Singapore's new cabinet

I watched in anticipation at yesterday's swearing in of Singapore's fourth prime minister and his cabinet. Unlike other countries where people like to "hold on to power for ever", our government has planned and groomed the next generation to take over the leadership. PM Lee Hsien Loong could have still continued as PM, given his relatively young age and experience. But there is no hoarding onto power or the practise of nepotism in my country, for which I am thankful.

Our new PM, Lawrence Wong is a christian and I watched with pride as he and other christian cabinet minsters to the oath of office, holding the Bible in their hands. There were at least eight cabinet ministers who took the oath with the Bible in their hands.

My country, though secular, practises the freedom of religion. Article 15 of the Constitution of Singapore states: "Every person has the right to profess and practise his religion and to propagate it." and allows believers the freedom to assemble and worship without limitation or interference. Of course this must be done with the confines of keeping harmony between different races and religions. 

Unlike many other countries, I am thankful for our government, who has helped maintain the tolerance between people of differnt ethnic and religious backgrounds and more importantly to practise and propagate one's faith.

Seeing the number of christian in the leadership makes me secure, knowing that the decisions made will be godly, inclusive and of sound judgement.

Proverbs 11:4 - A city without wise leaders will end up in ruin; a city with many wise leaders will be kept safe. (CEV).

I pray that God will give our leaders, wisdom, knowledge and understanding to rule our country "based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation."