How should Singapore mark National Day this year?

A TODAY Voices writer has questioned if there is a need for the National Day Parade (NDP) this year to feature fireworks at more than 10 locations islandwide and for 1.2 to 1.3 million funpacks to be distributed to every Singaporean and permanent resident household. She argues that the money can be put to better use to fight the Covid-19 crisis. 

In response, many TODAY readers agreed that there is no need for fireworks and funpacks this year, given the state of the economy, and offered various suggestions on how Singapore can mark the occasion. Some said that there is no need to have a parade this year, but others disagreed. 

I fully agree (with the Voices writer). I love Singapore and am very proud of being a Singaporean. Each of my family members has participated in the NDP. And yet I have always felt the funpacks are a waste of money and resources. How often do you see the bags being used? They contribute to massive wastage. ALINA CHAY SOW FUNG

Singaporeans and businesses are suffering, facing closure or job losses and depending on government support. No amount of fireworks will help lift their spirits. Focus on Singaporeans’ basic needs and job security. Cancel the NDP celebrations and fireworks, please. At this time, let us not be wasteful and extravagant in celebrating our National Day. Instead, we can have a speech from our prime minister (PM) showing appreciation to our front-line essential workers. VERONICA MITCHELL

It is wasteful, environmentally unfriendly and the funds can definitely be put to better use, such as supporting low-income families during this period. MORHAN RAAJ RAMASAMY

I agree that the funpacks should be given only to those who explicitly ask for them. This will help to cut wastage. WZ TOH

Patriotism can be celebrated in many ways. We have chosen to downgrade many celebrations because of a common understanding that it is necessary to do so. Times are not good, and these funds should be saved for rainy days. We can all do without seeing fireworks this year. For a change, use the money to send more food to needy families. SHAN SINGAM

I agree. Please use the resources to focus on helping everyone get through this pandemic. We do not need funpacks for each household, or people to be out distributing or collecting them. We do not need fireworks to be displayed when we are already dipping into our reserves. WEE-LING CHEW

It is a General Election year, people. (The Government) must build that mood of nation-building, patriotism, unity and solidarity, so that when you go to the ballot box... the feel-good feeling is there. IVANLIM ICEMAN 

I am happy that Singapore is turning 55. We have come a long way. I do not need the funpack, although I am thankful for the gesture. Please give out a free Singapore flag to each household and let us all proudly fly our flag. EMMA KRISH

The economy is not doing too good, a lot of businesses are shutting down and so many workers are affected. What is there to celebrate? ADZHAR TAHIR

Please do not have fireworks… Even though it is at 10 locations, people may still congregate. Celebrating National Day is non-essential. I would rather see the money used to help fellow Singaporean families who are greatly affected by Covid-19. SHARIFFAH FAIZAH

Maybe a simple parade and a speech by the PM, plus a coupon to collect a free meal for that day from food sponsors for all Singaporeans. There is no need for all the fanfare. DESMOND LOH SAM LOONG

Why don't the organisers distribute vouchers for Singaporeans to redeem an NDP gift, such as an MP3 player with recorded NDP songs or a prepaid Transit Link souvenir card? ALAN TAN

Give health packs — containing masks, sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and handwash — instead of funpacks to residents. These will be more useful. MARYANNE LOW AMBROSIO

One, fly some fighter planes and a helicopter with the flag across the island; two, have a speech by the PM live on television at 8pm; and three, we go to our windows to clap, shine a torchlight and sing National Day songs together with a live TV programme. Settled. In light of the present situation, a simple arrangement to remember how far we have come is sufficient. BRYANT LAU

May I suggest the Government use the money to give out NTUC FairPrice vouchers — at least S$10 per household — to lighten our burden instead? LILY HENG

Good time or bad time, we need to celebrate our National Day. But we can do away with the non-essential things, just like how we do not allow non-essential services during the circuit breaker. DEXTER TEO

I do not agree with doing away with NDP celebrations. We celebrated it every year even during our early days of independence when the situation was worse than now. NDP 2020 has already been downgraded to a much smaller scale with fewer people involved. Singapore is not down to the last penny and the Government is coming up with a fourth Budget next week to help people. The more dire the situation is, the more we should celebrate. What would we be today if we had cancelled our NDPs during our uncertain years because we had no mood or were too scared? We should show resilience and tenacity during this trying time and never give up celebrating the nation’s birthday. JOE LAU

Joe Lau, I get your logic for having a celebration to express our resilience and patriotism. But Covid-19 has thrown the world into uncharted territories. Singapore is clearly not broke. But it is about prudent spending, opportunity cost and focusing on what is more important as a nation. We have had to forgo many celebrations as a nation this year... Why not NDP? There are many ways to celebrate without the need for excessive spending. ROMAN SH

If planning for NDP 2020 and acquisition of supplies and services had been done way before Covid-19, then it has to proceed. It is also good to lift the spirits of Singaporeans. Think positive. S K TAN

National Day is definitely worth celebrating. Planning normally starts right after the last NDP. It has been carefully budgeted for and we should still go ahead with a celebration on a smaller scale and use the rest for the needy. ALEX LIM

I do not think it is a good idea to do away with the National Day celebration. It is a way we can stand together, in solidarity, and tell ourselves that we will overcome whatever comes our way. But please do away with the funpacks, which are bad for the environment. Use the funds to provide some snacks to the poor instead. Fireworks can also be scaled down. I would prefer to see our fighter jets flying many times over the island. KALYANI CHATTERJEA

I am looking forward to getting my hands on the NDP funpack and seeing the fireworks.

• Event and fireworks companies will not go bust — this saves jobs;

• Discount coupons in funpacks encourage everyone to spend and support local businesses; 

• Sponsors of funpack items get some form of advertising

It is a win-win for all. OLIVER ONG WL

These comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page or sent to Voices. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length. If you have views on this issue, send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.