Singapore – The past 40+ years is nothing but a mistake?
December 30th, 2009 | 
Author: By Tony Pang
With a heavy heart, I can relate to the statements made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Taking his statements in context (minus all the emotions), I have to agree that there are some levels of truths.
“Over time, Singaporeans have become less hard-driving and hard-striving.”
Hypothetically speaking – If we were to take an average current Singaporean and compare them side by side with someone of our founding forefathers’ generation – we do see a distinctive difference. Logically speaking, people of our generation blessed with a significant higher level of living and education and thus should have being better prepared to drive for success – challenging the ideas of the present, forging a road to a better future.
Sadly, the truth is far from it.
Unlike over forefathers somewhere through the past 40+ years, we started to fear change – we lost the drive and courage to challenge ideas, to chart ourselves to unknown waters – failure in all matters (education, business, career, family) became a social taboo – as a Society, we lost out tolerance for failure. Instead we were reduced to a tamed and conservative bunch – unlike our forefathers, we no longer dared to do things differently – choosing to be the sheep and follow the crowd in all matters of life – any deviations are generally frowned upon and socially strongly discouraged.
Note – things like public housing, education and jobs are NOT entitlements. Being a native bred Singaporean, does NOT warrant that you are guaranteed to be able to afford public housing, get the education place of YOUR choice, a choice for the job that YOU want and get the benefits that YOU demand.
You have to earn your right to afford housing, study SMART and HARD to get the education places of your choice, FIGHT with the GLOBAL talents to get the job of YOUR dreams. As Singapore progress, things will only get harder as the playing fields get MORE competitive – its becoming more competitive because we ARE moving up the ladder and that in its very essence, attracts competition. Singapore is not alone in this – ALL global metropolis are facing the same situation (i.e. Hong Kong, London, NYC, etc..). In fact a friend of mine working in New York City once joked that, if you throw a stone onto the streets of Manhattan, you will actually have a higher probability chance, hitting a foreigner than a fellow American.
Think about it – do you want to compete the entire world and its people in your OWN backyard? Or do you want to compete the entire world and its people in SOMEONE Else’s backyard – we are officially playing with the BIG boys now. Its high time for us to grow up and wise up.
Somewhere in the past 40 years – something change – maybe its the “successful” PAP “population domestication” policies – maybe we have been getting such an easy life that we have started taking things for granted – etc. I have covered this cause of Singaporeans’ downfall in a previous blog entry – you can reference them over here http://tony-gonewiththewind.blogspot.com/2009/12/singapores-dilemma-foreign-talents-my.html
There could be a million “maybe”s; but the truth is still the same – the current “us” is a definite shadow of our former selves.
*note – this was based on my personal experiences, as a Singaporean growing up in Singapore. I acknowledged that there are exceptions to the above generalizations – but the truth is – these exceptions belong to the minority and not the general masses*
Having recently travelled to both our Asian giants – India and China; I was awestruck not by their size, nor by their recent modernization developments – but by the local’s desperate hunger for success (especially for the Mainland Chinese), even to the extent of chucking their morals aside. Its evidently clear, that these people thirst for success borders on the margins of insanity – something which our founding fathers had and used, with great effect to build Singapore to what it is today – a success story – a so-called “Pearl of the Orient”
Given the current rate, it is no longer a question of “will” India and China become global major economic powerhouses and give the Western nations a run for their money; but a matter of “WHEN”
Problem is – Are we ready to accommodate the shift for these 2 giants? Are we able to strategically reposition our littoral state and continue to challenge and reap the benefits from all sides?
Mr Lee Kuan Yew was correct in this aspect. We are NOT ready – nor are we even near. But that’s NOT the killer blow – its the fact that we continue to be IGNORANT to these global phenomenon, still holding on to the false beliefs that Singapore is STILL better than most part of Asia and is a niche above the rest (pretty much like Hong Kongers before the 1997 Asia Financial Crisis).
Singaporeans in general, are still living like sheltered frogs within a well – blinded to the changing forces out in the cold, harsh world.
We cannot afford to loft around and be reactive – we as a community, has to buckle up, pre-empt and embrace this global economical tidal wave – channelling its power into our advantage, as our forefathers have done decades back.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew has meant well when he made that statement – the problem lies in his communication skills which is surprisingly lacking for a politician of his calibre. One would have expected someone as experienced as him, to be more “diplomatic” when making such points on the global stage (reminds me a lot of Malaysia’s Mahathir – then again, they are pretty much “birds of the same flock”).
A point to note – though the points and efforts by Mr Lee Kuan Yew are grandiose – they strongly depict the attitude of Mr Lee Kuan Yew (which by de facto, translates to the political stand of the People’s Action Party), as someone tremendously out of touch with the concerns of the common men in Singapore.
The actions undertaken by the PAP-dominated Singapore Government, though beneficial to the nation – are tremendously strenuous for the local average Singaporeans. Its akin to teaching children how to swim by throwing them, head first into the pool’s deepest end – with NO floats. For those who managed to learn and swam, they will survive and emerge stronger – for those that could not learn in time – they will literally drown and its shocking that the Government is willing to stand by and let all this happen.
From a leadership standpoint, this is acceptable and even possible to eulogize upon; for it signifies one’s willingness and determination to undertake tough decisions for the better good of the nation and ultimately its people – Singaporeans.
But the PAP-dominated Singapore Government, in all its “wisdom” (compounded by its hordes of “scholars”); seemed to ahve forgotten a critical foundation block of Governance – the SOCIAL WELL-BEING of its Citizens.
In its desperate strive to elevate the survivability of Singapore’s economical health – the Government has chosen to worsen the social health of its citizens (i.e. unrealistic population growth, through artificial lax pro-foreigner immigration policies, inadequate housing, transport, education and heath infrastructures to deal with the resulting population, an unrealistic Government-induced inflation that which defies the current global economic health and its totally unsustainable in the long run, etc…)
In brief, Singaporeans were treated like trash and shoved around in our very own backyard.
In the very same way, where 40+ years of peace and prosperity, have made general Singaporeans less hard-driving and hard-striving – ignorant to the World. 40+ years of unchallenged political rule have rendered the PAP-dominated Singapore Government proud, arrogant and ignorant to the feelings of the common Singaporean – a significant disparity is ever growing between Singapore’s PAP leaders and the average Singaporeans.
Its correct to state that Singapore needs to urgently handle the global economic power shifts and prepare this tiny nation for the next few decades – but like ALL problems in the world – it can be SOLVED with more than just ONE way. Rather than pushing ALL the blame squarely on Singaporeans’ shoulders – a RESPONSIBLE, EFFECTIVE and HUMBLE Government should have explore other alternatives before resorting to the harsh “swim or drown” approach.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew, in his blaming of Singaporeans for Singapore’s plight – is akin to a “Parent blaming his/her children for their lack of family upbringing.”
Singaporeans are what we are today – because of the policies undertaken by the PAP dominated Singapore Government, we are a generation brought up in a unilateral party Government – ALL of us have NEVER heard nor experience any other alternate political party Government before.
Thus to say “Over time, Singaporeans have become less hard-driving and hard-striving.” – wouldn’t that mean that over the past 40+years of UNCHALLENGED rule, the Singapore PAP-dominated Government has FAILED? Instead of making the nation and its people stronger, proud to stand tall on the global stage – the opposite has happened??
Mr Lee Kuan Yew – are you trying to tell the WHOLE WORLD that you – as Singapore’s FOUNDING FATHER and the most SENIOR minister in the Singapore PAP-dominated Government, have failed? And what you have done over the past 40+ years is nothing but a mistake?
Tony Pang
Editor’s Note: This reply was contributed by one of our reader, Tony Pang to an existing thread on TR. However, we felt that it was very thought provoking and well written which deserves a space of its own and greater exposure, thus we escalated the reply to an article, copied verbatim.
http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/12/24/mm-lee-good-thing-to-welcome-so-many-chinese-immigrants-as-singaporeans-have-become-less-hard-driving/
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66 Responses to “Singapore – The past 40+ years is nothing but a mistake?”
