1. Thank you to Riders Aid Singapore for organising the event, and thank you guests from overseas for joining. Thank you for all your hard work, without which I think this event is impossible.
2. For those of you know me, usually on such occasions, I do not say very much. And as usual, I will not say more than three things.
3. First, I must congratulate the organisers and all the participants for doing this simple, yet unique event. This event is unique in more ways than one. As I was mingling around with the guests, especially some from overseas, people were surprised that we have a Chinese temple and an Indian temple side by side. Is this the only place in Singapore that we have this? The answer is no. Actually, in other parts of Singapore, you will also see Chinese temples, Islam mosques, Indian temples and even Christian churches side by side.
4. This is a very uniquely Singapore way of doing things, whereby we are united by a common cause, regardless of race, language, or religion. I would like to thank the organisers for exemplifying this very simple spirit of racial and religious harmony, which is always a work in progress. Every little gesture counts. Thank you very much for doing this simple, but powerful act.
5. My second point, is perhaps more a question for all the riders who have spent your time, whether is it on the bike or in the vintage car and have come here to support this event. Some of you might be quite puzzled why the organiser has to work so hard to raise money. Isn't Singapore a country where most of us are quite well provided for? Why don't the government just increase the tax a bit, then we can do without these charity events, right?
6. Yes, we could have increased the taxes and have the Government fund all the charities necessary. But that won't be the way that we want to bring up the next generation, where just because people pay their taxes, then they are done with their responsibility. In fact, we want every generation to understand their responsibility to one another, regardless of whether they are rich or poor.
7. That's why in Singapore, most of the charities will be largely supported by public funds. We will always have a component, no matter how small, for the public to contribute to a cause that they like, and they want. This is our way, to build a more heartwarming society, than just someone giving up their money and calling it a day.
8. That is why I would like to thank all the riders, because your actions today are not just about donating and raising funds for this generation. Your very action is a testimony of the kind of society that we like to see, which will help to grow the next generation to have the same type of spirit, where we take care of one another beyond money. Thank you very much to all the riders.
9. My last point is this. In Singapore, there is also a very unique way that we do things. We say that all those who are able, you can contribute your time, talents and treasures. Today, many of you have contributed your treasures – your funds, your money and so forth. I would also like to ask that if you can, and if you wish, you might also join us in contributing your time and talent, which is even more important than just contributing your treasures.
10. What do I mean by that? Just now, the Children's Cancer Foundation shared this with you. What they do goes beyond just giving financial assistance to the families in need. Of course, that is important. But very importantly, it is also about spending time with the children, helping the families of the children, and at the same time giving the children the opportunities that we want them to have, notwithstanding the illnesses that they may have. That is why in Singapore, we will always advocate that, for all those who are able, please try to contribute not just your treasures, which we all appreciate, but we also hope that you will contribute your time and talent to help the many charities help the many people in need, beyond financial assistance.
11. Going forward, this will become even more important. Beyond money, we need to give the next generation who are more disadvantaged than us these same opportunities, so that in Singapore, everyone can grow up and say that so long as you are born in Singapore, regardless of your family background, you will have the best opportunities to succeed so long as you are willing and able to work hard.
12. On that note, thank you to all the riders and all the organisers behind the scenes for doing this very simple, yet powerful act to exemplify the spirit of racial harmony in Singapore, and to exemplify how we want to bring up a generation where we contribute our time, talents and treasures to those in need. That will make us a truly more heartwarming society than just a materially well-off society.
13. Thank you very much to all. Thank you.