Istana 2

From Far and Wide President of the United States George Bush, accompanied by President Wee Kim Wee, inspecting the Guard-of-Honour contingent during the ceremonial welcome at the Istana on 4 Jan 1992.

Nearly 150 years old, the Istana’s floors and corridors echo with the bygone footfalls of visitors who hail from all four corners of the world.

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ho they are and why they enter the Istana has changed over time, in parallel with Singapore’s historical development.

In the 19th century, in its first incarnation as the private residence of Singapore’s Colonial Governor, most visitors came in for private parties. With Singapore’s prime geographical position, the island was also a popular stopover for European visitors en route to China, and some of these visitors put up at the Government House on transit.

The Istana served mainly as a social venue for celebrations, gatherings and parties. Some local children who grew up living in the Istana’s staff compound—their fathers worked there—recall their starry-eyed wonder as they watched men and women clad in ball gowns waltzing in a ballroom.

From merry dancing, the footsteps soon changed in timbre to a more deliberate and sober note nearing 1960, as Singapore pushed inexorably toward self-governance. History was made when Singapore achieved self-government in 1959, and became independent in 1965 when it separated from Malaysia.

Singapore’s new leaders had to get down to the hard business of forging diplomatic ties to advance Singapore’s interests in the global arena. The objective, when meeting foreign visitors, was to enhance diplomatic relations and promote bilateral co-operation and partnership.

As a small island state with no natural resources, the help and support of international friends were crucial for Singapore’s survival.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and wife Toh Puan Rahah with President Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares and Mrs Sheares at the Istana during his three-day Official Visit to Singapore in Nov 1973.

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President Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares leans in to listen to Thai Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj during a courtesy call at the Istana. The Thai PM was on a three-day visit here in Jul 1975.

As the official residence of the Head-of-State, the Istana started to receive a trickle of foreign visitors meeting Yang-di-Pertuan Negara Yusof Ishak. And the numbers grew over the years as Singapore started to establish ties with more countries.

One of the challenges which confronted Singapore’s public servants then was that they had to become familiar with—and develop— protocols which had been conducted by the British before. Protocol, which articulates the “proper” way which things should be done— from how a VIP should be escorted to the exact order of seating arrangements—can be understood as good manners on a state level.

Diplomatic relations are framed by these protocols, which provide an internationally-accepted code of manners with which to conduct interactions with foreign dignitaries. Properly-observed protocol creates goodwill, and helps in enhancing Singapore’s reputation, standing and presence on the world stage.

Singapore’s public servants rose heroically to the occasion to define protocols for the new nation. In general, the evolution of protocol in Singapore has been guided by simplicity, dignity and pragmatism.

ARRIVAL OF WORLD LEADERS As Singapore enlarged her international footprint and progressed from being a nonentity on the world stage to being a valued player, more countries started paying attention to Singapore, and an increasing number of world leaders stepped into the Istana.

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“ When I became Aide-de-Camp, Singapore had just become an independent state, and there were many new ceremonies we had to do. For instance, we had to arrange for ambassadors and high commissioners to present their credentials. The form of the ceremony had to be worked out from scratch. We checked on how the Indians and British did it, then with the Americans and various other countries, before arriving at our own form of presentation of credentials.

It was dignified, and not extremely elaborate. In England, for instance, the ambassador is fetched from his home in a horse carriage. We could not do that.

Instead, we got a carriage with four wheels, run by motor instead of a horse—a car!”

WINSTON CHOO, who was appointed as a military Aide-de-Camp to President Yusof Ishak in 1965

The Malaysian High Commissionerdesignate to Singapore presenting his credentials to President Yusof Ishak at the Istana on 6 Sep 1965.

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“ One of the things I enjoy most about my job is being able to meet foreign dignitaries, and to me it is a real honour. The first time I met Queen Elizabeth, I was one of two Istana butlers who was assigned to attend to her personal needs. Typically, I would say—Your Majesty, do you need anything? I didn’t think she would remember me. But when I next saw her, at an event where all the butlers lined up in a row to greet her, she stopped when she came to me and said—“I remember you.” I felt so happy!”

