Ever since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore has been facing challenges.
Challenges in the 21st Century
Ever since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore has been facing challenges. Communal problems while in Malaysia, the British withdrawal from their Singapore bases in the late 1960s, the 1973 oil crisis, the 1985 recession, the 1997 Asian financial crisis are all challenges which we have resolved and emerged from the battle stronger. As Singapore enters the 21st Century, she has to face several new problems and uncertainties in all key dimensions of national life. The unfolding events following 11 September carry grave security implications for Singapore, testing our social cohesion and deepening our economic problems.
Politically, Singapore faces the major challenge of combating the threat of global terrorism. The September 11 terrorist attack awakened the world to the serious nature of the threat of terrorism. Since September 11, as a result of numerous investigations and arrests of terrorist detainees all over the world, the extent and depth of the global terrorism has come to light. Besides the Al-Qaeda network that wants to get US out of the Middle East and set up their Islamic world, there is also the Jemaaah Islamiyah in South-east Asia, which wishes to create an Islamic state from southern Thailand, through Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to southern Philippines. These terrorists resort to violence such as high profile attacks, which kill large multitude of people, to achieve their aim of setting up an Islamic state. The recent Bali bombing serves as a stark reminder to us that Singapore will be vulnerable to attacks from terrorists. Hence, it is necessary that we strengthen co-operation with our neighbours and US to combat this new threat to civilized society.
