SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned that Singapore is too small to afford political paralysis.
He was speaking at the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang National Day Dinner on Sunday evening.
Mr Lee emphasised
the need to get Singapore's politics right, a point he elaborated on in
his National Day Rally speech last weekend.
He said Singaporeans must play their part in the country's progress, especially when there are many uncertainties in the world.
Mr
Lee said: "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.
"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."
And it's because of such uncertainties that Mr Lee 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.
"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."
He added: "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."
Prime
Minister Lee also urged Singaporeans to come up with ideas to make the
country better, citing examples like the Yellow Ribbon Project which
gives jobs to ex-convicts, and suggestions to develop land along the KTM
railway line.
- CNA/ir
told u. Their party can only win and control. Cannot bear another party. I think WP will be big next time to take them down.