Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the Thank You Reception for NDP 2019 Organisers and Participants

Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Defence Force,

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Afternoon

I am delighted to host today’s reception and to thank the National Day Parade (NDP) 2019 Executive Committee, participants and volunteers for putting up a spectacular performance. This year, Singapore commemorates our Bicentennial and also celebrates 54 years of independence.  The Padang was specially chosen for this year’s NDP, given its significance in witnessing key events throughout Singapore’s history, including the swearing in of Singapore’s first President Yusof Ishak in 1959, and our first ever NDP in 1966. I would like to commend the team for successfully organising a special NDP at the Padang befitting of our Bicentennial. I had many fond memories of the Padang as I used to picnic there with my friends when I was young. I hope the younger generation will also have beautiful memories of the Padang just as the older generation does.

The theme for this year’s NDP was “Our Singapore” and we told Our Singapore story from past to present. Singaporeans enjoyed the Prologue which included eight floats that featured organisations from the 1800s that highlighted the massive transformation of Singapore over the past 200 years. The Parade and Ceremony this year brought together people of different backgrounds and all walks of life. It was a grand and dignified parade with many highlights, such as our first ever volunteer corps contingent and the Combined Drum Band, which demonstrated our inclusive society and brought together special need students from Tanglin School, the Singapore National Cadet Corps Command Band and SAF Band. I attended one of the Combined Drum Band rehearsals and was impressed by the sheer dedication displayed by the participants in perfecting their moves and delivering a wonderful show.  I truly like that segment as it shows that we are moving together as a society. Everyone is included no matter who they are and what they do. The National Day celebration also has a place for those with special needs to partake in. This year’s show was especially meaningful. We were all moved by the stories of ordinary Singaporeans who overcame adversities and continued to give a little more to the people around them. Singaporeans also loved the giant lion, which symbolised our hopes and confidence in our future together.

Singaporeans also enjoyed this year’s Mobile Column as it returned to the Padang 50 years since it first rolled down St Andrew’s Road in 1969. The Mobile Column was the most memorable part of this year’s NDP for me, because I am also from the Merdeka Generation myself.   

The mobile column also successfully engaged many more Singaporeans when it travelled to the Heartlands on 10 Aug. It was an incredible sight to witness tens of thousands of Singaporeans lining the streets and waving flags to welcome the mobile column as it drove by. The Heartlands celebrations brought Singaporeans together and it showed the deep love that Singaporeans have for our country. We must continue to stay strong and united as one people, and strengthen our bonds and celebrate our diversity. In the old days when I used to live at Selegie House, we will see the marching contingents. I remember all of us went down to support and cheer for them as they displayed the spirit of what Singaporeans can do, marching together as one. It was a memorable moment for me. The Mobile Column and the marching contingent will always be special for me as I remember our past and live in the present.

Organising the NDP is not a simple task and it takes 15,000 Singaporeans to come together and work as a team to deliver the biggest celebration for our nation. All of you can be proud of what you have achieved together – a special NDP at the Padang befitting of our Bicentennial. For some of you, your NDP journey began more than a year ago when you started to understudy the previous year’s NDP. The journey is as important as the outcome, and I hope that you will always remember this positive NDP experience. Congratulations once again and a big thank you to every one of you for making this a memorable bicentennial NDP.

I look forward to meeting you at the reception later.

Thank you.