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a good iNCISIVE piece of comment by Tony PANG.
i just want to add that most educated singaporeans are well aware of global competition but we are not even farily treated
in the first place by the very fact that the gahmen officially
declare a FT POLICY.Such a policy and the unfounded repeated condemnations of the the singaporean worker already cause “unfair” competition for natives as it is common fact that employers here almost always “subcribe” faithfully to gahmen policies of any kind!
to conclude,i must insist that the larger mistakes of this tiny nation are more so the doing of the elites rather than
the common citizens.And,the worst thing of all is that citizens are always blamed and “penalised” for those mistakes one way or another by the ‘culprits’.
this habit of unfair constant blaming of the native citizens
and the bearing of the burdens of those mistakes must neccessarily BE changed.
not meaning to be foolhardy or myopic, i am still proud of the average singaporean worker and in whom, i believe are far from less ‘hard driving and hard striving’…the only great fault to me is that we “sell our souls to the comapny store” and are too trusting!
but on the other hand,are honesty and integrity vices?
the greedy leaders in the political and business arenas are just too “MANIPULATIVE” at the expense of the hnonest majority.
honestly,this world has yet to attain true GLOBALISATION…for so far,it has all been but ONE BIG MANIPULATION OF WORKERS.
I do apologize for the bad grammar – it was intended as a comment, not as an article.
No offence to those who support PAP and adore Mr Lee Kuan Yew, this was not written as a form of defamation in any possible manner.
As TR has mentioned, it was penned to provoke the readers’ thoughts on issues, from a more holistic point of view.
If anything, its more of (1) a memo written for fellow Singaporeans and (2) A query back to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, for his statements in the National Geographic.
*p.s* Thanks TR – I am honoured.
Editor’s Note: On the contrary, we are honoured that a writer with your calibre and insight have chosen TR to post your thoughts and comments about the state of affairs in Singapore. Please continue to do so and submit any article you deemed suitable for publication.
Well said indeed.
LKY and his system is the reason why many Sporeans are not hard-driving and hard-striving.
LKY should start with his son and the 80 PAP MPs.
It is becoming tragic for Spore when we have one old fool who cannot see it all leads to those at the apex. And who put them there ?
Reckon in the past 40+ years, Singaporeans are like living in a airplane flight simulator. Passengers are literally confined. Feeling the same sensation but not the real thing. The pilot and crew attendants are in full control. Passengers can check-out but you cannot leave.
What do hard driving and hard striving mean to us all? Is it the formula of success? Do you need to work 24/7 non stop in order to be successful? Not at all.
In a knowledge base economy, you will not see people struggling in sweat shop, naturally, hence you cannot conclude that our people are not hard working. It is a fallacy. Our children are studying and working hard, is there any wrong to that? Do they deserve to be censured for something they are not? Of course not, in every economy there are the fair share of less hard driving people but generally we do have a pretty great workforce. I am not sure how we rank now but I think our workers are still one of the best in the world.
It is unfair to make such harsh remark against our population and further use it as an excuse to import PRC to replace us.
There is a certain segment of our population who are choosy and this is because they can afford to choose as citizen of most develop nation do. It is nothing unusual to this behavior.
In a third world country where the population is lacking in almost everything, you bet they will need to work that extra hard. It doesn’t mean that you need to degrade us and suck every dime out of us in order to make us poor and restart milking us once again. Our population has made some material gain through the years and in spite of that we are still a potent force.
We do not deserve to be branded as lazy just because some of us wanted to take some rest while the rest of us are extremely hard working. Getting Chinese migrants to replace us because we are not hard driving and striving is absurd and evil to say the least.
This article should be in the main stream newspaper to wake up ordinary Singaporeans and the MPs in parLEEment.
Some JC teachers should select this article as a discussion in their General Paper or Social Study class. Ask for the students’ opinion…tell them don’t go for those “model answer” but just give their opinions and even stand up for Lee Kuan Yew to defend him against the writer.
This is what education is all about…asking questions and getting your own opinions and not conclusions from a 10-year series.
I think the over-reliance on lky is weighing us down.
he is only out for himself… lifting of the estate tax rules… high pay.
It is all for himself.
He is not interested in Singaporeans wellbeing. That is also why he spent a lot time overseas.
Quite a good write I must say.Glad to note that TR has ignited such sentiments which otherwise would not have seen the daylight with our main stream medias totally cowed .
True,like an obedient dog we behaved well for 40+ years.”Sit”-we sat,”Stand”-we stood,”Jump”–we asked how high master…Now our master is telling us that the mongrols across the ocean are far superior to us !..
Sad to say that’s what we deserve for being an unquestionable dog all these years.
Why not ask him to take a bus again just like good old time . See if he can do it ? We have emerged as a developed country and we cannot go backwards to be a 3rd world country . The truth is we do not have an advantage over other Asia countries who have overtaken us . Frankly , over the 20 years , they have become lazy and contented due to lack of competition . Moreover , with ppl so old driving the speed boat , you know what comes next .
If Tony Pang’s piece of writing and opinions are to be taken as that of a typical educated Singaporean, then one needn’t wonder why Singaporeans are becoming uncompetitive! While Tony reflects on and reviews superficially the last 40+ Singapore years, he unfortunately misses the key points as to why Singapore is in the political predicament it is in today.
It is no use blaming the PAP or anyone for what happened. If government is a reflection of the will of its populace, Singapore is no different. The PAP is what it is today because the people wanted it so. If Singaporeans want a different government now, it can also take steps to bring down the PAP. They have the means now to counter the government’s propaganda machines through the internet. If enough people are of the same mind and this is communicated to all, what is there to stop people voting against the PAP? They have no excuse now if this is what they really want. Once the Chinese immigrants are given the chance to vote (and the PAP are accelerating this process), the PAP would be there forever. A Singaporean who doesn’t like it would then have to vote with his feet, as now!
LKY is not wrong in saying that Singaporeans have lost their competitive edge. He is bringing in the Chinese en masse to egg the Singaporeans on, to fight for their existence in their own country. Like his ’stop at two’ policy, this is wrong and would bring on another rather disastrous outcome. Why?
The new Singaporean generations were brought up in an affluent society built up by their grandparents and parents guided by the PAP leaders. They have no sense of gratefulness to the PAP unlike their parents who were poor and discriminated by the colonial masters. All they know is affluence and have little concept of poverty. Furthermore they are the ‘true’ Singapore generation, citizens of a nation, with expectations no different from a Western country. To expect them now to compete with mostly hungry peasants from a third nation like China, is to deny them their citizenship rights and subject them to wholly unfair competition as a worker. Singapore like any affluent nation and things are too expensive to survive on peasant wages. Young Singaporean are not equipped for hardship and why should they be, if the PAP leaders and the elite placed in unassailable positions, do not have to? It’s like making our children poor although we have worked hard to give them a better life. Why then does LKY wants it so?
Singaporeans are not LKY’s children nor are they his citizens; in fact they are his subjects, workers, resources and digits fit only for bringing success to him and his family. He has adorned the mantle of kingship and its entitlement because he believes Singaporeans owes him for their lives and livelihoods. As he once bestowed these regal rights to Suharto, he has now bestowed this on himself and his son. He can do what he likes with Singapore and Singaporeans. And as long as he commands the army, navy, police, the law and the media, he can pretty much get away with it? Is this true? While he embraces Confucianism for his own purpose, he forgets or does no believe in ‘the mandate of heaven’ invested in the will of the people. When a people will that an emperor has to go, they would find the means.
Does Singaporeans truly want the PAP to go? Do they feel they are prisoners in their own country? Do they want a truly democratic nation like, Japan, Taiwan and now Indonesia? These questions have to be asked, the answers to be clear and the desire and passion strong for a change to occur. It took the Chinese 400+ years to overthrow the Ching dynasty. Would it take longer for Singaporeans if they want a real change? The world would be watching!
I agree and quote Mr Tony’s point – “The actions undertaken by the PAP-dominated Singapore Government, though beneficial to the nation – are tremendously strenuous for the local average Singaporeans. Its akin to teaching children how to swim by throwing them, head first into the pool’s deepest end – with NO floats. For those who managed to learn and swam, they will survive and emerge stronger – for those that could not learn in time – they will literally drown and its shocking that the Government is willing to stand by and let all this happen.”
Just a side thought – is it possible to separate the notion of a Nation from it Citizenry? Are’nt they ultimately one and the same? What’s not pleasant for its citizens cannot be pleasant for the Nation and in a democracy, this must surely surface somehow.
I feel that the Government has done a lot or mostly right thing for the nation and has forgotten to show its average citizens enough concern. If a family has 10 children, lets say 3 are very bright, 5 are average and 2 are dummies (so to speak), the government’s attitude towards 70% not-so-bright is akin to this two parents expecting the 7 not-so-bright children to compete just like the 3 bright ones on their own.
Would’nt any parents give extra tuition and extra attention to the 7 not-so-bright because they are family? Should’nt the government do something special for the 70% (or so) not-so-bright citizens to help them compete on the global economy? Yes Singaporeans need to help themselves by working harder and smarter – but many will appreciate a helping hand.
