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