Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:57
Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum: The Lion, the Young and the Orchestra
In Khairu zaini, Main Stories, Top Story • 5,492 views • 121 Comments
Khairulanwar Zaini / Photos by Damien Chng
They clamour for his wisdom: O Father, whither Singapore in 50 years? The patriarch smiles and holds up a mirror: the minds and hearts in the auditorium his masterpiece, the technocratic utopia will persist, the nation of Lee will prevail – Lee created the nation in his own image, in the image of Lee he created the young; soulless and depoliticized he created them.
Conducted with the clinical efficiency that only Lee’s Singapore could muster, the forum was heralded as an “opportunity for intellectual discourse” – and how intellectual and precious were those nine questions that Lee was subjected to – all pre-selected, pre-vetted, (pre-sanitized?) There were no questions from the floor, only the penetrating questions of anointed cubs. But this is only to ensure quality, the organizers said. And if those nine questions were the best that the leading youthful minds of today could muster, it would be a sad indictment – and a dire warning – for our state of affairs.
But it was an orchestra no doubt, the lion playing to the gallery, revelling in his triumph over his subjects and history.
How do you want your legacy, O Father, how do you want to be remembered? asked a young cub, with unabashed awe. Lee demurred coyly, saying that he does not think about it. History will judge, Lee said, in 20 and 30 years, history and its army of researchers and students. History, and National Education, and school curriculums and a nation-building press compliantly singing hosannas, and the two-tome autobiography that appropriates a national story. Lee does not think about his legacy – he does not have to – because the Lee Kuan Yew’s Story is the Singapore Story. History is truly his.
He reminded his cubs that Mao was revered for liberating China, but in building China, he almost destroyed it. But how about Lee, will there be such a revisionist tendency? He did afterall craft modern Singapore – the steward of material progress, the guardian of economic security. In our fawning enthusiasm, the country suffers a collective amnesia: Lee was only one of the many founding fathers that Singapore had, Singapore was only possible with the illustrious company that Lee fortuitously found himself in: the citizenry, all seeking to carve their collective legacy. Singapore today rests on the tenacity and initiative of millions, not the providence of one.
But to his credit, Lee is truly special: he is that one founding father that overstayed his welcome.
From her ambassadorial seat in the United States, Chan Heng Chee must be smiling ruefully. In 1975, she warned of the “steady and systematic depolitization” of the population with such compelling prescience. Administrative concerns always rising to the fore, politics only manifesting as the awkward negotiations of power in the bureaucratic hallways of technocracy. And Lee’s enduring vision of this technocratic utopia is a step closer to being realized: absent in the intellectual discourse of yesterday was the normative heart of politics. It was as though Singapore merely existed as an economic entity, or to borrow the eloquence of University of Michigan economics professor Linda Lim: Singapore is only a place, not a nation.
The Kyoto Protocol, economic niches, the financial crisis and the global hierarchy, the minimum wage: technical concerns that skirt politics and lionize Lee’s technocratic bent. Even the questions of national identity and psyche were reduced to materialist terms: the measure of Singapore has been, and would always be, economic. What do you make of a man who imposes a cold materialist vision upon a nation? What do you make of succeeding generations perpetuating that vision? Politics become the dirty by-word for chaos; democracy, the anathema to our sterile efficiency; voices and thoughts, ceded and disempowered.
Which is why the loudest applause from the audience last night came when Lee asked a Chinese national on scholarship whether she would remain in Singapore after her studies. The applause was the expression of resentment, of jealously, of worry against the influx of foreign immigrants; discontent hitherto misplaced and lacking ground for articulation in light of the compelling establishment rhetoric, that it is an indispensable and necessary economic evil. Only in a political vacuum could such an economically reductionist argument be made, and it was that political vacuum that compelled 500 pairs of hands to clap enthusiastically – the applause was an inchoate political argument that a nation is more than the sum of its GDP, and that the integration of immigrants should have come prior, not as an afterthought. The political argument that can never be assembled within the confines of a technocracy: our depoliticized society becomes our own oppression.
Could we fault the forum for selecting questions heavily imbued with such technocratic inclinations? Hardly. The organizers revealed that the most frequent questions in their collation pertained to employment prospects; the questions that were aired, for better or worse, reflected the consensus. There is no reason to doubt the veracity of this: the depoliticization of the forum was not contrived, but was only the expression of mindset already long embedded.
The power of efficiency, so sterile, so clinical, so enticing, has arguably been the bedrock of our economic transformation. It will also be the impediment to our national identity – a nation does not grow with GDP, a nation does not live in skyscrapers: a nation is only born when it has a soul. As long as we remain predicated and fixated upon material and technocratic concerns, Peter Schoppert will affirm that “Singapore is about routes, not roots”. Our national soul however requires roots.
We are all Lee’s children, and as far as we remain so, we will be cursed to settle for the pale imitations of a nation, one never true, never substantive, never moving. We are all Lee’s children, and this knowledge must have been of great comfort to the Father as he laid last night to repose, for every cry “For Singapore!” is one “For Lee Kuan Yew!” – the nation of Lee will prevail, that mechanical, technocratic and bureaucratic edifice, it lives on in the meek and soulless monotony of the young.
——
Views and opinions from others who attended the forum:
“Frankly, I didn’t learn anything much, as the questions felt ’standard’ – asking about how the financial crisis affected global balance of power, how negotiations in Copenhagen could proceed, and general threats of national identity arising from immigration and so on… He did mention several worries about demographics and the work ethic, but more importantly, the forum informed me about his frame of mind.”
“My disappointment stems primarily from how the Forum appeared to be stage-managed (and, based on my interaction during the post-event reception with those of my friends who also attended the event, I am not the only one with such a sentiment).”
- Blogger, Searching For Enlightenment
Related posts:
121 Comments
This is no different from what they do in Parliament.
what forum?
andrewong2024
Well written Khairul! =D
joe
it’s all a show that is timed to reach out to the young so that they continue to regard him as father of the nation.
The sad thing is that very few people understand that there is no one person that is wholly responsible for the progress of singapore. LKY did not do it alone. Along the way, he was assisted by team and a group of dedicated, hardworking singaporeans. But few people realised that, even he himself. He might not articulate it as such but from his actions, his demeanour, the way he handles criticism, feedback, etc, he only cares about his own opinions
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust i say…
“somebody will always be there to be pick up balls for them (his children)” – MM Lee Kuan Yew: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1012383/1/.html
N
Ever wonder why our dear ministers seems to be so eloquent at times with their answers; able to rumble of numbers and statistics at the tip of their tongue? and at other times, they speak like complete imbeciles, oblivious to the things happening around them?
