S’pore’s success can’t be taken for granted: Sam Tan
Mr Sam Tan with supporters at the rally. Photo: Ray Chua/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Trust between the government and the people is a critical element of Singapore’s success, which is not guaranteed, given how other countries have tended to fail after leadership transitions gone wrong, said Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Sam Tan yesterday night (Sept 2).
The first speaker of the night during a People’s Action Party (PAP) rally yesterday, Mr Tan, who is defending his seat at Radin Mas Single Member Constituency, attributed Singapore’s success to the strong relationship between citizens and the Government, and how Government policies were ultimately geared towards the people.
But, Mr Tan stressed that Singapore’s continued success cannot be taken for granted.
Addressing the crowd in Hokkien and Mandarin, he said this year was a special year for Singapore as it marks 50 years of the country’s independence.
“It is also when we lost our beloved founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and marks the time when we choose our next generation of leaders.”
He spoke about how in a short 30 years, Singaporeans had witnessed a “miraculous transformation”.
“I think we can say with pride that Singapore has achieved success… But, we should never be over confident, and think that success is always on our side.”
He cited examples of enterprises, large families and countries that had been painstakingly built by their forefathers, but have seen their fortunes decline in the hands of the third generation.
“Singapore has already seen through two generations... But, in another 10 years, the third generation of Singaporeans will be coming up, and they will be taking charge of Singapore’s future.”
He said in Mandarin: “What the government has been doing is to ensure that people live good lives. If challenges come our way, we will be able to get through it in the same spirit of our pioneers, and overcome all difficulties.”
