National Day belongs to all S’poreans: PM Lee
National Day is an event that belongs to all Singaporeans regardless of their background, race or religion, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday.
And he is glad that community groups have, in recent years, taken the initiative to organise celebrations, reported Channel NewsAsia.
PM Lee, speaking at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations' annual National Day mass singalong, also thanked the federation for including new citizen groups in its National Day activities as it would promote societal integration and cohesion.
The Prime Minister was named the federation's first patron in its 25-year history on Sunday.
He said that the federation has played an important role in promoting Chinese culture and language. It has also helped build a stronger sense of unity by reaching out to other community groups, he added.
With his appointment as the federation's patron, PM Lee said the government will be able to better understand the Chinese community's view's on important societal issues.
He said, "I hope we can strengthen the communication between the government and the Chinese community, and better understand the community's view on issues. I also hope the clan associations can renew themselves, and contribute further to Singapore's development."
