(The original text of this letter was sent to ST Forum but it was not published.)
Celebrations aside, SG50 is also a time for soul-searching.
I belong to the Pioneer Generation that mostly lent its unquestioning support and blind loyalty to the ruling PAP Government. Taking its place will be younger, better-educated and Internet-savvy Singaporeans who can think, read between the lines and add two and two to make five.
The PAP cannot claim all the credit for Singapore’s progress. Our hardworking people, favourable time zone and geographical location have also contributed to its development as a financial centre and air-sea hub. Put simply, had the PAP governed Timbuktu in Africa, the outcome would highly likely be very different.
Ultimately, Singapore’s continued survival depends on the collective input and teamwork spirit of its politicians, bureaucrats and its people. No one group has the monopoly of ideas. Each group has to contribute its share, big or small.
The necessary ingredients for good political governance are:
- People-centric politicians who are transparent and accountable to the people, while encouraging them to speak up freely to tap their contributions.
- Competent Bureaucrats who strive harder to serve the people better, with the humility to apologise and learn from mistakes, knowing that, even if they are President scholars, they do not have all the answers and all the varied experiences in life.
- Thinking Citizens who must overcome their fear of speaking up and asking questions to highlight society’s shortcomings.
If we do not speak up for our children, nephews and nieces, who will? Are we a people united by apathy and ruled by fear? Why are our academics and professionals so “painfully polite” on national issues? Only when Singaporeans can participate freely and fearlessly will they have a sense of rootedness as citizens. They will not be “quitters” but “stayers” who will not leave everything to the Government or choose to pack up and go in search of greener pastures for their future generations.
Social issues such as high cost of living and of homes, school stress, student suicides and worrying divorce rates within just five years of marriage should not be swept under the carpet. Singaporeans must also get their priorities right. Are there not more important things in life than our mad materialistic malaise? Of what
use is all your wealth if you do not have the health to enjoy it or if your children end up as social misfits who feel inferior in their own country?
Money is not and must not be everything. Otherwise, our children will be rich in material assets but poor in moral values. Children will reap what adults sow. Remember, your son will marry somebody’s daughter, and vice versa.
Indeed, many Singaporeans are such experts on making money but are so ignorant (“don’t know”) or indifferent (“don’t care”) about health and safety issues affecting them and their children.
In a nutshell, these are two fundamental challenges for Singapore:
- Our politicians and bureaucrats need constant reminding of this basic principle of public service. Public Servants must first “earn” respect and trust from the people through sincere words and deeds, not lawsuits.
- Our politicians must change their mindset from encouraging “yes-man citizens” who will give them a blank cheque to govern “this country their way” to sincerely nurturing “thinking Singaporeans” who will team up with them to govern “our country, our way”.
- Our politicians must admit Singapore does not belong only to the rich and elite, it belongs to ALL Singaporeans, and ALL Singaporeans deserve to be treated fairly, with respect and acknowledged as people with ideas to contribute to our own society and country, not dafts.
David L K See
*The author is a 67-year old Pioneer Generation “Emeritus Senior Citizen” who has completed full-time National Service. For his 2013 open heart bypass surgery, SGH billed him the PAP-proclaimed “highly-subsidized and very affordable” Class B2 rate of S$8,000. Compare this with the “dirt-cheap” amount of S$8 paid by PAP million-dollar Minister Khaw Boon Wan for his own heart bypass surgery at SGH.