ISMAIL ABDUL GHANI, Istana Senior Butler (1964–present)

When they visited, it did not just cause excitement amongst the Istana’s rank-and-file staff. Singaporeans were proud to see these world leaders on home turf. These visits usually last several days and are carefully programmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) who possess the necessary expertise on formalities. The visits consist of a mix of meetings with Singapore’s top leaders including the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, within the Istana, as well as visits to observe other parts of the Singapore community such as housing estates or schools.

Amongst the most highly-anticipated visits was that of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, who visited Singapore in 1972, 1989 and 2006. During her visit in 1972, the Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, were presented with the Order of Temasek, Singapore’s highest state decoration, by President Benjamin Sheares.

The Queen then presented Dr Sheares with the Knight Grand Cross of the Bath (GCB), and to Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the Knight Grand Cross of St Michael and St George (GCMG). The State Banquet was particularly elaborate and memorable, as the men went beyond the usual formal wear to don tuxedos or tailcoats.

In 2012, to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Singapore as the Queen’s representatives. They were received

by Singaporeans with equal affection and enthusiasm. Their visits underscored Singapore’s deep historical ties with the UK which span over 200 years. Today, Singapore continues to enjoy strong bilateral ties with the UK. 42

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Queen Elizabeth II conversing with President Wee Kim Wee at the Istana during the Queen’s three-day State Visit to Singapore in Oct 1989.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales KG and Her Royal Highness Catherine, greeting President Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan before the courtesy call at the Istana on 11 Dec 2012. The Duke and Duchess were on an Official Visit to Singapore as representatives of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee.

“ We visited Singapore 36 years ago in 1970…It was not long after Singapore had gained independence, when the country was striving to develop itself, and I remember planting a cycad tree in what was then an empty area of the Jurong district…Singapore has (since) developed and each and every individual has come to enjoy a very prosperous life.”

EMPEROR AKIHITO, in a 2006 press conference

Crown Prince Akihito of Japan calling on President Yusof Ishak at the Istana in Feb 1970.

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West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt became the first German leader to visit Singapore in October 1978, during which trade and economic ties between the two countries were affirmed and strengthened.

A month later in November 1978, then-Senior Vice-Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Deng Xiaoping, made his first and only Official Visit to Singapore. It was the last stop of his three-nation tour of Southeast Asia which included Thailand and Malaysia. His visit was significant as it laid the foundation for close ties between Singapore and China well before diplomatic relations were formalised in 1990. The visit also sowed the seeds for the replication of the Singapore model of industrial development in China, which led to the joint establishment of the Suzhou Industrial Park in 1994.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited Singapore in 1970 as the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and made another visit in 2006.

A significant development took place in 1967 as Singapore became part of a formalised grouping of regional “friends”. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established in Bangkok Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Later, Brunei Darussalam joined the grouping in 1984, Vietnam in 1996, Lao PDR and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999, making up what is today the ten ASEAN member states.

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President Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares (right) conversing with the People’s Republic of China Senior Vice-Premier Teng Hsiao-Ping (Deng Xiaoping) when the Senior Vice-Premier called on President Sheares at the Istana during his three-day visit to Singapore as part of a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia that included Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore in Nov 1978.

President Suharto of Indonesia presenting a large wooden carving from Central Java to President Dr Benjamin Henry Sheares at the Istana in Aug 1974. On the right is Mrs Sheares.

This paved the way for many more visits to the Istana from the leaders of neighbouring countries, as the purpose of ASEAN included active collaboration and mutual assistance within the member states in the economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields. These included Indonesian President Suharto’s Official Visit in August 1974, Vietnamese Premier Pham Van Dong in October 1978 and Philippines President Corazon Aquino in 1986.

