DID YOU say the pledge? Did you say the pledge?
It was something everyone was asking each other last weekend after the National Day Parade.
On 8:22pm last Sunday, thousands of Singaporeans stood at attention to recite the national pledge, clenched fists on heart, renewing the civil bond with their fellow countrymen by declaring themselves "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion".
The island-wide pledge coordinated on National Day saw people stop along Orchard Road to participate in the recital in the middle of shopping excursions, stand in coffee shops in the heartlands or simply in front of their television sets at home. Somehow the one-minute act seemed to capture the imagination of the nation when synchronised to be done together.
It was an exercise that put into action an issue raised by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his National Day Message the day before: Social cohesion.
He had sought to inspire confidence in his televised message, recalling Singapore's journey since self-government in 1959.
He said: "Each time we were challenged, we responded as one, everyone pulling together and working for the common good. Each success cemented social cohesion."
Tracing the racial riots of Singapore's early years, right up to the recent H1N1 flu outbreak and the ongoing economic crisis, he'd identified unity as a key factor that has pulled the country through tough times.
"We must work hard to strengthen it, and to bridge potential divides within our society, be it between Singaporeans and new arrivals, between rich and poor, or most fundamental of all, between the different races and religions."
On Thursday, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew made a speech warning Singaporeans of the dangers of closing the country's door to foreign talent. He stressed the importance of accepting and embracing them - once again, that same message of social cohesion.
This message, together with the organised pledge-taking across the Republic, comes at a time when the fabric of society has been tested in the past year - a year of furious debate brought on by the escape and recapture of terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari and the Aware saga of several months ago.
Both episodes had religious undertones that hinted at what PM Lee called those "potential divides" in Singapore society today.
Given the prominence the message has been given of late, it is almost certain that PM Lee will expand on its importance in his National Day Rally speech tomorrow - just how candidly remains to be seen. No doubt, he will touch on other topics such as economic recovery and Singapore's transformation, as he did in his National Day Message. But it's the sensitive subject of remaining a "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion" that will make the National Day Rally interesting to watch this year.
What will he say to build (or rebuild) social cohesion in Singapore?
Tune in to The Straits Times' live blogging tomorrow evening and leave your comments as PM Lee delivers his speech. Follow us "@stcom" if you prefer to get the updates on Twitter.
