In its latest update, the PMO said: “PM Lee was feeling unsteady because of prolonged standing, heat and dehydration. His heart is fine and he did not have a stroke.
“Thank you, everyone, for your well-wishes. PM Lee will resume his National Day Rally speech at 10.40pm,” it said.
Lee, 64, was scheduled to end his English speech at 10pm.
Earlier, he delivered his Malay and Mandarin versions at 6.45pm.
Meanwhile, Channel NewsAsia reported that Lee had asked Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean to convey a message that he would return to conclude his speech.
In his speech earlier, Lee said all racial and religious groups in Singapore had unanimously supported efforts to combat terrorism.
“They are working together to strengthen inter-religious trust. Muslim leaders are clearly rejecting the extremist ideology,” he said in the Malay language at the National Day Rally 2016 at the ITE College Central today.
“The (terrorist) threats for Singapore are critical and dangerous. There are ISIS (Islamic State) followers in the region,” said Lee who also spoke in English and Mandarin.
Citing an example, Lee said Malaysia had arrested 200 members of the militant group, Indonesia had also arrested several individuals who planned an attack on Singapore from Batam, while Singapore had detained certain individuals for spreading radical ideology.
He said Singapore had been a multi-religious country in which each follower of a religion showed high levels of tolerance towards each other, besides agreeing to discuss matters of common interest to strengthen the shared identity.
“We don’t isolate ourselves from others. We send warm wishes at every festival and we celebrate together,” he said.
The prime minister also shared his personal experience on receiving warm wishes on Chinese New Year and celebrating the Ponggal festival in Cheng San with the Indian community, Christmas in East Coast Park and Iftar at the Al Islah Mosque in Punggol.
“Muslims and non-Muslims alike were waiting for the Azan to break the fast. I’m sure you all had had the same experience. It only happens in Singapore,” he said.
However, Lee said the situation was different elsewhere.
“There are foreign preachers who do not understand the situation in a multi-racial society in Singapore. Hence, some of them called for followers of different religions to be separated. Some even criticised their brothers of the same religion just because of their differences in the practice and schools.
“They are bringing in detrimental practice. Foreign preachers have also been banned from entering Singapore before. Muslims and non-Muslims. We are monitoring the situation now to safeguard Singapore’s prosperity,” he said.
In his speech, Lee also touched on the review of Singapore’s elected presidency system.
“The minorities should be fairly represented and their interests, well protected…that is why we set up the GRC (Group Representation Constituency) to ensure that there will be representatives of the minorities in Parliament.
“However, if it is done through election, it will be difficult for a non-Chinese candidate to be elected. In the long run, it will cause disappointment and anxiety, which can be politicised and used to trigger the fire of hatred and disunity in the future.
“Therefore, something must be done now while the country is peaceful and the people are united,” he said.
“So, we will ensure that from time to time there will be a Malay president, or Indian president, or a president from other minority groups. This is not only important for the minorities, but also for Singapore,” he said.
Nevertheless, Lee said the strict criteria and requirements for presidential candidates would be preserved.
“So, we can rest assured that whoever elected is well qualified and would have the same high standard. The president’s post is the symbol of the country. Each citizen from each race can become president and play the role to unite all
Singaporeans,” he said.
“We have to ensure that every citizen is fairly represented. This is our pillar of strength, the majority and the minority prosper together. That is why we can sing ‘Majulah Singapura’ together,” he added.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emI6tdu5-Ck