Tuesday, 11 August 2009
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We, the citizens of Singapore...
I spent most of the morning of 9th August watching historical videos about Singapore. The History of Singapore I, II and III.
After watching those films, it made me wonder what loving your country was all about. Was it because of the spectaculars of the National Day Parade? Was it the fireworks? Was it the goodie bag? What does it mean to be a Singaporean? Is it because I live in a rich, clean and safe city? Do these alone bring about patriotism?
I didn't really watch the National Day Parade to the end, to me it was still a show, telling you how we came about as an independent city state after the British left. Everyone knows that story, it was history in the making back then.
And then it was time to say the National Pledge. But this time I reflected each word to the moments of my life.
We, the citizens of Singapore. Pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language of religion
Are we united? Has our politcal climate shown a united front? How is Group Representation Constituency (GRC) that says it must field a minority race in it's group with the majority being chinese demonstrates one people? Why can't there be only one candidate from any race be a politcal voice of the constituency? Can we then have a group of Presidents? Why is it that the government is pushing for the 'Speak Mandarin' campaign again? When was the last time a 'Speak Tamil' was campaigned? Or for that matter, 'Speak Malay' campaign?
to build a democratic society
Ho ho.. This one takes the cake. Are we really building a democratic society? Does our government up hold democracy? What examples have they shown, that their democratic values have brought about smiles on everyone faces? I remember one time in 1997, Mr Goh Chok Tong spoke about Potong Pasir residents that if they do not vote for PAP, they will be last in line for upgrading and will end up like 'slums'. You can ask Mr Chiam See Tong about that, if you don't believe. Hows that for democracy? And while we are at that? How about Transparency, Accountability and Credibility? Can we see some real figures from Temesek Holdings and GIC? They are afterall runned by Ching Ho (Daughter-in-law of Lee Kuan Yew) and MM Lee Kuan Yew himself, respectively.
based on justice and equality
What happens to someone who has been left behind by the economy? Those Retrenched? Pysically disabled? Visually impaired? Wheelchair bound? Ofcos you may have heard about some special schemes. What about that old auntie and uncle pushing that cardboard booxes cart? He/She is not begging what but you can't deny they are poor. Well, garment said, elderly public assistance recipient living alone will get $360 a month. If a minister gets paid millions than should it be also that S$ 360 per month should surfice for a minister? Save taxpayers money right? So much for having a wonderful GDP all the time.
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.
We have all of that .. so why are people migrating? Are they not happy? I guess being a normal human being, if the first, second and third lines of the pledge cannot be felt with or resonated - People who naturally feel apathetic or unorganic to the country, will leave.
But, there will be some of us, who have seen the smoke screen and have seen the strings in the puppet shows who will not be afraid. We will stay on and fight the good fight. :)"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men" - Plato
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Comments (11)
There is hardly any belonging as far as I am concerned. The place I lived for 26 years is now nothing more than a grass patch - the flats were torn down about a few months ago. And the place I spent my childhood (the Kreta Ayer - Upper Cross Street - Chin Swee Road area) has gone through so much changes, I could not really recognise the place - especially the Chinatown area.
Everyday, I look out of my office's window and I see a drastic change at Marina Bay, and all of the development is geared for 'instant gratification' - the IR, the F1 Tracks, the Sail - etc. All of which are targetted at 'high spenders', and it doesn't matter none of that money flows into the pockets of the common man. Yet who bear the cost? People like you and I will have to live with chaotic traffic, bus reroutes and road blocks during the F1. (I wouldn't even want to get started raving about how the shops in SunTec / Marina area bore the burden of bad business during F1 and get none of the benefits!)
None of these things would make us feel more at home, a sense of belonging. I simply console myself that whatever revenue that comes of these would translate into some GST credits for me.
Now, I recalled a recent proposal to build a replica of the ship which took Raffles to Singapore was also shot down. And I am not surprised. The reason is quite obvious - what revenue would a history museum and an antique ship replica bring to Singapore? In fact, it wouldn't even fit into the plan they have for the so-called new water front. It doesn't matter about historical heritage. The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board knows for a fact that once we remove the figures of TRANSIT, there is almost non-existent tourism to speak about. Ever been to the Bird Park on a weekday? (Then compare that to the Ocean Park in HK, if you ever get there.)
Everything in Singapore gives me me nothing more than a feel that we are merely transitional. There is no doubt neither Raffles nor General Yamashita would recognise the Singapore they know. It also reminds me that anyone is considered USELESS if it has no contribution either in the form of labour or spending. (Is it a surprise why we raved against any proposal of 'welfare' even before we hear of the details? The real reason isn't all about 'welfare encouraging laziness and free loaders', but this: one more person fxxking up would simply be one less competitor.)
Singapore, has progressed much indeed, but at what expense?
Sorry ErniesUrn, for my ranting long and hard on your blog...I have been keeping this bottled up inside for a long time.
@BiRdYz - Yo birdy, thanks for passing by. And there's nothing to worry about because I always enjoy reading what you write. You can say that, because of people like yourself, that I feel more Singaporean. In fact I draw patriotism through people expressing dissent. It is not that they want trouble, if they did, they would have been real life thugs terrorizing people, it is because it takes great pain to understand great love.
Think of it as we are the conscience of the nation. Yes, we have prospered. Yes, we have peace and an efficient system. We have big skyscraper and world class aiport. However, these are what makes a country look good, to it's citizens and visitors. But it is the people who will make Singapore great.
