Writer's Thoughts

Summary

Speaking at the Community Engagement Programme Dialogue on 19 March 2011, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that Singapore had not developed a cohesive society by chance. Instead, this society was a result of “determined, deliberate and sustained efforts at integration”, a process that had worked because it had had the support of “all the communities, all the religious leaders and many many Singaporeans”. Addressing 700 community leaders on an occasion that marked the CEP's fifth anniversary as well, he said that the objective of the CEP and other programmes was to shift attitudes. That was occurring. For example, mosque groups were joining other communities for brisk walking, and the Chingay Parade was not really a Chinese celebration but a multi-racial occasion now. “But it's still work in progress”, Mr Lee said. His hope: “We are progressively strengthening our mutual bonds and with every year our people grow closer. With every crisis we learn to depend on one another more and with each success we gain in our national pride and identity. So let's keep on going in this direction, maintain the momentum and continue to push ahead. And I hope you do many more CEP programmes in the next five years.” Mr Lee drew an analogy with the earthquake and tsunami that had devastated northeast Japan earlier in March. Highlighting the calm and orderly response of the Japanese, he declared: “A terrorist attack on Singapore would be like a tsunami hitting our society. Can we respond like the Japanese?” His reply to his own question: “We have prepared well [and] so I am confident that we will take it in our stride.”

Mr Lee's comments encapsulate what is at stake for Singapore in the fight against terror. No matter how good the security agencies are — and they have been proved to be good — they can succeed ninety-nine times out of a hundred and Singapore would still not be completely secure because all that terrorists have to do is succeed once.