Many parents had to pay through their noses, blow their retirement savings, go into debt just to send their not-so-bright children through university. For the more competitive courses, many parents have no choice but to send their children overseas where they pay 3 to 5 times more.
How about a token re-imbursement fund – just say 50% of whatever the government is spending on FTs – to go towards helping its not-so-bright citizenry through their tertiary education?
Tan TC
Gd work TR to upgrade piece from posting to article.
Gd editorial judgement.
@AussieLouis on Wed, 30th Dec 2009 10:00 am
Thank you for your honest comments – you are not wrong in your statements – on the contrary, I am in agreement with them.
The omission – on the cause of Singapore’s current political predicament – was of a purposed intent.
The article was penned initially as a personal reflection to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew’s statement (on National Geographic) where Singaporeans were deemed as “less hard-driving and hard-striving” — in other words — We are getting soft and lazy.
Throughout the interview draft – there was no mention of PAP’s role in causing this crutch mentality in Singaporeans.
The lack of public accountability and distortion of facts, did not seat very well with me.
This piece was to set the account straight and get the facts right for all.
Your points are valid – if we were to analyze this further. “Yes”. Singaporeans are the ones, whom have given PAP their unchallenged power all these years – thus in a very indirect way – we, ourselves, are the cause of all our pains – we allowed the perpetuators to perpetuate.
To dwell deeper and accurately on this – would require another lengthy article. For we need to take a few important notes into consideration –
(1) The credibility and standard of all available opposition parties (after all the persecutions), throughout the past 40+ years – Did they the functional and operative capability to take over the reins from PAP. The oppositions are getting there, but “No” – currently they do not.
(2) The authorial machineries controlled by LKY and PAP leaders throughout their “reign” (the power they have over things like “Education” – where they are able to systematically brainwash and coerce the entire nation)
(3) The current and sudden revival of alternate political views – credit to extent to LHL’s higher political tolerance (there is no such thing as Freedom of Speech/Thought in Singapore – but rather a tolerance of differing opinions by the current ruling Government)
And many more.
I am nothing but 1 man only – I do the best I can – to spread seeds of thought for others to pick up – to reflect – to question – to enhance and hopefully, to expand.
Once again – AussieLouis – a brilliant standup – Thank You.
We failed badly.
Who led us here? I want change.
Are we ready for change or will we AS A NATION continue to fear change – STUPIDLY?
LKY is a good leader no doubt. the question is there will come a better leader some time in the future from among the people. a leader that will not enrich himself and his team through the sheer efforts and hard work of the people over the last 40 years. and still enriching themselves to this day. take our hdb flats . a marine parade 3 rm flat in the 80s cost S$8,000 and today the similar type of flat in the outer regions fetches S$250,000 each. many times over i guess. hdb is experiencing a hyper inflation for the past 40 years.
Mr. Tony Pang, I applaud you for a well written and mind provoking post. Temasek Review’s sincerity in making this a non Partisan blog is laudable and I hope the LITERATIS,WELL INFORMED,WELL EDUCATED & ORDINARY CITIZENS of our RED-DOT debate on this rationally without the dramas,rethorics and senseless post.
Once again thank you Tony & TR.
TR admin-
These are the people you should open a column or the ppspp CNA style you should invite into your panel.
I believe there are many of my generation well educated and well informed willing to have their say heard.Its not fear per se but “LAYCHAY” when you get senseless comments and postings for your thoughts and feelings and please no PRO POLITICAL PARTIES or you will be relegated to the WANNABEE INDEPENDENT BLOGS
If there’s any article which LKY should read, this is THE one.
If there’s any opinion which LKY should hear besides the routine balls carrying and wayang, this is THE one.
If there’s any voice which the gahment of Sinkapore should hear, this is the THE one.
If there’s any lesson the Million Dollar Millisters should take, this is THE one.
If there’s any handbook which the yPAPies arrogant leader wannabe should have, this is THE one.
If there’s any article which can shame the Shitty Times journalist, this is THE one.
If there’s any Millisters in Sinkapore deserving of his millions, you are reading HIS article right now.
Superb piece of article from a Sinkaporen who REALLY CARES for Sinkapore!
P/S: Great work to the editor for escalating this piece to an article. It goes to show that TR is not just interested in garnering traffic and making profit (if any), their editor and mods DO vett each and every post, giving deserving credit when its due.
If there’s one site worth supporting, you are already viewing it.
@AussieLouis & Tony Pang,
So we got what we voted for eh? Sure,so was Hitler and Saddam–but it took outside forces to budge them out.That being the reality.Germans and Iraqis voted them in through a democratic process too but once in they never wonna quit..FYI dictators like Saddam and Suharto were garnering more than 90% of ‘popular’ votes for their dictatorial pseudo secular regime…now we all know that was not the true measure of the meter.
So tell me.
How does that explains your stand that PAP still stands on the legitimate will of the people?–Do people really have a choice through balloting ?..
btw; just remember JBJ was bankrupted for merely waving a police report in an election rally.
good opinion piece.
i agree. We need to stop relying on LKY and their team. no doubt in the past they have done a good job. but times have changed. but their mentality has not.
diversity of views guarantees our own safety and survival. If not we become too predictable and will get eaten up in no time.
its all about them and numbers and money and statistics. We are people. not numbers.
I do not think average Singaporean has mellowed much over the years. This logic is completely flawed.
Working with many of PRC or Indian colleague, I have not found any evidence that they worked significantly longer time or put in harder efford than fellow Singaporean.
Anyway, the French has 35 hours week, militant labour movement and hey are still more productive than us by unit hour.
The culprit of Singapore’s unproductivity is our elite. Most managers are promoted more of compliance rather than capability. Many of the management requires total submission.
Worse, many of them are amakudari parachuttist from civil service or arm forces. They knows nothing about business.
Whatever went wrong, the citizen got the blame, and their insecurity render them to hire foreigner which are less vocal, and less paid.
Our greedy elite raises the property so much that it is almost impossible for young man to set up shop on their own without support.
This in tutn leads to more lethargy and fatality and its now a viscious cycle.
@AussieLouis & Tony Pang & True Singaporean
I do agree we got ourselves to blame for this whole predicament. –Tony, great discourse.. Definitely stirred up some thought there.
My two cents is this. Sure, I agree with AussieLouis and True Singaporean that our dear gahmen were voted in by our forefathers. They must have their reasons to do so (Believing the promises made by the party then?). But years have gone by, we can blame ourselves for falling into a ‘deception’ (if any, Not sure if I got all my facts right..) But who can challenge the PAP now?
This debate (regarding dethroning the Govt) has gone on for years, in Kopithiams, in Taxis, at home… But all we ever did was to groan in suffering, no one dared to challenge the Great Gahmen… Truth be told, we are afraid, when past opposition ‘heads’ are hung out in the open for all to see what will happen to us if we choose to ‘revolt’. (Sounds like when the Japs did back in the Occupation). It’s easy to say that the mere average ‘Lim’s and ‘Tan’s can do something by ‘voting’ or balloting them out. But lets be honest with ourselves, Voting is not a Civil Liberty in Singapore rather it’s a Civil Liability. Sometimes we can’t vote because of a strange phenomenon called ‘Walk-over’, It’s so disheartening that we simply give up. (What’s the point of voting the opposition if they are ‘pushed-over’)
I respect every man that has tried to speak up not against the Gahman per se but to voice the groans of their fellow countrymen. (Case in point, isn’t that the MP’s job? Represent us?) But it’s just sad that not every man that did so had a good ending.
Truth is if there were to be change, sacrifices have to be made. There will be a ‘shaking’ in Singapore, this shaking will not be comfortable, and capable Singaporeans are not rising up (rather most of them contribute their talents to anywhere except their birthplace). Certain young and bright Singaporeans have the drive for change but are not the right direction to express that passion (Good job on the Facebook page though only time will tell how well it fares), if there were to be change, we have to brace ourselves – blood will be spilled.
It’s little wonder why my father laid down a mandate for me to pursue any occupation except politics and prostitution(Though the lines of morality between the two have been blurred haha)
Quoting AussieLouis: “If Singaporeans want a different government now, it can also take steps to bring down the PAP. They have the means now to counter the government’s propaganda machines through the internet. If enough people are of the same mind and this is communicated to all, what is there to stop people voting against the PAP?”
We tried… And we know that the gahman sure has a thick hide.
It’ll be disheartening to say “We tried, failed and we’re giving up”… So If LKY wants DRIVE then we jolly well better get some DRIVE to prove Him wrong.
