SINGAPORE must hold fast to certain constants such as its core values, its heritage and cultures, and the national cohesion and spirit which enables the country to surmount crises together.
In his Chinese New Year message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on Singaporeans to preserve a "Singaporean core in our society".
He said: "We need immigrants to reinforce our ranks, but we must maintain a clear majority of local-born Singaporeans who set the tone of our society, and uphold our core values and ethos."
Mr Lee said that many people want to become permanent residents and new citizens here, but the Government will select only those who can add value to the country.
He also touched on the concerns that some Singaporeans have over the rapid changes in society and a sense of dislocation and unfamiliarity.
"We will manage the pace of change, so that we keep our bearings, sense of place and sense of belonging," he assured.
However, Singapore cannot stay static and has to keep up with the world, or else the country will stagnate and decline, he said.
Mr Lee attributed the booming economy to the optimism and confidence of both Singaporeans and foreign investors and to global monetary conditions, such as low interest rates and abundant liquidity.
Rising property prices have also prompted the Government to act to curb speculation and cool the property market, and more will done to stabilise it if and when this becomes necessary, he said.
"We will keep housing affordable for Singaporeans, especially public housing," said Mr Lee.
The Government will also work to mitigate the impact of rising prices due to higher inflation expected over the next few months, he said.
Following a "good year" last year, the Government has more scope now to implement schemes to help Singaporeans cope with rising costs, especially those in lower-income households.
He also called upon Singaporeans to produce more babies - which he said "has proved extremely challenging" - in the Year of the Rabbit, following last year's all-time low total fertility rate of 1.16, and stressed the need to keep mother-tongue languages "alive", as language is a "key vehicle for transmitting values and culture".
Mr Lee said: "Our culture has to be a living asset. We hold on to it not by keeping it frozen, but by re-inventing it for each new generation, preserving its essence while adapting its forms to changing times and circumstances.
"This is how we can keep the essence of what makes us Singaporean, and keep Singapore thriving."
In his Chinese New Year message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called on Singaporeans to preserve a "Singaporean core in our society".
He said: "We need immigrants to reinforce our ranks, but we must maintain a clear majority of local-born Singaporeans who set the tone of our society, and uphold our core values and ethos."
Mr Lee said that many people want to become permanent residents and new citizens here, but the Government will select only those who can add value to the country.
He also touched on the concerns that some Singaporeans have over the rapid changes in society and a sense of dislocation and unfamiliarity.
"We will manage the pace of change, so that we keep our bearings, sense of place and sense of belonging," he assured.
However, Singapore cannot stay static and has to keep up with the world, or else the country will stagnate and decline, he said.
Mr Lee attributed the booming economy to the optimism and confidence of both Singaporeans and foreign investors and to global monetary conditions, such as low interest rates and abundant liquidity.
Rising property prices have also prompted the Government to act to curb speculation and cool the property market, and more will done to stabilise it if and when this becomes necessary, he said.
"We will keep housing affordable for Singaporeans, especially public housing," said Mr Lee.
The Government will also work to mitigate the impact of rising prices due to higher inflation expected over the next few months, he said.
Following a "good year" last year, the Government has more scope now to implement schemes to help Singaporeans cope with rising costs, especially those in lower-income households.
He also called upon Singaporeans to produce more babies - which he said "has proved extremely challenging" - in the Year of the Rabbit, following last year's all-time low total fertility rate of 1.16, and stressed the need to keep mother-tongue languages "alive", as language is a "key vehicle for transmitting values and culture".
Mr Lee said: "Our culture has to be a living asset. We hold on to it not by keeping it frozen, but by re-inventing it for each new generation, preserving its essence while adapting its forms to changing times and circumstances.
"This is how we can keep the essence of what makes us Singaporean, and keep Singapore thriving."
