With the swearing-in of President Obama in the US:

The world not just welcome a new era, but an age where people realise that when all of us serve the nation, the nation will be better off, regardless of race, sex, religion or political creed.

With this, I would like to acknowledge the words of some government ministers have said on Monday in regards to not just the behaviour of some civil servants, despite these difficult times, but also to acknowledge that civil servants had to sacrifice some of their financial benefits, like almost all ordinary citizens who has had to suffer job cuts, wage cuts and a rise in living costs and expenses.

I may have some professional disagreements with the present government, but all due credit is deserved for the words that some prominent ministers have said, and I hope they continue in this vein for a while more.

Also, while we enjoy a new day from this day onwards, the 21st of January 2009, we also have to not just do the above, but to also set aside cynicism, and help our country and our people in every way we can, in good times and bad. This country is bigger than any person, or any party, or any group. Above all, we are Singaporeans, and we serve one another, and we make sure we will serve not just one class above another but for all.

Only then can we not just get out of this recession, but we can build a better foundation, and a better and brighter tomorrow.