Anyways, Happy New Year everyone – lets see what happens in a few years time (The Old-man can’t live that long can he?)
i don’t think it is necessarily fair to say that ALL Indian citizens and PRC citizens are more hardworking that Singaporeans. however, i think it is generally true that Indian nationals and PRC nationals who go overseas (either to Singapore or any other countries) are usually more hardworking than the average person in the receiving country. why is that so?
i believe that it’s because those who are willing to leave the country and are able to make it to another are not just your average Indian or PRC national. these people have given up much to move. it’s a big investment which i think they will fight hard to draw returns from. similarly, Singaporeans who go overseas to study/work are generally perceived to be more hardworking than the average natives of the receiving country.
i’d like to suggest that if the average Singaporeans appear to be ’softer’ than our forefathers, it’s because of a number of factors.
firstly, the government has been too successful in taking care of its people to the extent that we have taken much for granted. Singapore’s education, healthcare system, housing situation, etc may not be perfect, and there are indeed people who have fallen through the cracks, but compared to many other countries (including your first world western countries), Singaporean citizens are really very well taken care of. i remember a brit friend of mine saying that if they had wanted something done about their neighbourhood, say get a derelict playground fixed, never approach their equivalent of the town council. they do it themselves. but in Singapore, we complain to our town council and something gets done, usually quite quickly. so, because of the relative efficiency and effectiveness of our government, we, Singaporeans have come to depend on them too much. we blame the government for everything that goes wrong and expect them to solve all our problems. this has eroded our sense of individual responsibility and handicapped us somewhat.
the second, and i think more important, reason which might have resulted in this current generation of Singaporeans appearing to be softer than our forefathers is due to the changes in society’s attitudes. our forefathers who came to Singapore are generally poor. their aspirations were to survive, not lead luxurious lives. many a times, desperation drove them to work exceedingly hard. and because of this, they were able to grab many of the opportunities available then and some of them did very well. we see this in parts of China and India as well. they are desperately hungry because they are desperate to survive. but that’s not the case in all parts of China and India. students in Kunming City (capital of Yunnan state) are far less ‘hungry’ and hardworking than their peers in the rural regions of Lijiang and Diqing counties. i don’t have enough sociology/history training to confirm this, but i suspect that it’s a result of urbanisation and perhaps even an inherent feature in the development of societies (every single human civilisation to date has gone through this, i.e. founding generation – fantastic, next generation – not too bad, but slightly complacent, the generation after that – very complacent, to the point of decadence and finally – decadence leading to decay). this generation of Singaporeans has grown up living in relative luxury. our aspirations are vastly different. we are comfortable and hence start to be complacenet. we therefore expect our aspirations to be fulfilled without much sacrifices on our part.
but let us remember that this is not necessarily inevitable. i don’t believe that this society won’t reward those who are willing to work hard. nothing’s stopping us from working as hard as anyone else from any other parts of the world. therefore, while the government is a big factor in this equation, we as individuals play an equal, if not greater, part, in both determining what sort of lives we lead individually and how this society evolves. so, as the chinese saying goes, let’s go through serious self reflection first before laying the blame on others.
whether or not a NATION has been properly and honestly governed
is ultimately measured by the standard(QUALITY) of living,NOT by your escalted home or other prices that push up the cost of living.
if you are an average singaporean with one roof over your head,does it make any measured difference to you if they keep raising the prices unless,of course,if you want to comepletely cash out and live on the streets or migrate to a CHEAPER country?
The HDB pricing policy only serves to benefit RICH SINGAPOREANS like those real estate magnates and corporations like Capitaland,Citidev and Far East Oragnisation and also the
rich foreigners/PRs and foreign speculative investment companies who can kill small economies like ours by their HOT MONEY!
Most other policies like in healthcare,etc, would only raise the cost of living that essentially affect the majority of
common singaporeans who now works 24/7 not unlike the facotry
hardware technology…so why still call us less harddriving?
the ultimate test of good government would of course be
…cont from last blog…
whether,after working for most part of our adult life,we can then retire in dignity?
if the last test fail,then the government has failed miserably as there was no proper retirement plan policy in place.
if leaders like LKY wants to work till their last days,we can understand.Why not,high salaries and “no stress” with no need for any form of continued “hard-driving” or “hard striving” neccessary?
@tony – PAP chooses their present course of action not simply for economy reason don’t be deceived. If you think they are bringing foreigners purely for competitive and economy reasons, you are probably barking up the wrong tree.
The sudden influx of the lesser talent is to replace the shortcoming of a certain race which is unable to produce themselves adequately and make up for the falling number in our birthrate. Once the certain big brother up north is fully developed, we will not be able to tap into their population to make up for our lower number. Their people is unlikely to come to Singapore when they can make a good living in their own country. In this case the essence is time and the window period is now. They have carried out their mission successfully.
They needed a ghost to defray attention in hand therefore they make the people as the scapegoat saying we are less hard driving and hard striving. It is not a mistake of an ignorant fellow, it is very much intentional, the whole affair is engineered.
Singapore and other developed countries alike will have to take a back seat when the giant of China and India start to rise, trying to be number one is going to be a difficult sum.
To remain a star of the region and the world, we must produce more entrepreneur and not just talent. With enterprise we provide the infrastructure for talent and attract genuine talent which we can be groomed to be loyal to our cause and become part of our entity. Otherwise we will always be sucker training talent for others. This is so because someday these talents will dessert us to go to other star that provide them better bread and butter. Imagine if Singapore has thousands of Mr. Sim Wong Hoo, a true blue bread Singaporean, selling their wares around the world in big numbers, a good number of generated talents can be locked within our nation and contribute to the system. Factories, offices and shops will all have the Singapore label. What a sight to call our own. At the moment if we produce tons of local talent who are not enterprising but have to work for others, they soon become global and walk around the globe, soon lost their way and never return. To avoid this to happen, we need an anchor. That anchor is enterprise.
PAP mistakes all in all are plenty, the single biggest mistake is our people voting them overwhelmingly and continuously. Without opposition pressing them to work right and work hard, all else are nothing but just empty talk. What is the point of calling it a mistake, when everything is always an honest mistake?
Economic Growth-how it is achieved
1.Four factors of production- capital,labour,natural resources, knowledge
2. Natural resources – Land,commodities,marine,energy sources
Homemade or acquisition thro’ war,colonialism or buying them like china
3. Capital – Needed to build assets like machines,plants,factories,offices etc.
Sources: investments-FDI or other financial instruments e.g.stock markets,bonds etc. OR Savings either self-generated or thro income-producing assets OR colonialism,war
4. Knowledge – R&D, Mgt/organization innovation, Imitation, Espionage,Immigration. Requires Risk-taking culture (e.g. entrepreneurship),Social and political openess, Sense of history (so that don’t repeat mistakes), Leisure time for things like sports,arts,recreation to boost creativity.
5. Labour – Related to Health,environment,manpower protection, social safety net,population policy,housing/property policies.
Of course,in early days-colonialism and war and slavery and feudalism
6. Factors of production must be supported by things like infrastucture,law,defence,foreign relations,homeland security,monetary/fiscal policies,national cohesion,little corruption/cronyism/monopolistic or oligarchic behaviour
7. From the relative weightage of the 4 factors of production, comparative advantage in suitable industries will be derived. e.g. australia and canada are commodity-producing countries.
To alter the industry structure, the relative weightage of factors of production must be changed, else market forces will be distorted leading to rent-seeking behaviour.
8. Working hard is no longer enough – just increasing labour hours -which increase labour (factor of production)
Working smart-increase knowledge(factor of production) will reap more rewards, imagination is a cousin of knowledge, thus work hard but not too hard- so that there is time for imagination.
9. Some China ppl also didn’t work hard-they work “smart” – guanxi, but of course i am not in favour of this. just point it out as a counterexample.
10. Chinese work very hard- 血汗工厂,but they got pittance,most of the value added went to europe and america
11. 治大国如烹小鲜 -governing a country is like cooking fish,do not overcook or flip it too much,too often. As hujintao says
不折腾, unnecessary frequent policy change will just make country worse.
12. Last but not least, a sense of justice/fairness and a moral compass is the basis of economic growth, w/o it economic growth is unsubstainable and dangerous and meaningless.
13. Education is also important to accumulation of knowledge
Back in NS, as most other male Singaporeans can attest, respect is grudgingly given, if coerced; but when earned, men willingly follow.
Successful leaders quickly learn that far more is accomplished with far less when his men are led by him, as opposed to being ordered by him.
Similarly, Singapore and her citizens can be dragged kicking and screaming, or we can willingly follow.
To continue with the analogy, one way to earn our “respect” is to give citizens a voice in policy, and by extension, ownership of such decisions.
