SPEECH BY PRESIDENT S R NATHAN AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY AT THE ISTANA ON WEDNESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2005 AT 8.00PM

Prime Minister
Senior Minister
Minister Mentor
Deputy Prime Ministers
Chief Justice
Speaker of Parliament
Cabinet Ministers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

1 When I was sworn in as the Second Elected President of Singapore in 1999, I said that I will be a President for all Singaporeans, with every community of Singaporeans as my parish.

2 Over the past six years, I have done my best to serve and represent all Singaporeans from all walks of life, and discharge my duties in accordance to the spirit and letter of the Constitution.  I am touched by the many Singaporeans who have come forward and given me their support and encouragement, as I pursued various community and charitable causes, and promoted volunteerism in my initiatives to help our fellow Singaporeans who are in need.

3 Prime Minister, I am humbled by the sentiments you have just expressed about my wife and me. It places on me an even heavier responsibility as I begin my journey on my 2nd Term of Office.  With the renewed confidence that the people have placed on me, it makes it even more incumbent on me not just to live up to their expectations, but more importantly continue to do my utmost to discharge my duty and deliver the trust the people have bestowed on me.  I will work with you and the Government, and the people of Singapore, as we remake our city together, and make this a special place which we all can truly call home.

4 This year, Singapore celebrates our 40th anniversary of independence.  It is a major milestone. Singapore has succeeded beyond all expectations. We started out with nothing, but worked hard together and persevered to get to where we are today.  As in the past, the future will have its uncertainties and surprises – circumstances will change and new challenges will emerge.  We will have to face them and the stern realities of a globalised world, with as much determination as we did before.

5 As we embark on this journey to remake Singapore, we will have to make difficult adjustments along the way. This will require Singaporeans to be united, to work together and to help the more vulnerable in our midst.  As President, I pledge my commitment to continue to reach out to all Singaporeans, and to do my part not only to foster a more cohesive and inclusive community, but more importantly to take care of Singapore’s interests for the present and the future.

6 When I took office six years ago, I indicated that I would work to realise the intent of the institution of the Elected Presidency, with its custodial powers to protect the past reserves and the integrity of the Public Service.  Since then, we have accumulated more experience working this institution. Indeed we have addressed issues in these two areas of my constitutional responsibility, sometimes looking at them from the perspective of our respective responsibilities, but never ignoring the fundamental purpose these safeguards are to serve.

7 While this custodial function of the Elected Presidency is by now well established, the detailed rules and procedures to operationalise the concept will have to be worked out progressively.  And from time to time, these working arrangements will have to be refined due to changing circumstances.  I will continue to work with the Government to improve the detailed mechanics of this institution, so that it can grow in effectiveness over time.

8 Finally, I would like to urge all Singaporeans never to take our success and harmony amongst the different races and religions here for granted.  In the midst of other concerns that are apt to arise, as we strive to give our people a better life, we must not lose sight of the fact that we have 4 million people living together on one small island.  So perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, we need to learn to be tolerant of one another, to understand one another, and to reach out in love to our fellow Singaporeans.  On my part, I will do whatever I can through my office to help each community, and to draw our various communities even closer together.