The National Pledge was written by Senior Minister Mr S. Rajaratnam in 1966 soon after separation from Malaysia. It was a time of uncertainty: of companies moving out of Singapore for fear of an uncertain economic and political future. The Pledge emphasises that the difficulties can be overcome if Singaporeans come together as one. The draft text was handed to the then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who polished the text before sending it to the Cabinet.

The Pledge

We the citizens of Singapore,
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society
based on justice and equality
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

The Five Shared Values

First conceived in 1988 by the then First Deputy Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong, the "Shared Values" incorporate elements of Singapore’s cultural heritage--attitudes and values that have helped it survive as a nation. It was meant to be a blueprint for the development of a national ideology that all Singaporeans could subscribe to and live by.

• Nation before community and society before self
• Family as the basic unit of society
• Community support and respect for the individual
• Consensus, not conflict
• Racial and religious harmony

Singapore Songs

For all the spontaneity they are said to lack, Singaporeans have created their own songs. And yes, they do sing them in public (with great gusto too). Catch them in action during the annual National Day celebrations--with mini flags, torches, face paint and all.

If you have the Shockwave plug-in, click on the Singapore Jukebox to sample some of these tunes.

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