Policy making by referendum is not an alien concept – the Danes and Swiss are among examples to have practiced it to some extent.
While not perfect it would go great lengths to salve one of the key problems here – the perception rightly or wrongly that policy is rammed down citizens throats regardless of its impact, consequently policy making is often viewed as arbitrary and in some cases possibly self serving.
As our economy has grown, and the standards of living improved, so must the forms of our governance progress.
The ball is firmly in the PAP’s court to engage citizens, it is far better for both themselves and Singaporeans to have us shoulder part of the responsibility for policy making rather than attempt to rule by decree.
To continue in the belief that Singaporeans are politically apathetic is naive, when given an outlet we have very strong opinions, one only needs visit a coffeeshop or listen to a cabby to get a taste.
Is it not a far better option to channel such energies towards a more robust policy decision making process, rather than have it eventually vented as sudden groundswell of anti govt activism?
HAHA BEING BORN IN SINGAPORE IS A MISTAKE BY ITSELF
THE SINGAPORE GOVT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S HARSHEST AND MOST HEAVY HANDED.
POLTICIANS GIVE FLYERS – FINE OR JAIL
PEACEFUL PROTESTS – FINE OR JAIL
DEFAME CABINET MINISTERS – PAY FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OR BANKRUPT!!
ONLY PLACE WHERE CAN SPEAK IN PUBLIC IS A LOUSY PARK CALLED HONG LIM. AND YOU NEED TO REGISTER WITH THE POLICE AND FACE A VIDEO CAMERA POINTING AT YOU STILL!!!
BARISAN SOCIALIS RAN FOR ELECTIONS WITH “SOCIALIST IDEALS” – SOME LIKE AH PEK CHIA THYE POH KENA DENTENTION WITHOUT TRIAL FOR 10,20 YEARS! WAH BALLS SRHINK. CAN JAIL YOU NO NEED GO TRIAL ONE! AH PEK CHIA GO IN YOUNG HANDSOME MAN IN TWENTIES, COME OUT AH PEK LIAO, ALMOST CAN COLLECT CPF!! BUT NOT MUCH CPF TO COLLECT LAH CAUSE ALL THE TIME IN JAIL MAH, JAIL NO CPF ONE HAHAHAHA.
EVEN TERRORISTS IN ARE TREATED SINGAPORE BETTER. THEY GO WHITLEY DETENTION CENTER AND HAVE BETTER TREATMENT THAN INMATES BECAUSE GAHMENT SAYS MUST TREAT THEM NICE ELSE THEY HATE SINGAPORE MORE, BECOME MORE NAUGHTY. AFTER FEW YEARS, TERRORIST WHO BECOME GOOD BOYS CAN GO HOME LIAO!
TOO BAD LA AH PEK CHIA, WHO CALL YOU BE POLTICIAN AND JOIN BARISAN SOCIALIS?
ELECTIONS TIME – MY WARD WALKOVER NO NEED TO VOTE! PAP WIN!
NS 2.5 YEARS !
RESERVIST 20 YEARS!
PENAL PUNISHMENT IN SINGAPORE ARE OFTEN SO MANY TIMES MORE THAN AUSTRALIA! OR MANY OTHER COUNTRIES! WANT TO DO ANYTHING MUST CHECK WITH LAWYER FIRST PLEASE!! ELSE SUAY SUAY LIKE MALAYSIAN BOY BOY VUI KONG TRAFFICK DRUG IN, NOW SINGAPORE WANTS TO KILL THAT GONG KIA LIAO HAHAHA
NOW GONG KIA BOY BOY VUI KONG SPENDS HIS WHOLE DAY IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN A SMALL CELL, SHAVE BOTAK, NO BED NO RADIO, SLEEP ON HARD FLOOR! WATCHING TV WHICH IS ONLY PROVIDED FOR DEATH ROW INMATES!
BOY BOY JUST DAN SI LIAO LOR!
VUI KONG BOY BOY SHOULD GO TO AUSTRALIA OR CANADA MAH, THERE THE GOVERNMENT GOT HEART HUMANE ONE. HE WILL SLEEP ON SOFT BED, NICE FOOD, WATCH TV, RADIO, GO EXERCISE IN BIG FIELD, GO GYM BUILD MUSCLE, HAVE FAN, SOME HAVE AIR CON, CAN DO ART AND CRAFT, MAYBE EVEN STUDY DEGREE. AFTER MAYBE 5 YEAR OR 8 YEAR CAN COME OUT LIAO. TOO BAD HE IS IN ONE OF THE HARSHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD – SINGAPORE!
GOING OUT OF COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS NEED APPLY TO GOVERNMENT FOR PERMISSION! MUST TELL THEM WHERE YOU GOING AND EVEN PROVIDE EVIDENCE IF ASKED TO! IF FAIL TO APPLY FOR MINDEF NOTIFICATION OR EXIT PERMIT – FINE OR JAIL
MISS ICT – FINE OR JAIL
MUST BE LIKE PRIMARY SCHOOL KIDS RUN AND STAY SKINNY TILL AGE 40 ELSE YEARLY IPPT FAIL HOW, NEED TO RT.
GO TO COFFEE SHOP OPPOSITE, AH SOH HAWKER FACE ACT LIKE YOU OWE HER MONEY! CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH AT ALL! AH SOH VERY ANGRY HATES THE WORLD.
GO TO UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY GRADUATES DUNNO WHAT THEY THINKING, ALL DIAM DIAM WANT TO SIAM AND MIGRATE SOON. CAN SPEAK ENGLISH BUT ALL KINDS OF GRAMMATICAL ERRORS IN THEIR SENTENCES. WEIRD INTONATION, BROKEN ENGLISH!
WENT TO MRT STATION, WIFE TOOK OUT A BOTTLE OF PLAIN MINERAL WATER TO DRINK, SMRT STAFF YELL AT MY WIFE LIKE SHE MURDERED SOMEONE!!
SINGAPORE REALLY SUCKS.
IF YOU WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE BORN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, THERE WOULD BE NO SUCH BULLSHIT
@ true singaporean
yeah man i see what you are getting at.if lau lee keep bankrupting any bright spark who so much as dare to ask how can there be any opposition candidate to contest elections?..tang is a bright spark,jbj is a bright spark,francis seow is a bright spark dr.chee is a bright spark–all silenced and banished.
@Tony Pang
Dear Tony,
There is no intent on my part to disparage and you are a gracious guy.
Singapore when it was forced out of Malaysia to be a nation in its own right is a very vulnerable place. It is even more so today for reasons I would explain further on.
In the sixties when Dr Goh Keng Swee conceived of Jurong as an industrial estate it was named ‘Goh’s folly’. Singapore existence then was because of its favourable location and great natural harbour. Raffles saw this and the British turned it into an entreport of the East.
When LKY and company inherited this nation, it was an impoverished state. Its earlier wealth as a colony was dependent on British wealth and its use as a British trading post. In 1965, the British were leaving taking with them what was valuable with a promise to Singapore that they would help financially. Harold Wilson who promised this to LKY didn’t keep its promise because Britain was also in a sorry economic state having lost most of its industrial power and wealth from its receding empire.
LKY and good men knew that something more than a Centerport was required (neighbors were deliberately trying to bypass Singapore for trade) and something different has to emerge for Singapore to survive. They realised that the only strength they have is a capable and hungry people consisted mainly of migrants; mostly more Chinese as of now. These would be your grandparents and parents, willing to be ‘coolies’ even if it meant a better future.
The people of Singapore were its strength then and its strength now. Against neighbouring populations it was more progressive, innovative and more hungry. The British, whatever their intent, created this to further their empire which was basically based on trade. They created the opportunities for upward mobility and enforced the laws to ensure a generally peaceful environment to allow for wealth creation.
LKY and company recognised this then and knew Singapore’s survival depended on their being able to bring the people round to support them. They had to give people a way to live and thrive which includes a peaceful environment. The only way is to create jobs but how? The hinterland of Malaysia has been cut off, factories were few and the neighbours were hostile. Added to that and this is important, the Communists were out to exploit the situation in their aim to create socialist states.
LKY and friends were fighting on all fronts. The lure of the communists was extremely strong because they were Chinese-educated which allowed easy appeal to the majority Chinese. LKY spoke no Chinese; so did many of his friends who were Babas, Eurasians and Indians. Fortunately, he had enough Chinese supporters. He had to eliminate his enemies and by any means to give the peace needful for economic development. He became a master at this and today’s Singapore draconian laws came from his dealing with enemies. They also become the means to control the current Singaporeans.
