Debate on President's Address

Debate resume.

7.27 pm

Mrs Josephine Teo: Phillip is so passive, a real nobody. But then, almost mysteriously, he has a gift for somehow always being there when you need him. He just magically appears by your side. Maybe Phillip is the Messiah.

Of course, the rabbi did not mean me. He could not possibly have meant me. I am just an ordinary person. Yet supposing he did? Supposing I am the Messiah? Oh God, not me. I could not be that much, could I?

As they contemplated in this manner, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one among them might be the Messiah. And on the off, off chance that each monk himself might be the Messiah, they began to treat themselves with extraordinary respect. Because the forest in which it was situated was beautiful, it so happened that people still occasionally came to visit the monastery.

As they did so, without even being conscious of it, they sensed the aura of extraordinary respect that now began to surround the five old monks that seemed to radiate out of them and permeate the atmosphere of the place. There was something strangely attractive, even compelling, about it. Hardly knowing why, they began to come back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, to play, to pray. They began to bring their friends to show them this special place. And their friends brought their friends. Then it happened some of the younger men who came to visit the monastery started to talk more and more with the old monks. After a while, one asked if he could join them and then another and another. So, within a few years, the monastery had once again become a thriving order and thanks to the rabbi's gift, a vibrant centre of light and spirituality in the realm.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I love the story. I am sorry Mr Low does not. For one thing, I love the difference we can make when we start to treat one another with, as the Prime Minister says, grace, courtesy, respect, regardless of our station in life. I wish we do this all the time – with cleaners, security guards, bus drivers, hawkers, foreign construction workers. Can you imagine what a powerful force we can be if Singapore were exceptional in this way?

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I love the story, too, for the imagery of revival, of spiritual uplift. It never fails to give me a high. Most of all perhaps I love what the story suggests about accountability. The rabbi had no solution. All he did was to change the standard by which each monk benchmarked himself – to that of the Messiah! You see, the real difference we make is not when we hold other people accountable. That is too easy. It is not even when we hold each other accountable. The highest order of accountability is that we hold ourselves to. It is when we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of civility, honesty, integrity, good faith, good sense, that we have the best potential of changing the world.

Sir, the elections are done. We now have the duty of living up to voters' high expectations. At the same time, we have the privilege of setting new political norms for Singapore. Let us, in our hearts, place upon ourselves this burden and this honour. Let us persuade Singaporeans to join us in shaping a political culture we can all be proud of. If the Winged-Lion Mace head could speak, let us hear her call us "an exceptional Parliament". Then, these watershed elections would truly yield something good for Singapore's political development, something worthy of celebration. Sir, I support the motion. [ Applause. ]