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PM: Not by chance we've had 10 calm years since 9/11Date : 12 September 2011 9/11: ten years on PM: Not by chance we've had 10 calm years since 9/11 'We've had 10 peaceful years since Sept 11 (2001). Nothing has happened, we have lived calmly, our race relations has been good, our racial harmony has been strengthened. That is something we should be grateful for this evening on the anniversary of Sept 11. 'It's not by chance. It's because our security forces, the Home Team, have been working hard to keep Singapore safe. We detected, we pre-empted, we arrested and detained people who would have done bad things to us and done us a lot of harm, not just hurt and killed Singaporeans but damaged and maybe torn apart our whole society and our racial harmony. 'At the same time our different communities have worked together to come closer to build trust with one another, (so we are) able to feel more Singaporean even though we know that there are tensions and problems in the world outside... 'We celebrate the lantern festival or other community festivals in Singapore like Hari Raya or Deepavali together, regardless of race, language or religion. Tonight I'm happy to see many Malay families, Indian families bringing their kids here and celebrating this lantern festival with us. It reminds us how happy we have been and I think it reminds us how hard we have to work to keep this harmony together for many years to come.' Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, speaking to residents during a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in his Teck Ghee ward in Ang Mo Kio last night. (With thanks to SPH - StraitsTimes.com) Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH. TODAY S'pore's 10 peaceful years didn't happen by chance: PM Mr Lee acknowledges role of Home Team, S'poreans in staying calm in turbulent times SINGAPORE - Singapore has had 10 peaceful years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, but that did not happen by chance, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday as he looked back on how the country has been affected by the events of Sept 11, 2001, on the last decade. Noting that security forces here and the various Home Team agencies have worked hard to keep the country safe, Mr Lee said: "We pre-empted, we detected, we arrested and detained people who would have done bad things to us and done us a lot of harm - not just hurt and kill Singaporeans but brought damage and torn apart our whole society and racial harmony." The Prime Minister, who was speaking at the Teck Ghee Lantern Night celebrations in Ang Mo Kio, also said that the event affected not only the United States, but also changed the world, triggering a battle with terrorists. But Singaporeans have lived calmly and the country's racial harmony has been strengthened, and this is something to give thanks and be grateful for, added Mr Lee. "Our different communities have worked together to come closer together, to build trust with one another, to be able to feel more Singaporean, even though we know that there are tensions and problems in the world outside. And so over 10 years, we've had peaceful years, and we've come closer together." Mr Lee said he was also glad to see many families from other races coming together for the lantern festival last night. "When we celebrate the lantern festival or when we celebrate the other community festivals in Singapore - whether it's Hari Raya or Deepavali - we all celebrate together regardless of race, language or religion and tonight I am very happy to see many Malay families, Indian families, bringing their kids here and celebrating with us this lantern festival. "It reminds us how happy we have been and it reminds us how hard we have to work to keep this harmony together for many years to come," said the Prime Minister. Mr Lee, who was accompanied by his wife, Ms Ho Ching, for the festivities, was also presented a calligraphy scroll at the event and took part in a lantern walk with residents. (With thanks to TODAYonline.com) Note : No reproduction or downloading of this article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from TODAY. Mypaper - Pre-emptive efforts kept Singapore Safe 12 September 2011 Click on the link below to view Mypaper article (With thanks to My Paper - MyPaper.sg) Note : No reproduction or downloading of this Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) article is allowed in any medium. Permission has to be obtained from SPH. |
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