He called his party, People Actions Party because they had to show results as well as talk, to convince people to support them. Admittedly they were clever fellows, the cream of Singapore’s intellectuals. Dr. Goh, who led the creation of Singapore’s economic foundation, was a genius. Led by a street smart leader like LKY who outsmarted both his Japanese and British masters, they used their educations and exposures overseas to create ideas which eventually outwitted too their envious neighbours.
They were the first to learn to be friends with the powers like their ex-colonial masters, the MNCs, the UN and others. They created the first MNCs industrial centres; and attract them by training the people in modern science and technologies. They build the first mass dwellings, HDB flats, to eliminate homelessness. They developed the infrastructures to facilitate trade and manufacturing. Is it a wonder that eventually most people in Singapore supported them? They eliminated poverty as China is doing now.
Singapore is a first world nation today because the foresight of good men and their courage brought it about. So what is happening? Singaporeans today are unhappy with a thriving nation which foreigners from first to third world look on with envy and admiration. The Utopia which LKY and his men built is no longer a place to live in and many, especially its middle and high level talents, have moved and are moving abroad. The nation is being hollowed out in the crucial middle class which is the strength of any nation. The solution; bring lots of Chinese and some Indians and others to replace them: as many as possible as most of them would fall out, not meeting expectations or find reasons to return home. Assimilate them as fast as is possible to form the new PAP support base as well as new committed citizens. What about the Singapore born and bred?; they would be forced to learn to fight again for their survival and be more productive; in any case they cannot do anything as the PAP is in full control of everything! A new, stronger and competitive Singapore would emerge and Singapore as a nation would survive and thrive forever.
LKY is nothing but a brilliant student of history. He knows from history that city states, as a rule do not survive. Athens, Venice and other ancient states comes to mind. He said so in his book; saying that he cannot know whether Singapore would survive as a nation. This is so because the citizens of a successful city-state becomes opulent, lazy, complacent and their children effete and uncompetitive. LKY is simply trying to defeat history. Isn’t it what he did when he turned a crocodile infested little swarm which most gave no chance of survival, into the admirable first world nation it has become?
The question is, is he right? Arguing from a historical perspective, he is not wrong. Then what is wrong? The unhappiness of the generation of people that has been created from affluence. They have to suffer that their children may survive and continue to thrive.
This generation and others could do nothing unless they change the government. They do not have the normal rights of citizens, their fates in the hands of their all powerful masters, the PAP leaders. They may be members of a first class nation but for all purpose they are second class citizens with privileges to live in Singapore but no rights. The first class Singaporeans are the PAP leaders, the elites, the rich class foreigners and the capitalists.
In either case, they will suffer. If they manage to rid themselves of the PAP at whatever time in the future, chaos would ensue for sometime with economic consequences. And if they survive and thrive, it would become a greater nation of first class citizens.
If they remain where they are, they would suffer lost in income, status and more citizenship rights. Many would stay with their parents for a long, long time because they can no longer afford their own home. One need to wait for the next generation together with those of the current new migrants to live the lives they want. But there would perpetually be no freedom; there would be a nation state of first and second class citizens forever.
It is up to Singaporeans to choose. Rebellion requires great sacrifices ala Mandela and Martin Luther King (Chee Soon Juan?)
If LKY is right about Singaporeans, most of them would sit on their arses and wait; for others. It’s always easier to be safe (kiasi) even if it means being perpetually enslaved! They would always be kiasu (lose they would, to hungry foreigners) and kiabo (only the hungry and focused would do better; thus a class of new rich Chinese and Indians). LKY is hoping the current policy would jot the current Singaporeans to wake up; it’s unfair but the world is not fair, especially to so-called citizens with no rights!
Yes my fellow Singaporeans, they were mistakes, but they were HONEST mistakes.
Those LKY glorifier has overblown their rhetoric. LKY does not deserve more credit than those dictators in S Korea, Taiwan. Those crooks managed to jack up economy not because they are talent, but because of the propencity of East Asian culture to pursue material success.
Even HK does not give credit to their pro-consul who did nothing while HK flourish (laissez faire).
Similarly, Vietnam and China, both corrupted and autocratic seen tremendous economic growth after infusing some market elements in their system.
LKY should be rank somewhere around those dictators. It is the people who bail the government out and not the other way round.
LKY should be perceived someone better to be without him for Singapore economy. Even he has some credit for our current advancement, his ruinous sovereign fund management and foreign reserve management has wipe out much of our saving.
By putting most reserve in USD, we are being wipe out 1/3 value. And GLC temasek is the mother of all money loser in the world.
LKY till now probably has a net negative impact for Singapore.
What LKY did was very detrimenting to the long term development of Singapore though some short term economics gain did occurred during his rule (Though most credit for economic gain can never be attributed to him).
LKY rule saw
The destruction of a vibrant civil society. (Singaporean used to have strong sense of civil awareness when we are fighting for Merdeka)
The destruction of human rights.
State sponsored terrorism against political foes (We have longest serving political prisoner that beats Nelson Mendela record…. defamation suit…)
The destruction of civics virtue. (LKY replace a much more virtuous and egalitarian society by materialism)
Replace true meritocracy inherited from the British with elitism (how far you go depends much on you A level results at 18 years old).
Destruction of state utilities in the name of privatisation. (We have replace much of our public hospital system, power generation and transmission system with a market model)
Destruction of entreprenuership among citizen. (If governement hands off PSA to entreprenuers, we will have our Lee Ka Shing…etc)
Cronyism- We have youngest BG in whole universe (LHL BG 32 years old), just behind Napoleon Bonaparte, without even firing a single shot at the enemy.
MUCH MUCH MORE.
LKY is definitely replaceble. In fact, there is no reason mediocre governor cannot repeat in Singapore what they did in HK.
Singapore would be a better place without LKY.
@AussieLouis
you should get yourself a ticket to ride at the next GE.
the opposition would benefit from your ideas.
“We cannot afford to loft around and be reactive – we as a community, has to buckle up, pre-empt and embrace this global economical tidal wave”
Question is – with such extreme autocracy of POLITIC AND ECONOMIC, how could Singaporeans not be reactive to globalisation tidal wave instead of interactive? National service and reservist liabilities aside, Singapore will NOT allow dual citizenship when so many other nations like UK, Australia allows that convenience of their citizenry to travel where opportunity begs of fitting talent or business.
Only “talented” Singaporeans can get foreign PR and a smaller percentage of those has the mental drive, resilience and gutsy of risk-taking actually seek foreign residency opportunity to find themselves a niche anywhere in the world. And of those who tried and found themselves in distress – not for criminal reasons – our diplomatic mission abroad ABANDONED them. IT IS NO SECRET AT ALL.
But if you are a American, Canadian , British, EU or Australian citizen in trouble abroad – even on criminal indictment, their diplomatic missions step in to provide counsellor and legal assistance. So NOT every Singaporeans can succeed abroad and of those who venture out, you get NO help from Singapore Government unless it is a major evacuation emergency.
But inside Singapore, absolute power prevails. People are oppressed for expressing their political thoughts down to the detail of one-man protest is illegal assembly. Where is the tolerance of opennness of mind to enquire, challenge, boundary pushing and exploration for change and development within closed mindset of a imprisoned political zoo? The GOVERNMENT FAILED THE CITIZENRY in this digital age and DETERMINE TO IMPRISON POLITICAL THOUGHTS.
In this country, POLITICS DRIVES ECONOMIC, in everywhere else, ECONOMIC DRIVES POLITICS.
Where is the interactive scope for riding ahead of the global tidal wave unless and until we kick out the mob of dumbass ruling this country????
” Think about it – do you want to compete the entire world and its people in your OWN backyard? Or do you want to compete the entire world and its people in SOMEONE Else’s backyard ?
Another nice thought but what is reality? How many Singapore-grown MNC farting outside the 700 square km little red dot? The Government practised cockroach capitalism – starting with foreign investment, then foreign workers and now foreign population – ALL INWARD LOOKING.
When the Government bring in millions of foreigners of all grades of talent skills or no talent, ARE WE NOT TRAPPED IN COMPETITON WITH FOREIGNERS IN OUR OWN BACKYARD OR DO WE HAVE A CHOICE IN THIS COMPETITON FORCED UPON US BY THE GOVERNMENT RECKLESS MIGRATION INFLUX POLICY?
As for competing with foreigners in someone else’s backyard, is THIS POSSIBLE WHEN out of a few of GLC that dares to fart outside Singapore and farting successfully, the Government sold the best away – SPC, NISM, Sembawang Maritime instead of buying over these against foreign bidding. You know how hard to build one Hyflux success story and sustaining it but TH and GIC prefers to invest instead insome dud foreign banks and lost billions instead.
