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In RADM Teo Chee Heans closing statement at the parliament, he reiterated the
significance of Heartware in upholding the integrity of the society.

He shared that when the Prime Minister asked for the S21 Committee to be set up
in August 1997, their concerns then were how to retain our sense of belonging as a
nation and our sense of mutual obligation to each other as Singaporeans during a
period of heady, rapid growth which some thought would carry on indefinitely
this was before Singaporeans felt the effects of the economic crisis. Singaporeans
had become obsessed with material possessions and pursued self-interest above a
sense of community and regard and responsibility towards their fellow
Singaporeans. The kiasu Singaporean was becoming the icon epitomising the worst
traits of the ugly Singaporean.

Then, the S21 Committee was beset by the regional economic crisis. They
questioned the relevance of their work - whether the search to strengthen our
Heartware was a luxury to be pursued in good times, but to be set aside for other
priorities during difficult times. But as they proceeded, they concluded that the
economic crisis itself brought valuable lessons for Heartware.

This debate came at a time when the economy was showing signs of recovery. As
the economy recovered, RADM Teo urged Singaporeans to continue to strengthen
our Heartware both in good times as well as in difficult times.

CLOSING STATEMENT BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR

EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AT
PARLIAMENT

6 May 1999

1. Mr Speaker Sir.

2. First, I would like to thank Prime Minister Goh for expressing the
Governments strong support and acceptance of the report. This is a strong signal of
the Governments commitment for the public sector to work hand-in-hand with the
people sector and the private sector to achieve the vision of Singapore 21.

3. I wish to thank all the Members who have spoken in support of the motion
for their strong endorsement of the vision set out in the report. I appreciate the time
and effort that members have taken, not just to read the report, but to study it and
provide their own views and interpretations of what this Vision means to them. This
Vision provides a compass, the guideposts as we move forward into the 21 st
Century. Our discussions in this House have given more substance, fleshed out the
ideas, and will contribute towards making this Vision a reality.

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In good times and in difficult times

4. Sir, when the Prime Minister asked for this Committee to be set up in
August 1997, this was before we felt the effects of the economic crisis. Our
concerns then were how to retain our sense of belonging as a nation and our sense
of mutual obligation to each other as Singaporeans during a period of heady, rapid
growth which some thought would carry on indefinitely. Singaporeans had become
obsessed with material possessions and pursued self-interest above a sense of
community and regard and responsibility towards their fellow Singaporeans. The
kiasu Singaporean was becoming the icon epitomising the worst traits of the ugly
Singaporean.

5. Just as the S21 Committee started its work, we were beset by the regional
economic crisis. We asked ourselves whether our work had any more relevance -
whether the search to strengthen our Heartware was a luxury to be pursued in
good times, but to be set aside for other priorities during difficult times. But as we
proceeded, we concluded that the economic crisis itself brought valuable lessons
for Heartware.

6. The crisis brought to the fore issues such as the dilemma over attracting
foreign talent. It made the arguments on both sides of the debate sharper and more
heated. But it helped to clarify the issues for many Singaporeans and brought home
how important being open to foreign talent is for creating opportunities for our
future.

7. The crisis magnified the stress on Singaporeans as their jobs and incomes
came under threat. The crisis opened up the question of whether Singaporeans
would flee in times of crisis for greener and safer shores, or whether they would
stay and tough it out to build our future.

8. The crisis demonstrated how countries whose Heartware was weak would
descend quickly into the darkness of burning and killing at the slightest provocation
over racial and religious issues.

9. On Tuesday, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua described how our Heartware helped us
to withstand the economic crisis. Observers have noted how we stood together as
Singaporeans, and even lent a helping hand to those facing difficulties in the
region, as others around us crumbled and faltered.

10. We are now coming full circle. This debate comes at a time when the
economy is showing signs of recovery. As the economy recovers, we must continue
to strengthen our Heartware both in good times as well as in difficult times.

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A state but not yet a nation

11. Sir, yesterday the Prime Minister reminded us that we are a state, but not
yet a nation. He put this debate on S21 in perspective. Nation building in an on-
going task. It is the work of many generations. Our people are made up of different
strands, with different languages, cultures and religions. These strands will not
dissolve into one indistinguishable mass, nor would we want this to be so. We are
closer today as a people than when we started out as a country 33 years ago. But we
should not try to homogenize everyone. As the Prime Minister said we should
maximize the area of overlap, while leaving enough space for each group to grow.

