New citizens get national ceremony
New citizens get national ceremony
By Melissa Sim
ON THE stage in the hall of Parliament House stood nine people from five different countries - India, the United States, China, the Philippines and Myanmar.
Their voices resounded along with 146 others as they recited the national pledge.
Last night was a big day for them - they became Singaporeans.
This was the first National Citizenship Ceremony and also the first step towards creating Singapore's own 'Citizenship Day' - an idea that Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng raised in Parliament earlier this month.
Yesterday, DPM Wong told the 400 people - new citizens and their Singaporean friends - that 'Citizenship Day' would be for 'all Singaporeans to come together to celebrate their citizenship and reaffirm their common identity as Singaporeans'.
'By inducting our new citizens in the company of other Singaporeans, we are celebrating our commitment to a shared destiny and our mutual sense of belonging,' he added.
The new citizens add to the economic, cultural and social milieu of Singapore's society, he said.
'In choosing to make Singapore your home, you have decided with both your heart and feet. You have shown confidence in Singapore to continue to do well. It also reflects your desire and commitment to contribute to our shared future.'
Becoming a citizen never was such a grand affair.
Before 1998, new citizens would simply collect their citizenship certificates from what was then known as the Singapore Immigration and Registration.
After 1998, ceremonies were organised by Community Development Councils at the district level, with more than 300 new citizens at each event.
But in April this year, these ceremonies were held at the constituency level to foster better engagement with the community.
At last night's event, the new citizens had a chance to mingle with ministers and Members of Parliament, who turned up to mark the ceremony's importance.
The national anthem was sung, a choir sang national songs and the ceremony ended in typical Singaporean fashion - a feast.
Over the next five years, Singapore can expect to add about 200,000 permanent residents and 40,000 citizens to its fold.
Many of the citizens at last night's ceremony were the first in their families to settle in Singapore and hoped to bring their loved ones over to join them.
Others had families here and viewed Singapore as home.
Housewife Gemma Garcia, 42, from the Philippines, has been here for almost 10 years.
'I'm married to a Singaporean. This is where my family is,' said the mother of three.
On the other hand, MrJeremy Lin, 25, who works in an insurance company, is the first Singaporean in his family and is trying to convince his parents to come over from Sichuan, China.
Mr Lin came to Singapore when he was 17. 'I did most of my growing up here,' he said.
He was accompanied by his Singaporean friend, MrThomas Thyng, 24, a student.
Said Mr Thyng: 'It was a really touching ceremony. It reminded us that we're all Singaporeans.'
By Melissa Sim
ON THE stage in the hall of Parliament House stood nine people from five different countries - India, the United States, China, the Philippines and Myanmar.
Their voices resounded along with 146 others as they recited the national pledge.
Last night was a big day for them - they became Singaporeans.
This was the first National Citizenship Ceremony and also the first step towards creating Singapore's own 'Citizenship Day' - an idea that Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng raised in Parliament earlier this month.
Yesterday, DPM Wong told the 400 people - new citizens and their Singaporean friends - that 'Citizenship Day' would be for 'all Singaporeans to come together to celebrate their citizenship and reaffirm their common identity as Singaporeans'.
'By inducting our new citizens in the company of other Singaporeans, we are celebrating our commitment to a shared destiny and our mutual sense of belonging,' he added.
The new citizens add to the economic, cultural and social milieu of Singapore's society, he said.
'In choosing to make Singapore your home, you have decided with both your heart and feet. You have shown confidence in Singapore to continue to do well. It also reflects your desire and commitment to contribute to our shared future.'
Becoming a citizen never was such a grand affair.
Before 1998, new citizens would simply collect their citizenship certificates from what was then known as the Singapore Immigration and Registration.
After 1998, ceremonies were organised by Community Development Councils at the district level, with more than 300 new citizens at each event.
But in April this year, these ceremonies were held at the constituency level to foster better engagement with the community.
At last night's event, the new citizens had a chance to mingle with ministers and Members of Parliament, who turned up to mark the ceremony's importance.
The national anthem was sung, a choir sang national songs and the ceremony ended in typical Singaporean fashion - a feast.
Over the next five years, Singapore can expect to add about 200,000 permanent residents and 40,000 citizens to its fold.
Many of the citizens at last night's ceremony were the first in their families to settle in Singapore and hoped to bring their loved ones over to join them.
Others had families here and viewed Singapore as home.
Housewife Gemma Garcia, 42, from the Philippines, has been here for almost 10 years.
'I'm married to a Singaporean. This is where my family is,' said the mother of three.
On the other hand, MrJeremy Lin, 25, who works in an insurance company, is the first Singaporean in his family and is trying to convince his parents to come over from Sichuan, China.
Mr Lin came to Singapore when he was 17. 'I did most of my growing up here,' he said.
He was accompanied by his Singaporean friend, MrThomas Thyng, 24, a student.
Said Mr Thyng: 'It was a really touching ceremony. It reminded us that we're all Singaporeans.'
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