Pre-selected questions that the ministers already had the answers memorized when they are asked…
When they get impromptu questions from the field, the fumble, crash and utter complete nonsense that reveals their true intent and thoughts.. causing the public to question why they are selected as people’s representatives when they represent the forces that oppress the very people swore to protect.
mon
what else to expect from LKY.
If you do a check of his predictions about the world, none worked.
he is really an attention seeking old man.
New Era
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_444281.html
Social divide ‘inevitable’
HAVING a minimum wage in place here to narrow the income gap could do more harm than good, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said last night.
That is why Singapore’s approach has been to create as many jobs as possible, while leaving the market to decide the right level of pay. The rationale for this is that having any job is better than having no job at all. ‘Never mind your Gini coefficient. If you don’t have a job you get zero against those with jobs. So our first priority is jobs for everybody,’ he said.
MM Lee was responding to a question about what Singapore could do to narrow its income gap. Mr Elvin Ong, a fourth year social sciences and business student from the Singapore Management University, had asked him what Singapore could do to help its bottom 20 per cent.
==============================================================
Is MM Lee saying that if we return the PAP to power in the next elections, they are helpless to help poor Singaporeans and the income gap will widen. That it is inevitable? That a government under the PAP will result in more hardcore poor among Singaporeans.
Well, if they are so impotent, we have no choice but to vote for an effective opposition to take over and form a coalition government. Voting for the PAP will ensure that you children will be poor except for the top 5 per cent elite.
tiredsingaporean
Where is our once beloved nation called Singapore, a tiny red dot all along being proudly cherished and loved by its citizens, where is Singapore now?
Raky
Think the gist of the staged Q & A is to threatened the audiences of the scenario if they were to vote in oppositions !
Guess they are feeling the heats from all the cursing and discontents lately from netizens !
Beypansai
I heard there’s another forum this Friday at NUS
this is priming the young for the GE which will take place next year, before the double dip sets in! so cleverly engineered that there is only one man left standing and owns the country and now engineering it for generations to come! this is how the new modern dynasties will be created. all other aspiring kings and emperors in republics take note!
TimeToThrowYourShoe
11) Beypansai on October 20th, 2009 1.43 pm
Oh! Really?
Let’s hope NUS students can do all Singaporeans a favour by asking some questions that the netizens have been discussing lately. If the answer is not satisfactory, the students may want to consider throwing their shoe at the speaker or stage a walkout to protect.
Yang
Why? Why? Our MM Lee still want to be around calling the shots because he knows PM and his gang is useless and will vote out in the next election. He trying to get more votes as much as possible till he cannot move anymore. Sad to see that PAP new leaders not able to work closely with people.
Shihan
Well done Khairul!! :)
The most dangerous aspect of trying to build Lee into a charismatic authority, is the fact that most nations based on charismatic authorities do not last after the death of its leader. Singapore may need a national hero but there is definitely more than one founding father of the nation.
Toodark
Sorry but I regard Sir Stamford Raffles to be the father of modern Singapore.
white raven
All you guys should just stay away from the Forum when he is the speaker. Ignore him enough as if he’s nothing, and he’ll get the msg.
what else?
What else can someone at the age of 89 (added 3 more years) do other than…
Talking (down) to younger people, for that matter every one is young to someone at 89
Traveling once in every two months to boost ties with other countries and deliver farewell speech
Coming up with alternations of the Constitution to ensure Singapore continue to be under the efficient rule of papa
Facing a vegetarian at home
Seeing a breast-cancer child
Scolding a womanizing child
Waiting for the market to recover to return people’s hard-earned $$$ lost by his daughter-in-law
Acting tough
Acting God
Sad… :(
barney
he can wave off the gini coefficient because he doesn’t engage with lower income families who struggle with basic necessities every day.
we’re still prostituting for MNCs. this is why we will never have a set minimum wage – to “maintian competitiveness”.
for a nation with only its people as a resource, they really treat us like crap.
tiredsingaporean
At the rate he and his team is going to govern the country, don’t think the nation is going to make it through the tough time while they continue to draw their self approved $million salaries. Just heard from the radio this morning our FM saying the spending of the govt next year would be raised further, wonder what more craps they are going to give again, so be prepared for more taxes and other prevailing tax hikes soon dear singaporeans, be well prepared.
angry_one
I went for an event almost identical to this some years ago. I think there was no filtering of what questions could come from the floor, and we had a couple of brave souls trying to challenge him. You might remember a certain student called Jamie Han who said ‘an enlightened despot can become a tyrant.’
Lee was annoyed by the end of the session, and actually rebuked the whole audience before just getting up and walking out in a huff. His parting shots went something like ‘if you don’t appreciate what your forefather did, and don’t have a sense of history, you will ruin sinkapore.’
X.X!!!
i bet if Dr CSJ was at the forum, and old senile lee didnt have his protection dogs, he wouldnt have even considered attending.
Why??
Too many questions. And many of them, he cant answer. I dont see how this is even an “aspiration” towards the pledge’s democracy.
mike
as usual, same old man same tricks, no limits to his nonsense..sigh! really dont what to do with this old man. sad……..
Untold True Stories
Coming to your favourite Bookshop soon..
** The Founder of Men In White”.
He used to admired, loved and respected.
He had it all…
But that was not enough for him.
He wanted more.. More.. MORE..
Now he is hated, despised and detested…
** “The Founder of Men In White”. A sequel to the Best Selling Book “Men In White”.
Terrified
With someone always trying to sue and threaten with defamation suit, who would dare to query or put tough questions on LKY. If the truth hurts, why even start a forum. If a forum cannot function like one with challenging and real questions from the ground, than it is not a forum and became a wayang stage simply meant to entertain and the actor receive rewards thereafter. The next question should be, why is our local U functions like msm, always afraid, always undaring and mostly pro pap. Where are thy credibility and what value are the schools trying to prove to their students who pay high fees. If we can’t even handle LKY, how can one be successful in working life in society? Even LHL cannot find a successor because none are bold and courageous within his team of obedient men. Thus, I foresee true hero will be borned outside PAP and within the alternative camps.
An anachronism forever an anachronism ………oblivion is indeed oblivion ……
smallvoice585
“And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn’t there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, think, and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well, certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid.”
– spoken by “V” from the movie “V for Vendetta”
Yes, dear friends, if people are unhappy with our political situation, they only have themselves to blame. Mr Lee cannot be blamed – he believes in what he believed in; and implemented his policies resolutely according to those beliefs. The end-result is modern Singapore.
So, people here must realize that Mr Lee and the PAP has ruled Singapore for 50 years legitimately because they were returned to power election after election as the majority of the citizenry support them.
