SINGAPORE — After many among the 70 Members of Parliament who spoke during the five-day White Paper debate gave their take on what the Singapore core means, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday used a poignant image to illustrate what the Singaporean identity means to him.

It is about those “for whom when you say the pledge, and you see the helicopter flying past on National Day, it’s a special moment,” said Mr Lee, who was visibly moved.

Although encouraging Singaporeans to get married and have more children remains the Government’s “most important priority”, it is not just about the numbers of those born here, he said. It is also about those who have families and homes here, have sunk their roots and embrace our values and ideals, and given their loyalty to Singapore.

“Some will be born elsewhere, but embrace our values and decide to make this their home and nation,” he said.

Singapore is what it is today — “a shining red dot”, in his words — because of the important contributions made by the Republic’s forefathers, who were immigrants themselves, he noted.

He did, however, accept that the situation today was different from what it was at Independence because Singaporeans were now distinguishable to each other, even in foreign countries.

“Because we are distinguishable and identify with one another, it is harder for a new arrival to come in and become like those who were born and bred here, never quite the same,” said Mr Lee.

Still, the Prime Minister expressed hope that Singaporeans would have a big heart and adopt an open spirit to welcome those who want to make Singapore their home.

And despite the new arrivals envisioned in the White Paper, Singaporeans will remain the majority in the population and always be put first, Mr Lee pledged.

Priority in the Government’s policies, including in healthcare, education and housing, will always go to Singaporeans, he added.

“You are at the heart of all our policies. You are the reason why my team and I entered politics to work for a better Singapore, to work for Singaporeans. And we want Singapore to do well, so that Singaporeans can do well,” assured Mr Lee.

Singaporeans will also be given every opportunity to upgrade and take up good jobs, and will enjoy fair and equal treatment from employers, he said, amid concerns over the competition for jobs that the imported manpower will pose.

“We will make sure that Singaporeans are fairly treated,” said Mr Lee. “It has been so and will always be so, because the Government is elected by Singaporeans, and responsible to Singaporeans.”

Nevertheless, he noted that Singaporeans had a role to play in ensuring our competitiveness by staying “lean and hungry”.

“Singaporeans cannot afford to be just here for the ride; passengers. We are not an oil state, where the citizens can live on the oil wealth, and non-citizens do the work,” he warned.

Mr Lee also cited the opposing philosophies on immigration in the United States and Japan to explain the Government’s stance.

“We have to be open in a controlled way and if others accept our values and commit to building a better Singapore for all of us and can make a contribution and can integrate into our society, then we should accept them as one of our own,” he said.