SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says while a strong economy will always be a priority, Singapore must also build a united society which leaves no Singaporean behind, and a well-functioning political system that delivers good government to Singapore.
He was speaking at the swearing-in ceremony of Singapore's seventh President Dr Tony Tan at the Istana on Thursday.
Mr Lee said
Singapore faces considerable challenges. And to surmount them,
Singaporeans must remain cohesive and united, supporting one another,
and making tough choices together.
Then the country can continue to progress and prosper, and create more opportunities and a better life for everyone.
Mr Lee noted that the recently concluded general and presidential elections were fiercely contested.
In
the Presidential Election, some candidates championed various policies
while campaigning, even though policymaking is the responsibility of the
government and not the President.
Mr Lee said the debate was intense, at times even divisive.
But now both elections are over and voters have decided.
Prime Minister Lee stressed that Singaporeans need to come together again and move forward as one people and one nation.
Mr Lee also spoke about the custodial functions of the President who holds the second key to unlock the reserves.
He said the government will continue to be prudent and build up the reserves year by year.
But
he noted that there will surely be future occasions when the government
will have to seek the President's approval to draw on the hard-earned
past reserves again.
Mr Lee said it could conceivably happen
within the term of Dr Tony Tan as President, if the dangers facing the
world economy escalated and precipitated a major crisis.
In such
an eventuality, Mr Lee assured the new President that the government
will work with him to handle the request and decision deliberately,
systematically, and in the best interests of Singaporeans.
Prime Minister Lee noted that Singapore's elected presidency is a unique institution.
It
has been created within a parliamentary system of government for the
specific purpose of instituting certain vital safeguards, particularly
to protect the past reserves and key appointments.
But Mr Lee
added that it remains a parliamentary system, and as in all
parliamentary systems there is still only one centre of power, which is
the government, as pointed out by President Dr Tony Tan.
Prime
Minister Lee said: "We need to continue to develop and adapt this
important institution from time to time, to take into account new
circumstances and our growing experience.
"This will give
Singapore a more resilient and stable political system that continues to
deliver good government for the benefit of citizens.
"But the
fundamental purpose of the second key will not change: to have the
President and Council of Presidential Advisors act as a safeguard to
ensure that our reserves are not squandered, and the integrity of the
public service is protected."
- CNA/ir
Won't happen as long as PAP issues divisive policies.
.
not in our pledge leh
oni got regardless of race, language or religion
never say regardless of nationality leh boh leh government boh kong leh
Then why they suppress our mother tongue dialects and impose the baba's english as dominant?
You call that respect?
Why Lee Kuan Yew's baba english is "netural" language? What kind of garbage argument is that?