Singaporeans must not let any potential terrorist attack destroy the country, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday 18 July 2009 at the racial harmony celebrations held at Cheng San Community Club. Mr Lee said the Republic has not been affected by racial problems in the past 40 years.
Speaking first in Mandarin, he said this is a "small miracle" in today's world. "Racial harmony is a matter of great national importance. We have to cherish it, protect it, strengthen it," he urged. Mr Lee added that maintaining racial harmony is a key priority for the government.
"One of the things we worry about is that there could be a terrorist attack and then as a result, it creates a misunderstanding between the races and trouble will begin," said the prime minister. He pointed out that simulation exercises, like the recently concluded Northstar, are important measures to prevent terrorist attacks.
Mr Lee said Friday's hotel bombings in Jakarta are a reminder of how terrorism remains a constant threat. "We must be prepared for this sort of thing, for them to try this sort of thing on us, and we must be prepared to resist it and prevent it. First, resist it from happening and if despite all our efforts it still happens, prevent it from damaging our society, fracturing our racial harmony," he said.
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 18 July 2009 2300 hrs
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