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各位同胞：
51年前，當新加坡獨立建國時，人民的國民意識不強，能不能團結還是個未知數。那時，我們的資源有限，很難想像這個小島國要如何生存下去，更別說一起實現繁榮與進步。
儘管建國道路困難重重，大家同心協力，一一地克服了挑戰，成功把國家建立起來。去年，我們歡慶了建國50週年，為這些年來的成就感到自豪。現在，基本的衣食住行不再是棘手問題。人民都有良好的工作和就業機會，生活素質也不斷提高。我們的子女都能享受良好的教育，發揮潛能。
新加坡能取得這些成就，一大關鍵是各種族和宗教通力合作，融洽地生活在一起。今年一月，我和印度同胞一起歡慶豐收節。過農曆新年時，我也和許多非華族同胞互送柑橘。今年，我有好幾次和回教徒同胞共進開齋晚餐。我也到芽籠士乃，感受開齋節夜市的氣氛。
這就是新加坡的獨特之處。
不過，這不是自然形成的。回顧歷史看一看世界各地的情況，我們就知道這個獨特的社會來得不易。先輩們以無比的勇氣和毅力克服了困境，奠定了各種族和諧共處的穩固基礎。我們一定要繼續努力，鞏固這個基礎，以確保國家向前邁進。
嶄新的挑戰
接下來，我要談一談，我們面對的三大挑戰。那就是恐怖主義、經濟增長和政治體系的挑戰。
第一，極端恐怖主義隨時可能分裂我們的多元社會。最近，受伊斯蘭國組織影響的恐怖份子在世界各地展開了一連串的恐怖襲擊，連我們的鄰國馬來西亞和印度尼西亞都不能倖免。相信還會有更多攻擊會發生。我們知道新加坡也是他們要攻擊的目標之一。政府已經逮捕了一些自我激進化的新加坡人和客工。如果有一天，本地發生恐怖攻擊，我們會團結一致，還是會四分五裂?
第二，多年的經濟增長讓人民受惠。但我國正處在一個轉捩點。全球化和日新月異的科技也改變了我們的生活和工作方式。許多產業被迫轉型或改革否則就被淘汰。工友們害怕飯碗不保。我們面對的競爭，其實不單單來自外來勞工，還要擔心被電腦和機器人所取代。在這樣的情況下，我們能齊步向前，共享經濟的果實嗎？我們的子孫的前途是否依然光明？
第三，我國的政治體系讓我們擁有一個能幹的政府，維持了社會的穩定和進步。不過，社會正在改變，國家的團結也面對新的考驗。要如何確保政治清廉，穩定有效，並且具有建設性，是一大考驗。同時，我們也要避免陷入一味討好選民的民粹主義和政治僵局。
其他國家都面臨類似的挑戰，不少已經出現嚴重的問題。在一些多元宗教的國家，恐怖主義破壞了人民之間的互信，導致關係緊張。在發達國家和地區，只有少數人獲益，造成貧富懸殊。世界各大城市的大學畢業生很難找到工作，年輕夫婦也買不起房子。
這些挑戰使許多國家在政治上出現分化，政治成了許多選民發洩不滿情緒的管道。選民對走溫和路線的中間黨派失去了信心，轉而投向鼓吹極端主義思想的政黨。這些政黨得到更多的支持，並不是因為他們能提供更好的解決方案，而是他們能替選民說話，宣洩對領導人和現實生活的不滿。英國脫歐公投就是一個鮮明的例子。
新加坡要如何保持獨特？
新加坡能夠擋得住這些趨勢嗎？和我們相比，許多國家擁有更多的資源、更遼闊的腹地、更強大的勞動隊伍。這些國家的歷史也更悠久，人民也有更強烈的認同感。儘管如此，這些國家還是陷入了困境。所以，新加坡能保持獨特嗎？我相信我們辦得到。
第一，恐怖主義無所不在，我們一直坦然面對這個威脅。我們的回教徒同胞敢站出來，強烈譴責恐怖襲擊以及恐怖分子歪曲了回教教義。我們的非回教徒同胞也能明辨是非，知道我們的回教徒同胞和那些聖戰分子是不同的。這一來，我們不分宗教，站在同一陣線，維持高度互信。
第二，為了改善人民的生活，我們會投入大量的資源，確保人人受惠。政府正在擴大教育和技能培訓體系，讓孩子們從小就有良好的學習環境；讓學生們各顯才華，實現夢想；讓工友們不斷提升，掌握實用的新技能。我們也協助企業轉型，通過研究和開發來進行創新。這樣，即使全球經濟不斷變化，我們也能夠製造新的就業機會。
由於前景不太明朗，政府擴大了社會安全網，提供和加強更多援助計劃，幫助有需要的國人。這包括建國一代配套、終身健保、就業獎勵和樂齡補貼計劃等等。我們也必須確保資金充足，才不會債留子孫。
此外，我們會不斷地推動建設性政治，並且調整政治體系，以確保政府能有效執政。更多國人也積極參與政策的制定，共同找出對策，解決各種問題。我們也在修訂選舉制度，縮小集選區的規模以及增加單選區的數目。憲法委員會也在探討如何改善民選總統制度，讓這個制度可以更有效地團結國家，幫助新加坡取得政治穩定。
不過，新加坡要保持獨特，不只是要有良好的治國方針或充足的資源，最關鍵的是全國上下是否能保持團結。只有齊心協力，克服難題，新加坡才會成功，下一代的前途才會更加光明。
我有信心，我們一定能團結一心，取得成功。去年，一系列的新加坡金禧年慶祝活動，讓我們加強了國人的認同和歸屬感。政府、工會和企業組成的勞資政三方也在緊密合作，幫助工友提升技能、提高經濟實力。我們的組屋區設施齊全，大家不分種族和諧共處，同時也互相照應、同歡共樂。
今年，很多國人參與了政府展開的“新加坡未來”交流會。不少人也自動自發組織各類項目，讓國家變得更加溫馨美好。雖然這些項目林林總總，但所體現的精神是一樣的。那就是大家都具備了同樣的獻身精神，願意投入時間和精力，為全民打造一個更美好的家園。
