“Equally important, we empowered and mobilised activists and volunteers who care very much about building an inclusive society. Not just to feedback and demand services, but also to step forward and do their part; people like Mayor Denise Phua. The PAP fielded Denise as a candidate in 2006, at the General Election. When she came before the Secretary General’s Committee and we interviewed her, she told us the Government needed to do more to help kids with special needs. She spoke passionately about Pathlight School, the first autism-focussed school in Singapore, which she had recently helped to set up. We told her, if you take the lead, the Government will support you. She took up the challenge. She built up Pathlight into a well-known, well-run, popular choice for kids on the autism spectrum. Later, together with other activists and volunteers, Denise co-founded The Purple Parade movement. If you see me wearing purple on Instagram, you know why. Thousands of Singaporeans come together each year to support inclusion, and to celebrate the abilities of people with disabilities. They have a very good orchestra – if you listen to them, they are equal to many other orchestras in Singapore.”

- Excerpt from PM Lee Hsien Loong’s May Day Rally 2024 Speech