JW
LKY is a has-been.
It’s not how one starts but how one finishes that counts. LKY is finishing very badly and will be finished very soon.
LKY is NOT at all the founding father of Singapore. He is forever an opportunist and a coward at that. This fact is proved from what Said Zahari had said in his interview ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaLaeDN4t2U ), the declassified documents in London testify that LKY is a coward.
He collabrated with the Japanese and then the British against the people of Singapore.
It is not surprising that this interview is still banned by the Singapore Film Censors.
After 50 years and LKY admits that Singapore is still not a country.
It is best that LKY and the PAP dissappear, the sooner the better for Singapore
Online Shmonline
*Sigh*…sheep to be led to the slaughter?
Since I’m talking about animals, I suppose this reference from Animal Farm (G. Orwell, 1945) may be apt:
Squealer consoles the animals, saying, “Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure. On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?” The classic hypocrisy seen here is too hard to miss.
BS Tan
Khairulanwar Zaini ,
It is a very well written article, appropriate and befitting. It penetrates deep into the core.
It expresses what I would love to express myself but I simply do not have the ability like yours – the selection of words, the phrasing, the beautiful combination of all the sentences (simply beautiful like music to my ears).
Thanks for the educational, enlightening and entertaining piece. Keep up the good work. And please write more frequently. Have a nice day.
Dr BS Tan, October 2009.
Zero
There’s something missing in the report. In straits times today, i read that LKY said that singapore is in trouble if we allow “dud lots” into parliament.
I thought it was pretty demeaning to flame anyone non-PAP as “dud lot”. It’s very cruel, unkind remark. It is as if intelligence is a monopoly of the PAP, any body else is stupid. We all know many stupid, idiotic, arrogant civil servants in singapore, had recently messed up many things of late. Who is “dud lot”? People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
Times have changed. A long time ago, there weren’t so many intelligent well educated people in Singapore. Today we have many very smart people around, whom i have no doubt that, if given the opportunity , they would have the ability, drive and passion to make singapore a muchbetter place to live in. They would do things much better than some dud lots who only know how to sing one miserable tune coming from the same Conductor the last 44 years.
Zero
thinktok
By now we are quite ascustomed to all these abuses and negative comments. Maybe we do not understand but I think it is a natural development of thing. In the Roman arena, CSJ as a defeated fighter would be eaten by the lions, but in Singapore he is protected by the law and he is farting around in defiance.
Well if you do not like LKY too bad. We who came from the slums do appreciate what he has done for us. Our children could go to school etc
As he has said he just do his best. If you do not agree then so be it. What is there to blame and hurl abuses etc. Behaving worse than animals.
Regards. Thank you Mr Lee.
Cheaper Better Faster ??
## 27) smallvoice585 on October 20th, 2009 5.19 pm
“if people are unhappy with our political situation, they only have themselves to blame”.
“So, people here must realize that Mr Lee and the PAP has ruled Singapore for 50 years legitimately because they were returned to power election after election as the majority of the citizenry support them.”
=============
True…. but until about 5 years ago, we read nothing but ST, listen to nothing but FM Singapore and see nothing but CNA. .
Then we discovered the Internet.
Now we can see for ourselves, decide for ourselves and make decisions for ourselves.
Hopefully, we won’t make the same mistakes again..
massivelosses_sohow?
Agree with 1) Tang Li on him. You expect very differential treatment if you belong to his family and team. Talk about equality? They would even make customs request passengers to do early check-in or delay flights to enable to be checked item by item, double thorough on physical. They can inconvenience everyone but not themselves.
He seems to be wearing the similar brand of grey jacket made famous by is Kim Jong-il http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200703/r130043_514342.jpg
Kansas
this is obscene. LKY must realise that he’s not the only one who pushed Singapore to where it is now. What about Goh Keng Swee? His frugality and wise vision of the development of Jurong helped kickstart much of our economy. In fact, Goh Keng Swee is who we should be thankful for our economy, not much of LKY. Toh Chin Chye has made contributions as well. The communists may not have a desirable ideology but they were the ones who pulled in votes of the majority Chinese to vote PAP into power.Their reward? To be sidelined as a cameo in the Singapore movie, with LKY starring as lead, director and producer of course.
YODI
The day he leaves this world, there will be no less than 100 days of mourning! Leaders from all over the world will be asked to come not that they would want to. Air travel will be made available to hem and acommodation {FREE[ of course courtesy of the singapore government.
And the accolades he will get will no doubt be more than the POPE got when he passed away. But that will be it!
The moment his body is in the ground then all hell will break free. Then the real fireworks will start and everything that needed to say about him will be revealed. The true LKW or MM as he wants to be known as. Then and only then will the world realise who he really was and what he did in order to be in power for so long and how he treated to those who went against him and his cronies will all probably leave the country for fear of reprisals. Will we then see a better singapore?
I hope we will see a new singapore , one where one is able to speak freely without fear of being threatened or taken to court. Yes, we know we owe a lot to them. We dont deny it but the way he and his government have gone about achieving it could have been done in a more honest, humane manner.
We all love our country. You don’t have to tell us how much but we also want to be proud of our leaders without hating them or fearing them. Let us all live in peace and harmony without any hidden fears and let us all be happy for once in our lives!
red_dot
A two-party political system will resolve all that!
No one-man opinion rules all!
plopp
Beautiful;
What would you visualise your version of the KRMF to be like, then?
[Last year was merely Vivian Balakrishnan, so not as much news.]
steve
This charade can only staged because the people around him are behaving like those in the fable Emperor’s New Clothes. It doesn’t serve their interests to tell the emperor he is naked.
Anon
No doubt LKY was assisted in his endevour to transform Singapore from a free port dependent on western powers to modern state by the team of committed team members. However he was the one who was in command and he led the ship in the right direction.
My grandfather visited Singapore during 1950s and when my father was planning to visit Singapore during early 1970s he was told by my grandfather it will just be a waste of time as Singapore is nothing but a forest. However when my father came here he just fell in love with the place. Every time we planned to go for vacations the first place we thought was Singapore and everytime we used to end up in Singapore. We have seen Mustafa grow from a small shop to a mega mall. It seemed that the growth of that business was reflective of growth of the country.
I came here for my studies in late 1990s just after Asian Financial Crisis and the place seemed so different from the rest of the region. It was like an oasis of stability in the midst of turbulence. However when I started my studies at the NUS campus, it just didn’t seem to be right. Everything was so mechanized and everyone was supposed to act the way he was told to act. Honestly the environment was like a cadet school and not that of an institution of higher learning. Teachers used to frown upon any probing question from the students. The academic evaluation process was biased in favor of memorising rather than critical thinking. Below all of this there was a sub culture where several daring things were not taboo. But still there were people who had the guts to stand up against the system if they felt there is something wrong. Overall I felt that I did not like the system but I respected it because it gave the results which were required and hard work was rewarded.
