Speech by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong at the 2nd Zong Xiang Challenge Trophy Golf Tournament Dinner 2012, 6 Sep, 7pm at the Singapore Island Country Club

第二届宗乡杯高尔夫球赛晚宴

卫生部长颜金勇 致辞全文

2012年9月6日，晚上7点，新加坡岛屿俱乐部

 大家晚上好。

我很高兴能够出席第二届宗乡杯高尔夫球赛晚宴。我想大家今天下午都度过了一个愉快的高尔夫球赛。

新加坡宗乡会馆联合总会（宗乡总会）一直以来举办了各种活动和交流平台，在促进各宗乡团体的凝聚力中扮演着重要的角色。

自去年6月起，宗乡总会已经举办了6次的分区会馆领导交流会以鼓励会馆对话以及加深相互了解。除了定期举行文化活动，今天的高尔夫球赛也是一个让各个宗乡会馆的成员进行互动，建立友谊的良好方式。

在今年的国庆群众大会上，我国总理李显龙强调，华族文化对许多人来说是“精神支柱及情感寄托”，并呼吁保留我们的文化之根。宗乡总会及属下会馆在这方面能扮演关键的角色，而尤其令我感到鼓舞的是，随着宗乡总会将要设立华族文化中心，以及福建会馆提出的福建会馆文化学院，这将能为新加坡开创文化的新天地。

总理还谈到了许多与国人息息相关的课题，包括对家庭的更多支援，新的教育政策，以及社会的融合。虽然我们只是一个小岛屿，但国人要有宽大包容的心；更重要的是，总理提出了一个问题：你想要留给你和你的孩子一个怎样的新加坡？

一直以来，我们都在努力打造一个更具包容性的社会，提供适当的支援于我们当中较为弱势的群体，协助他们继续过着更有意义的生活。我国的医疗政策反映了这一点。随着人口老龄化，我们将在社区开发更多的乐龄护理设施，让乐龄人士能够在熟悉的环境中获得妥善的照顾。这些设施将多会建立在组屋区内，给乐龄人士及他们的家属提供更方便的医疗服务。这群长辈们对我国做出了极大的建国贡献。我希望国人能够欢迎支持这些便予年长者的基础设施，共同建设充满希望和爱心的家园。

面对着未来的挑战，我们必须整体的一起来决定前面的道路。华社组织对于塑造我国的未来，以及对待长辈们的价值观，将起着举足轻重的作用。作为华社沟通的重要渠道，宗乡总会及属下会馆将能够贡献极大的力量，多年来在维护和推广本地文化、艺术等方面的贡献是显而易见的。我鼓励宗乡总会及属下会馆继续努力，以确保我们所坚持珍惜的价值观能经受住时间的考验。

王瑞杰部长将领导一个全国性的对话。我鼓励各位积极参与这对话，踊跃贡献意见和想法。让我们一起努力，共同为自己和孩子，创造一个更美好的未来。谢谢。

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I am pleased to be here with you at the 2nd Zong Xiang Challenge Trophy Golf Tournament Dinner. I understand that participants had an enjoyable day on the green today.

2     The Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) has always played a key role in promoting cohesiveness among the clan associations through various activities and platforms. Since last June, SFCCA has organised six inter-clan association exchanges to encourage dialogue and deepen mutual understanding across the associations. Apart from the regular cultural activities, today’s golf tournament is also a good way for members across the various clan associations to interact and build friendships.  

3     At the National Day Rally this year, Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the role of Chinese culture as an “emotional anchor and moral compass” for many, and called on the Chinese community to preserve our cultural roots. The SFCCA and clan associations have key roles to play on this front, and I am heartened that work to enhance our cultural landscape has already started with the SFCCA’s proposal to establish a Chinese Cultural Centre, and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan's proposal to set up the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy.

4     PM also spoke about many issues close to the hearts of Singaporeans, including greater support for families, new education policies, and social integration. He talked about “A Home with Hope and Heart”. He urged Singaporeans to have a big heart, although we are a small island. More importantly, he posed this question to Singaporeans: what kind of Singapore would you want to live in, and leave to your children?

5     So far, we have striven to create the conditions for a more inclusive society which supports the vulnerable in our midst to continue to live meaningful lives. Our healthcare policies reflect this. With an ageing population, we will be developing more aged care facilities to allow our seniors to be cared for in the community, amidst familiar surroundings. Many of these facilities will be built near our housing estates for the convenience of our seniors and their families. These seniors have contributed much to our nation building. I hope Singaporeans will welcome these facilities as they will serve as basic infrastructure to support our seniors.

6     As we face the challenges ahead, we must decide as a society on the way forward. The Chinese community can, and will play an integral role in shaping Singapore’s future, as well as shaping our values towards our seniors. As key avenues for the Chinese community to gather and exchange views, the SFCCA and the clan associations have much to offer at the national level. Your contributions towards the preservation and promotion of local arts, culture and heritage over the years are evident. This is important work that should continue, to ensure that the values and morals we uphold withstand the test of time.

7     Some good ideas and sound proposals have already been surfaced by the SFCCA and clan associations. I encourage you to continue contributing your ideas and be part of the National Conversation that Minister Heng Swee Keat is driving. Together, and through active participation, we can create a better future for ourselves and our children.

8     Finally, I would like to congratulate the winners of today’s Tournament. I wish you all a pleasant evening. Thank you.