這就是團結。團結不是一時興起，也不是說說而已。團結是大家無畏挑戰、不怕犧牲也要風雨同舟，共渡難關。先輩們就是憑著一股“不分種族、言語、宗教，團結一致”的決心，在過去50年，讓新加坡從無到有，逐步發展成繁榮的城市國家。接下來的50年，我們同樣也要全民一心，邁向未來。
今年的國慶日，我希望大家進一步深思“國家團結”的意義。這裡是戰備軍協榜鵝俱樂部。在這裡，可以看到我們攜手同心，所打造的新加坡。這裡有新建的政府組屋和風景優美的榜鵝水道，還有溫馨的家庭以及和諧的社區。
讓我們再次誓願，守護屬於我們的新加坡。這是我們的家園，也是我們追求夢想和創造美好未來的地方。這一切都非常寶貴。這一切值得我們用生命去捍衛。
祝大家國慶日快樂！
National Day Message
My fellow Singaporeans,
Half a century ago, when we embarked on our nation-building journey, we could not yet call ourselves “one people”. We found it hard to imagine how we would survive on our own, let alone progress together.
But despite the odds, we made it. Last year, in SG50, we celebrated how far we had come. Singaporeans now own and live in beautiful homes. Our incomes and our lives have improved year after year. Our children receive good education and have bright futures.
Most importantly, our different races and religions live together in harmony. We share common spaces, and celebrate one another’s festivals. In January, I celebrated Pongal with my Indian friends. At Chinese New Year, I exchanged mandarin oranges with non-Chinese friends. During Ramadan, I joined many Iftars and enjoyed the bazaar at Geylang Serai.
Only in Singapore.
But we did not start out as “one people”. Never forget how rare and precious this harmony is, how much courage and toil went into creating it, and how much effort it takes to sustain this miracle. What we have here is remarkable, especially considering the state of the world today.
Fresh Challenges
Our journey to become ever more united continues. While we have made great strides, new challenges lie ahead. Let me name three of them.
One, we have a harmonious multi-racial society, but extremist terrorism can tear our society apart. In recent months, terrorists inspired by ISIS perpetrated attacks in the US, Europe, Turkey, Bangladesh, and closer to home, in Malaysia and Indonesia. There will be more. We know Singapore is also being targeted. We have detained self-radicalised Singaporeans and foreign workers. If a terrorist attack were to occur here, will we stand together, or will we fall apart?