Why don’t they shake up the TH and GIC operating philosophies, close it down and give the money to its citizenry. Quite a few would have decent capital and will venture off-shore to find new opportunities and some will succeed like Google, Samsung, Walmart, and maybe the next BHP-Billiton 20 years down the tracks. Who knows?
IS THE GOVERNMENT GAME ENOUGH TO LET US TRY??? Or they remain kiasu, kiasi and kia-bor and keep their passive investment strategy in TH and GIC with our money?
soemtimes,i’ve got the strange feeling that some proud folks at the top refuse to acknowledge the wealth of local talents and prefer to put FTs in the tlcs and glcs for face-saving reasons than for any other more valid reason.
if a ‘non-afffiliated’ singaporean could perform better and
lead,say the tlcs,to greater successes,it would be a blow
to the face of these haughty people?
Pride and greed are the seeds of doom.
Humility and generosity lead to prosperity.
Wallstreet must never be a wasted lesson for all worthy leaders!
Anonymous-fair and squre;
Excellent posting, I am sure someone,somewhere out there can add on to their comments, lets hear it.
ANON: on the economic front ” ECONOMIC DRIVES POLITICS & NOT POLITICS DRIVES ECONOMICS ” is an avenue open for good comments or debate.
Intelligence without ttue wisdom is not intelligence at all.
So is spitting BS information and model answers from books.
It is real life hands on experience that matters. And when leaving this life onw will know very well how much positiveness and constructive permanent legacies one is leaving behind so that’s one future generations and loved ones is in safe hands.
Good thing PAP government is not in charge of this world. If they are, either the peoples will rise in violent revolt else the world will end even faster before one can fully say and under why one allow this to happen.
Remember for evil to flourish…it requires good upstanding people not to do anything.
Hi,
Happy new year everybody
Blessings to everone
vonhayek /// Those LKY glorifiers have overblown their rhetoric ///
Hi vonhayek
I agree with you that certain undercover pretenders and LKY glorifiers like Tony Pang and AussieLouis have overblown their rhetoric.
It reminds me of those rock-groups like Black Sabbath (actually one of my faovourite ) and a few others who had insidious messages (that work at the subconscious level on our mind )in their musical lyrics.
So, i believe the PAPies are using this nefarious psychological tactic to counter the onslaught of the their nemesis, the internet.
So like vonhayek says, dont be fooled by the many dirty tactics the PAPies are going to use to fool the populace. CHEERS.
@Budamaxx1952,
I tend to agree with you.
Some are engaging in shadow boxing here..Same old trick.
You see,I throw this question on how they propose to overthrow a dictatorial regime through ballot-box since no precedent exist.
None answered–Tony Pang & AussieLouis remained silent on this pertinent question.—-their silence is deafening
Cheers and a Happy New year to all.
Budamaxx1952
Happy new year everybody, and especially to you
This song you will enjoy
my favorite too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um1HG9Rb6Dg
Changes -Black Sabbath
I feel unhappy
I feel so sad
I lost the best friend
That I ever had
She was my woman
I loved her so
But it’s too late now
I’ve let her go
But soon the world
Had its evil way
My heart was blinded
Love went astray
It took so long
To realize
That I can still hear
Her last goodbyes
Now all my days
Are filled with tears
Wish I could go back
And change these years
I’m going through changes
I’m going through changes
With approprite changes to selected words in the lyrics, we could be singing about our 40 years in SG.
Singapore – The past 40+ years is nothing but a mistake?
How did we dig ourselves into this hole?
Small island state – 3 little words.
Being small, there is hardly any room for diversity, everything is quite same same from Tuas to Changi,
so without diversity, sameness becomes norm, and alternatives stop crossing our minds.
Being an island compounds being small, it isolated us and we got nothing to compare with.
Over 40 years we may have started in breeding to a certain extend with the small gene pool in this small island. That adds on to our troubles.
Forty years ago, we were fresh tossed rojak.
Have we tossed this rojak until it turned stale?
//#KopitiamApek
//Over 40 years we may have started in breeding to a certain extend with the small gene pool in this small island. That adds on to our troubles.
Ask the pigs why they do that? it is in their self interest.
Singapore – The past 40+ years is nothing but a mistake?
The answer is yes. The Singapore’s evolutionary journey from placid random, to placid clustered, to disturbed-reactive, to turbulent environment and now to vortex
http://members.shaw.ca/compilerpress1/CN%20PPF.htm
is best remembered in my mind as
Autocracy, caterpillar mentality in Government, cockroach capitalism and now in a state of bewildered loss of direction and forward destination.
I always find it curious, when a member of the society blame the rest of the society in public, it seems that the particular member CHOOSE TO FORGET that he/she also belong to the society.
Alternatively, it seems that there are AT LEAST TWO separate sections in the same society, i.e. MY GROUP versus YOUR GROUP.
@Budamaxx1952 on Thu, 31st Dec 2009 2:58 pm
@True Singaporean on Thu, 31st Dec 2009 5:39 pm
Apologies to my “silence” – I hope that you understand that being any normal human being – I do have a normal life besides being on cyberspace – hence the lapse in response.
In response to your question – “I throw this question on how they propose to overthrow a dictatorial regime through ballot-box since no precedent exist.”
My personal and logical take would NOT be one of “Overthrowing the PAP” but rather to “Support the GROWTH of an alternate Opposition Party”.
To give the oppositions the room, the opportunity and chance to grow, to mature, to attract capable talents and eventually to provide Singaporeans – an alternate body and political party to govern Singapore – instead of the current PAP – To build them up, so that they can stand tall and take over the reins from PAP in a smooth, peaceful and efficient process (should Singaporeans, one day chooses to vote out PAP amass).
In brief – to start diversifying our “eggs” to another “basket” instead of concentrating them ALL into only ONE – to prepare ourselves for a “rainy” day.
To discuss “overthrowing” the PAP – would akin to “pushing our kids to run, before they can even walk properly”.
How are we going to do that?
It all starts on the ground in ELECTIONS 2010. Oppositions will contest in some estates and Singaporeans (in that estates) have to decide whether they are politically matured enough to vote for them.
Urban myths sprouted that if Singaporeans vote for Oppositions amass, Singapore will dissolve into a political anarchy overnight – this in its entirety – is unrealistically over-hyped and untrue.
PAP currently dominates 90% of all electorates and even if they lose ALL the contested seats – they can still easily secure the necessary majority to form the next Government – all accomplished by the simple default “walkover” and GRC setting. Even if by a freak stroke of nature, the Oppositions won the majority – they will still have to enlist PAP’s help (i.e. co-rule of multiple parties) to form the Government – simply out of necessity, because the Oppositions currently LACK governance experience and enough capable+talented people to lead the country.
We have enjoyed 40+ years of peace and prosperity – NOW its the time – for us to be more hard-striving and more hard-driven, to chart into the waters of the unknown and start DEVELOPING the Oppositions – to spawn the seeds of our Nation’s civil EVOLUTION – to create a political safety net for us, our family, our children and Singapore’s future.
@True Singaporean, that is MY answer to your above question. The wise – plan with a valid strategic objective overview and then detail a structured plan towards that objective – one step at a time.
From what I have gathered – the Oppositions (some parties) are doing that right now – they have wised up and started using their wits – keeping their head low – avoiding unnecessary provocations which can be manipulated by others against them (i.e. defamation law suits) – quietly but most certainly gather public support and credulity —> the ball has now rolled into the peoples’ court.
Its time for the common Singaporeans to take a stand – to continue and be the risk-adverse, conservative sheep? or the hard-striving and hard-driven bull (like our forefathers), ready to take a plunge into the unknown, succeed and emerge better and stronger for the future?
What say you? Singaporeans – what say you?
Tony Pang-
I say yes,yes and yes again.CST & LTK had proven time and again that they can walk the talk without going over the top with “wayang” to attract voters.I had mentioned before fear is a factor but not the means to put a good opposition into parliament.
Lets hope the Workers party and SDA can attract enough credible candidate for this next GE. Reform party may be a good bet base on the never say die JBJ & son Kenneth but……??????like I say lets JUST HOPE for breeze of change not wind of change yet.
Have citizens friends who DO NOT want to go away to another country when I ask them to because when they badmouth Spore.
They basically chicken out even though they have the means to go.
Have foreign friends who bad mouth Spore – but when ask to go to e.g Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, etc- instead of becoming PR or citizen, they quickly reject the other places
I remember reading the ST about very old women who live in Spore
She says something like that :
SIN KA PORE HO !
