THE TEMASEK REVIEW

OPINION

In his speech made at the launch of the book – “The Fajar generation”, former ISD detainee Dr Poh Soo Kai noted wryly that while Singapore was colonized by “white men” before independence, it is now colonized by the “men in white” in reference to the ruling PAP.

“Fajar”, which means “dawn” in Arabic, was the name of a publication of the University Socialist Club formed by undergraduates of the University of Malaya (Singapore) in 1953.

Besides Dr Poh himself, some prominent figures of the present regime such as Edwin Thumboo, Tommy Koh and Wang Gungwu were also members of the Club at one time or another during its illustrious history.

When Singapore was under British colonial rule, the locals had no say in the running of their country. In a way, Singaporeans still have no control over their collective destinies as they have handed their political rights meekly to the PAP on a platter.

Most Singaporeans are so politically ignorant, apathetic and inactive that they are disconnected from the political life of their nation.

Before Singapore gained independence in 1965, there was a palpable sense of political awakening among the citizenry from which the University Socialist Club was conceptualized and brought into reality.

The “Fajar generation” of students were fired up by their zeal to serve their fellow countrymen without expecting anything in return.

Many of their leaders were subsequently detained under the ISA without trial as part of a plot to eliminate the “leftist” camp entirely in Singapore.

The fact that they had stood firmly on their ground without conceding anything to their tormentors is a testimony of their moral integrity, strength and fortitude.

Dr Lim Hock Siew was incarcerated for 19 years while Dr Poh Soo Kai for 16 years, both longer than Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for 13 years.

Today’s undergraduates are more interested in securing a decent job upon graduation, to start a family of their own and to pursue the 5Cs in life. They are contented to leave politics entirely to the ruling party so long their material craving are satisfied.

When crass materialism becomes the sole guiding ideology of a government and people, the nation is no more but a soulless empty shell devoid of any meaning, passion or ideals.

Political apathy is an infectious disease which has afflicted all strata of society from the grassroots organizations to professional bodies to even the government itself.

Residents’ Committees are so short of volunteers that they have to rope in PRs to helm their subcommittees.

In the recent Law Society elections, there were four nominations for the eight available vacancies.

Even the ruling party is encountering genuine difficulties recruiting talented people into their ranks because Singaporeans are simply turned off by politics.

As such, the government has little choice but to continue increasing the salaries of its top leaders to entice the suitable candidates from both the public and private sector to join them much to the chagrin of ordinary Singaporeans.

Can a country whose citizens are disinterested in its affairs survive for long let alone succeed?

In an interview with Temasek Review, Dr Lim Hock Siew said that a “Fajar generation” can only emerge in Singapore after the ISA is removed, but even without the ISA, few Singaporeans will bother to agitate for changes to reclaim their political and civil rights.

The problem is more endemic and deep-seated than previously thought, contribute partly by years of indoctrination by the state media which is supposed to serve as a “fourth” estate to check on the government.

The current generation of Singaporeans are brought up thinking that the nanny state can do no wrong and its leaders are capable enough to solve any problems the nation faces.

Questioning and challenging authority is not a trait encouraged in Singapore’s education system which does not foster creative or independent thinking.

The brightest college students often take up prestigious government scholarships to further their tertiary studies and return as blind if not fervent supporters of the regime which has an uncanny knack for co-opting political opponents and critics to neutralize them, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan being a classic example.

Where can tomorrow’s “Fajar generation” come from when the intelligentsia have been won over to the side of the ruling party?

Unless the PAP split or screw up really badly in the future, it near impossible that Singapore will ever see a “Fajar generation” again.

Perhaps a more pertinent question will be – does Singapore need a “Fajar generation”?

The University Socialist Club was set up to raise the political consciousness of Singaporeans in their struggle to achieve eventual independence from the British.

Do Singaporeans even realize that they have been “colonized” by the “men in white”? Will they ever care?

It is a shame that patriots like Dr Lim and Dr Poh were forced to spend the most productive years of their lives behind bars instead of serving the country they love so much.

At least Aung San Suu Kyi remains a political force to be reckoned with and a symbol of hope for the oppressed Burmese.

Very few Singaporeans are aware of the existence of Dr Lim and Dr Poh who pay the ultimate price for their integrity. Is it worth it?

Singaporeans deserve the government they get. We can complain all day long about the political repression under PAP rule, but at the end of the day, we are the ones who allow them to continue “colonizing” us.

Let not another “Fajar generation” emerge in Singapore again for a people who don’t even know their rights as citizens of the country is really not worth fighting or sacrificing for.

Related articles:

>> Interview with Dr Lim Hock Siew and Dr Poh Soo Kai

>> Dr Lim Hock Siew on “immorality” of the political situation in Singapore today

>> VIDEO: Dr Lim Hock Siew speaks of his detention

>> Book launch: The Fajar Generation

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