Two, economic growth has benefitted us all, but our economy is at a turning point. Globalisation and technological change are disrupting our work and our way of life. Entire industries are being forced to innovate or perish. Our workers worry about their jobs. They face competition not only from workers elsewhere, but also from computers and robots. Can we continue to progress together, and share widely the fruits of growth? Will our children have a brighter future?
Three, our political system has thus far delivered good government, stability and progress. But our society is changing, and our unity will come under new strains. How do we make sure Singapore continues to have clean and constructive politics, and effective and stable government? How do we avoid the pitfalls of populism or political gridlock?
Other countries, facing similar challenges, have run into trouble. In multi-religious societies, terrorism has caused distrust and tensions. In many advanced economies, growth is disproportionately benefiting a minority of the population. In cities across the world, graduates struggle to find jobs and young couples can’t afford homes.
As a result of all these challenges, politics in many countries has become divisive and angry. Voters lose faith in moderate parties in the political centre. Extreme views and parties gain support – not by offering better solutions, but by expressing voters’ anger at their leaders, and frustration with the way things are. The Brexit referendum was a vivid example.
How can Singapore be different?
Can Singapore resist these forces? Other countries have more resources and bigger hinterlands, longer histories and stronger identities. And yet they have run into trouble. Can Singapore be different? I believe that we can.
First, with terrorism, we acknowledge the threat honestly. Muslim Singaporeans are not afraid to take a forthright stand, to condemn terrorist attacks and the perverted ideology of the perpetrators. And non-Muslim Singaporeans distinguish clearly between their peaceful Muslim fellow citizens and jihadist terrorists. Thus we stand together, and strengthen trust in our multi-religious society.
Second, to enable us to prosper together, we are investing in every Singaporean. We are expanding and upgrading preschools, to give every child a good start in life. Our schools cater to different talents so that every student can realise his potential and dreams. SkillsFuture will help everyone to upgrade themselves and master valuable new skills. We support companies’ efforts to transform themselves, and to innovate through R&D, so that we can create new jobs in a changing world economy.
To help us cope with more uncertain conditions, we have strengthened our social safety nets. Hence the Pioneer Generation Package, Workfare, MediShield Life, CPF Life and now, Silver Support. We will ensure that our schemes are sustainable, because our children must not be burdened with debt.
Finally, to ensure good government, we are keeping our politics constructive and updating our political system. Singaporeans are coming together to solve problems and get things done, from developing Pulau Ubin to charting our future economy. We are fine-tuning our electoral system, to make GRCs smaller and create more SMCs. The Constitutional Commission is studying improvements to the elected Presidency, to make it a more effective unifying institution and a stabiliser.
However, the most fundamental factor in keeping Singapore exceptional is not good plans or adequate resources; it is whether we remain united. It is our shared resolve to tackle challenges together that determines whether we succeed, and whether our children have a brighter future.
I am confident that we will hold together and succeed. SG50 strengthened our sense of identity and nationhood. Our tripartite partners are working closely to upgrade our workers and our economy. Our housing estates are integrated communities where people not only live together, but know their neighbours, celebrate each other’s festivals, and keep an eye out for one another. Many Singaporeans spend time with the elderly and the disadvantaged, and help the disabled get around.
This year, many Singaporeans have participated in SGfuture and launched projects to make Singapore better – to become a more caring community, to encourage one another to learn and share skills, to build a cleaner and smarter home. These projects all reflect the spirit of service, the willingness to commit time and energy to make a better home for all.
This is what unity means. It’s more than a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s the iron resolve to hold together, despite the challenges, despite the sacrifices we have to make. It was our forefathers’ determination to be “one united people, regardless of race, language or religion”, that drove them to transform Singapore over the last 50 years. This same resolve will carry us through the next 50.
This National Day, I hope each of us will reflect on what this unity means. Here, at SAFRA’s new Punggol clubhouse – where I am speaking – you can see the Singapore that we are building together. The HDB homes, the Punggol Waterway, the NSmen and their families, the community – all testify to how much we can achieve when we work as one.
Let us renew our commitment to Singapore and to one another. This is where our families and friends live. This is where our future and hopes are. They are precious to us. They are worth defending with our lives.
Happy National Day!
