"As a multi-cultural society, Singapore is fortunate to enjoy literature written in our four official languages. They bring different sensitivities and perspectives into the way we look at ourselves as a people. But they increasingly share a uniquely Singaporean spirit. Local writing is itself part of the Singapore story being written."
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education, at the National Arts Council's Golden Point Award night, 31 August 2005.