Comments on: Singapore: The Inconvenient Truth

By: Chee Sheong

Chee Sheong — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:48:01 +0000

I recon we can complain all we want. But let us ask ourselves, as singaporeans, how is our lifestyle? Are our needs taken care of? Do we feel safe to walk alone at night? Do we feel that the current leaders will see these difficult times through? I used to complain alot about our country, how undemocratic it is, how regulated we are..etc…etc…. Now that I am older, I am sorry, but I do agree that this is a GREAT place to live in and the PAP did a Wonderful job. YOu can say we should have the same liberal standards as 1st world countries, but I would like to point out to you that the United States is/was a 1st world country. Look at what liberalisation got them and subsequently all of us into? Kids running around with guns killing each other, selfish rich bankers who caused this glogal crisis who only wants to make a quick buck and has no one to control them, the poor with no homes, jobs and future. I think if you compare in that context, our government is so much better. What does liberasation mean to you if one day your child gets killed and you don’t see a future in sight as the government you elected can’t do a good job. Of course, you can compare with the SWISS. Come on people, even among 1st world countries such success cases is far and few. I am sure it took some time for them to perfect it. Given the short history of Singapore, I think we are not doing too bad. As a nation, we complain and complain, when traiffs go up we comlain, (nevermind during the time when the traiff charge was lower than the market price of oil), when ERP goes up, we say the government stuck money….. we can find 1001 ways/things to complain about. Since there are so many complaints, then what are the alternative solutions? Any wise, practical ideas anyone???? If none, the real inconivent truth is that we are just a spoilt generation of complainers.

By: EC Kok

EC Kok — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:51:24 +0000

Dear Ms Lim,

I admire your resolve to open people’s eyes. From a proponent of one medium to a master of another, I wish you every success.

http://web.mac.com/wowtheworld/iWeb/Site/Blog/A2E10C78-A9A4-4483-B6DF-874DCCC817BA.html

Pochoir2008

By: kk

kk — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:52:55 +0000

Many people will agreed with your comments on the political culture of S'pore. My personnal opinion, there are three areas that affect the out-come of Singapore future political arenas.

1)S'porean lack the perseverance in pursuit for a democratic society. As you said, it is materialistic versus idealistic.

2) Mindset of the present group of political wannabes and grassroot that has been deeply cultivated. Mainly , the Yes Man and the Tripod.

3)The lack of opening up to diverse group of intellectual individual, unless you are part of them(the PAP),is mainly due to, like you mentioned the PAP has successfully instilled "fear" among S'porean.

Does the novel "The Dark River" by John Twelve Hawk ring a bell to the situation in Singapore?

anyway, Thanks for the bravely. We need that!

By: Al C

Al C — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:43:57 +0000

Dear Catherine, Thank you so much for being so honest about the state of mind of Singaporeans regarding its politics.

I would just like to respond to your point on Singaporeans not being loyal to the country but rather to the good life. While I do agree that perhaps most are 'mercenaries', sometimes one would want to leave the country for other reasons. I myself am one such person and a few friends of mine had shared similar views. The problem is this: Singapore, in its bid be the best, was always (at least during my childhood) a conformist and an unforgiving society and this created a lot of unhappiness in us kids. For e.g. you would have to be good at the PRESCRIBED academics to be well loved the teachers and parents, if you suck at at math but are good at art, well too bad, this society just doesn't want such 'weirdos'. I personally suffered greatly under this kind of mindset and thus when I went overseas to a western country to study, I felt more welcomed because the people there tend to accept you for who you are. One could really express him/herself with style without having to fear branding by others (even though the other party may not like it).

So if thats the case, why wouldn't people, who are not able to fit into the Singapore mainstream, want to migrate? I believe this contributes greatly to why Singapore has one of the highest Emigration rates in the world. It is the making of the top ppl. Too bad...

By: Peter Chong

Peter Chong — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:47:15 +0000

I congratulate Miss.Lim for her doggedly determination to carry on highlighting the weakness or otherwise of the governance of Singapore. I have always followed her arguments with an impartial mind.I remain as always impressed. The young singaporeans should take up her call to challenge, monitor and question the power that be so as to ensure they remain vigilant and relevant and not allow them to get away with their apparent sense of smugness if not complacency as evidence by the dreaded Mas Selamat saga.