Great strides by new breed
AUG 23, 2004SPEECH IN MALAYGreat strides by new breed
A NEW breed of Malays has emerged in Singapore, committed to the country and 'proud of their achievements under our system of merito- cracy', said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Besides being well-educated, confident and capable professionals, they are actively involved in the 'mainstream of our society' and in social work, the arts and sports.
'They are role models for the community and hold their head high as Singaporeans, anywhere in the world,' said Mr Lee, speaking in Malay at his first National Day Rally speech last night.
But alongside the great strides made by this group is the fettered future of a growing group: broken families and workers with few skills. 'I worry especially for the children and their studies,' Mr Lee said.
He urged the community to help them and to encourage poor and lowly-educated parents to capitalise on the Hope scheme, which provides poor families up to $100,000 worth of benefits, on condition parents go for skills upgrading.
However, Singapore's progress over the years has helped many to advance and Mr Lee cited his 'old cikgu', Haji Mohammad Amin Shafawi.
His 67-year-old Malay-language teacher is a father of three children, all professionals and working overseas, and a grandfather of four.
'In one generation, Cikgu Amin's family went from being teachers of Malay in Singapore to be an international and globalised family,' Mr Lee said.
For these 'more successful Malays', he urged them to have more babies.
Mr Lee also highlighted the way the community had, with other Singaporeans, stepped forward during various crises, such as the Sars outbreak and the arrests of the terrorist members of the radical militant group Jemaah Islamiah.
Most recently, it was evident again during the collapse of part of Nicoll Highway.
During the dangerous search for men trapped in the cave-in, 'brave Singaporeans' such as Major Kadir Maideen Mohamed and Staff Sergeant Hamdan Tahir from the Singapore Civil Defence Force showed that 'we were one, regardless of race, language or religion', Mr Lee said.
'We should continue expanding the common ground between our races, and strengthening our shared Singaporean values and identity.'
Going forward, Mr Lee hopes to build on the community's achievements under the prime ministership of Mr Goh Chok Tong.
'Your close rapport with the Government, and particularly Mr Goh Chok Tong, has helped us to tackle difficult issues and brought progress for our society,' he said.
Making a pledge, he said: 'Together with our Malay ministers, MPs and community leaders, I will work with you to realise our vision of a Community of Excellence.'
Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.
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