However over the period of last 10 years lethargy and nepotism has set in. Now one is rewarded more for loyalty than honesty. Similarly there is a preference for deference over constructive debate. As a result of these attributes the system suffered self inflicted harm.
The system could have reinvented itself and experienced rebirth. Similarly the lack of open debate and deference to authority has led towards authorities discouraging critical thinking. No wonder, despite their best effort they can not induce creative thinking in schools as those administering the process are programmed to behave in a particular way. If MM Lee was successful to break away from the established models of his time to make Singapore a successful story, today we need new thinking, new leadership and new ideas which are best suited to our times as ideas and experience, despite being very valuable, have become outdated.
holy.jerk.conspiracy
lets stop giving the bugger more credit than he is due. his ego is so big he refers to his biography as the story of a nation. he’s had a successful political career, good for him. YAAAY. some things are just bigger than one man lah…
time to ignore him. if we pretend he does not exist anymore, maybe he’ll finally die like normal old men….
oh and please, we are not children of an old white victorian. we are born under his rule, but that’s about it.
as the sonic youth song goes “Kill Yr Idols”
i’m buying a beer for whoever cares enough to email me on the day he dies….
Teh
I think after he is gone, they will build the LKY museum which will contain his ashes or embalmed body and then encourage every Sinkie to visit the museum each National Day to remember what he had done for Singapore and to be filled with everlasting and eternal gratitude in their hearts that they will instruct their future generations of decendents to similarly never forget this dear leader.
And then some bright PAPie will suggest to construct a bronze statue of this dear leader and replace the Merlion with this statue. And for coming up with this idea, the PAPie will be given the highest honour of the State.
wat?
Nice article. I think it captures the general feeling towards the political show.
New Era
However, his grandchildren were growing up much more comfortably, MM said. ‘That is the problem we face today’ – many parents understand what it is to be poor, but their children do not, he added.
Many Singaporean children are in fact experiencing poverty because of the policies of the ruling party. Our leaders are really out of touch with reality. A classic case of Mee Siam mai hum.
radlife66
Must Read:
41) Anon on October 20th, 2009 9.28 pm
!
TrueBlood Singpore
There is nothing wrong with LKY bringing the end result of a Modern Singapore.
But LKYism is absolutely wrong went he teach China Russia absolute power.
What will prevails is Abraham Linclon and Obamaism of free democracy.
See Taiwan, Korea they are now democracy and perform much better than us.
Who going to use Singapore handphone or hardisk anymore?
Muhamad Nur
Singing the same old bs on a university forum. Issues like immigration and minimum wage need more debate than just throwing rhetoric over why he felt it’s good or bad. Like the old man, the PAP are growing senile by the day. Many of their policies are a disaster and they will come back to haunt us in a decade or two. Just look at their stop at 2 policy. I still couldn’t fathom how on earth do they manage to raise our population from 3million to 5million within 15years and nobody cares to raise an eyebrow. Life can be so unpredictable. LKY’s legacy for Singaporeans in 2030. Who cares, there won’t be any Singaporeans left by then. It should read “How I create and destroy a country in 1 lifetime”.
FO
F OFF AND DIE OLD MAN. YOU WERE NEVER RELEVANT TO SINGAPORE AND SINGAPOREANS, YOU JUST DESTROYED EVERY CHOICE LEAVING NOTHING AND NO ONE BUT YOURSELF.
singapoorean
if you don’t like or agree with him, just vote him out…. simple … unless you people just like to disagree with him but still want them to be around…
Malaysian
I am shocked by the views that so many writers has voice in this blog on LKY. When you judge a person you are comparing him with someone else. If LKY is so wicked and disgusting who is that person that is so godly? George Bush? Osama b laden? Or you have an imaginary person who is like Allah, Allah the almighty who granted peace and hope to everone in this world. Praise be his name. The palestinian are living in such a beautiful, bountiful and heavenly place. Never have to work, never have to sweat. LKY is nothing compared to Allah. If he is willing LKY will be Mahathir Mohamad but Allah is not willing. So you get LKY. Now you condemn Allah’s wish? What a bunch of stupid idiots you all are!
Malaysian
All those who hate Singapore government and LKY team please start your own and govern this country. You will also want a lot of money but it is unlikely you can a half a job as good as this government. You believe most of you guys are losers. Not even able to provide for yourself or your family. But your ego or arrogrant is worst than LKY. You don’t know his life journey to judge him.
I live in Malaysia and I envy Singaporeans who have an equal oppurtunity at least in going to university and starting a business. 98% of civil servant in Malaysia is Malay. Petronas petrol station is 100% Malay run and owned. Chinese have no change is getting a licence. Open your eyes and see around you! You are lucky bastards. Umno squandered the whole hation’s weath and that’s why we are poor despite our rich resources. Come lets exchange place!
FaceTheFact
33) thinktok on October 20th, 2009 6.39 pm
FYI, there are 43 Roman Emperors died from Assassination/murder/execution. Pls don’t curse LKY lah!
Honestly, India and China, who mostly came from slums too, are now exploring into moon already. How does our nation going to progress if we still looking at Roman and slums? We really need more FT to help us to look forward.
FaceTheFact
51) Malaysian on October 21st, 2009 1.55 am
Are you saying is Allah’s wish to have LKY in Singapore? What a moron!
preston loon
Thanks,Mr Zaini.Your article is a good read and it reminds me of one my favorite
hymnals i used to sing when i were just a small chap.Here it is:
“Then in fellowship sweet,we will sit at his feet,or we’ll walk by his
side in the way.What he says we will do,where he sends we will go,
Never fear,only trust and obey.
Chorus:Trust and obey,for there is no other way,to be happy in *****
But to trust and obey”
To yourhighness
What makes you think those who’re complaining are not doing ? it’s called multitasking lar. dun be so narrow minded.
New Era
54) YourHighness on October 21st, 2009 6.46 am
We all have our jobs to do. The job of those who post here is to make the readers of this site aware of the injustice, oppression, tyranny and incompetence of the ruling party and to ensure that they are kicked our in the next elections.
While you are treating the symptoms, we are smart enough to know that it is better to attack the source of the problems.
And the source of all our problems will be eradicated after the next elections.
What a shame
Shame on all those undergraduates who sat through all this BS. Hope it never happens again. Hope they have the courage to walk away.