Today, the Istana continues to host ASEAN events and in some of these, the MFA, which organises these events, have shown true ingenuity within the confines of protocol. When Singapore hosted the 41st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 2008, for instance, the plan was for an outdoor dinner with a garden theme. Out of concern for VIPs who may be bitten by mosquitoes, the dinner venue was moved indoors. Unfazed, the organisers managed to pull off the theme by transforming the hall into a garden-like setting as tall flowers were placed on each table, flower motifs adorned the napkins, and flowers cascaded down the walls.

CEREMONIAL SPLENDOUR When royalty and Heads-of-State visit, it is in essence meetings between friends, but the conduct of these visits is far from informal.

Their experience at the Istana is one of formality and dignity, in line with their status as world leaders.

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Ceremonial welcome for Philippines President Corazon Aquino during her State Visit to Singapore at the Istana in Aug 1986.

A description in the Straits Times of a two-day stopover in Singapore

by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, from 17-19 February 1965, gives an idea of how detailed the planning was, even 50 years ago: “Prince Philip was received at the airport by the President himself, Mr Yusof Ishak. A few feet behind Mr Yusof was the minister representing the Singapore Government, then-Health Minister Mr Yong Nyuk Lin. The Duke then mounted the Rolls Royce and was driven to the Istana, then known as the Istana Negara. Uniformed police lined the route and at some points, passers-by lined up to cheer and wave to the royal visitor. At the Istana, he was received and sat down to a private tea with the President.”

These days, the spirit of the ceremony—reception at the airport, a formal ceremonial welcome—has changed little, but there have been some modifications in the process. Instead of the President himself, an Honorary Aide-de-Camp is appointed to represent the President’s Office, and he welcomes the guest with a Minister, representatives from the MFA and staff from the guest’s embassy. The convoy of cars will first bring the guest to the hotel, where he or she can rest, before heading out to the Istana for a courtesy call on the President and more.

The entourage travel in a V-shaped convoy of as many as 10 cars or more, escorted by traffic police on motorbikes. Sometimes, the convoy travels in a special “blue lane” where the lane is cleared of all other vehicles.

At the Istana, the President and his wife will receive the guests in a formal Welcome Ceremony. At the ceremonial plaza, the visiting 52

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His Majesty Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Badlishah, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XIV of Malaysia, inspecting the Guard-of-Honour contingent during a Welcome Ceremony at the Istana during his State Visit to Singapore from 19 to 21 May 2014.

Head-of-State is invited up to the saluting dais with the President.

After the national anthems of both countries are played, the Head-ofState is invited to inspect the Guard-of-Honour. Once that is over, the VIP signs the visitor book then enters the West Drawing Room to have a courtesy call on the President. A courtesy call essentially means that they will sit down and chat, usually for about 30 minutes.

The Ceremonial Guard-of-Honour comprises a column of military men in uniform. They are part of a ceremonial practice to honour domestic or foreign dignitaries, who walk past and inspect the line of guards. At full strength, the column is 96-strong to greet Heads-of-State.

For other dignitaries, the column may be smaller. When ambassadors or high commissioners present their credentials, for instance, the column consists of 24 men and they are called the Prestige Guards.

On the rare occasion, the Ceremonial Guard-of-Honour can go into the hundreds. When President Suharto visited Singapore in 1974, he was greeted with a 21-gun salute and a 400-man column from the army, navy, air force and police.

In the past, the Guard-of-Honour used to greet guests at the thenPaya Lebar Airport. The ceremony was shifted to the Istana as it was deemed a more suitable venue. Even at the Istana, however, the ceremony used to be held at a tarmac plot at the side of the Istana building. It was only after the renovation between 1996 and 1998 that the Welcome Ceremony was moved, fittingly, to the front of the Istana where the guards could stand at attention at the purpose-built ceremonial plaza, complete with four flag poles.

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His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Her Majesty The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha with President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Mrs Mary Tan during the Sultan’s State Visit to Singapore in Apr 2014.

Another formal event for visiting Heads-of-State which takes place at the Istana is the State Banquet. This is a glittering event where all the VIPs and invited guests turn out in their best for an enjoyable dinner.