We can't just go about talking about how lousy some other country is, how some country's airport was overruned by protestors, how some politicians in Taiwan throw punches, and say ..I'm lucky to be Singaporean. That is just being ignorant and complacent. So what are you doing for Singapore? Did you ask for CPF pension to be drawn at 65? Did you ask for HDB to inflate flat prices? Do you know the govt is the biggest landlord? Did you ask for Town Councils to invest part of your S & C Charges in toxic investments and lost them all? Did you ask for S$ 360 personall assistance for the alone elderly person? Did you ask for Temesek Holdings and GIC to loose your taxpayers billions? Did you ask for retrenchment? Did we even ask for walkovers? NO
Anyway, all I want to say is very simple. I was fortunate to have voted 3 times. ALL to OPPO. I hope this gives you much to cheer about ..heh heh. I have my car, credit card, career, chio bu and mmmmmm cash.
For those who can have this opportunity, please think about your future in Singapore. If you think the policies sanction by the governent are in the interest of your life, in good and in bad times, than by all means vote them. The worse you can ever do is vote them just because you fear your own rice bowl, if that is so, you are living prove that we are ruled by dictatorship. ...cowards.
fk miw
quite insightful stuff. yeah it's true that dissenting views are often viewed as being unpatriotic, but it's really about tough love. the more we love our country, the more we get upset on negative directions it's going to. then again, this is a thin line from those who love to slam for the sake of it....and often without any intellectual basis...which goes like "sg sucks because....xx".
really, sometimes i wonder whether we're unhappy because of the lack of possessions and material need, or whether it is because of the absence of social consciousness and the ability to feel and think freely like a true citizen, and love the country the way we want it......and not according to a selected group of people. :)
and to really have democracy, we need to have choices lol. do we have a choice, or are we too lazy to look or make an alternative choice.
@jerlise - I think it's actually abit of both. It's easy to fall into, the I want the good life but can't be bothered about change or it's just not worth the risk.. mentality. One hand we like to see some competitiveness in the government in terms of having some more alternative voice in parliment, and one hand you are afraid that by giving support to a opposition might jeopardize your "life".
I know it's abit to swallow.
But here's a different view all together. From a Singaporean woman's point view, would you want to be with a man who exudes confidence, character, and charisma but is totally opposed to the government and risk being outcasted? Or would you rather be with a guy with the same trait but sells his his vote to the authority in order to safekeep his own rice bowl?
@ErniesUrn - haha it's a strange either-or situation. i'll definitely go for someone who has strong values and isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in....doesn't matter which side of the fence he belongs to really. quite odd that you see it in a black or white scenario...someone who's totally opposed, and someone who totally yields.... i choose someone from middle ground :p
@jerlise - I think I am unhappy not so much because of material possession. However I'll admit I am definitely upset that some of the things are really out of my reach - such as an apartment in the Sail at the new Downtown - probably no matter how HARD I try.
But what I am definitely upset with is the absence of social consciousness. I recall the day when a few of us was jaywalking and dashing madly across in spite of the oncoming cars, and then this fxxker who just got on the divider didn't bother to take a step to the side KNOWING I was right behind him. I came to the stark realizaation that in this country, even if its a matter of life and death, no one gives a damn about the person beside or behind him once he's safe.
The explains why some who rushes madly for the train and after stepping in, stopped without caring about the other person also trying to get on. Or that idiot that stop right after he step off the escalator on the landing. Or the two scums who walk in a line abreast under the corridors of old shop houses in Chinatown or Boat Quay, and yet expect you to give way to them. That also explains why we have a Tai-E-Loan problem... had we more civic-mindedness and social consciousness we would have taken turns to look out for one another and put an end to all these loan shark nonsense.
We don't even talk to our neighbours. We pride ourselves of having Malay friends but we hardly speak to our Malay neighbours. Is it a surprise why the Kampong Spirit in Singapore is dead?
I must add, the Education system in Singapore has completely failed in its role. Confucius believe we should educate people so that they know how to 'be people' (做人), to be in harmony with society, and to serve one another. Our education system teaches us none of that. It simply PROGRAMS us to become some kind of laborers which the economy required. In 1988, it was high tech manufacturing. But 1998, it was IT. In 2003 it was Bio-Technology. Today it's service and entertainment. What's next when the value of these "expired"? Simply put, it's alright when you are the early batch... but if you are the late batch where what you are trained in becomes sunset industry in the rapidly changing economic environment of Singapore? YOU ARE FINISHED. You have no way out even when you realise your education is a waste. You have NO MONEY and yet you are told to spend MORE MONEY to upgrade. And what does the rest of Singaporeans and this gahmen say to you? - Good luck!! Not my problem!! It's your OWN FAULT!! You are LAZY!! Don't expect any handouts from me, you FREE LOADER!!
@BiRdYz - wow thanks for sharing :). haha ok...anyway...this is rather random....btw. u're xinyun's friend right :p i'm the one who likes to suan dk. ...cheers.
@jerlise - LOL.. ya, xinyun told me who you are. Unlike some crappy self-important 'star bloggers', some of us here who do care about our country have built a small community here. Do come back often to visit Ernie's blog and check out the people who links him or comment here. You'll be surprised you find quite a bit of gems among them compared to all that junk fed to us by so-called 'star bloggers'.
@BiRdYz - yeah i do come back to Ernie's blog now and then.....hmm you're like promoting him man. lol. and yes....i agree...lotsa junky star bloggers who write rubbish for a living hahaha then again...sigh guess blogdom is still in the cottage factory stage.
@ErniesUrn - hey ernie..sorry ah using your blog as a convo with a friend......lol bumped into a friend in cyberspace...doesn't often happen.
@jerlise - @BiRdYz - No problem ..please use please use :)
@jerlise - When like-minded I promote. When opinion differs we just go our different ways lor. Anyway @Erniesurn do write good stuff... otherwise, like even Mr Brown, I give up visiting after awhile. :)