PM Lee urges Singaporean Malays, Muslims to fully embrace new economy

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has urged the Malay/Muslim community in the country to master technology and not to miss the opportunity to fully embrace the new economy.

"If many Malays/ Muslims were successful in the new economy, the unity will be stronger and we can protect each other together," he said in a speech delivered in Malay in conjunction with the National Day Rally 2016 at the ITE College Central here Sunday.

He hoped the Malay/Muslim community would seize the opportunity to improve their skills and quality of life through SkillsFuture.

SkillsFuture is a national movement to provide Singaporeans with the opportunities to develop their fullest potential throughout life, regardless of their starting points.

Through this movement, the skills, passion and contributions of every individual will drive Singapore's next phase of development towards an advanced economy and inclusive society.

"To succeed in the new economy, we need to master new technologies. Technology will replace jobs with robots. But technology also creates new opportunities such as engineers, scientists and inventors," Lee said, citing new invention such as Pokemon Go.

Lee hailed the success of three Malay youths in their respective fields in creating robots and drones.

"This is the commitment of the government. We have prepared a good launching pad for children to succeed," he said.

Lee recounted his experience when he visited Geylang Serai twice this year when the Singaporean Muslims were preparing for the Aidilfitri celebration.

"I was there during the lighting of lamps ceremony. The decoration was simply grand, but I didn't have time to enjoy the splendour of Geylang Serai that night.

"I wasn't satisfied. This cannot be. So on raya night, Ho Ching (Lee's wife) and I went there again... no protocol.

"They (the Malays/Muslims) were smiling and cheerful. They were comfortable, safe, and confident of each other, and we appreciate this. Prosperity and solidarity are our identity," he said.