SINGAPORE: On Singapore's 47th National Day being celebrated today, the small island country's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on all Singaporeans to instil a sense of belonging and identity as it pushes for an open society. As part of his National Day address, the prime minister said: “I believe all of us want to be proud to be Singaporeans, and to live in a successful country that meets our aspirations.” He said that he hopes and believes that Singapore and its residents will have a bright and better future. “We must always be a fair and just society which creates opportunities for all. A nurturing and open environment which gives every citizen the chance to pursue his dreams. “But it is also harder to nurture when we have new immigrants and foreign workers. We are managing the inflow to minimise the strains on our infrastructure and society,” he said. “But it is also harder to nurture when we have new immigrants and foreign workers. We are managing the inflow to minimise the strains on our infrastructure and society,” he said. He called on Singaporeans to remain confident and open, and welcome those who will strengthen their team and help them and their children do better. “For their part, new immigrants must make the effort to integrate into our community. They must acquire our social values, our cultural values, adopt our social norms and commit their loyalty and love to Singapore. “Even as we keep our society open to immigrants, we will bring up our own next generation. Singaporeans do want to grow their own families,” he said. Lee called for a forward-looking community where each generation improves on what they have inherited and hands a better Singapore over to their children. “This is the way to root able and enterprising Singaporeans here, and inspire all of us to keep on improving Singapore,” he said. “We will build on these initiatives in a sustainable way. The government will do more but it cannot do everything. Every Singaporean must play his part in creating an inclusive Singapore. “This is how we can nurture a united community, and do the best for ourselves and one another. Singapore must be a home that all of us love. We have built a unique home on our little island, striking a balance between preserving the old and embracing the new.” Lee also said that Singapore must be an inclusive society with a heart. “We uphold meritocracy, to motivate everyone to try their best. But individual achievement must be tempered with a mutual obligation. “The successful ones have a duty to contribute back more to society. We need to treat one another with dignity and respect, and to share the fruits of success widely, so that no Singaporean is left out,” he added.
