DEFENCE AND SECURITY

We now have to bear the heavy duty of protecting our citizens against external aggression and internal subversion. While we want to be left in peace to develop our economy for the benefit of our citizens, outside interests may not allow us to do this. So we will over the next few years have to assign a considerable amount of manpower, material and finance towards protecting our homes and our way of life from the predatory intentions of our much bigger and more powerful neighbours against our homeland. This duty and responsibility though necessary and accepted as part of our new status will nevertheless throw heavy burdens on us. For some, it will mean the carrying of the financial burden for their less fortunate fellow citizens: for our youth it will mean volunteering for military service in the defence of the State but for one and all it will mean loyal sacrifice in one form or other. These burdens will appear onerous and at times exacting but we have always to remember that the price of freedom may be life itself.

As for our internal security, the Government is determined to safeguard the institutions and attitudes of democracy against subversion even if it means unpleasant action against certain anti-national elements. We will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt the unity and harmony of the people and the economic and political stability of the State. We have clearly shown recently that we are not loathe to act against Communists or anti-national elements when at the behest of a foreign power they decided to use unconstitutional measures in the political struggle. We are prepared to meet them in the open and in public to prove to them and to the world that both our past performance and future programme have the full support of the people of all races of Singapore. If, however, having failed in the open argument against us, the Communists, their agents and open front operators decide to take the law into their hands to force the issue or revert to the underground conspiracy congenial to them, then we will not hesitate to move decisively and firmly against them.