Powerful stuff Khairulanwar! Thanks and please keep up the good work. Singapore needs more people like you.
Online Shmonline
@ 51) Malaysian on October 21st, 2009 1.55 am
I wonder what you’ve been smoking… *grin*
You have to realize that one need not compare to know what is right and what is wrong. Is killing wrong? Yes. Does it have to be compared to being compassionate? No, because while the contrast is helpful to explain the act, the act of killing alone is understood to be wrong among those who understand morals and humanity.
As a believer of god but not of man’s word about god, I’ll merely say that water, despite it’s various names and forms, still tastes good when you’re tasty! :)
Online Shmonline
@ 52) Malaysian on October 21st, 2009 2.18 am
btw, the man who spouted the platform of “A Malaysian Malaysia” is now busy promoting everything that would be deemed contrary to his views at that time.
Honestly, all I’d like to know is if he was already lying through his teeth already or if power really corrupted the ethical core of LKY?
Chan Hai Tak
This is the same old man who forced our women to cut their fallopin tubes and asked to join back.
schoolessinsingapoor?
[i]ll if you do not like LKY too bad. We who came from the slums do appreciate what he has done for us. Our children could go to school etc[/i]
whoa! impressive! very well polished indeed
didn’t know that singapoor is the ONLEE country to have school
obviousLEE in bataam all children goes to screw instead of schools…
right? wrong? or polled phuachukang sdn bhd?
New Era
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_444281.html
What happens when we still cannot compete with the cheaper labour in the surrounding Asean nations? Does the PAP plan to introduce slavery in Singapore then!!
What utter nonsense. Singapore cannot compete with other countries by having a cheaper labour force. This is definitely not the way to go. It appears the PAP have run out of ideas.
It was Dutch economic advisor Dr Albert Winsemius, who formulated national economic strategies to promote Singapore’s manufacturing sector. The PAP has no idea what to do even back then. They were lost.
Is He Real ??
Apologise for going off track… but did you see his picture in ST yesterday ??
Really scary, man… gave me the shivers.
If I were to meet the man after midnight I would probably freak out and pee in my pants.
Even though he didn’t put on the two horns on either side of his forehead when the picture was taken, you can tell from one glance that this man is evil personify… not a human being.
Good God… I fear that he may still be around for the next 100 years.
Is there a good exorcist out there ????
tan
Singaporean @ 20
Since when do many Singaporeans have the opportunity to vote out
this Govt, and especially the seats in Tg Pagar GRC in the last 20 yrs?
In fact, one MP in that seat has been in Parliament since 1991 without
getting a single vote
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily SG: 21 Oct 2009
[...] Divide Inevitable – Diary of A Singaporean Mind: Why the social divide is NOT inevitable. – TOC: Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum: The Lion, The Young And The Orchestra – The Temasek Review: MM Lee: “Never mind the Gini Coefficient!” – Sgpolitics.net: Social [...]
Gp
@ 64) Is He Real ?? on October 21st, 2009 10.04 am
I heard that the old man visits a certain medium himself…
This is ridiculous
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_444281.html
The headline for the article reads as Social divide ‘inevitable’ .
I take issue with this. It should read as Social divide ‘inevitable’ under PAP.
tiredsingaporean
ya right, 1st medium says ‘turn right’ then seek second opinion from 2nd medium says ‘turn left’, then now confused, then what now? go see an astrologer says you are indeed reincarnated from heaven since birth but then again which part of heaven (no idea!) jamban or backyard or rubbish dump? still heaven right?
next, see a bomoh? the bomoh says to you, I myself already kenna jiak lat, no money to buy food on my table becos everything here in sg very the expensive now, you think I like to become a bomoh? no choice above 40 liao jobless no company want to hire me so bomoh or momo pun jadi now. . . . .
Gp
What else do you expect from a trash PAP propaganda paper like StraitsTimes? The so called journalists there should hang themselves from the the raffia string the uncle uses to tie bundles up every morning.
Realist
One question that I really want answered by him is this.
“Do you think the PAP will still be in power if it were all single member countituencies”
If his anwer is yes than someone should challenge him to put his money where is mouth is. Since he has publicly claimed that he has never walked away from a challenge, it would be fun to watch his response.
Realist
One question that I really want answered by him is this.
“Do you think the PAP will still be in power if it were all single member countituencies”
singapoorismyBRAND
[i]One question that I really want answered by him is this.
“Do you think the PAP will still be in power if it were all single member countituencies”
If his anwer is yes than someone should challenge him to put his money where is mouth is. Since he has publicly claimed that he has never walked away from a challenge, it would be fun to watch his response. [/i]
don’t need to go that far
tell him to challenge chiam see tong in potong pasir, command the prime minister to challenge in houghang mental health against low this kiang…
so easy why made life so loong?
Malaysian
To all the writers here in this forum who are bitter and oppressed by LKY and his government why dont you state another government who you think is way better in fairness, competency and humble than Singapore’s?
You have to give LKY credit for what he has done! Look at the countries around you, which leaders is uncorrupt, humble and very efficient? Most of the voices here in this forum are so arrogant and bitter. And so naive!
New Era
74) Malaysian on October 21st, 2009 5.12 pm
To all the writers here in this forum who are bitter and oppressed by LKY and his government……….
===============================================================
I seriously doubt your intelligence. By your own admission, we Singaporeans are oppressed by LKY and his government and you still have the gall to ask us to give him credit.
As you have said corruption is everywhere but oppression is not. Singaporeans like everyone elsewhere can tolerate a little corruption but nobody wants to be oppressed.
You have answered your own question.
New Era
75) Malaysian on October 21st, 2009 5.12 pm
To all the writers here in this forum who are bitter and oppressed by LKY and his government…………….
===============================================================
Wouldn’t you be bitter if you were oppressed??? LOL!
What a clown?
tiredsingaporean
You have to give LKY credit for what he has done! Look at the countries around you, which leaders is uncorrupt, humble and very efficient?
so its OK for LKY to be corrupted?????
tiredsingaporean
so its OK for LKY and his party members to be corrupted?????
tiredsingaporean
then, why the hell send that renci monk to jail? he has done alot of good deed, alot of charity works and so on . . . . why must go to jail???? oh I forget, the monk is not a member from his party . . . . .so sorry so sorry, my mistake!!!
Khairulanwar Zaini
74) Malaysian
The Scandinavian countries would be a good start to evaluate fairness, competence and humility. Although the PAP and humility seems to be very odd bedfellows.
