‘We just can’t distance ourselves from the govt’
Could Singapore have come this far without the government?
It was a question President S R Nathan posed on Friday.
Asked to comment on the upcoming Presidential Election, he said, "
One of the things, we must remember, is that with all these gripes that you hear, people forget how we have arrived to this stage in our country. Could it have been done without the government?"
"Much has been achieved. There are probably faults, (and) they have to be remedied," acknowledged President Nathan. "But we just can't distance ourselves from the government."
On the Presidential hopefuls Dr Tony Tan, Dr Tan Cheng Bock and Tan Kin Lian, President Nathan said, "Voters will have to decide on the merits of what people stand for."
"A lot has been explained about the constitution, about the limits of it... so I will leave it to the public to understand what is in the best interests of Singapore," he said. "That is something people will have to think about. We should not be sniping at each other."
The President, who is expected to announce his decision on whether he will contest the election in a fortnight, was speaking at the sidelines of a book launch on Friday.
At an author's book launch
He helped launch the autobiography of Singapore National Youth Achievement Gold Award recipient Jeremy Lim, who was diagnosed with a brittle bone condition at birth.
Lim, who turns 21 next week, chronicles the trials he faced growing up with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition wherein his bones break easily because his body lacks the collagen to form a sturdy bone structure.
He hopes his experiences and lessons he imparts in Beyond Bone Breaking will "inspire those who want to be better today than they were yesterday."
Said Lim, "With just a sneeze or a cough, my bones will just snap like a twig. And each time it happens, it would feel as if a sword has been pierced into my rather delicate body."
"The pain is as excruciating as the experience is traumatic, but from an early age, my parents have taught me to look at the bright side," said the National University of Singapore undergraduate.
For instance, when he broke his right arm, he learnt to write using his left hand. And when he fractured his left arm, he learnt to write with his right. Now, he's ambidextrous.
President Nathan met Lim for the first time when the latter was 12 and has followed Lim's development with interest since then.
He praised Lim, saying, "What is most important is his infectious nature, with all his melodies. He is so exuberant in his affection with people, his expression and he shows nothing about the pain he's undergoing."
"For many young people, it's important to learn from him, that life is not just about grumbling."
Beyond Bone Breaking retails at $17.90 at the following bookstores:
Books Kinokuniya Singapore
Borders Singapore
Popular Bookstore
Times Bookstore
Page One Group
MPH
