NMP calls for “repoliticizing” of universities
From our Correspondent
Nominated member of Parliament Viswa Sadasivan has made a call for “repoliticizing” of universities during his 50-minute maiden speech in Parliament.
He began by lamenting how beautifully crafted the National Pledge was, and said it was a waste that its meaning and power are not understood enough or reflected on.
To ensure that the Pledge means more than just words for all citizens, Mr Sadasivan argued that Parliament should lead the way by ensuring that the tenets of the Pledge have primacy when considering national policies.
He highlighted what he considered four key tenets: the idea of citizenship, inter-racial and religious unity, democracy and the balance between happiness and prosperity.
Mr Sadasivan gave several suggestions on how national policies could be better aligned with these principles, one of which is to encourage political associations in universities – once a base of political interest and activism – and allow campus rallies to rouse the young from apathy.
Student activism has long been non-existent in Singapore’s universities. Singapore undergraduates are more concerned about passing examinations and getting a job upon graduation than politics.
Political activities are also explicitly banned on campus ground. Last year, NTU barred SDP members led by Dr Chee from fraternizing with its students. A letter written by a student on the matter was removed from the students’ newsletter just before publication.
It is highly unlikely that the government will be receptive to Mr Sadasivan’s proposal to “repoliticize” Singapore’s universities.
Universities have always been a hotbed for political activism and dissent worldwide and the ruling party is well aware of its potential threat to their continued hegemony.
One of the harshest critic of MM Lee and the PAP in the 1970s is student leader Tan Wah Piow, then President of the University of Singapore Student Union.
Tan was charged in 1974, together with two others, with rioting inside the premises of the Pioneer Industries Employees Union, a government-controlled trade union, even though he was nowhere near the office where he was supposed to have ‘broken some chairs’.
Tan was sentenced to one year imprisonment and after his release in 1976, he fled to London via Johor Bahru. From then now, politicial activism simmered and eventually died down on the University of Singapore, which was the sole university then.
Even if the government wants to “revive” the political “spirit” of the campuses, few students will dare to take the “bait” given its track record of harsh treatment dished out to political dissidents.
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cy on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:15 am
they could repoliticize on the web eg.kent ridge common
Poor guy on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:38 am
Poor guy kenna left right center by the Pappies.
The Pappies want to engage in scare tactics to shut all 9 NMPs up for good.
So much for greater parliamentary debate.
BeThankful on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 2:36 pm
Was MM his Singapore idol?
Fairplayplease on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 2:40 pm
Good show. He exposed the hypocrisy of the pledge and the contradiction of the same in our Constitutions. This is fessed up admission that the pledge is a hollow propanganda intended for the consumption of caterpillar minds.
Tan Yeong Hong on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 3:35 pm
Somebody said he is going to lock me up forever…
And senior politicians have warned me that i have entered the cul de sac…
Anyone got any lobang?
Muthusamy on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:21 pm
“Anyone got any lobang?”
Yah. Try Geylang. Plenty.
Murthy on Thu, 20th Aug 2009 11:42 pm
Race, language & religion are senstitive matters till today, everywhere, particularly in India where my ancestors came from.
The caste system though officially outlawed in India is still very much alive. We can pretend it’s not there but it doesn’t work that way.
In Malaysia, the majority Muslim Nalays enact laws to favour the majority and discriminate against the minorities. In Singapore where I have grown up there are no such laws insituted to hold the minorities back. Maybe we are held back by competition, that’s all. We can do anything we want as long as we don’t break the law. Set up our own businesses, for example.
Maybe we perceive discrimination in the private sector but not so in the public sector which is also in fact funded by the majority’s taxpayers. The teaching of the Tamil language paid for by taxpayers in schools is one generous gesture of the government towards the minorities.
I dare say there is equal opportunities for all races in S’pore – in education, low cost housing, public handouts, etc.
No complaints. And framkly I won’t want to return to India to live out my days for all the reaons. Would any Indians here?
Finally, there’s no perfection in life. I myself isn’t perfect. I like to get drunk at times though I don’t smoke.
local on Fri, 21st Aug 2009 1:36 am
local uni students scared of their uni places kena taken away if they are against PAP.
Fairplayplease on Fri, 21st Aug 2009 8:10 am
Remember the Vietnam War, it is students’ activism which forced Richard Nixon to reconsider the deceptions (Gulf of Tonking), devious escalation of the War, the wanton killings and insanity of it all proping up a totally unpopular regime in the South and world-wide conscion protest. This is a large factor motivating the American withdrawal from Vietnam in anguished defeat but good for the world.
Students’ are NOT necessary irrational NOR are they necessary violent of profound political thoughts especially looking back at the shooting of 4 uninvolved students on Kent State University campus that angered the American public.
Many of the students could become the future of tommorrow and leading our societal changes for the better. Politicising student activism is part and parcel of national development.
Anyone disagree?
John Loh on Wed, 26th Aug 2009 8:41 pm
NMP Viswa speech is scripted and orchestrated. The side show by
PAP and MM Lee make it more interesting. Now our Singapore
Pledge become Aspiration. We have such brilliant NMPs therefore
Singaporeans don’t have to vote for Opposition. Let the PAP rule forever. Amen.