By Joanne Lee, Online Editor at ST Headquarters
Melissa Pang, Online Content Producer at ST Headquarters
Tessa Wong, News Reporter at ST Headquarters
Goh Chin Lian, Political Correspondent at NUS University Cultural Centre
Kor Kian Beng, Political Correspondent at NUS University Cultural Centre

JOANNE (ST HQ, 6pm): IT'S the National Day Rally tonight. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be delivering his 6th state-of-the-nation address since being sworn-in as Singapore's 3rd prime minister in 2004.

He will deliver his speech in Malay and Mandarin first at 6.45pm, and then in English at 8pm.

The Straits Times team will blog updates LIVE from the National Day Rally, both on the ground and from the ST headquarters. Join us as we feed you with the mood over at the UCC and the main newspoints from PM Lee's speech. Stay tuned!

(Read ST's curtain-raiser here and Joanne's pre-Rally blog here.)

Kiang Beng (UCC, 6:14pm): The cheerful music has begun from a small band but the mood is one of cautious optimism at the National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre as ministers, MPs and grassroots leaders start arriving for the National Day Rally. They include Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and ministers Mah Bow Tan, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Abdullah Tarmugi.

Grassroots leaders say they hope to get some assurances from PM Lee about the economy and what the government plans to do to ensure job security for Singaporeans.

Mr Goh Peng Hong, vice-chair of the Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) in Sembawang ward, told me his feedback with residents showed that they are looking for some strategies to tackle the downturn and beyond.

Kian Beng (UCC, 6:20pm): Mr Koh Tong Seng, chairman of Changi Simei CCC, says he is looking forward to PM Lee speak about race and religious harmony given the recession. The 54-year-old told me: "When the economy is not doing well, some groups of the society might be lagging behind and there might be resentment towards other groups. I hope PM will assure Singaporeans that there are sufficient jobs for them and also help if we need it."

Chin Lian (UCC, 6:29pm): Methodist bishop Robert Solomon expects the Prime Minister to talk about the place of religion in the public square - not just between those who are religious, but also between the religious and those who are secular. The audience is entering the auditorium now, as MPs and ministers arrive and mingle.

Tessa (ST newsroom, 6:42pm): Meanwhile in the newsroom, a team of about 15 reporters, correspondents and editors are busy scarfing down an early dinner while gearing up for the big speech.

This year PM Lee is expected to speak on the economy, Singapore's transformation in the past 50 years, health care, and racial and religious harmony. The last one is a particularly prickly issue, given recent events such as the Aware leadership saga as well as the ongoing immigration debate. It will be well worth paying close attention to what PM Lee says.

Kian Beng (UCC, 6:43pm): Ms Indranee Rajah, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, says she welcomes PM's focus on racial and religious harmony, which she addes could be triggered by the Aware episode a few months ago.

She said healthcare is also a timely issue especially in a recession when Singaporeans are more concerned abt the impact of falling ill. MM Lee Kuan Yew and all ministers are now seated in the auditorium waiting for PM Lee to speak in Malay and Mandarin.

Opposition MP Chiam See Tong and his wife are here too.

Joanne (ST newsroom, 6:49pm): During his short preamble, he says he's going to use more technology during his speech this year, and jokes that the big onstage screens will not, however, be showing tonight's football match Manchester United and Birmingham - much to the amusement of the audience.

Tessa (ST newsroom, 6:50pm): PM Lee kicks things off talking about how they have decided to harness new technology and new media to reach out to more Singaporeans. Platforms favoured by young people such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter are being used, as well as more use of multimedia.

My two cents worth as a young Singaporean: It's high time the Government started using such mediums; it's already somewhat behind the curve behind other developed countries, notably the United States, in adopting new media to engage citizens (Barack Obama, for instance, has had a Twitter account since 2007). I'm looking forward to tracking the discussion on Twitter with the hashtag #ndrsg.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 6:50pm): He's started with his Malay speech, opening with an observation that Sinapore has come a long way since self-government 50 years ago and there is much to rejoice over despite the economic downturn.

PM Lee is speaking at the University Cultural Centre, National University of Singapore. This is the ninth time that Singapore's most important political speech of the year is being delivered at the UCC and there are more than 1,600 in the audience tonight.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 6:51pm): Citing Malay/Muslim organisations Mendaki and Muis as examples, PM Lee says that Malays play an integral part in the Singapore story. Led by Malay MPs and community leaders, the community has successfully adapted to the globalised world.

Education has been key to this success. Malay parents understand the importance of good qualifications for a better future, which has resulted in an improvement in the Malay educational performance. But there remain some who still need to do better in school. Mr Lee is urging these students to take advantage of the many opportunities opening up for Singapore.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 6:54pm): Historically, he says we have overcome adversity many times before. We will overcome the global economic crisis too. Mr Lee is happy to mention that many Malay workers are using the SPUR programmes. The jobless have also displayed initiative in seeking help from e2i and CDCs to find new jobs.

