Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently wrote a post and uploaded it onto his social media platform.
In the post, he first notes that this year marks the third year that we are celebrating ‘Chap Goh Mei’ or 15th night of the Lunar New Year while the pandemic is still ongoing.
He adds that in the previous ‘Chap Goh Mei’ in 2021, a smaller scale celebration was held where he spoke to a small group of audience who attended his Lunar New Year address with the rest joining in on virtual platforms.
This year, the rules had relaxed which allowed a larger scale gathering but there was still no ‘lo hei’ to commemorate ‘Chap Goh Mei’
We have grown to adapt to the virus
PM Lee also said that the progress of all three ‘Chap Goh Mei’ events in the previous years showed that we as Singaporeans have learnt to adapt, adjust and live with the virus as more is known about the virus and the availability of vaccines came to our shores.
More challenges other than pandemic
Other than the challenges which the pandemic has presented, PM Lee said that he also spoke about other external challenges and important issues domestically at home.
He then adds that we have went through a lot from these three years of living with the pandemic and will not know what are the future challenges which may arise.
However, PM Lee is sure that as long as we as Singaporeans stand together as one regardless of our race, language or religion, we will definitely emerge victorious against whatever the challenges may be and earn a better future for all Singaporeans.
He ends off his post by wishing everyone a Happy ‘Chap Goh Mei’ in advance.
Here is the post by PM Lee
“In a few days, we will be marking our third Chap Goh Mei since COVID-19. In 2020, I held the normal CGM dinner just as COVID-19 was hitting us, and much was still unknown about the new coronavirus. Last year, we organised a scaled-down hybrid version where I spoke to a small in-person audience, while others tuned in virtually. This year, we could hold a larger in-person gathering, but still no lohei as we used to do before we all started wearing masks.
The progress of my annual Chap Goh Mei event over the past three years reflects our COVID-19 journey. As we learnt more about the virus, and with the arrival of vaccines, we have adapted, adjusted, and learnt to live with the virus.
The pandemic is not our only major challenge. I also spoke about our external situation and some important domestic issues. We have faced some of our darkest hours in this pandemic, and do not know what new crises will arise in the future. But as long as we stand in solidarity as one people, regardless of language, race or religion, we will prevail against adversity, and secure a better and brighter tomorrow for all Singaporeans.
Wishing everyone a very happy Chap Goh Mei in advance! – LHL”
Image source: Lee Hsien Loong/Facebook