reelected, the MPs represent Singaporeans of all races, many backgrounds, and all age groups. My team of PAP MPs and I will serve you to the best of our ability, with commitment and integrity, with sincerity and humility. We will address our residents’ needs, and reflect the hopes and concerns of our constituents in Parliament. At the same time we will use our own experience and knowledge to work with you, to solve problems and take Singapore forward.

Many young Singaporeans voted for the first time in this election. You represent the future of Singapore. I encourage you to step forward, to engage in the issues facing our country, and to take more responsibility for moving Singapore forward. The more you do this, the more assured Singapore’s future will be.

My Government will use our mandate to serve all Singaporeans. In doing so, we are fulfilling our duty to Singapore, not exercising a right or a privilege. We govern Singapore in trust, on behalf of all Singaporeans, as well as of future generations.

We must maintain unity and trust between the leadership and the people, between those who support the Government and its policies and those who prefer something different. Many of those who voted for the opposition in fact want a PAP government, but I respect their choice. Moving ahead, my team and I will strive to deliver on our promises, and work to win the confidence and support of all Singaporeans.

We must also not allow ourselves to be divided between haves and have-nots, or winners and losers. We have built a society where every Singaporean has access to good housing, education, healthcare, and much more. This is the result of the deliberate policy of the PAP government, and the efforts of our MPs, grassroots leaders and other volunteers on the ground. If we let the politics of envy drive a wedge between us, our society will be destroyed, and all will suffer. That must never happen.

We are a small open economy. Our external trade is three and a half times the size of our GDP. More than any other country, our future and our livelihoods will be decided by major developments in the world beyond Singapore. Also critical will be how well we anticipate or respond to these changes, and how enterprising we are in creating and seizing opportunities for ourselves. Let us stay together and move ahead. Let us take pride in our shared achievements and build a better life for all. Together, the future is in our hands.