Singapore Government Press Release

Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,

MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369

Tel: 6837-9666

SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG AT THE TSUNAMI DISASTER MEMORIAL SERVICE ON 9 JAN 2005

On 26 December, an earthquake occurred off the northern tip of Sumatra. It was the strongest the world had seen in 40 years, so massive that the earth shook on its axis. The quake unleashed tsunamis that traveled thousands of miles, and sent terrifying walls of water smashing into coastlines around the Indian Ocean, as far away as Africa.

In the following days, the world was transfixed and horrified by television images of the tsunamis thundering onto beaches, tossing aside buildings, and destroying everything in their path. People fled in terror, scrambled to higher ground, or were swallowed up by the waters.

It took a few days for the world to realise the scale of the disaster. Twelve countries suffered direct hits. The worst hit were Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and the Maldives. We have seen pictures of Banda Aceh reduced to rubble, leaving only the historic mosque still standing. And Phuket with the streets clogged with debris, bodies scattered around. The tragedy is awful enough on television. But it must have been many times more overwhelming and terrifying for those caught in the path of the tsunamis.

On Tuesday, I visited Aceh. We flew by Chinook helicopter up the West coast of Sumatra to Meulaboh, and then to Banda Aceh. We saw how for 250 kilometers, the coast had been battered and gouged out by the giant waves. Whole towns and villages had been wiped bare. Where houses once stood, there only remained piles of planking or rubble. Sometimes even the ground was gone, and dry land had become sea. We shuddered at what must have happened to the people who used to live there. We saw few signs of survivors. Entire communities must have perished, probably swept out to sea.

Meulaboh itself was ground zero, close to the epicentre of the earthquake. Large parts of the town had been flattened. Probably one third of the residents had died. The smell of death hung in the air. As the Indonesian local military commander, a colonel, said to me, the scene looked like Hiroshima after the atomic bomb.

Other communities around the Indian Ocean suffered badly too – Banda Aceh in Indonesia, Khao Lak in Thailand, Nagapattinam in India, Galle in Sri Lanka and the many small islands of the Maldives, Andaman and Nicobar. Altogether, at least 150,000 people were killed. Thousands more are still missing. Millions survived, but are homeless, injured and in shock.

Countries outside the affected region also suffered losses. The casualties came from at least 35 different countries. Many tourists were holidaying in coastal or island resorts like Phuket, Penang and the Maldives when the tsunamis hit. Amongst the visitors, those from Scandinavia and Germany suffered particularly grievous losses. Although Singapore island itself was not hit by the tsunamis, we too suffered casualties. 9 Singaporeans died, and 15 more are missing.

Behind the numbers, each death is a tragic story of a human life suddenly snuffed out, a family left behind to grieve the loss, or in many cases a whole family wiped out in one fell swoop. People rushed to rescue others, only to lose their own lives. Mothers clung on desperately to their children, but were finally defeated by the waters. Others fought to hold on to two loved ones but had to make wrenching decisions to let one go. Young couples on the threshold of their lives together were suddenly parted forever. We do not have to know the victims to understand the anguish of a man who lost his wife, a mother who lost her son, a child who has been orphaned, or a family still searching for missing members, hoping against hope that somehow, somewhere they are safe. We all have our own families, and we know what our families mean to us.

This evening, we gather to remember all those who have died in this calamity, whatever their nationality or race, and to mourn with their families and loved ones. Our deepest condolences go to every person who has lost someone dear, and to every community which has been ripped apart by this cruel wave. We hope you find comfort knowing that you do not mourn alone. Today the Singapore flag flies at half-mast. It stands as a mark of our nation’s respect, condolence and solidarity, with our fellow men across the world, as we mourn for all the victims of the disaster.

To those whose loved ones are missing, our hearts are with you at this trying, anxious time. We have read miraculous tales of survivors being found alive after many days, at sea or under the rubble. We hope that some of the missing may still be found. But two weeks have passed since the disaster. We have to prepare ourselves to face the eventuality that many of the missing will not be found, and their fates will never be known. That will be a painful loss, difficult to bear.

We mourn for those who have died, and we pray for the missing. But we must also help the millions who survived, who need medical treatment, food, shelter and assistance to rebuild their lives. We have a collective responsibility to help them at this time of dire need.

The plight of the victims has touched a deep emotional chord among Singaporeans. We share a common humanity with those who have been hit. We had to act and try to make a difference to them.

We have responded as one people, with a massive, spontaneous outpouring of compassion and generosity, on a scale unlike any Singapore has ever witnessed. Young or old, rich or poor, alone or in groups, you gave of your time and resources. In just a few days, hundreds of volunteers came forward, millions of dollars were raised, and tons of food, clothing and other essentials were collected. Children broke open piggy banks to contribute their savings. Schools organized fund-raising activities. Grassroots groups rallied support across the island. Doctors, nurses and those still in training volunteered to go. Temples, churches and mosques passed the hat around their flocks, and organised voluntary relief missions. Companies mobilised their staff and their assets to join the worldwide effort to help the stricken. I want to acknowledge these and many other efforts of Singaporeans and Singapore residents. When we saw our fellow human beings in desperate need, we did not pass by on the other side.

As a government, we are mounting our largest overseas relief effort ever. Our uniformed personnel, our doctors and nurses, and other volunteers are doing their utmost. They are providing relief, carrying out search and rescue operations, and doing forensic work to help identify the victims. I met many of them in Aceh. We also have teams in Phuket, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Our people are doing magnificently. They are professional, resourceful, tireless, and keeping their own spirits high in an emotionally draining environment. When the task force in Meulaboh managed to open landing points to supply the town by sea, Singaporeans and Indonesians alike cheered at their breakthrough.

To the men and women of the Singapore Armed Forces, the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the ministries and agencies, the charitable and religious organizations, and every volunteer and helper, let me thank you and salute you. You make us proud to be Singaporeans.

I also want to acknowledge the co-operation and help that the authorities in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are providing to Singaporeans who have lost loved ones, and to our humanitarian assistance teams there. These officials have seen their homelands devastated. Many have themselves lost family members. Yet they soldier on faithfully at their posts. Their leadership, determination and selflessness are an inspiration to us all.

Rebuilding the affected areas is a monumental task that will take several years. The international community has been generous in committing to help. Singapore will do our part. The affected countries will need to take the lead, because they know their own needs and priorities best. I believe they have the will to do so. Among the survivors I met, I sensed a strong determination to recover and not to give up. People are retrieving their belongings, displaced families are staying with fellow villagers, shops are re-opening, and children smiled and waved as we passed. Amid the trauma and grief there was resilience, strength and hope.

This unforeseen natural catastrophe is a reminder of how vulnerable we are, how precious and fragile life is, and how resilient we must be in the face of adversity. In previous crises Singaporeans have responded with courage and compassion, most recently during the SARS outbreak. This tsunami disaster is different. The events are taking place far beyond our shores, most of our people were not in danger, and our losses are fewer. But still we have reached out to those from all over the world who have lost their loved ones, and strived to help our neighbours in their hour of need, because we felt it right to do so. This experience has drawn Singaporeans closer to one another as one nation. This is the Singapore spirit – a small nation with a big heart.

Today, as we remember all those who have perished, let us also help to restore the living. However destructive the forces of nature, may we marshall the will to rebuild homes and lives. However painful the loss, may we find the strength to go on living. May those grieving find peace and solace. And may all of us resume our journey forward with hope and determination, as individuals and families, as a nation together and as part of the global community.

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