Today is a Happy Day for Singapore and all Singaporeans. It is our 44th National Day. We achieved independence on this very day on the 9th Aug 1965. Time flies and our GDP increases exponentially. Singapore is now a First World Country judging by living standards and income. We need to be proud of our achievements.

On the other hand, we need to treasure what we have. This is no easy achievements. During the pull out of British Naval, the Confrontation with Indonesia and the Maria Hertogh riots (before our independence) tested Singapore’s resilience to the maximum. Incidentally Maria Hertogh had just passed away recently, RIP. Through this incident we need to be constantly reminded of the fragility of racial relationships. It isn’t a miracle from God that we achieved the racial harmony and religious tolerance that we have now in Singapore. It is the efforts of all Singaporeans who are tolerant and gracious enough to give and take and to accept that we are all different and respect these differences. We are now in a recession but I am sure with the unity of our Chinese, Malays, Indians and all Singaporeans we will beat the recession and move out of it stronger – not just economically but socially as well.