Speech by Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, at the 55th War Memorial Service in Commemoration of the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupation and Total Defence Day Commemoration & Launch of the Online Exhibition

Distinguished Guests

1. We are gathered here today to honour our forefathers who have paid the price for us to be independent and free.

2. First, I would like to thank Mr Roland Ng and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI).

1. For the past 55 years, the SCCCI has been steadfast in organising the War Memorial Service to honour our forefathers.
2. Last year, they released an e-book to detail the struggles of our people during the war.
3. This year, they have adapted to the circumstances of COVID-19.
   1. To broaden digital reach, they have launched an online exhibition that chronicles the struggles of our people during the war.

3. We would also like to thank our veterans who had fought in the war, and our pioneers who had contributed in many ways, to the peace that we are able to enjoy today.

1. Some of their stories are documented in the online exhibition.
2. Without our pioneers and many others who had contributed and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country;
   1. We will not be able to chart our own destiny today.

4. This place that we stand on now is especially poignant for all of us, and certainly for me.

1. It reminds us of our painful past.
2. It also inspires us towards a better future.

5. 80 years ago when Singapore fell, many of our forefathers were marched off from the City Centre near where we now stand, to Changi Beach. Many were never seen again.

1. A poignant and painful reminder of the fate of the people of a fallen land.

6. Many of us here have served in the Singapore Armed Forces and the uniformed forces. Many others have also contributed in different ways to Total Defence to safeguard this land of ours.

1. We are determined to never let this fate befall Singapore and Singaporeans, ever again.
2. It is etched in our collective memory; that what we cannot defend, is not ours.
3. What we are not prepared to defend; will also not be ours.
   1. Not just the physical space that we live in and call our home.
   2. But also, our way of life.
   3. Our ability to chart our destiny;
   4. And our values.

7. Our strongest deterrence will always be our foresight, determination, and unity.

1. The foresight to anticipate dangers and threats, especially in peace.
   1. From military threats to our security.
   2. To non-military threats to our identity and unity.
2. The determination to put into action the plans to defend ourselves and our right to hold our destiny in our hands.
   1. It is especially tough to commit resources, time and talent to put in place defence systems in times of peace; amidst many other competing needs.
   2. It takes generations to build up our defence capabilities, which we hope we will never have to use.
   3. A momentary lapse in vigilance will undo generations of hard work and sacrifices.
   4. May we never forget the lessons from the past.
3. Our unity to overcome all odds as one people must be the final line of defence.
   1. Beyond the weapons that money can buy;
      • It will be the priceless indominable Singapore Spirit that will check those who wish us harm.

8. From this place that we stand today, we also see the future that we can build with determination, harmony and unity.

1. The evolving Singapore skyline behind me is testimony of the foresight and determination of our forefathers.
2. They helped to realise dreams that few believed possible then:
   1. That we can reclaim land from the sea to build a new downtown to allow future generations the canvas to paint on.
   2. That we can fulfil our water needs; and turn a constraint into an opportunity.
   3. That we can believe that a small island city-state can defy the odds of history to not only survive, but thrive.
   4. That we will thrive not based on our population size or resource endowment, but by our wits and speed of evolution to create relevance for ourselves in an uncertain world.

9. This peacetime skyline reminds us what makes Singapore special to all of us.

1. This skyline is a testimony of our determination as a people to not define success by how well we can do for ourselves in this generation alone.
   1. But it reminds us that we will always define success by how well we allow the next generation to do even better than us.
2. This skyline is a reminder of our determination to build a nation regardless of race, language or religion.
   1. While we may not have a common past with a common race, language, or religion;
   2. We can always have a common future, defined by a set of shared values.

10. We give thanks to all our forefathers who gave us what we have today.

11. Let us commit ourselves to this sacred task to uphold and defend this land, our people, our values, and our destiny.

12. Thank you.