National Day: 2012

Chingay Parade, the Festival For All

Chingay procession was held in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy. It was held to worship and enjoy with the deity. During the earliest procession in more than 100 years ago, the earliest English newspapers Echo in Malaysia adopted the word Chingay Procession for this special event.

Today, in Malaysia and Singapore, Chingay is not only performed by the Chinese, but the art has successfully attracted the Malays and Indians. It has become a unique multiracial performance. The popularity of Chingay in Penang has made it one of the very impressive cultural landmarks as well as an important tourist attraction.

On 4 February 1973, the first Singapore Chingay parade was held partly as a result of the ban on firecrackers a year earlier in 1972 as a result of fire hazards. This ban was viewed unfavourably despite the safety issues involved. Some people felt that the ban would result in a much dampened festival mood for the Chinese New Year period. To address this issue, the People's Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Association jointly organised a street parade from Jalan Besar to Outram Park featuring the signature floats, acrobatic acts, lion and dragon dances, stilt walkers, and the like, to bring back some cheer to the general public.

The 2011 Chingay Parade will be held on 11 and 12 February. It will open with a Fire Party, and will include the largest moving multi-ethnic performances, first travelling dance competition within the parade, a spectacular finale where thousands of performers will flood the parade ground holding candle lights and an inaugural colourful Arts District/ Carnival. It also includes activities in which the public can participate, such as the Teresa Teng Look-Alike Photo Contest and the Chingay Paparazzi competition.

Religious Harmony

Religious harmony in Singapore

The biggest obstacle, however, to such development is found the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, which proves to be the biggest bugbear in vigourous religious debate. A restraining order can be placed on any member of a religious institution for the following reasons:

(a) causing feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different religious groups;

(b) carrying out activities to promote a political cause, or a cause of any political party while, or under the guise of, propagating or practising any religious belief;

(c) carrying out subversive activities under the guise of propagating or practising any religious belief; or

(d) exciting disaffection against the President or the Government while, or under the guise of, propagating or practising any religious belief.

The clauses mentioned above are vague and poorly defined. “Enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility” will always exist whenever differences are highlighted, even when it is unintentional. One man’s offense can easily lead to another man’s arrest.

While noble in intent, the Act goes to the extreme of out rightly separating religion from politics, when in reality the two are inexorably linked. It also places the authority of the State above religion, when in fact religion should act as a check on government.

Such a topsy-turvy arrangement is problematic for the well-being of the nation, for if the State rules over the nation, then who rules over the State? Surely not the mainstream media, which has been rendered toothless by the government? Surely not the judiciary, which has been found to be loyal to the State?

It is time Singapore loosen up for its own good.

Total Defence

Five Aspects of Total Defence

Psychological Defence

Psychological Defence refers to the individual citizen's commitment to the nation and confidence in the future of our country. It is about having pride, passion and patriotism for our country. United in Psychological Defence, we develop the collective will to stand up for our rights; to protect what is ours; to seek to be left in peace; to progress and prosper in our own way as a nation. A strong Psychological Defence allows us to safeguard our independence and hence chart our own destiny

Social Defence

Social Defence is about Singaporeans of all races and religions living and working together in harmony. To build a strong Social Defence, there must be racial and religious tolerance and respect, as well as equal opportunities for all regardless of race, language or religion. Social Defence also refers to every citizen, especially those with the ability, education and training, having the social conscience to contribute to the larger community and country. This includes showing care and concern for the less fortunate and underprivileged, as well as active participation in volunteer work.

Economic Defence

Economic Defence is the government, business and industry organising themselves in such a way that our economy will not break down in war or under the threat of war. It means putting in place contingency plans to ensure that our offices and factories will be able to continue their operations during emergencies, even after National Servicemen (NSmen) and equipment have been mobilised to deal with the emergencies. Economic Defence involves the economic sector sharing material and manpower resources to meet the needs of Civil and Military Defence. At the level of the individual, Economic Defence requires the cultivation of a good working attitude and constant upgrading of one's skills. This is necessary to help Singapore stay ahead of the competition.

