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But Singapore is always work-in-progress, always improving, and always striving for new achievements.
(Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Straits Times Interactive, 3 June 2003.)FROM A BARREN PIECE OF LAND TO A THRIVING GLOBAL CITY
Just as I was writing this conclusion, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong delivered his 2003 National Day Rally speech on 17 August. In this annual address, which has become a platform for re-assessing the year's significant events (in this case: the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, the global economic downturn and the worldwide heightened threat of terrorism) and the challenges ahead, Goh pointed out that:
In a mere 38 years, we have transformed a small, unpromising island into a vibrant city-state with a first-world standard of living. Those of us who struggled to build up Singapore from our poor beginning will never give up on Singapore. Out of nothing, we have created a miracle. Out of a barren piece of land, we have created a thriving global city. We will never let Singapore return to nothing. We have not come this far to falter now. The only thing that can stop us from achieving our vision is a weak state of mind. Do you believe we can do it? If you say “no”, we will not make it. But if you say “yes”, we will overcome. We have done it before, and we will do it again. […] My destination for Singapore is a country full of activity…it will be a safe and warm home… a place where Singaporeans can always find comfort…it will be a fascinating city, competitive yet compassionate, busy and yet with time to enjoy friendships and recreation. It will be a nation overflowing with laughter, confidence, life (Singapore Government Press Releases: www.gov.sg/sprinter/17 August 2003).
The gist of this statement is quite simple: what Singapore has achieved since independence is proof that it can do just about anything.
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