Singaporeans’ spirit of unity, purpose lauded
Crowds stood in the rain to give the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew a final send-off as the gun carriage made its way to the University Cultural Centre for the state funeral service on March 29, 2015. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — For the nation to endure and prevail, Singaporeans must stand as one united people and past events have shown that the sense of togetherness and purpose is stronger than before, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong tonight (Aug 23). He cited recent examples when the “Singapore spirit” shone, on occasions to mark the nation’s success or to help one another.
Singaporeans celebrated together after Ms Shanti Pereira won the country’s first 200m sprint gold medal in 42 years at the SEA Games in June. And in the aftermath of the explosion in Bangkok last week, Singaporeans living in the city contacted the Singapore Embassy to offer help, he noted.
However, he added, the Singapore spirit shone the brightest on the week of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s passing in March, when thousands queued to pay their respects. Companies and volunteers also provided relief to those waiting in line, he noted.
Even when it started to rain as the gun carriage carried the late Mr Lee from Parliament House to the University Cultural Centre, everyone stayed put, much like the 1968 National Day Parade, when there was a downpour. “I was deeply moved to see the crowds stand their ground, paying their last respects to Mr Lee. Teardrops and raindrops fell together. For all of us, this was a historic moment, shared as one Singapore family. We were mourning for Mr Lee’s passing, but also affirming what he stood for and celebrating what he had achieved,” said the Prime Minister.
“That day, something changed in us. Our shared moment of sorrow bonded us. Now, we don’t have to struggle to find words to define the Singapore spirit or to say what being Singaporean is. Now we know that we are Singaporean,” he added.
