SINGAPORE - New citizens are now co-authors of the next chapter of the Singapore story, and are expected to sink their roots more deeply into the country, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday.

Speaking at a ceremony where about 200 people from Ang Mo Kio GRC and Sengkang West SMC received citizenship, Mr Lee, who is MP for the area, said: "The Singapore that we have inherited is not defined by the accolades we receive, but by our constant striving to always do better, whatever the circumstances."

Like the early pioneers who came from different lands and later came together as one united people, Mr Lee said he hoped the new citizens would continue to get to know Singapore better and build a better future for all.

He highlighted how some new citizens have done so. Mr and Mrs Vardharj Sunder Moorthy, for example, are both active grassroots leaders in his ward, Teck Ghee, he said.

Mr Lee added that many new citizens decided to make Singapore their home, "not just because this is a comfortable or a safe and secure place to bring up your family, but because you believe in Singapore and identify with what we stand for as a people."

These values are: a multi-racial society, a nation of opportunity, a fair and just society, and a place where tomorrow would always be better than today, he said.

"That belief in Singapore is what we have been celebrating this SG50."