The event kicks off when the various guests are introduced to the Head-of-State. Once the VIPs enter the banquet hall, a fanfare is played.

The President gives a welcome speech, raises a toast to the visitors, then the visiting Head-of-State gives his thank-you speech. The conduct of the dinner has become more elaborate over the years; the fanfare as the VIPs walk in, for instance, was introduced to create a grander ambience.

STRONG MILITARY TIES Award ceremonies in recognition of military achievements were first held at the Istana in the late 1940s, when war veterans or civilians were conferred a variety of British honours in the then-Victoria Room, now known as the State Room.

Today, the investiture of the Distinguished Service Order (Military), Singapore’s highest military award, takes place at the Istana. Such ceremonies demonstrate the importance which Singapore places on defence and security bilateral co-operation. Formally called the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), it recognises contributions made to the forging of excellent defence ties between Singapore and the recipient’s country. Recipients of this award have come from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and this reflects the close bonding between Singapore and these countries when it comes to military matters.

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“ In recognition of the efforts and contributions by the leaders of our counterparts in deepening bilateral cooperation and rendering invaluable operational assistance, Singapore Police Force has recommended for them to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). There were a total of 15 DSOs conferred since 1993. All the DSOs were conferred by the President of Singapore in Istana—a place where the President receives visiting state guests.”

CHEONG CHEE MENG, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC), Director of the International Cooperation Department, Singapore Police Force

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In 2004, Australian Chief of Defence Force General Sir Peter Cosgrove was conferred the medal. Under his leadership, defence cooperation between Singapore and Australia’s armed forces grew deeper and stronger. He returned to the Istana in 2015 as the GovernorGeneral of Australia when he made a State Visit to Singapore.

Likewise, the Distinguished Service Order (Police) is awarded by the Singapore Police Force to their overseas Police counterparts, with whom they work closely with to combat transnational crimes and facilitate capability development.

Another congregation of international and regional leaders in defence which takes place in the Istana is the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. First organised in 2002 by the International Institute for Security Studies (IISS) to create a forum where the Asia-Pacific’s defence ministers could engage in dialogue to build confidence and foster practical security cooperation, it has since evolved into the most important regular gathering of defence professionals in the region, and has become a vital annual fixture in the diaries of Asia-Pacific defence ministers and their civilian and military chiefs-of-staff. The conference itself takes place in the Shangri-La Hotel, hence the name of the event, but conference delegates make it a point to head to the Istana for a dinner hosted by the President.

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President Tony Tan Keng Yam conferring the Distinguished Service Order (Police) on Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Paduka Seri Haji Hasrin Bin Dato Paduka Haji Sabtu, Commissioner of Police of the Royal Brunei Police Force, at the Istana on 3 Jan 2013.

President Ong Teng Cheong officiating at the conferment of the Distinguished Service Order (Military) on Australian Chief of Defence Force Admiral Beaumont at the Istana State Room on 27 Jun 1995.

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Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Iskandar of Johor, greeted by President and Mrs Wee Kim Wee during the ceremonial welcome at the Istana on 26 Jul 1988. Also present is then-Second Deputy Prime Minister Ong Teng Cheong (left).

DIPLOMAT FRIENDS Apart from Heads-of-State and foreign defence chiefs, the number of diplomats visiting the Istana also grew significantly, reflecting Singapore’s growing network of friends world-wide. The number of resident missions in Singapore grew from 24 in 1965 to about 70 in 2015. Another 80 Heads-of-Missions are accredited from third world countries.

The presentation of credentials is a ceremony that takes place when a newly-appointed ambassador or high commissioner presents his or her diplomatic credentials—a formal document identifying him or her as a representative of their Government—to the Singapore President. The President also presents letters of credence to ambassadors-designate and high commissioners-designate of Singapore before they leave to assume office overseas. These ceremonies take place at the Istana almost once a month sometimes involving several ambassadors or high commissioners within the day.