Mr Lee is urging those who have lost their jobs to quickly re-train and find a new job. "Some job is better than no job at all," he said in Malay. Also, be financially prudent. More residents are seeing MPs for help. While MPs will do their best to help those facing difficulties, individuals and families must also do their part. This means spending within your means, and not spending every dollar that you expect to earn.

PM Lee welcomes the "Bijak Belanja" (Spend Wisely) campaign which encourages Malay/Muslims to be thrifty during the fasting month.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 6:57pm): PM Lee is now on the topic of maintaining racial and religious harmony.

September 11 was a defining event for our religious harmony. Mr Lee has praised the Malay/Muslim community's immediate and forthright condemnation of terrorism following 9/11. This, he says, is reflective of "a growing self-confidence and progressive attitude when handling sensitive religious issues". PM Lee sees the same spirit in other issues such as the organ donation.

It is a reaction that confirms the development of a distinct identity, said Mr Lee. Malay/Muslim Singaporeans are different from Malays in Malaysia, Indonesia or Brunei in wanting to be identified as Singaporeans first.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 6:59pm): There needs to be more opportunities for various religious groups to interact. Everyone should make the effort to befriend neighbours belonging to other communities. 

As the Malay saying goes: "Jiran sepakat membawa berkat". Neighbours who live harmoniously will bring blessings to all.

Having different faiths is an asset for Singapore, but don't allow religion to pull us in separate ways. Exercise tolerance and restraint in the spirit of give and take, and work together to build a shared future.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:02pm): PM Lee ends off the Malay speech saying Singapore is entering a new phase. The Malay community too. There are many bright opportunities opening up ahead, and the community should work together with the governement and leaders to address current problems.

His sixth National Day Rally
since becoming PM in 2004.
ST Photo: Terence Tan

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:04pm): Moving into the Chinese speech now, PM has switched to Mandarin and kicked off by saying Singapore is experiencing an unprecedented economic storm, but that the economy is stabilising.

The global situation has stabilised and some firms are starting to hire. Massive retrenchments are not likely for Q3. We need to be mentally prepared, and in the long term, there is some hope and some green shoots to be seen.

The government fully supports our SMEs. For example the local furniture industry has transformed from a sunset to a sunrise industry. Singapore's SMEs have gone to the whole world, having successfully broken into the East Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America markets.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:08pm): The Singapore Brand is a symbol of excellence and is very important, says Mr Lee. It is a unique weapon that businessmen must enhance and not undermine, and Singaporeans are urged to leverage on it.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:11pm): Moving on, PM Lee is now talking about the importance of Singaporean workers taking the initiative to upgrade ourselves. SPUR, e2i,and CDCs, are some ways jobless workers can help themselves.

Written on a wall mural at e2i is the saying: "The mountain doesn't move - the road winds around it. If the road can't turn, the man can still turn; If the man can't turn, his heart can turn." So if you face a mountain in life, go to e2i to find a way, PM Lee urges.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:12pm): Turning to healthcare issues now, the Prime Minister says there is a need to build more hospitals, such as the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun and Jurong General Hospital. Why? 

Elderly patients need appropriate step-down care. Many do not need to stay in large hospitals during recovery, and these community hospitals can provide care at a lower cost.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:16pm): PM Lee highlights Ren Ci Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital as good models. The latter provides the medical care, before transferring to Renci, located next door, for step-down care when they stabilise. The patients can go back to TTSH for acute treatment if they worsen.

PM Lee said at a recent meeting with some managers from nursing homes, he was told that some elderly folks had been abandoned by their families.

These elderly parents were sent to the nursing homes by their children, who would then disappear, some even going to the extent of changing their address on their IDs. When contacted, they said they would not care even if the homes turf out their parents. "It is a new social phenomenon and we must deal with it."

To deal with this "uncomfortable problem", PM Lee said the Government will explore how best to use the Maintenance of Parents Act.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:18pm): Still on the healthcare issue, PM Lee urged Singaporeans to exercise, not smoke, and watch their diets to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Not only will it lead to a healthy body, it is a pleasureable activity that will help you make more friends too. 

It is an issue that we have to be responsible about, because Singapore is facing a rising obesity trend.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:21pm): In China, there is a fear of the "3 highs" - high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. There is a booming weight loss business in China, where some companies charge customers according to how much they lose. 

To the amusement of the audience, PM Lee says that in Singapore, the annual healthy lifestyle campaign ensures "free weight reduction". Still, nationwide obesity rates continue to rise. We have to work harder to prevent this, and the "3 highs".

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:23pm): Moving on to a more serious subject, Mr Lee is now discussing the issue of race and religion. 

It is important, he says, that the spirit and sincerity of interaction among religions exists. Despite enjoying much peace and tolerance in this half century, we must not become complacent. Especially at a period when Singaporeans' religious fervour is increasing.

Melissa (ST newsroom, 7:29pm): A case in which the government must maintain a sensitive and neutral attitude on race and religion, is on land acquisition. 

PM Lee will expand on these principles in the English version of the Rally speech.

Ending his Mandarin speech, PM Lee says: "I am confident we can again pass new tests and overcome challenges and build an even better and more prosperous Singapore for all."

Continued here: ST's blog from 8pm.