SJI Philanthrophic Fund Dinner - Speech by Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs

Chairman of the SJIPF, Mr Philip Yeo,

President of the SJIPF Management Committee,

Mr Leon Yee,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. Very good evening to all of you.

2. When I was first invited by Leon to come for this dinner, I couldn’t help but smile with a thought. My mind went back some decades. As most of you know, there were two secondary schools in the Bras Basah area. Two boys’ schools, there was IJ as well, and both wore white school uniform with a green tie. So, in your honour, I put on a white shirt and a green tie today. One was of course SJI, one of the two schools, and I think you know what the other school was. You know, at high school, I think our ancestors’ tribal instincts get crystalised and they take shape into boys’ psyche. Our form of tribal warfare is really the sports field – with football, hockey, rugby, and so on. And whichever sports, we always see SJI there, and the mobilisation of support is more intense. The victory is sweeter, the loss is more bitter. High school memories don’t quite leave us. There is a recent article in the BBC about how much our psyche is shaped by what happens in high school. So, when Leon invited me, I couldn’t help but think that I never thought I would be invited to a SJI event, and there was some irony in that I was being invited.

3. But you know the years give us a bit more wisdom, a bit more sense, even amongst boys. So as I got into public service, I couldn’t help but notice. My first entry into politics was in GRC – my leading teammate was Dr. Tony Tan, my colleague was Charles Chong, both from SJI. I learnt a lot from Dr. Tan, and Charles was a solid, dependable, wonderful person. And in cabinet, surrounded by SJI boys. We have Chee Hean, Mah Bow Tan, George Yeo – when I was in Cabinet. Of course, before that, there were many others. So more than a century of service just between the three of them, covering if you look at the ministries: Defence, MTI, Finance, Education, MND, Foreign Affairs, really shaped Singapore both physically and in terms of policies over the last 30 years. Now I know firsthand, what their immense contributions were. And outside of Cabinet, too numerous to mention. You see Philip Yeo is here, my ex-Permanent Secretary who became Head of Civil Service, wonderful civil servant, Leo Yip. Just a couple, but you can go on. So to all Lasallians, thank you for your contributions.

SJI and the Lasallian Schools

4. For more than 170 years, SJI and the Lasallian schools have educated generations of young people in Singapore.

5. The emphasis has not only been on academic achievement. But it has also been on character, on service, and being responsible to others.

6. As I said earlier, the Lasallian schools have produced many who have contributed immensely and significantly to Singapore.

7. But there is another measure of an institution which is particularly relevant tonight.

8. Many of you are alumni who graduated some time ago.

9. Yet you come back, you contribute, and you help those who come after you.

10. You contribute your time, you contribute your expertise, your networks, and your financial support.

11. That says something about the values of the schools and the strength of the Lasallian community. 

SJI Philanthropic Fund

12. This SJI Philanthropic Fund for the Lasallian Mission was established in 2010.

13. And the Fund has supported students through scholarships, bursaries, educational programmes and outreach projects.

14. The funds, I’m told, are used to support students and initiatives across the Lasallian schools in Singapore.

15. And its work reflects the key principle, that education is not simply about how well you do for yourself. It is also about what you do for others, when you are in a position to help.

16. This goes back to the Christian Brothers’ raison d’etre for running these schools in the first place, which have contributed so much to Singapore through giving quality education to so many generations of Singaporeans.

17. Tonight, our purpose to recognise everyone who has supported the Fund.

18. And a very substantial contribution from Mr Kwek Leng Beng, you heard from Mr Yee earlier. Now, what Leon said. I see it at the front end as a member of parliament in my area, and many others. You don’t have people that are starving in the numbers that you have in other countries. But for most of us, middle-class and so on, we are able to give the best to our children when they start. You are there looking after them, guiding them. There are many in Singapore, many bright kids, whose parents are not able to give them. So, if you take the 800-metres race, some kids start 100 metres ahead.

19. And really for the benefit of Singapore, because we have always depended on the quality of our people. And for the benefit, it’s a mission, it’s a service to make sure everybody reaches their true potential. Government can put up good schools. Government can put in a lot of money – world-class education. But that additional bit that can identify students who can go even further, even higher, with some extra help. That, I think can come through philanthropic foundations. That is the role that your money plays.

20. And quality of people, you know the importance remains true as technology transforms, the economies, industries and the nature of work.  

21. We need people who can understand these technologies, use them effectively, and help shape how they develop.

22. The Government has an important role. But the Government can’t do everything.

Teachers and school leaders 

23. And as we speak about students, I think it is extremely important to acknowledge the Lasalle tradition of the teachers as well.

24. Many teachers and school leaders are here tonight.

25. You play the critical role in developing young people, recognising their potential, and encouraging them to do more.

Conclusion 

26. Let me end by acknowledging all of those who have contributed to the work of the Fund, and the Board of Trustees, the Management Committee, the donors, volunteers, and the supporters from within and outside the Lasallian community.

27. Together, you create more opportunities for more young people to develop their abilities and to go further.

28. I hope you will continue to give the Fund your strong support.

29. Thank you very much.