重述這段歷史不僅加深了我們對過去的集體認識，還拉近了我們彼此之間的距離，也讓我們對共同未來更具信心。我們祖先的原籍國都各自擁有古老的文明。新加坡的歷史雖不如這些古文明來得悠久，不過，開埠 200 周年紀念使我們堅信，新加坡將擁有光明的未來。
新加坡開埠200周年紀念也讓我們從另一個角度看待全球與本地時事。過去 200年來，我們經歷不少起伏，包括暴亂、戰爭、經濟蕭條和金融危機。如今，世界前景再次充滿不確定性。
同時，全球許多社會，如近期智利和法國，都出現緊張局勢。儘管這些地區的經濟都取得增長，當地人民仍然感到焦慮、沮喪和懊惱。他們為住房和工作等基本生活所需感到擔憂，更因為經濟成果沒有公平分享、收入差距不斷擴大，感到憤怒。不少人對經濟和政治體制失去信心，並對未來感到悲觀，進而導致本土主義和沙文主義高漲，宗派衝突加劇，全球化退潮似乎處處可見。
新加坡人擔心國際動態，也關注本地課題。不過，我們不能只把視線鎖定國內，而是應該保持開放,與世界連接。國際化讓新加坡受益良多，我們如果將目光限制於國內範圍，是無法生存的。所幸我們過去幾十年來致力改善人民的生活，因此我們的情況比多數國家來得好。不僅如此，我們年復一年仍然穩步前進。
我們繼續改良教育體系，降低學前教育費用，並提升其素質，讓每個孩子都有良好的人生起跑點。我們調整小六會考計分制，減輕學生的壓力，還開闢更多途徑，讓學生在中學畢業後繼續深造，幫助每名學生充分發揮潛力。年輕國人踏入職場時，「技能創前程」計劃也會支持他們終身學習。
在住房方面，我們為首次購屋者提供更多援助，幫助更多年輕家庭擁有自己的安樂窩。比達達利新鎮的首批居民已陸續遷入新居，登加新鎮的預購組屋單位也已開放供購屋者選購。同時，建屋發展局的翻新工程節奏不斷、有序進行。我們不斷為廣大組屋區注入新活力，確保每個市鎮更宜居，並擁有活躍的社區和現代化的設施。
至於醫療保健，我們通過建國一代配套和立國一代配套減輕年長國人的醫藥負擔，並向他們致敬。我們也正在興建新的醫療保健設施，大幅擴充規模。盛港綜合醫院和社區醫院已經投入運作，歐南社區醫院也已開始 接收病患。新加坡中央醫院、陳篤生醫院和新加坡國立大學醫學組織的院區也都在進行重建、擴建。
在交通方面，我們付出許多努力，大大改善了地鐵服務。目前，我國地鐵網絡整體可靠度已居世界前列，列車平均每行駛超過100萬公里才發生延誤。與此同時，我們將繼續興建更多的地鐵線和延長線。湯申-東海岸線第一階段將在下個月通車。我們不久前決定跨島線將穿過中央集水地帶自然保護區地底深處。還有，我們引以為豪的星耀樟宜也在今年開幕了。
與此同時，我們也關注對我們構成直接影響的風險和壓力。全球經濟放緩已經影響了我國。我國經濟今年雖然沒有陷入衰退，繼續取得增長，但增長步伐卻沒有我們希望的那麼強勁。我們將通過來臨的財政預算案支持企業提高生產力和培養新能力，並協助工友，尤其是中途轉換跑道的專業人員、經理、執行員與技師 (PMET)，接受再培訓、掌握新技能、找到新的工作，保持受僱能力。我們還會幫助國人應付生活費，並加強社會安全網，為低收入家庭、年長者和弱勢群體提供生活保障。
這些都是改善國人生活的實際措施。但我們從歷史得到的啟示是，我們不僅要處理好民生課題，長遠來說，更必須培養我國社會的精神特質。我們的目標是在這個島國建立公平公正的社會，讓國人都能享受到經濟繁榮的果實，讓人性光輝得以綻放，讓每名國人有機會提升自己,追逐夢想。我們要建設的是不分種族、言語或宗教，人人平等的社會。我們將扶持最需要幫助的群體，不讓任何人因為無法克服人生的波折而被拋在後頭。在這裡，每一代人不斷地設想未來，讓下一代能擁有更多機遇，從而書寫更精彩的故事，打造更美好的新加坡。
這些優良的價值觀和理念，使我們的先輩決心留在新加坡紮根，而不是回歸原籍國。這些價值觀賦予我們熬過艱難的日據時期的毅力；賦予我們爭取自主和獨立的勇氣；也賦予我們建設一個新國家的堅定意志。這些價值觀將促使我們團結一致，逆流而上。
在這動盪不安的世界，沒幾個社會能夠追求如此崇高的理念，更別說付諸行動。但在新加坡，基於幾代人的艱苦奮鬥，我們完全有可能立志遵循這些價值觀，實現我們的願景。
當然，沒有人能保證我們會取得成功。在新加坡的歷史上，從來就沒有這種保證。我們必需一如既往，憑膽色和決心向前跨出每一步。但是，只要我們齊心協力，不斷努力，我堅信新加坡能夠繼續在世界舞台上發光發亮。
我們的家園新加坡，塑造我們的人生，也孕育我們的未來。讓我們竭盡所能群策群力，讓它更加美好。
祝大家新年快樂!
