SG50: A Milestone in Building the Singaporean Identity

TODAY

03 January 2016

Entering 2015, few could have imagined how momentous the year would turn out to be.

The jubilation, national pride and fresh aspirations of the people on the occasion of Singapore’s milestone 50th year of independence were anticipated. What were not were several other events that pulled together the nation; some, due to collective anguish.

The joyous celebrations under the SG50 banner were punctuated early in the year with the ailing health, then death, of founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. The unparalleled extent of national grieving and solidarity had hardly receded when the Republic had to grapple with one of its worst national tragedies in recent memory when an earthquake hit Sabah, killing 10 Singaporeans.

… Agreeing, Dr Alan Chong from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said “SG50 became like a common binder for all our loyalty”, noting that residual unhappiness with certain issues, such as transportation and housing, were overshadowed when people cast their votes.

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Last updated on 04/01/2016