李顯龍就任新一屆新加坡總理的英語演講稿

Mr. President,Friends and Colleagues,And fellowSingaporeans,

We have had a pivotal General Election. It took placeduring SG50, marking the beginning of a newchapter for us.

As a people, we faced critical choices in thiselection. We had to decide whom we wanted to formthe Government, which team to choose to secureour future, and which direction Singapore shouldprogress in. We had to ask ourselves: how do we keep improving our lives, taking Singaporehigher, and building something worthwhile and lasting for our children?

My team and I are honoured and humbled that 70% of voters chose the PAP to form theGovernment. You gave us a clear mandate to take Singapore forward, and we will do so.

Such a decisive result could only have happened with support from all groups of Singaporeans.All 89 seats were contested, and every adult citizen had to vote. The real winners in thiselection were Singaporeans. We have a strong, stable government, able to take Singaporeconfidently into the future. Singaporeans showed that we knew what was at stake. At a criticalmoment, we united to decide our future. We pledged ourselves to forge a new way forward asone people, one nation, one Singapore.

The election result sent an important signal to the world: that we Singaporeans aredetermined to keep Singapore special. Through the decades, our political stability and ourquality workforce have attracted many MNCs to invest here. In recent times, MNCs havewatched our politics more closely, to see which way it is heading. After the election, EDB toldme that an MNC that has been here for many years had just decided to increase its stake inSingapore and make another billion-dollar investment here, creating many more good jobs forSingaporeans. I have no doubt that the election result boosted this investor's confidence thatthey were making the right decision, and that they could be confident Singaporeans wouldkeep our fundamentals strong. I am sure that our neighbours noticed too, as have others.

Your clear mandate has enabled me to form a strong Cabinet. My new team comprises bothexperienced Ministers who will provide steady hands in a challenging environment, andyounger Ministers who will bring new perspectives and ideas. They will have to master theissues quickly and ready themselves to lead Singapore.

My first objective in forming this Cabinet is, as always, to provide the most effectivegovernment for Singapore. We are entering a new phase of our nationhood. We face morecomplex challenges and new issues that cut across multiple domains. Therefore, I haveappointed Coordinating Ministers to oversee work in three major areas.

The first area is national security, which remains a vital precondition of our success. The SAFand Home Team have kept us safe, but new dangers and threats are emerging around us.ISIS and jihadist terrorists are a serious problem for Southeast Asia and Singapore, becausethey threaten our physical safety and our racial harmony. Tensions in the South China Sea areunsettling our region. Political problems or racial tensions in neighbouring countries cancomplicate bilateral relations, or spill over to affect our society. Therefore, I have kept DPMTeo Chee Hean in charge of national security.

Another area is economic and social policies, which form a major part of our agenda. With anageing population and uncertain global conditions, growth will be harder to come by. Yet oureconomy must grow to create opportunities for Singaporeans and to improve our lives. At thesame time, we must use the fruits of growth wisely, both to invest in our future and tostrengthen our social safety nets. Every citizen should benefit from Singapore's success, andthose needing an extra helping hand should be looked after. DPM Tharman will oversee thiscritical area.

The final major area is infrastructure. Goodinfrastructure provides the physical basis for ourquality of life, and our economic competitiveness.Compared to most other countries, we have donewell. Singaporeans live in good homes, enjoy a well-planned, green environment, and travel in anefficient public transport system. But we haveambitious plans to build on what we already haveover the next 20-30 years to create a new city, andan outstanding living environment for all of us.We also know where we need to do more work to improve standards and to remedyshortcomings. Khaw Boon Wan will be responsible for making Singapore a beautiful andendearing home for all of us.