National Day Rally 2004 (Malay)

SM Lee Hsien Loong | 22 August 2004

PM Lee Hsien Loong delivered his National Day Rally 2004 speech on 22 August 2004 at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore. PM Lee spoke in Malay and Mandarin, followed by English.

 

Rapat Umum Hari Kebangsaan 2004

Pendahuluan

Pada minggu lalu, saya bertemu dengan cikgu lama saya, Haji Amin Shafawi. Cikgu Amin mengajar saya Bahasa Melayu semasa saya kecil dulu. Sekarang Cikgu berusia 67 tahun,tetapi masih cergas dan sihat. Beliau kelihatan gembira hadir sama di Istana semasa upacara mengangkat sumpah. Saya juga gembira dapat berjumpa beliau lagi. Kami saling bertanya khabar keluarga masing-masing.

Cikgu Amin sudah bersara. Begitu juga isterinya, Cikgu Jamilah Ghazali. Ketiga tiga anak mereka adalah siswazah dan karyawan, dan sudah berumahtangga — memberinya empat orang cucu. Anak-anak Cikgu Amin bekerja di beberapa negeri lain. Tetapi kata Cikgu: "Mereka pasti pulang. Di sinilah tanah air mereka."

Sudah lebih 40 tahun berlalu sejak saya berguru dengan beliau. Hampir 40 tahun juga negara kita merdeka. Dalam satu generasi, keluarga Cikgu Amin berubah daripada keluarga guru bahasa di Singapura, kepada keluarga antarabangsa.

Kisah keluarga Cikgu Amin dialami oleh banyak keluarga lain di Singapura. Kemajuan Singapura membolehkan perubahan pesat itu. Kita telah mengatasi banyak cabaran, dan mengembangkan ekonomi kita. Masyarakat kita kini menjadi lebih terbuka dan matang. Rakyat Singapura membesar dengan pelbagai peluang, dan mengembangkan sayap mereka ke luar negeri. Kita bertambah padu sebagai satu bangsa setelah sama-sama mengalami pahit manis kehidupan.

Kian Maju Tahun Demi Tahun

Kita mencapai kemajuan kerana kita mempunyai kepimpinan yang baik yang berganding bahu dengan rakyat yang bersemangat waja. Para Anggota Parlimen Melayu dan pemimpin masyarakat telah memainkan peranan mereka dalam mencapai kata sepakat, menyusun keutamaan dan melakukan kerja kemasyarakatan. Hubungan erat antara orang Melayu dengan Pemerintah, khususnya dengan Encik Goh Chok Tong, telah membantu kita mengatasi isu-isu sukar, dan meningkatkan kemajuan masyarakat.

Satu generasi baru Melayu Singapura sedang muncul. Saya sempat bertemu ramai di antara mereka di majlis-majlis, sesi jamuan teh dan semasa melawat masjid-masjid. Mereka lebih terpelajar, yakin dan berkebolehan. Mereka termasuk peguam, jurutera, pegawai kanan pemerintah dan SAF, teknisyen dan jururawat. Ada pula yang cemerlang dalam bidang kerja sosial, seni dan sukan. Mereka aktif dalam arus utama masyarakat. Mereka komited kepada Singapura dan berbangga dengan pencapaian mereka di bawah sistem meritokrasi kita. Mereka adalah contoh teladan yang baik bagi orang Melayu. Mereka berbangga sebagai rakyat Singapura, tidak kira di mana mereka berada.

Di majlis-majlis masyarakat, saya lihat generasi baru Melayu ini begitu gigih membantu meningkatkan kemajuan masyarakat Melayu dalam bidang pendidikan dan kerjaya, dan dalam mengatasi masalah sosial.

Dalam sesi dialog mengenai isu-isu sensitif, pemimpin masyarakat Melayu mengemukakan pandangan dan rasa prihatin mereka secara aktif. Mereka mahukan masyarakat Melayu yang progresif dan bertolak ansur.

Di Parlimen, saya dapati tumpuan Anggota Parlimen Melayu telah berubah sejak beberapa tahun. Mereka tidak lagi menumpukan perhatian kepada isu-isu Melayu dan Islam saja. Sebaliknya, mereka bertambah aktif membahas isu-isu nasional. Mereka berucap sebagai warga Singapura yang mewakili semua penduduk kawasan undi mereka.

Anak kunci bagi kemajuan ini adalah usaha ibu bapa dan masyarakat Melayu dalam pendidikan anak-anak. Usaha Mendaki dan badan-badan seperti Jamiyah, Pertapis, AMP, 4PM dan PPIS juga telah membantu para pelajar lemah / dan keluarga mereka.