Even with greater organisational efficiency, however, a great deal of attention is paid to each ceremony and as with visits by Heads-ofState, there is order, method and protocol. Typically, diplomats arrive at the Istana to view a video at the Villa which outlines the order of proceedings of the ceremony. They then proceed to the Istana building where they will be formally introduced to the President in the West Drawing Room. The diplomat will then present the credentials—these appear as documents which may be enclosed in an envelope or encased in a file—to the President.

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II shares a toast with Singapore President S R Nathan during a State Banquet at the Istana in Singapore on 17 Mar 2006. Queen Elizabeth II was on a three-day State Visit.

“ We would bring in a few hundred pots of plants to decorate a space for functions. Timing was all-important. If you bring in some plants, like bougainvilleas, too early, the flowers may drop.

Without sunlight, some flowers or leaves may fall and may look very ugly on the day itself. But when I did decorations for banquets, some foreign delegates would come and take a photo of the plants and tell me, very nicely done. That made me proud.”

N KRISHNAN, gardener in the Istana (1977–1995)

A courtesy call follows a group picture, which is sometimes made more interesting if the diplomat is clad in his or her traditional dress. Then the diplomat leaves in a car on which a state flag has been placed. The flag is only placed after the presentation of credentials, for before that, the diplomat was not yet formally acknowledged by the Singapore President.

Every year, the diplomats will gather for the President’s Annual Diplomatic Reception, where the President, Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet meet with the Diplomatic Corp. The annual calendar event was started by President Wee Kim Wee in 1985 as a gesture of appreciation. In 2015, the reception which was organised in April for over 300 guests marked the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties between Singapore and 13 countries: Australia, Canada, Cambodia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

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State Banquet held in honour of Indonesian President Joko Widodo on 28 Jul 2015 at the Istana.

Mr. C A Anigbo, High Commissionerdesignate of Federal Republic of Nigeria presenting his credentials to President S R Nathan at the Istana on 26 Jan 2000.

VISITOR IMPRESSIONS OF THE ISTANA Maintaining the Istana at faultless, impeccable standards made a crucial first impression on foreign VIPs. To that end, the Istana has always impressed. As Heads-of-State are driven through the Istana grounds, many comment on the serene green gardens which are astoundingly tucked into the hustle and bustle of Orchard Road. Carefully maintained by a team of gardeners, a great deal of thought was put into the type of plants grown and wildlife introduced to make an immediate impact.

Plants were also trotted out and put on display whenever there were events organised, which inevitably impressed the foreign guests.

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“ It is crucial that as Honorary Aides-de-Camp, we present ourselves properly to our guests. Each ADC is required to know the history of the Istana building, the history of the President’s Office, and be familiar with the Istana surroundings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also brief us on protocol requirements: How to receive foreign dignitaries and how to address them. It could be Your Highness, or Your Grace, we need to learn and memorise the correct salutations. We even have an image consultant who comes in to give us tips on how to dress up during formal occasions when we may need to wear a suit. We learn how to choose a tie which matches our shirt, what should be the correct length of our trousers, how to eat at a formal dinner, how to use the cutlery.”

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In the 60s and 70s, the Istana’s hospitality extended to “hotel” services. At the time, hotel accommodation in Singapore was not like what it is today and the best place for guests to stay was at the Istana, where they were served by Istana staff. These Istana bedrooms comprised two rows of five guest rooms on the second floor of the main building and guests were supplied with Lux soap, one box of detergent in the form of soap flakes, toothbrush and tooth paste.

Dignitaries who have stayed in the Istana include President George H.W. Bush and Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. These bedrooms have in recent years been converted into offices, as Singapore’s soaring hotel standards have done away with the need for the “Istana Hotel”.

Beyond the horticultural and physical infrastructure, guests were struck by the warmth and efficiency of the Istana staff they encountered.

Staff who wanted to boost their service levels were sometimes sent for external courses, to learn how to provide better service at functions, or simply how to cook new dishes.