12. Each community wants to retain a connection with its roots. But we also
need a unifying vision to draw these strands together to give us a common goal, a
common purpose that we can strive towards together as a nation.

13. Multi-racialism, meritocracy and incorruptibility have been the

cornerstones on which our country is built. On top of these we can add another
layer, the five key ideas of Singapore 21 to guide us into the future Every
Singaporean Matters, Strong Families, Opportunities for All, The Singapore
Heartbeat and Active Citizenship.

The peoples vision

14. Sir, the Singapore 21 Vision is the peoples vision.

15. From the outset the Committee set out to consult widely. The five subject
committees comprised 77 people from all walks of life. Many people contributed
their views and ideas. We counted up 6,000. The names of the people and
organisations which contributed are listed in the book. We could not count all, and I
apologise to those that we inadvertently missed out.

16. They include ITE students, professionals and volunteers who have devoted
their whole lives to serving others. The media covered many of these sessions. As
Mr Zulkifli Baharuddin has mentioned, the Feedback Unit devoted many sessions,
over a year, to the five dilemmas. We had TV and radio forums.

17. I wrote to every Member of this House more than one year ago on 18
March 1998 to request their inputs. I received many thoughtful responses, some
running into dozens of pages. Some members even organised discussion sessions
and forums to gather feedback so that the views of other concerned Singaporeans
could be reflected. Members of this House were sent in advance, draft copies of the
report before it was launched by the Prime Minister.

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18. I am therefore puzzled when Mr Chiam and Mr Jeyeratnam seem unaware

of this process. Mr Jeyeratnam says that he did not read the report. Neither
responded when I requested their views one year ago.

19. But Sir, this does raise an important point. What does consultation and
building consensus mean? In a country with 3 million people, what does consulting
6,000 mean?

20. The process of coming up with the Singapore 21 report is in itself an

example of the possibilities and the limitations of consultation. It was quite an
exercise for the 77 subject committee members to consult and solicit feedback as
widely as we did. The subject committee members spent countless hours discussing
with various groups of people. We had over 80 forums and discussion sessions. In
the time we had, more than a year, we managed to have reasonably substantive
discussions with some 6,000 Singaporeans. Each of them I have no doubt
represents and reflects the views of many more Singaporeans.

21. But can you speak to every one of our 3 million Singaporeans in every
consultation exercise, not just in Singapore but in very corner of the globe? Irene
Ng in her column "S21: Not all hearts and minds engaged" in the Straits Times of
Tuesday 4 May, recounted a feedback session she attended in London. According to
her, a querulous lady demanded to know at this feedback session in London why
she had not been consulted by the establishment for her views before?

22. Sir, it is obviously not possible on every issue to consult every Singaporean
directly. But every Singaporean can provide feedback and express his views. They
need not be weighty national issues. As any MP will know, constituents regularly
provide feedback and suggestions on municipal issues should a bush be removed
because it obstructs the view of drivers and pedestrians, can the timing of the traffic
lights at a junction be adjusted.

23. So it has been with Singapore 21. We consulted as many as we could

directly. And every Member of this House, every Singaporean, was invited to send
in his views. That is consultation and feedback.

24. What about building consensus? During the consultation process, among all
the ideas and views expressed, a few surfaced again and again. These ideas
eventually became the five key ideas of the Singapore 21 Vision. Not every one
might have agreed with them initially, and even at the end not every one might
agree with them completely. But that is part of the process. These are the
possibilities and the limitations of consultation and consensus building.

25. With a Vision to guide us and a willingness to build a consensus, we can

pull together as one people. We can work towards becoming a symphony playing
in harmony; rather than a cacophony producing a discordant and meaningless
mixture of sounds with each stubbornly insisting on playing to his own tune. That
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is the difference between a society based on a Vision of consensus rather than a

Vision based on contention.

Social tripartism

26. Sir, we have achieved economic success through tripartism. Workers,

employers and government work together to create a conducive business
environment, and create good jobs for workers, allowing the whole country to
enjoy economic growth.

