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‘S’poreans must play their part in country’s progress’

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singaporeans must play their part in the country's progress, especially when there are many uncertainties in the world.

Speaking to residents at the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang National Day Dinner on Sunday evening, he warned that Singapore is too small to afford political paralysis.

"If you are in the stock market, you will know this week, every day, the stock market goes up one day three percent, the next day it goes down five percent, and the next day it goes up again," said PM Lee.

"If you have invested in stocks, it's very exciting. It's not just a matter of excitement, it's a reflection of the uncertainties in the world, the deep problems in America and Europe and therefore the loss of confidence by investors, by the markets, in the future of these major economies."

PM Lee also stressed that Singaporeans must work together to meet the challenges.

"We must make sure that we keep on getting our economics right, our policies right and our politics right," he said, reiterating parts of his National Day Rally speech last weekend.

"And we must have harmonious political system where we make important decisions in the best interests of Singapore and Singaporeans, and keep ourselves safe in this uncertain environment."

"We are too small to be able to afford impasse and gridlock, to have two sides blocking one another so you can't move, you can't solve problems, you can't go ahead. We have to work together. The government is doing our part, we need voters, we need every citizen to do their part," he added.