英文獻詞原文如下：
Hello everyone! 2019 was our Bicentennial. We organised activities and exhibitions throughout the year, both in the city and in the heartlands, to commemorate our history. Three quarter million people of all ages and walks of life visited the Bicentennial Experience, here at Fort Canning, some more than once. The Singapore story resonated deeply with us, because it reminded us vividly how much our island has changed over the centuries, and how far we have come, even within our own lifetimes.
Recounting this history has enhanced our collective consciousness of the past, strengthened our sense of togetherness in the present, and boosted our confidence in a shared future. Unlike the ancient civilisations of our forefathers, Singapore lacks a long, continuous history. But the Bicentennial has strengthened our conviction that Singapore will have a bright future.
The Bicentennial also put into perspective what is currently happening around the world and in Singapore. Over 200 years, we have experienced many ups and downs, including riots and war, depression and economic crises. Today, the outlook is again fraught with uncertainty. Serious frictions have developed between the US and China. Their recent trade deal has partially relieved tensions, but it will not resolve the fundamental differences.
Meanwhile, many societies – including most recently Hong Kong, Chile and France – are under stress. Despite economic growth, their peoples feel anxious, discouraged and upset. They worry about basic needs like housing and jobs. They are angry that the fruits of growth have not been shared equitably, and income gaps are widening. Consequently, large parts of their populations have lost faith in their economic and political systems, and are pessimistic about the future. This is fuelling nativism and chauvinism, and sectarian strife. Everywhere globalisation seems to be in retreat.
Singaporeans too are worried about the state of the world, and we also have our own domestic concerns. But we must resist the temptation to turn inwards. Instead, we must stay open and connected to the world. Globalisation has benefitted Singapore enormously. A Singapore turned inwards cannot survive. We are in a better position than most countries, because for decades we have toiled to improve our people’s lives. And we continue to make steady progress, year after year.
We are reforming our education system. We are lowering fees of preschools and raising their quality, to give every child a good start in life. We are changing the PSLE scoring system to reduce pressure on our students. We are opening more post- secondary education pathways to bring out the best in every student. When our young people start work, SkillsFuture will support their lifelong learning journey.
In housing, we have enhanced subsidies for first-time buyers, to help more young families own their homes. The first residents of the new Bidadari estate have started to move in, and flats in Tengah new town are now open for booking. HDB upgrading programmes continue apace. We are refreshing our heartlands so every town is spruced up and up-to-date, with active communities and modern amenities.
In healthcare, we are honouring senior Singaporeans through the Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation Packages. We are also expanding capacity significantly with new healthcare facilities. The Sengkang General Hospital and Community Hospital are open, and Outram Community Hospital has started admitting patients. Redevelopment of the Outram, Tan Tock Seng and NUHS campuses is ongoing.
In transport, after much hard work, rail services have dramatically improved. The MRT is now one of the most reliable train systems in the world. On average, we have less than 1 breakdown every 1,000,000 kilometres travelled. Meanwhile, we continue to build more rail lines and extensions. Stage 1 of the Thomson-East Coast Line opens next month. We have just settled the alignment of the Cross Island Line, deep under the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. And at Changi Airport, Jewel – that we are all so proud of – opened this year.
