News

Reading the articles “ ” and “ ” (both Aug 3) filled me with enormous pride, and reminded me that Singapore is a country that is certainly worth living in and fighting for. The foreigners featured in the first article cited several treasured traits, which are ironically often overlooked by citizens. These traits – different races and religions co-existing in harmony, embracing each other’s ethnicity; well-planned public housing and community green spaces; delicious local food; a local film industry; good governance and the ability to navigate and thrive under challenging geographical and political circumstances – were immediately apparent to them. Some of the traits were further reinforced in the piece by deputy opinion editor Bhavan Jaipragas, who observed the increasingly gracious and considerate behaviours of our citizens after he returned to Singapore. He also contrasted favourably our brand of multiracialism with the situation in other countries where he had worked before, where racism and “enclaves” in both housing estates and schools were apparent and inherent. It is certainly not by chance that Singapore has got to its current state.  Much effort was – and would need to continue to be – put in to ensure that we can continue to prosper and be relevant. While Singapore is not perfect (no other country is, anyway), to me, it is a country that I am truly proud of and a place that I can truly call home. Happy 59th birthday, Singapore!