Heng Swee Keat to chair Singapore50 committee: PM Lee

A Singapore50 committee will be set up and headed by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat to look for ideas to mark the Republic’s 50th year of independence in 2015, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

“We should mark the occasion properly, 50 years is a significant milestone … I don’t think we should just have a fireworks display and a party, I think that would not be at the right level,” said Mr Lee, noting that Mr Heng had successfully chaired the Our Singapore Conversation committee.

Mr Lee added: “It’s an occasion for us to look back over 50 years, think back, what have we done, what has made this work, what do we want to do in future, and also commit ourselves to say yes, I do want to do this in future, let’s make this happen together.”

There needs to be a “right mix” between a celebration and a “thanksgiving service”, he said. Adding that youths will be involved, Mr Lee cited the possibilities of community or social projects. “You need as wide an involvement as possible, people groups, committee groups, government.” Tan Weizhen