Dilihat secara keseluruhan, masyarakat Melayu kita telah mencapai kemajuan pesat. Ini adalah satu kebanggaan buat diri anda dan kepada Singapura. Namun, masih ada sekumpulan orang Melayu yang bermasalah. Bilangan penagih dadah telah merosot; tetapi masih banyak berlaku perceraian. Pekerja kurang mahir lebih mudah hilang pekerjaan, malangnya mereka sukar mendapat pekerjaan baru. Mereka perlukan kemahiran baru. Saya sering bertemu mereka dalam Sesi Bertemu Rakyat. Saya bimbangkan kebajikan dan pelajaran anak-anak mereka.

Kita mesti bantu anak-anak ini, agar generasi seterusnya mempunyai kehidupan lebih baik. Kita perlu galakkan ibu bapa miskin yang berpelajaran rendah untuk memanfaatkan HOPE iaitu Skim Pemilikan Rumah dan Pendidikan. Dengan itu, mereka boleh tumpukan perhatian untuk memberi pendidikan dan peluang terbaik supaya anak-anak mereka berjaya. Anak-anak yang berjaya dapat membantu ibubapa mereka di hari tua nanti.

Pada masa yang sama, kita harus galakkan keluarga Melayu yang lebih berjaya dan yang mampu untuk mempunyai lebih ramai anak. Mereka mempunyai terlalu sedikit anak, sama seperti keluarga Cina dan India. Ini adalah satu masalah nasional yang sukar lagi sensitif menjejas semua kaum di Singapura, dan harus sama-sama kita atasi. Saya akan terangkan lebih lanjut apabila berucap dalam bahasa Inggeris nanti.

Kesatuan Dalam Kepelbagaian

Orang Melayu adalah bahagian penting masyarakat Singapura. Semasa krisis, anda berganding bahu dengan rakyat Singapura yang lain.

Selepas serangan 11 September, rakyat dari semua kaum tampil dengan tegas mengutuk pengganasan. Apabila kita membongkar jaringan pengganas JI di Singapura, kita hadapi masalah itu dengan tenang dan rasional sebagai satu isu keselamatan.

Semasa Singapura dilanda SARS, jururawat Melayu kita bersama-sama menyingsing lengan dengan jururawat Cina dan India.

Apabila sebahagian Nicoll Highway runtuh, satu kumpulan DART dari Pasukan Pertahanan Awam menjalankan gerakan menyelamat yang sukar lagi merbahaya. Pasukan pimpinan Mejar Kadir Maideen Mohamed itu bertarung nyawa untuk mencari dan menyelamatkan mangsa yang terperangkap. Saya tukil kata-kata seorang Section Commander DART, SSG Hamdan Tahir. Beliau berkata: "Saya menonton berita di televisyen, dan saya melihat bagaimana anggota keluarga mangsa sangat-sangat berharap agar orang yang mereka kasihi, selamat. Saya sematkan gambaran itu dalam fikiran saya semasa bertugas."

Apabila wira-wira Singapura ini menerima anugerah Hari Kebangsaan kerana keberanian dan sumbangan cemerlang, saya sendiri, rakan-rakan kabinet saya dan rakyat Singapura dari semua kaum sama-sama memberi tabik hormat kepada mereka. Jelas sekali, kita adalah satu bangsa, tidak kira kaum, bahasa atau agama.

Melangkah Ke Hadapan

Kita harus terus meluaskan ruang persamaan di antara kaum, serta mengukuhkan nilai-nilai dan identiti keSingapuraan kita. Masyarakat Melayu harus turut serta dalam usaha nasional menyusun semula ekonomi, meningkatkan kemahiran pekerja, dan menambah pekerjaan yang memberi ganjaran lebih baik.

Wawasan kita ialah membentuk sebuah masyarakat Melayu yang berjaya, moden, berpandangan jauh, dan menguasai sains dan teknologi, tetapi pada masa yang sama mengekalkan adat resam dan cara hidupnya;

Sebuah masyarakat yang memainkan peranan penuh dalam pembangunan negara dan memberi sumbangan kepada keharmonian serta keutuhan bangsa Singapura;

Sebuah masyarakat yang menggunakan sepenuhnya pelbagai peluang yang tersedia di Singapura untuk lebih sejahtera.

Dalam tahun-tahun mendatang, saya ingin melihat masyarakat Melayu kita bertambah maju. Saya akan berusaha meningkatkan kemajuan baik yang telah anda capai sejak merdeka. Dalam hal ini, saya amat menghargai buah fikiran dan saranan anda. Saya yakin anda akan terus bekerja keras dalam menghadapi cabaran ini. Saya akan bekerja bersama menteri-menteri Melayu, Anggota Parlimen serta pemimpin masyarakat Melayu, untuk mencapai wawasan anda membina sebuah Masyarakat Cemerlang.

Sekian. Terima kasih.

* * * * *

ENGLISH TEXT OF NATIONAL DAY RALLY 2004 SPEECH IN MALAY

INTRODUCTION

Last week, I met my old Cikgu, Haji Amin Shafawi. He taught me Malay when I was a kid. He is now a robust 67 years old, happy to be at the Istana for the swearing-in. I was delighted to meet him again, and in good health too. We exchanged news of our families.

