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Western Australian
Singapore Business Council
Western Australian
Singapore Business Council
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Western
Australian Singapore Business Council 36th
Singapore National Day President’s
Speech
Good evening, The Honourable Dr Geoff Gallop, MLA, Premier of
Western Australia and Mrs. Gallop, Mr. Dan Sullivan, MLA, Deputy Leader of the
Opposition representing the Honourable Mr. Colin Barnett, MLA, Leader of the
oppositon party, the Honourable Mr. John Fisher, MLC, our generous sponsors for
this evening’s function, members of the Western Australian Singapore Business
Council, Ladies and Gentlemen. On behalf of the WASBC management committee, I
would like to extend to all of you a very warm welcome to tonight’s Birthday
Celebration. WASBC’s primary role is to help link
Singaporeans and Australians to develop business opportunities. Singaporean
entrepreneurs are looking worldwide for business opportunities and investments.
WASBC could be the vehicle to channel them to Australia. Some for the areas
where the WASBC could help: (a) bridge the gap in culture and practice, (b) make
use of Singaporean experience and expertise in globalisation, technology etc…
for example, Singapore is Australia’s closest neighbour that has for some time
been a global player in trade and economics and has excellent communications and
transportation. Our guest of honour may wish to consider some of these issues. 36 years ago we were separated from our Big
Brother and told to leave the shores of Malaysia. It hurt greatly and even
managed to bring tears to the eyes of the then Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. Whether we liked it or not, we had to fend for
ourselves. We had to grow up. We did. We not only grew up but we also grew with
wisdom. Today, Singapore is 36 years old. It has gone through good times, not so
good times and bad times like now. But saying gloom, gloom, gloom is not getting
us anywhere. The past weeks have brought forth many a message from the Singapore
Government, of storm clouds and cold winds blowing, of fears of recession and
fears of the US going into recession. Japan has been in near recession for many years
with still no sight of recovery and Europe is expected to see slower growth this
year. Electronics, once a premium trade, has plunged, affecting not only
Singapore but Taiwan and Korea as well. Internal problems in Indonesia, which has the
world’s 4th largest population, and what better choice than to
elect a woman to mother the country and its people, after all, God did create
woman to mother man and the family. In Malaysia, with Anwar in confinement, UMNO and
PAS are competing with each other over the Malay votes. In Singapore, we have warnings, of economic
slowdown and because we are, to borrow the words of the Prime Minister, Mr. Goh
Chok Tong, “Singapore is the most trade-dependant country in the world. The
economy contracted by 0.9 per cent in the second quarter, bringing growth in the
first half to 1.8 per cent. The ministry of Trade and Industry has lowered this
year’s growth forecast to between 0.5 to 1.5 per cent. Exports have declined
substantially due to the downturn in the US economy and the global electronics
industry. When they pick up again, we will recover.” “Singaporeans who are having trouble finding
employment should take up jobs which they normally would not even consider.
There are several hundred thousand foreign workers here on work permits. They
are here because employers cannot find enough Singaporeans to fill these jobs.
Those of us who are retrenched should consider these jobs. This will not only
give us some income now, but will also impress our future employers that we are
practical and realistic people, not fussy workers who prefer to remain
unemployed for long periods.” Unquote. We have got some good news. Having been a member
of the United Nations since it became independent in 1965 exactly 36 years ago;
Singapore was elected earlier this year taking the rotating council presidency
for a term of 2 years. As for Overseas Voting for Singaporeans the
government recently announced that overseas Singaporeans would be allowed to
vote in the Singapore General Elections if they meet the criteria so if you wish
to know more about the requirement, please let us know. In the meantime, Singaporeans will have to
suffer some inconveniences like retrenchment, retraining, skills upgrading and
wait for a tail wind to blow us up the ridge to prosperity. Last but not least, I would like to thank our
sponsors, helpers and those who have supported us by their presence tonight in
celebrating Singapore’s Birthday. Thank You
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