(Spore is good)
I totally agree despite whatever problens we may have
I am glad I live here despite whatever problems we may have !
I am even more glad that my kids will grow up here !!
Can’t even think of another place for them !!!
Mr. Tony Pang, after 45 years of independence, LHL, in the New Year message finally spoke of THE NECESSITY OF building our external arm of the economy forward.
IS THIS NOT A FAILURE OF ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT FOR 45 YEARS instead of Singaporeans NOT hungry, hard driving and hard striving enough??
Or is the “far-sighted” Government economically brain-dead for 45 years?
There is only one correct answer to this quiz,
Which one? Mr. Tony Pang
Anonymous-
your question if I may say so is an embarrassment not only to the govt. but to most businessmen that depends on handouts or clinging on to the govt. apron string.
Non except an few elaborate on your point on “Economics drive politics & not Politics drive economics”
Bottomline “KIA SI KIA SU & KIA CHENG HU?”
@ Tony Pang,
Boy,I never knew you could write in so many words of mere nothings…JBJ got bankrupted for merely waving a police report in an election rally..So what talk you about it’s the opposition to be blamed for their provocative bad behaviour which got themselves bankrupted ?…Simply put opposition provoked ,PAP acted in self-defense !,Mama Mia !!!
Look ! ..if you want the PAP still in the corridor of power for another 40 years while you slowly build your opposition ; at east have the guts to say so.Instead of veiled-half-truths and obfuscation.
” Oppositions currently LACK governance experience and enough capable+talented people to lead the country. ”….you say ?..Now where have I heard this before !…Yes,the very sort of reason MM gave as justification for the Burmese junta to hold power without polls because MM asserts Aung San Suu Kyi would still needs the junta’s army to run the daily administration ; ..are you from MM’s office?
The very reason MM justifies for holding on to power well past 84 years of age. Because he claims that only he can forecast which no other younger person of lesser years can.
I met with a ‘high ranking’ friend from Sinkapore who was here on holiday.
Over dinner and drinks, we casually chat about the coming GE and Sinkapore, and these are HIS views:
ASSUMING that the GE is ALL Single Seats and everyone of Sinkaporeans voted for the Opposition, the PAPies will still have major victory after the vote counting.
Plainly put, the PAPies will use ALL and ANY means to ensure that they remain in power and there is NOTHING Sinkaporeans can do about it (even if the GE is rigged?).
He added that if it wasn’t for show to International Community, the PAPies would have abolished the GE altogether.
As to how far the truth is in his remark, I don’t know but Trees don’t sway unless there is Wind?
@Sinkapore,
Me too think what your high ranking friend from Singapore thought.It’s no secret that MM thinks GE is nothing but a nuisance to overcome every 4 to 5 years..If you read between the lines of MM’s speeches over the years he precisely has been saying just that….But MM cannot afford to appear in the global radar along with Saddam Suharto & Marcos..Because unlike those countries the survival of SG is totally dependent on international trade..
So,PAP uses other means to stay in power…NS is a subtle means since all SG male would have to come under martial law &it’s jurisdiction with the key generals calling the shots in their cabinet…Any budding bright opposition is wiped out as bud before they can blossom .ISD in the 50s,60s,70s & 80s..were used.When imprisoning political prisoners showed badly in the radar of International Community bankrupting key opposition figures which kept them virtually under house arrest is being used…There is a systematic elimination of opposition political partys while intimidating voters with veiled threats comes every GE.
So,it’s very plausible that the PAP may resort to vote rigging if all their other strategy fails—-This is the very reason why I asked Tony Pang how is it possible to dislodge a dictatorial regime through ballot-boxes since no such precedent exists in history.
Dear Sinkapore
I read with fear and sadness on your statement:
“ASSUMING that the GE is ALL Single Seats and everyone of Sinkaporeans voted for the Opposition, the PAPies will still have major victory after the vote counting.”
What hope do Singaporeans have for alternative voice?
Regards
Fairplay-
No hope unless we deny PAP a two third majority first before dreaming of overthrowing them PERIOD
The PAP had tried ways and means to win back Hougang & Potong Pasir to no avail unless like some comments saying that this is WAYANG?? I doubt this analogy as I had seen CST & LTK dogged persistence and commitment to their constituency unlike some previous one term opposition MPs with the exception of JBJ.
“I remember reading the ST about very old women who live in Spore”
A good country for old women is not necessarily a good country for young men. I mean they tend to complain about things like dirty public toilets as an indicator of good governance.
“A good country for old women is not necessarily a good country for young men. I mean they tend to complain about things like dirty public toilets as an indicator of good governance.”
Typo: I meant bad governance.
ACTUALLY I HAVE MANY EXPERIENCES WITH YOUNG MEN
THEY ALL VOICE SOME PROBLEMS WITH SPORE
WHEN THEY WERE POSTED TO S.E. ASIA E.G VIETNAM FOR WORK, I REMEBER ALL WERE DISAPPOINTED,
ONE OF THE WIVES EVEN QUARREL ON WHY HE GOT SUCH KIND OF POSTING.
THEY ALL WANTED TO STAY IN SPORE
THESE ARE THE FACTS
“Mr Lee Kuan Yew has meant well when he made that statement – the problem lies in his communication skills which is surprisingly lacking for a politician of his calibre.” – I couldn’t agree more with this statement made by Tony.
It is true that MM Lee meant us (Singaporeans) well, supposedly to act as a catalyst to movitate Singaporeans. However it is the way he put it, that sounds as though ALL Singaporeans are lacking effort and enthusiam compared to foreign talents.
It is true that most foreign talents are much more hard-driving. But does that mean all of them are hard-driving? I suppose the word is MOST. After all, they are in a foreign land. They spent quite a sum of money to come here, not for leisure purposes but mainly for work and education. Thereafter it is just logical that they have to be hard-striving right?
For instance, are Singaporeans studying & working abroad slacking and less-driven? I would say that MOST of them are hard-driving, not all.
I feel that such a statement made by a prominent figure such as MM Lee is unjust to those Singaporeans who had indeed worked their brains & brawns off and succeeded to hear such a statement made, with little or no credit from the government but a callous remark instead.
Though I am still a student with no working experience, I can feel that such a remark is so unfair. Perhaps MM Lee is enjoying too much of the high life, earning such a big lump of money just to sprout nonsensical remarks to his fellow citizens who, ironically are actually feeding him, not to mention the foreign talents.
How do MM Lee expect Singaporeans to respect him with such a remark made? Clearly, the Singapore media is controlled by the government. But it still amuses me to wonder why there is no such reports found in the papers in Singapore? Is such a remark to be ashamed of? Isn’t that something MM Lee wanted all the his citizens to know?
The people have the rights to know what their government is saying to them. And since newspapers is a medium to do so, I think the remarks made by MM Lee should be highlighted in the papers. Let all the Singaporeans justify it, including the foreigners and individuals from around the world.
After all, Singaporeans are educated by the government, in one way or another by MM Lee, aside from our parents. They should have the opportunity to justify such a remark.
Since the Singapore media is keeping mum about what MM Lee said for quite some time now, I really hope that the remark make it to the papers elsewhere in around the world. Let them justify it. And let’s see what exactly is wrong.
EH “HISTORY”, YOU POST THEM TO SOUTH EAST ASIA SHITHOLES OF COURSE THEY ARE DISSAPOINTED LAH. SOUTH EAST ASIA IS A WELL KNOWN SHITHOLE OF THE WORLD. LOL WHAT A FOOL.
POST THEM TO AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, NORTH AMERICA, JAPAN, OR EVEN SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN OR ANY OF THE 50 COUNTRIES IN EUROPE SEE IF THEY STILL WANT TO COME BACK TO SINGAPORE OR NOT.
HAHA
//“Over time, Singaporeans have become less hard-driving and hard-striving. This is why it is a good thing that the nation has welcomed so many Chinese immigrants.” Lee was quoted saying.
“If native Singaporeans are falling behind because the spurs are not stuck into the hide, that is their problem,” he quipped.//
No need to get worked up. lky was actually describing his children, grandchildren, daughterinlaw and his ministers. After all, these are the people closest to him and he knows them best. What does he know about us who are not within his little close-knit community? Next to nothing.
Just because the people around him are lazy and good for nothing he presumes that this must apply to the rest of Sinkapoor. Well, he can’t be more wrong for he has been living in that ivory tower for half a century and has distanced himself from the rest of society for so long that his ideas have no reality in life. This is the reason why he sprouts more and more rubbish as he gets closer to judgment day.
So, let’s just humour him and ignore him.
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