Cikgu Amin is now retired, as is his wife, Cikgu Jamilah Ghazali. His three children are all grown and married. "They are graduates and professionals, with four cucu. They are scattered and working in different countries, but they'll come home, this is their home," he quickly added with a beaming smile.

It is more than 40 years since my lessons with him, and also nearly 40 years since Singapore's independence. In one generation, Cikgu Amin's family went from being teachers of Malay in Singapore to be an international and globalised family.

Cikgu Amin's story is the story of many families in Singapore. The progress of Singapore made it possible. We overcame many challenges, and grew our economy. Our society became more open and mature. Our people grew with the opportunities, and spread their wings. We united into one nation, and had our share of ups and downs.

PROGRESSING THROUGH THE YEARS

We made progress because we have had good leaders working hand in hand with stout hearted people, rising up to meet the various challenges. Malay MPs and community leaders have played their part, mobilising opinion, setting priorities, and doing community work. Your close rapport with the Government, and particularly with Mr Goh Chok Tong, has helped us to tackle difficult issues, and brought progress for our society.

A new generation of Singapore Malays is emerging. I have met many of them, at community functions, in tea sessions, and when visiting mosques. They are well educated, confident, and capable. They are lawyers and engineers, senior civil servants and SAF officers, technicians and nurses. Others have distinguished themselves in social work, in the arts and sports. They participate actively in the mainstream of our society. They are committed to Singapore, and are proud of their achievements under our system of meritocracy. They are role models for the community, and hold their head high as Singaporeans, anywhere in the world.

At community events, the new generation Malays are working hard to help the community progress further in education and careers, and to tackle its social problems.

In dialogue sessions on sensitive matters, Malay community leaders participate actively, presenting their views and concerns. They want a Malay community that is progressive and tolerant.

In Parliament, I have observed how over the years the Malay MPs have changed their focus. Instead of speaking mainly on Malay and Muslim issues, they now participate actively in debates on national matters, speaking as Singaporeans on behalf of all their constituents.

Key to this progress is the effort which Malay parents and the community are making to educate their children. Efforts by Mendaki and other community organisations like Jamiyah, Pertapis, AMP, 4PM, and PPIS have also helped weaker students and their families.

Overall, our Malay community has made great progress, which the community, and Singapore, are proud of. However, one segment of the community still faces problems. Drug abuse has declined, but there are still too many broken families. Poorly skilled workers are at risk of losing their jobs, and find it harder to find new jobs. They need new skills. In my Meet-the-People sessions, I do meet such families. I worry especially for their children and their studies.

We must help these children, so that the next generation can have a better life. We need to encourage poor parents with low education to take advantage of the HOPE scheme. Then they can concentrate their limited resources to give their children the best education and chance in life. When their children succeed, they can also care for their parents in old age.

At the same time, we have to encourage the more successful Malay families who can afford it to have more children. These Malay families are having too few children, just like among the Chinese and Indians. This is a difficult and sensitive national problem which affects all the communities in Singapore, and which we must solve, together. I will discuss this further in my English speech later.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Our Malay Singaporeans are a key part of our society, contributing and doing their best for their fellowmen. In crises, they respond and pull together with other Singaporeans.

After the September 11 terrorist attacks, Singaporeans of all races responded strongly to condemn the attacks. When we discovered the JI terrorists in Singapore, we dealt with the problem calmly and rationally. We treated it as a security issue.

During SARS, Malay nurses served alongside Chinese and Indian nurses.

When a section of the Nicoll Highway collapsed, an SCDF DART Team carried out the difficult and dangerous recovery operation. They were led by Major Kadir Maideen Mohamed. They risked their lives to search and rescue victims who were trapped. As a DART Section Commander, SSG Hamdan Tahir, said, I have been watching television news, and I have seen the families pleading for their loved ones to be safe. I kept that image in my mind when I was working.

When these brave Singaporeans receive National Day awards for valour and outstanding contributions, Singaporeans of all races join me to salute them. Clearly we were one, regardless of race, language or religion.

GOING FORWARD

We should continue expanding the common ground between our races, and strengthening our shared Singaporean values and identity. The Malay community must participate in the national effort to restructure our economy, upgrade our workers, and create more rewarding jobs.

Our vision is a successful Malay community, modern and forward looking, mastering science and technology, but at the same time maintaining its customs and way of life;

A community that plays a full role in nation building, and contributes to the harmony and strength of Singapore society;

A community that takes full advantage of the many opportunities that offers for citizens to improve their lives.

In the coming years, I hope to see our Malays make further progress. I will build upon the good progress that you have made under Mr Goh Chok Tong.I value your thoughts and suggestions. I am confident that you will continue to work hard to tackle this challenge head on. Together with our Malay Ministers, MPs and community leaders, I will work with you to realise our vision of a Community of Excellence.

 

TOP