Singapore National Pledge

Text and authorship

Text: "We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation."

The pledge was written by Sinnathamby Rajaratnam (commonly S. Rajaratnam) in 1966. He submitted a draft to then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who revised it before it was circulated to the Cabinet. For more on the author see S. Rajaratnam and for the historical context of independence see Singapore's independence.

Purpose and interpretation

The pledge functions as a ritual reaffirmation of civic identity and national goals. Its language highlights core principles often invoked in public life: multiracial harmony, democratic governance, social justice, equality and collective well‑being. It is intended to unify a diverse population and to articulate an aspiration rather than to define legal obligations.

Practice and uses

• Daily and weekly school assemblies and flag‑raising ceremonies where students and staff recite the pledge together.
• National events, official commemorations and some civic occasions to reinforce shared values.
• Educational materials and civic programmes that explain its meaning and historical background.

Notable facts and distinctions

The pledge is short and deliberately plain, designed for broad public understanding. While the English version is most commonly used in formal settings, translations and explanations are available in other languages to reach different communities. The pledge is a symbolic instrument of nation‑building rather than a constitutional text; its significance rests in public recognition and repeated practice.

As an element of modern Singapore's civic culture, the pledge continues to be a focal point for discussions about national identity, multiculturalism and the responsibilities of citizenship.