Within the Istana, the environment was scrupulously maintained, and the staff sought to provide little extra touches to impress their guests. For instance, bronze doors knobs were polished until they shone, and that same sheen can be observed on every one of the metal bars which anchor the red carpet of the grand staircase. Efforts were made to ensure that guests enjoyed their food. Prime Minister Fukuda from Japan was served noodles which had been procured from his native prefecture. The Istana used to serve conventional tea. But some years back, it started to serve longan tea, which the Empress of Japan thoroughly enjoyed.

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Honorary Aidesde-Camp on duty during the President’s Annual Diplomatic Reception at the Istana on 14 May 2013.

President of Costa Rica Jose Maria Figueres paying a courtesy call on President Ong Teng Cheong at the Istana Villa on 4 Dec 1997.

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“ When I was working in the A&E unit of the Tan Tock Seng Hospital in the early 90s, whenever there was an event at the Istana involving VIPs, we would be mobilised just in case anyone was unwell.

Our team comprising two doctors and a few nurses would be stationed at the Istana itself, in a room with our medical equipment and drugs. We would have to stay throughout the function. Fortunately, we never had to swing into action.”

YANG CHEK BTE SALIKIN, recipient of the President’s Award for Nurses in 2008

Ceremonies, events and protocol run in military fashion on a minute-to-minute plan, backed by painstaking preparation which goes into every event. Protocol integrity demands that there can be no mistakes. All potential emergencies have to be foreseen and prepared for and all contingencies must be carefully mapped out.

For every foreign guest who is invited into the Istana, every effort is made to ensure that long after they have left, they continue to have good memories and favourable impressions of their time there; this hospitality undoubtedly oils the wheels of diplomacy for Singapore.

Indeed, 19 foreign representatives from 18 countries converged in the Istana on Singapore’s 50th birthday on 9th August 2015 where they were hosted to lunch by President Tony Tan before heading out for a front-row seat to the SG50 celebrations at the Padang in the evening.

The programme was a fitting testimony to 50 years of fostering close diplomatic ties.

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Mrs Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, calling on President Yusof Ishak and Puan Noor Aishah at the Istana in May 1968.

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“ Everything that we did had to be planned for and organised down to the minute. I recall, I was once assigned to organise an official lunch during the visit made by President Jacques Chirac to Singapore on 6 October 2004. The French President was hosted by PM Lee Hsien Loong. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew were involved in this lunch. I was told categorically that a Chinese menu should be served in 40 minutes. This required a lot of teamwork, as a Chinese lunch would usually take 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the kitchen was on the ground floor in an annexe building, while the lunch was held on the first floor. I discussed with Chef Yong Bing Ngen that the communication system and food delivery system had to be practised! The food could not arrive too soon or late, or it would be cold.

We timed the food delivery from the back kitchen via the lift to the lunch table, and we calculated the cooking time to serve the next course immediately after removing the used plate from the previous course.

I was like a Mad Hatter during the lunch, walking to and fro, it was very tense. Even though we could not control the guests’ eating time, the lunch ended as scheduled. President Chirac asked to thank the Chef, and after the handshake, Chef Yong quipped that he would not wash that handshake off!”

BELINDA TAY, Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1997-2013)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosting a luncheon for President of France Jacques Chirac at the Istana on 6 Oct 2004. Also present were then-Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and then-Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. The French President was on a three-hour stopover in Singapore, en route to Hanoi for the fifth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit.

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“ Singapore could not have made it on our own. We are grateful for friends who have supported us during our crucial formative years. In particular, we were fortunate to have like-minded neighbours who believed that regional security and cooperation were critical to promoting economic growth and strengthening the long-term development of Southeast Asia. We are equally grateful to our other regional and international partners for their friendship and assistance. As we stand on the cusp of a new era, we look forward to further deepening relations with you. Thank you for making the Singapore Story possible.”

PRESIDENT TONY TAN, during the National Day lunch on 9th August 2015

President Tan addressing the Government Representatives attending the National Day Parade on 9 Aug 2015. Guests at the event included the Sultan of Brunei, Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Laos, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam, and Vice Presidents and Deputy Prime Ministers of Japan, Australia, China and Indonesia.

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