In his New Year’s Message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed the challenges faced by Singapore in 2023, emphasizing the tumultuous international environment. The Prime Minister highlighted key geopolitical events, underlining the ongoing complexities that impact global relations.
Global Dynamics and Tensions
Prime Minister Lee acknowledged the troubled international environment, citing the recent meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco. While the meeting contributed to stabilizing relations between the two powers, underlying tensions persist. The situation in Ukraine was also mentioned, with the Prime Minister noting the ongoing conflict and human suffering, emphasizing the strategic stalemate with no immediate resolution.
A portion of the message was dedicated to the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel; Hamas’ attack on Israel, followed by Israel’s military response in Gaza, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries, particularly among civilians, including women and children.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the compassionate and practical response of Singaporeans who, despite their geographical distance, expressed anguish and concern for the situation.
National Unity and Social Cohesion
Addressing the local response to global issues, Prime Minister Lee highlighted the unity demonstrated by Singaporeans of all races. He acknowledged the acuteness of the situation for Muslim Singaporeans and appreciated the compassionate and practical manner in which citizens expressed their views while upholding national interests and social cohesion.
The Prime Minister particularly praised religious and community leaders for standing beside the government during this challenging time.
Snippet of PM Lee’s New Year Message
2023 was a challenging year. The international environment remains troubled. US President Biden’s recent meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping in San Francisco has stabilised relations between the two powers, but the underlying tensions remain. In Ukraine, the fighting and human suffering continues, but the war is at a strategic stalemate with no resolution in sight.
Most recently, Hamas’ savage attack on Israel, followed by Israel’s ferocious military response in Gaza, have killed and maimed thousands of civilians, many of them women and children. The horrific and continuing human suffering has aroused revulsion and anger around the world. In Singapore, people of all races have expressed their anguish and concern, with Muslim Singaporeans understandably feeling this most acutely.
Much as we try to insulate ourselves from problems elsewhere, inevitably from time to time we in Singapore will feel for the troubles of others. It is a consequence of our shared humanity. I am glad on this occasion Singaporeans have again responded in a compassionate and practical manner – expressing our views while upholding our national interests and social cohesion, and contributing generously to humanitarian aid for those in need, particularly in Gaza.
I am especially grateful that at this fraught moment, religious and community leaders have stood beside the Government to counsel wisdom and support our social cohesion. We have painstakingly built up our racial and religious harmony over decades as a fundamental basis of Singaporean society. We must continue to approach potentially divisive issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict with tolerance and respect towards one another’s views.
This is the way to honour the ideals and vision that Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team of founding leaders stood for – a fair and just society where every Singaporean has full opportunity to succeed; a thriving economy built on meritocracy and hard work; and an endearing home where every Singaporean belongs.
Source: Prime Minister’s Office