27. Mr Ahmad Magad spoke about the Singapore 21 Vision calling for a new
tripartism a new tripartism this time in the social sphere: the people sector, public
sector and private sector working together.

28. This is a compelling vision with people sector organisations, public sector
organisations and private sector organisations taking a step forward together,
reaching out to each other and looking for ways in which they can work with each
other to strengthen the social capital, the Heartware, of Singapore.

Whats next?

29. Mr Speaker Sir, several members have asked, "So whats next?" Some
Members, Mr Chew Heng Chin, Dr Lily Neo, have asked that government should
take the lead in implementing Singapore 21.

30. On the part of the government, the public sector has already been asked to
review its policies and programmes, to ensure that they are aligned to the Singapore
21 vision. But should the government do more? Left to itself, the momentum of the
Singapore 21 vision created by the debate in this House may slacken and dissipate
because of the diversity of issues and interests. I would therefore propose that the
government also play the role of facilitator for Singapore 21 to guide the process
along, and provide the necessary support.

31. I have consulted the Prime Minister on this, and the Prime Minister has
agreed. Once the House endorses the Singapore 21 vision, the Prime Minister will
ask Minister of State for Defence Mr David Lim to consult with various
stakeholders of Singapore 21 the people sector, the private sector and the public
sector to see how their initiatives can be facilitated to make Singapore 21 a
reality. This could take the form of a Singapore 21 Facilitation Committee. Its task
is not to implement the Singapore 21 vision. Rather it would help to strengthen and
sustain the process of active citizenship, and to provide encouragement and
visibility for the efforts by the people, private and public sectors as they work to
make Singapore 21 a reality.

32. Sir, Singapore 21 involves, individuals, families, the community and the
nation. Singapore 21 is not the responsibility of any one person or body or agency.
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It is the responsibility of everybody, every agency, every Singaporean, to interpret

these key ideas and translate them into plans and actions. Only then can Singapore
21 become a reality.

33. I urge members of this House to take this message to their constituencies,
and to stress these key ideas in their constituency activities and functions. I ask
those contributing their time in the people sector, those serving in the public and
private sectors to consider how they can work more closely together. All these will
help make Singapore 21 a reality. DPM BG Lee, in his address to senior civil
servants on 29 March 1999 has already asked the public service to consider how to
build the ideas of Singapore 21 into their programmes.

34. I urge every Singaporean to re-examine himself, his goals, his attitudes to
success, his attitudes to his family and fellow Singaporeans; and to come forward to
play a greater role in community life. Mr Chan Soo Sen put it nicely in Confucian
terms. We also heard stories from the Ramayana. Other Members, Dr Teo Ho Pin,
Dr Toh See Kiat, came up with their own views on what the ideal Singaporean
should be. Prof Chin Tet Yung put it succintly. Every Singaporean, any
Singaporean, can lead a happy, successful and fulfilling life. He can be a good
parent, a good neighbour, and an active citizen. And he can say that in all this, he
did his best.

Conclusion

35. Sir, it leaves me now to once again thank members of the House for
supporting the S21 vision so enthusiastically, and for providing such thoughtful
insights. I also wish to thank all the members of the S21 Committee who have
worked for over a year to bring clarity and focus to the varied views which they
have heard from Singaporeans from all walks of life.

36. After today, we will move on to the next phase a far more challenging
phase of turning this vision into reality. In the past few days we have heard
heartwarming stories. Mr Bernard Chen spoke of how his father came to regard
Singapore as home. We are glad that he did, and fortunate that he did as Singapore
is the better by two members of this House. Members have shared with us their
innermost thoughts and personal feelings as they struggled with their own
dilemmas. Let these stories from the past be held up as good examples for all of us
committed, active citizens. And let the icon of the Kiasu Singaporean fade into
20th Century history, and in its place emerge the Active Singaporean the
Singaporean of the 21st Century. Beyond looking out for ourselves, every
Singaporean must look out for the larger Singaporean family.

37. It is my hope that every Singaporean, each in his own way, will stand up
and be counted, and find a way to make a difference to his family, his
neighbourhood, his community, and our country. There can be no effort too small or

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insignificant. And in the process, we would have built a better future for ourselves
and our children. Let us all work together to translate the S21 Vision into reality.

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