What has Lee Kuan Yew done? Our defence and finance were the brainchild of Goh Keng Swee; foreign affairs and culture, Rajaratnam; HDB is Lim Kin San’s baby, and economic development can be attributed to Hon Sui Sen and Dr Winsemius. The backbone of growth is the people. Claiming that without Lee, there will be no Singapore is excessive and naive.
And the naivety that you perceive here is nothing but the realization that Singapore can be better, and should be better than where we find ourselves now.
littleman
Accolades!! You deserved all the praises accorded to you Khairulanwar Zaini. You are the brilliant spark of the time. Singapore finds hope in people like you. Keep up the good work.
reader
80) Khairulanwar Zaini on October 21st, 2009 6.00 pm
…….. and the truth will set Singaporeans free .
( JBJ was a true son of Singapore who had given much ! )
The Scandinavian countries would be a good start to evaluate fairness, competence and humility. Although the PAP and humility seems to be very odd bedfellows.
What has Lee Kuan Yew done? Our defence and finance were the brainchild of Goh Keng Swee; foreign affairs and culture, Rajaratnam; HDB is Lim Kin San’s baby, and economic development can be attributed to Hon Sui Sen and Dr Winsemius. The backbone of growth is the people. Claiming that without Lee, there will be no Singapore is excessive and naive.
And the naivety that you perceive here is nothing but the realization that Singapore can be better, and should be better than where we find ourselves now.
Political Salesman
Confuscius said: A country man who is old already and reluctant to step down is a “Thief To His Country”…….. A Sick Mind Man! I will forgive him but Hell don’t forgive him.
George
Being born a Sinkaporean is a disadvantage and sadly I am. But luck would have it, I took the decision to travel far away from Sinkapore and now both my children are on their way to a more prosperous and free life. The eldest had graduated from Oxford with a 1:1 law degree and the second is reading medicine. I would never be able to support them through education if I had stay on in Sinkapore. Being non political, I had never taken much interest in politic but I had read and listen to many of LKY’s speeches over the years. Sad to say I do not miss modern Sinkapore and I am pleased to have taken the decision not to register my children with the Sinkapore embassy in London. Otherwise my son would have to do his NS which I regard as a total waste of time. A fully professional army with some reserve will meet Sinkapore need. I believed it is used as mean of control of Sinkaporean male citizen. Just imagine we have to have an exist permit each time we have to travel out of the country until the age of 45. It is the only country in the world that control its own population’s movement and all for what? I sincerely hoped that we could vote the PAP out come the next general election. It is time for a change and change we seek through the ballot box. If it is not, then I am afraid, alternative mean may be used. It is time to tell the old man that he had way gone past his sell by date and time for a new man to run the country. If PAP had nothing else to offer other then the old man, then young Sinkaporean must wake up to that fact we have more talent politician hidden in the opposition party waiting to walk on to the stage once this tyrant is out of the way.
Slave Haven
LKY is an evil genius. Saddam and Kim Jong Il cannot hold a candle to LKY. Those two have no guile or intelligence thereby incurring the wrath of the free world.
LKY is the master dictator – crushing dissenters, freedom of press and speech, exploiting workers (local and foreigners from the Third World), cheating Singaporeans of their hard-earned salaries, gives himself and his cronies fat paychecks, controls the armed forces, police force and judicial courts, yet the free world doesn’t bat an eyelid and Singaporeans cannot do anything about it. Evil genius!
TrueBlood Singaporean
Corruption can be direct or indirect and if you sue and jail all oppositions, you can call any price you want. Is that indirect corruption?
What if all bosses in Singapore follow LKY footstep and killed off all competitors in their company. Than they believe they can rule that company forever but their foreign boss told them that the company will shift to China.
Life is unpredictiable, you never know what happen next and change is the only constant. So LKY legacy won’t shine brighter than Abraham Linclon.
malaysianas skicker
[i]which leaders is uncorrupt, humble and very efficient? [/i]
are you implyin that dr madhatail is corrupted and unhumbled BESIDE INEIFFICENT?
yes or no?
needs to poll ANWAR SADAT BUTTOCK OR NOT?
lobo76
74) Malaysian on October 21st, 2009 5.12 pm
Look at the countries around you, which leaders is uncorrupt, humble and very efficient?
hmm…. well, I would classify MIW now (not the old generation) to be efficiently corrupt (gives themselves high salary), without a hint of humility (we are classified as lessor mortals, are we not?).
ACACIA
84) Agree fully with you. That’s why when my two girls are of age, asking them to leave Spore for good! Yes we have to vote them out for the future good of all. Old man had nothing much to offer us anymore and hopefully our younger generation will wake up too. My youngest sibling is leaving for good too. As a professional, he might be retrenced a second time in as little as two years!! What a country!!!
preston loon
If our MM LEE is so bad,how come he is receiving so many international awards
around the globe?As i am writing,he is on his way to US to receiving more accolades from business commerce organizations and universities.Do you know
that he has more intl. awards than all the US presidents combined had received for the last 20 yrs?I would like to go farther to say that he deserves the prestigious noble peace price over Prez. Obama hands down.Unlike Obama,MM LEE is not about to send 40,000 military troops to Afghanistan,also Singapore has a type of mind our own business policy rather than wanting to be world #1 busy body.
Can those anti-MM.LEE name me another politician that could build up a country
from a 4th world to a first world in one generation.Not Fiji,not Christmas Island,not
any of those Indonesian Islands,not any of those island countries that are comp
arable to the size of Singapore.Just look at those Africa nations.They have their
independence from the colonial masters long before us and yet their people are
still living in abject poverty under corrupt politicians.If PAP is so corrupt which some of you are pointing the finger at LEE,how come we are the one of best in
everything which a 1st world could offer.If TOC readers had read some of my
many previous posts,they would find that I am no MM LEE or PAPs kissing buddy.
I like him as a politician because of his political savvyness.however,i do not like
his obnoxious personal attitude towards people who disagree with him.All I wanna to say is,be patient and let him lives out his sunset years and then,we
shall see changes after that.
Charles Lee
80) Khairulanwar Zaini on October 21st, 2009 6.00 pm 74) Malaysian
The Scandinavian countries would be a good start to evaluate fairness, competence and humility. Although the PAP and humility seems to be very odd bedfellows.
What has Lee Kuan Yew done? Our defence and finance were the brainchild of Goh Keng Swee; foreign affairs and culture, Rajaratnam; HDB is Lim Kin San’s baby, and economic development can be attributed to Hon Sui Sen and Dr Winsemius. The backbone of growth is the people.
Khairulanwar Zaini …..Great article! I love reading the works of people who are talented at writing just as much as seeing anyone who is good at anything do what they are good at. I hope Singapore’s soul returns and becomes what those early aspirations of the country promised. It has been hibernating for a while it seems.