Civil Defence

Civil Defence provides for the safety and basic needs of the population on the home-front so that life may go on as normally as possible during emergencies. It involves training, with the help of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the civilian population in rescue work, evacuation, first-aid and damage control. Civil Defence aims to produce a civilian population familiar with procedures for survival and protection, and with arrangements for relief services and emergency supply of critical items like blood, water and food. The knowledge and assurance that loved ones are cared for will fortify the morale of our citizen-soldiers in military training or fighting at the front-line.

Military Defence

Military Defence is having an SAF able to deter aggression. A first-class SAF - one that has the capability to act effectively and decisively should deterrence and diplomacy fail - is essential to building a strong Military Defence. While Military Defence is the responsibility of NSmen, full-time National Servicemen and regulars in the SAF, it also involves our own military industries having the capacity to meet the SAF's weapons and ammunition requirements.

We must preserve racial and religious harmony

This is one good example that represents good racial and religious harmony. Racial Harmony Day is celebrated annually on 21 July in Singapore. It also represents a day for schools to reflect on, and celebrate Singapore's success as a racially harmonious nation and society built on a rich diversity of culture and heritage. The event is to commemorate the 1964 Race Riots, which took place on 21 July 1964.

In schools all across the nation on that day, students are encouraged to be dressed in their traditional costumes such as the Cheongsam and the Baju Kurung and the best-dressed will be pointed out by the teachers. These 'small' competitions will make the people more proud to be a Singaporean, practise and appreciate harmony in Singapore.

Traditional delicacies are also featured in the celebrations.

Traditional games such as Kutih-kutih and zero point, congkak are played in schools, where inter-class competitions are sometimes organised.

The Importance Of Racial Harmony Day

Celebrting Racial Harmony Day is important as we will learn cultures and tradition of other races. People will also appreciate each other and would not want to cause any conflict.

We can also learn the history of the different races and religions in Singapore.
By having Racial Harmony Day, we can avoid misunderstandings and conflicts of different races and make our country a democratic society.
Hence, we can all live together as one and face obstacles together. We must help people of all races.
We would not face conflicts like the conflict between Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland.

Singapore is our homeland; This is where we belong,

August 9 is a special day to all in Singapore but a significant day for all Singaporeans as it is Singapore's National day: 47 years since our independence. On this day, we remind ourselves the hardship that our older generation and our MM, Mr Lee Kwan Yew, put in to build Singapore and have what we have right now. In this particular day, most of the Singaporeans hang our Singapore flag outside of their house as well as going to various parts in Singapore to celebrate the National Day.

Singapore was formly known as Temasek until 13th century when an Indonesian prince by the name of Sang Nila Utama landed on the island and saw a lion. He then decided to name the island, Singapura (Singapore) which means Lion City. Not quite sure how he managed to convince the villagers living in the island of Temasek that he has changed the name of their country to Singapura but hey, he did it.

In 1819, a British statesman by the name of Sir Stamford Raffles, arrived in Singapore and established a British Port in the city state. This was the beginning of our economic growth whereby the strategic geographical location of Singapore was capitalised upon. Ships travelling from all around the world wanting to trade in countries such as China had to pass by Singapore. Until today, this has formed one of the backbones of our economy.

In 1942, Singapore was occupied by the Japanese during the World War II and was renamed Syonanto. Many of the older generations who survived the Japanese occupation are still alive today and frequently share with us the difficuties they faced during the occupation. In 1945, after dropping the two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Japanese surrendered and we were returned to British rule. Slowly gaining self governance until 1963, when we merged with Malaysia. Our merge with Malaysia was short lived and only lasted two years as many social and economic disagreements arose. At the stroke midnight on the 9th August 1965, Singapore, is an independent country.

Our Prime Minister at that time, Lee Kuan Yew, faced a challenging task of building our country from scratch. Singapore is a small country without any natural resources but together with hardworking Singaporeans, we managed to build the country together to what we have today. Every year on 9th of August, we celebrate our National Day and constantly remind ourselves that we got to where we are today through hardwork and dedication.

Here are some pictures that i would like to share with you all !

Marina Bay Floating Platform- The Marina Bay floating platform is the largest floating platform in the world and it is the venue for our National Day Parade 2011!