PM Lee, Khaw urge new citizens to integrate and Singaporeans to help newcomers settle in

PM urges all citizens to build a common identity
Both new citizens and Singaporeans can take their cue from country's pioneers
By Tham Yuen-C and Rachel Au-Yong, The Sunday Times, 31 Aug 2014

New citizens and Singaporeans alike should follow in the footsteps of the country's pioneers, who contributed and built a common Singaporean identity, despite being from different races and cultures.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan had this message for Singaporeans yesterday, as they welcomed new citizens at two separate National Citizenship ceremonies.

Post by Lee Hsien Loong.

Both also called on new citizens to integrate into society, and Mr Lee asked that Singaporeans, too, play a part in helping their new fellow countrymen fit in.

This weekend, 14 such ceremonies will be held across the island, where close to 3,350 new citizens will get their pink identity cards and certificates of citizenship.

Speaking at the Cheng San Community Club at a ceremony for 150 new Singaporeans from Ang Mo Kio GRC and Sengkang West, Mr Lee said changing their citizenship was a major decision and was not one that was made lightly.

Those who chose to make Singapore home were not just weighing the benefits and costs but were also declaring that "this is where I belong".

He said: "It's not just a matter of weighing up the benefits and the costs rationally... but committing your heart. What identity you adopt, what values you will make your own, where will your loyalty lie."

Acknowledging that there will be adjustments to be made, he added: "You come from different cultures but you'll have to get used to the Singapore culture. Embrace it but at the same time, bring what you have into the Singapore culture and enrich it, so that we become one big successful family."

As was the case with the older generation of Singaporeans, whose children have grown up together in Singapore, new citizens now, too, will sink roots here, he said, adding that he hoped they would actively integrate into Singapore society.

"One day, I'm sure many of you will come to enjoy durians as well - that's a test of being Singaporean," he said to laughter from the audience.

He also urged them to take part in community activities, or volunteer to serve the community if they could, and invited them to celebrate Singapore's 50th anniversary with fellow citizens next year.

Singaporeans, on their part, can make the newcomers feel at home by introducing them to friends, inviting them to social events, and even asking them over for meals in their homes, said Mr Lee.

"With Singaporeans, food is always a very good starting point for many conversations," he said.

Engineering company owner Rege Abhijit Suresh, 35, from India, who was at the event with his family, said those new to Singapore should learn from the locals if they want to make Singapore home.

He said: "As outsiders, we need to make the effort, and not expect people to come to us."

His wife Zlata Luneva, 33, an assistant manager at a health-care company, is from Russia, and their son Vijay Rege, five, was born here. All three got their pink ICs and certificates of citizenship yesterday.

Mr Rege, who has lived in Singapore since 1996, said he has adopted the Singapore way of life, and is looking forward to his son serving national service in future.

Ms Luneva, who came here in 2006 after her marriage, agreed. She said: "I can't wait to see him in his uniform."

At an earlier ceremony for 194 new citizens from Sembawang GRC, held at Republic Polytechnic, Mr Khaw urged the new citizens to help other newcomers adjust to customs and norms here by sharing their experiences.

"Singapore is particularly proud of its inter-racial and inter-religious harmony. Against the many racial and religious conflicts elsewhere that we read about daily, the state of affairs here is truly extraordinary. We must treasure it," he said.

Ms Chen Yan, 33, who became a citizen yesterday, said: "Singaporeans are friendly and they have never made me feel unwelcome because of my race or where I'm from. I think if you respect people's culture, and try to understand them, they will also respect you."

Mr Khaw said Singapore's pioneers had formed friendships across racial and religious lines, and forged a strong community spirit.

"Our Singapore story is a story about individuals putting society above self, and coming together to collectively build an endearing home for all," he added.

He urged the current generation of Singaporeans and new citizens to continue to build on the legacy of Singapore's pioneers.

At another event yesterday, Mr Lee distributed 150 Pioneer Generation cards to elderly residents in his Teck Ghee ward and paid tribute to them for their contributions to building and making Singapore what it is today.

"You've put in a lot of hard work. Fifty years ago, Singapore was not like this. But you were young, determined, passionate, you worked together with Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team of leaders and built today's Singapore and I think your children and your grandchildren are enjoying something that you yourself did not have but created," he said.

Mr Lee also said it was important for them to stay active. "Be well, be fit, be healthy, be active and stay well and be part of our society and enjoy the Singapore you have built," he said.

New citizens can play a part: Khaw
By Kimberly Spykerman, Channel NewsAsia, 30 Aug 2014

New citizens can play a part to reach out to those who have newly-arrived in Singapore to help them understand the customs and norms here as they are better able to understand the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

Mr Khaw was speaking at a National Citizenship Ceremony, held at the Republic Cultural Centre Theatre at the Republic Polytechnic on Saturday (Aug 30) morning.

The new Singaporeans recited the pledge and sang the National Anthem. Among the 194 new citizens from Sembawang GRC who received their citizenship certificates was physiotherapist Sylvia Liew, who was from Malaysia. The group included 32 families, who applied for citizenship together as family units.

About 3,150 other new citizens would be affirming their commitment to Singapore at 14 GRC-level ceremonies across Singapore this weekend.

Ms Liew said: "I've been here since Primary One, and my friends ask me if I'm a Singaporean. I like the fact that it's a melting pot of all different races together, learning and working together, so that makes me want to stay on and become a citizen of Singapore.

New citizens like Ms Liew are already making valuable contributions to the lives of fellow Singaporeans through the work they do, said Mr Khaw. He noted that as a physiotherapist in a public hospital, she provides care to patients with Parkinson's disease, and conducts talks for such support groups. Mr Khaw added that apart from helping her patients, she also trains other healthcare professionals on methods to assess balance and movement.

He urged other new citizens to contribute through volunteering - whether in the neighbourhood, or through grassroots or community activities. One of them is Madam Neelakantan Paramasivam Subdha who plans to join her husband in the Indian Activity Executive Committee of Woodlands Galaxy Community Club.

Madam Neelakantan said: "We would like to join all the new citizens to get involved in the activities, to have a closer, more friendly relationship."

Mr Khaw said Singapore is particularly proud of its inter-racial and inter-religious harmony. "Against the many racial and religious conflicts elsewhere that we read about almost every day, the state of affairs here in Singapore is truly extraordinary. We must treasure it. We must certainly not take our peace and harmony for granted.

"And it requires every one of us to continue to preserve what's important to us - our social harmony; mutual respect for one another; and graciousness when sharing common spaces." These values, he said, must be handed down to the younger generation so that Singapore remains the peaceful and harmonious country that the pioneer generation has painstakingly built.

Mr Khaw drew a link to the pioneers and spoke about how they were able to build a common Singaporean identity and forge a strong community spirit, even though they were of different races and cultures, and spoke different languages. He added that the ability to rise above differences will define Singapore, and reflect a society that is mature and progressive.