Ask the wife of the gentleman who was responsible for Changi Airport being positioned where it is now on who else had a big part to play.
Here are some clues…………Deputy Chief Secretary.
Ist Chairman of Rural Board and PSA.
Worked closely with ALL those people you mention.
Office was between LKY and Toh Chin Chye’s.
Every report , everyday from every senior Civil Servant went through him before it was read by LKY.
Lim Kim San even changed the designs of the HDBs to accomodate extras based on this gentleman’s wife suggestion.
Perm Sec………..in various Offices
Translator for President Ishak in meetings with the British…….and there is a lot, lot more :)
Motto was “Look after the people”
Only got his first mention on Google this year because of a historian from the British HC!
Charles Lee
Has anyone got answers to Preston Loon’s queries?
Good question ay?
Charles Lee
82) reader on October 21st, 2009 7.58 pm
And the naivety that you perceive here is nothing but the realization that Singapore can be better, and should be better than where we find ourselves now
That is so true…………..
New Era
89) preston loon on October 22nd, 2009 8.42 am
As i am writing,he is on his way to US to receiving more accolades from business commerce organizations……………………………………
===============================================================
Yes, MM Lee is receiving many business awards from the Americans. Why not?
His policies are very pro-business. To attract foreign MNCs here, he has severely restricted the rights of the people and suppressed the wages of the workers here. Recently, as talented Singaporeans leave the country in droves for greener pastures, he has brought in millions of cheap foreign substitutes to replace them. Wages have been declining further because of this.
If you were a businessman, wouldn’t you want to award a man who keeps his populace in poverty so that business costs in Singapore can be kept low and restricts the rights of the people so that there is political stability.
These draconian measures will not be accepted in open and democratic countries. In fact, they are no longer acceptable by an increasingly enlightened and sophisticated electorate.
The ruling party have always put the interest of businesses ahead of the interest and welfare of its citizens.Is it any wonder that he is loved by one side and loathed by the other.
Foreigners have it good
Mr Loon, as a foreigner, by your own admission, you have certainly benefited more than the locals from the PAP policies. It is, therefore, unfair of you to post your comments on how Singaporeans should feel about its leaders and how they are treated by the ruling party.
I am sure that when you have saved enough you will return back to your homeland.
Suffering Singaporean
25) preston loon on September 15th, 2009 10.32 am
I liked what i read about Singanews.My question is;I am a person who believe in
conservative values and traditions living in a foreign land.Is it legal in Singapore
for me as a foreigner to donate money to this organization .Please reply.Thank
you.PRESTON LOOn
VA:F [1.6.3_896]
Rating: -8 (from 10 votes)
Is it true that your are a foreigner as you claim in your earlier post.
kangaroohopper
[i]As i am writing,he is on his way to US to receiving more accolades from business commerce organizations and universities.Do you know[/i]
if your country national banks is on the verged of bankrupcies…
leekuanyew inc throw in billion$ of poor singapooriums’ savin on their CPF (in which you did not contribute @ all) to resuce your country
would you not give leekuanyew an award?
NEXT!
LetsbeUnitedForOnce
People, what is most important is that we as singaporeans unite, take a stand and say ‘enough is enough’.
We have to make actions speak louder than words by votes during the next election and show the ‘emperor’ what we’re made of – and i agree the idea of a 2 party political system would keep the current party in check so they won’t have the authrority to implement stupid laws without the people’s consent.
Power to the people.
preston loon
#94-foreigners have it good
You are quite correct by calling me a foreigner in a anglo-sphere, but
I am also an oversea Singaporeans just like many foreign TOC posters and writers who are critical of Singapore government.Just because I have an opinion which based on facts about how Singaporeans are doing better than many countries,wow!
i am being called unfair.You may as well request the editors of this news website
to have it caters for Singaporeans viewers and writers only.That is fairness.
Do you really want to see oppression and poverty abjection and discriminations,look no further.Go to America.I am not recommending you to those
tourist haunts .Try spending some months living in city ghettos like New York city,
chicago(hometown of Prez Obama},New Orleans,or any other black communities
in USA the great.I can rest assured that you come back to Singapore with a
better perspective about our government.By the way,what makes you think that
anglo-spheres are goldmines that eventually,when i retired i would be coming
back with bags and bags of monies.
LKY doesn’t know that his KARMA has a few goodies in store for him, after he splits-the- scene soon:–
1) he will spend 30-40 births in prison, equal to the time he put innocent people in jail
2) being born as a pig, dog, chicken for another 30-50 births, in reward for his greed, stubborness and stupidity
3) being born into poverty for 50-70 births to experience his own unfair policies
New Era
98) preston loon on October 22nd, 2009 11.28 am
Just because I have an opinion which based on facts about how Singaporeans are doing better than many countries,wow
================================================================
Mr Preston, just like our elites, your views of Singapore a rather skewed. Your see things from your own perspectives. District 10 houses, fat salaries, expensive cooking classes in France and chauffeured luxury cars.
You must have been away for a long time not to notice the sufferings of your fellow countrymen in the lower income brackets. Because of the deliberate action of the PAPies to keep wages here low, many Singaporeans are now struggling to put food on the table for their children. Many others have lost their jobs to cheap foreign imports and are not receiving any salaries.
How would you know this or do you even care? You probably have a nice cushy job in the government and spent all your time thinking about how to spend your fortune.
The Singapore electorate is no longer ignorant. Thanks to new media and sites like TR, we are fully aware of what the PAPies are doing. MM Lee may win accolades from foreign businesses but let him see how popular he is here by contesting in a single seat ward in the next GE.
When the masses are suffering and living miserable lives, I suggest you keep your PAP propaganda to yourself.
Thank you.
To 89) preston loon on October 22nd, 2009 8.42 am
Well…
Singapore did throw a lot of its citizens hard earn money to help save the 1st world economic model during the financial meltdown…even ho ching dun have the final say to throw so much money away without LKY nodding away in agreement especially to get on the good side of some 1st world politicians…
dun forget either, that singapore political masters goes where the wind is the strongest…1st with the 1st world like america, england etc….then to the almost 1st/2nd world china and india…but after getting shafted repeatedly by china….back to the 1st world again to be buddy…then try china again, got shafted again…so back to taiwan…
speaks volumes of the these politicians integrity, honor and loyalty…
singapore was nothing…if the 1st world did not help singapore in the 1st place 40+ year ago…there will never be singapore as it is now…and where was china then 40+ years ago…exporting communism and getting proxies to fight in wars….did china help singapore 40+ years ago…no…did it help malaysia no….so far i don’t see malaysian and indonesian politicians sucking up to china like mad…at least these politicians know their citizens comes first….singapore…you can forget it….citizens comes last in the minds of sadly a lot of the current singaporean politicians in the current incumbent gov’t now…
so that is your answer.
