SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has warned that Singapore is too small to afford political paralysis.
He was speaking at the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang National Day Dinner on Sunday evening.
Mr Lee emphasised the need to get Singapore's politics right, a point he elaborated on in his National Day Rally speech last weekend.
He said Singaporeans must play their part in the country's progress, especially when there are many uncertainties in the world.
Mr Lee said: "If you are in the stock market, you will know this week, every day, the stock market goes up one day three percent, the next day (it) goes down five percent, (and the) next day (it) goes up again.
"If you have invested (in stocks), (it's) very exciting. It's not just a matter of excitement, it's a reflection of the uncertainties in the world, the deep problems in America and Europe and therefore the loss of confidence by investors, by the markets, in the future of these major economies."
And it's because of such uncertainties that Mr Lee stressed that Singaporeans must work together to meet the challenges.
"We must make sure that we keep on getting our economics right, our policies right and our politics right," he said.
"And we must have harmonious political system where we make important decisions in the best interests of Singapore and Singaporeans, and keep ourselves safe in this uncertain environment."
He added: "We are too small to be able to afford impasse and gridlock, to have two sides blocking one another so you can't move, you can't solve problems, you can't go ahead. We have to work together. The government is doing our part, we need voters, we need every citizen to do their part."
Prime Minister Lee also urged Singaporeans to come up with ideas to make the country better, citing examples like the Yellow Ribbon Project which gives jobs to ex-convicts, and suggestions to develop land along the KTM railway line.
He was speaking at the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang National Day Dinner on Sunday evening.
Mr Lee emphasised the need to get Singapore's politics right, a point he elaborated on in his National Day Rally speech last weekend.
He said Singaporeans must play their part in the country's progress, especially when there are many uncertainties in the world.
Mr Lee said: "If you are in the stock market, you will know this week, every day, the stock market goes up one day three percent, the next day (it) goes down five percent, (and the) next day (it) goes up again.
"If you have invested (in stocks), (it's) very exciting. It's not just a matter of excitement, it's a reflection of the uncertainties in the world, the deep problems in America and Europe and therefore the loss of confidence by investors, by the markets, in the future of these major economies."
And it's because of such uncertainties that Mr Lee stressed that Singaporeans must work together to meet the challenges.
"We must make sure that we keep on getting our economics right, our policies right and our politics right," he said.
"And we must have harmonious political system where we make important decisions in the best interests of Singapore and Singaporeans, and keep ourselves safe in this uncertain environment."
He added: "We are too small to be able to afford impasse and gridlock, to have two sides blocking one another so you can't move, you can't solve problems, you can't go ahead. We have to work together. The government is doing our part, we need voters, we need every citizen to do their part."
Prime Minister Lee also urged Singaporeans to come up with ideas to make the country better, citing examples like the Yellow Ribbon Project which gives jobs to ex-convicts, and suggestions to develop land along the KTM railway line.
