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S’poreans must pay attention to events on global stage: NMP

Singaporeans should not be too fixated on domestic issues and neglect what is happening on the global stage, Nominated Member of Parliament Nicholas Fang cautioned yesterday.

Singaporeans should not be too fixated on domestic issues and neglect what is happening on the global stage, Nominated Member of Parliament Nicholas Fang cautioned yesterday.

The Budget debate over the past two days has centred on domestic issues, and Mr Fang reiterated that the Republic is vulnerable to external events. He said: “Even as we grapple with domestic issues such as local and national politics, policy decisions and implementation aimed at improving the lives of Singaporeans, and the challenges of day-to-day life, we should not forget that we are part of an international community.”

He pointed out that in the past months alone, there were unprecedented levels of transboundary haze, the first riot here in almost 50 years, attempted cyber attacks on the Government and commercial online infrastructure, and a spat with Indonesia over the naming of a warship.

“Further afield, there are regional tensions within ASEAN nations, and also potential rifts between major powers in Asia, such as Japan and China, that threaten to embroil smaller states like Singapore, and global superpowers like the United States,” Mr Fang said. “It’s important that all of us bear in mind the need to look outwards ... and remember that the world is watching to see how we conduct ourselves as a maturing nation and member of the regional and global framework.”

Mr Fang also urged Singaporeans to come together and develop a collective mindset — that everyone plays a role in Singapore’s continued progress. “Our instincts often seem to find fault and complain, instead of offering solutions or encouragement to those who are trying to do so ... perhaps we should wait for a moment and realise that we are all in this together,” he said. JOY FANG

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