Tharman Shanmugaratnam, K Shanmugam Sc, Tan Chuan-Jin, I perhaps understand that you came into ministerialship in one of the more turbulent times in Singapore's recent political history.
I think it's hard for you to have the conviction to carry through what you might have believed in, when faced with the wrath of the people, which if in your position, would have been hard to understand.
But the people are angry at the state of the country. Not at you. If only as a people, we would be able to learn not to take things personally, we would go on to bridge so many more bridges and have the leadership to strive this country forward.
Our country is in tumultuous change but if our politicians make dynamic moves to radically change how things work, this country still has tremendous possibilities.
But if only we put aside our egos. And I need to learn as well, as everyone of Singaporeans need to learn. But where do we start?
We have an opportunity in our country.
What if, what if the people are empowered to come out with solutions for the country? What if we are not scared that the people are able to do so?
What if regardless if one is supportive of the PAP or of the opposition or of neither but of Singapore's survival that we can come together to contribute to the future and viability of Singapore?
We have an opportunity. What if we evolve our communication from one of harsh and snide criticism of one another to critical appreciation of one another? But we have to start somewhere. We need to come towards a common thread.
It is easy for the government to control the people because the government is in power and has the resources to do so. Truth be told, Singaporeans are used to being controlled and they wouldn't know even if they were. But if we empower Singaporeans, we can reverse many missteps that might have befallen Singapore.
Singaporeans are angry, yes. Similarly, I, as well as many Singaporeans will continue to traverse between anger, and more importantly, hope.
But if only we are able to be as equals, we can help Singapore and we can redirect our energies towards creating solutions for Singapore, and not anger at one another.
But who I am to say? I'm only an ordinary Singaporean. But one who needs the strength of continue to believe.
When Singaporeans bring out their unhappiness about the way things are in our country in certain areas, it's not because they are attacking you or PAP. You have to understand that if the People's Action Party has chosen to style itself as the government of the day, then you have to accept the things that come when people criticise (or praise) the government. What people want to see is things becoming right again.
And when that happens, they won't need to be worried about reading the right thing or whether they should be angry with you. When there's equality and equity, the people will learn to work together with you again. But first, the people need to be convinced that you want to work with them.
*This article is a compilation of various facebook posts from Roy's wall