Haiz.
kangoroohopper
[i]Try spending some months living in city ghettos like New York city,
chicago(hometown of Prez Obama},New Orleans,or any other black communities
in USA the great.I can rest assured that you come back to Singapore with a
better perspective about our government.[/i]
yeah right..onLEE you lived in the ghetto..by any chance was you ever robbed @ all?
i was a permanant resident of great britain lived in london real life ghetto in W6 for nearly a decade..was snatched my gold chain thin type bought from singapoor in a government similar housin hit and run… was housebroken in the same block by colored people who kicked 1/2 your socalled council flat..got your household appliances stolen and carted off with that 1/2 door they kicked open
i paid 33% weekLEE tax never claimed a single social welfare seekout @ all
i came home simply because i was BORED….
so please lark..don’t booast how you SUFFERRED…
by the way whatever happenned in london…i enjoyed my stay..i have many good friends there..black white brown yellow includin east europeans…
Cheaper Better Faster ??
## 89) preston loon on October 22nd, 2009 8.42 am
“Can those anti-MM.LEE name me another politician that could build up a country
from a 4th world to a first world in one generation”
===========
Sorry to disappoint you..
..but MM Lee was not the Man who walked on water.
Can you recognise these names :
Goh Keng Swee
Toh Chin Chye
S Rajaratnam
Ong Pang Boon
Lim Kim San
Yong Nyuk Lin
Hon Sui Sen
E W Barker
Othman Wok
MM Lee may claim all the credit … but without the abovenamed gentlemen, there is no modern day Singapore.
The abovenamed Old Guard PAP leaders have all retired gracefully from the Singapore political scene and are still fondly remembered and respected by Singaporeans who know of their contributions to the nation.
Unlike them, MM Lee has overstretched his unsefulness and has become destructive in recent years.
Most Singaporeans have lost their respect and admiration of the MM and this is the reason why you see so many negative posts about him in this and other online forums.
We still admire and respect the Old Guard PAP… but we have little or no respect for the present day New PAP.
If you are a true-blue Singaporean, you will understand the reasons why.
SpongeBoob
//They have their independence from the colonial masters long before us and yet their people are still living in abject poverty under corrupt politicians. If PAP is so corrupt which some of you are pointing the finger at LEE,how come we are the one of best in everything which a 1st world could offer.//
Please enlighten me by defining the term “1st world”:
First World Countries in terms of their Gross National Income, based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) per capita in int’l Dollars?
First World Countries in Terms of their Human Development, in three basic dimensions of human development – A long and healthy life as measured by life expectancy at birth; Knowledge as measured by the adult literacy rate (with two-thirds weight) and the combined primary, secondary and tertiary gross enrolment ratio (with one-third weight); A decent standard of living as measured by GDP per capita* (PPP US$)?
First World Countries in Terms of Press Freedom, according to their respect for press freedom.?
Secondly to get a feel of our very own poverty, take a tour of our PA holders’ homes, and our destitutes or more appropriately beggars at Buangkok Green.
Next, corruption – inducement (as of a public official) by “improper” or in our case “legitimate” means to violate duty. For example, how does one feel when CPF is managed by an trustee which does not publish annual reports, has the rights to amend its terms arbitrarily, and deny beneficiaries full access to their pension monies?
Oh, by the way, I used to admire Lee before I turned 30, worked in social service, and read foreign press. I’d to suggest reading Animal Farm, a dystopian novella by George Orwell.
TuraiKiller
That Malaysian writer, Do you know majorities of singaporeans are out of job (try visit our heartlander or library), we have make huge sacrification to serve Army with damn super cheap allowances (my times S$135 – S$300++)with no insurance coverage as we have to used that tiny allowances (S$600K was claimed to be a penut, then our allowances are just like microdusts) to cover our own life. How many youth during NS has had sacrified their life during National Service (2 1/2 years + 13 years reservists) but was not publisted in News. Besides, education was given out free to foreigners with no string attached but majorites of singaporeans find themselve can’t afford to further upgrade their U. Therefore, U got to be gracious and lucky that U got an opportunity to work here and do understand our frustration. Irregardless neighbouring corruption, but can anyone imaging our leaders are getting world highest salary but there are people here getting less than S$100 salary doing off job….so are u call that equal…
Sounds interesting…
Can someone kindly email me what MM said to teckguan76@yahoo.com
Thanks~
(Don’t point me to what blog site, ain’t got acess to those sites in this censored regime.)
Baccarat
LKY does not talk WITH students, because there is no match to his AUTHOURITY.
He brushes off anyone when he disagrees with, once he told the house, to choose trusting a 20 years MP ( a good retired PAP MP Dr. Tan Cheng Bock ) or a PM who was in power for 31 years ( 1959 to 1990 ).
So, every dialog between he the majesty with students, is like a Lion ( more like a cunning wolf ) with the curious lambs, he aimed to brain wash as much as he can ( his time is decreasing for sure ) and he would punch anyone who dared to raise critical questions.
Again and again, he will do this before any GE to sway the young voters, somehow, he makes it work for his motives … hope this time round, his voodoo majic will diminishes.
Baccarat
LKY does not talk WITH students, because there is no match to his AUTHOURITY.
He brushes off anyone when he disagrees with, once he told the house, to choose trusting a 20 years MP ( a good retired PAP MP Dr. Tan Cheng Bock ) or a PM who was in power for 31 years ( 1959 to 1990 ).
So, every dialog between he the majesty with students, is like a Lion ( more like a cunning wolf ) with the curious lambs, he aimed to brain wash as much as he can ( his time is decreasing for sure ) and he would punch anyone who dared to raise critical questions.
Again and again, he will do this before any GE to sway the young voters, somehow, he makes it work for his motives … hope this time round, his voodoo magic will diminishes.
singaporeans
they are earning millions of dollars year after year from who?from us singaporeans who work this country up. without us they are simply nothing and what can they earn? maybe merely just a couple of hundred a month maybe. they are just riding on our back all this years and what we get is just a goodies bags before each election. we get wash brains before each elections. we get threaten that our future will be destroy and suffer if we make change. this is just crap! pure crap!
just make the change and see who will suffer the most and who’s future will be destroy. all the ministers and the rest will lost millions unlike us just a small fly. so who fear the biggest lost? not we singaporeans but they will. PAP and LKY and his relative and inlaws will feel the greatest pain and lost but for us singaporeans we can make the change to lift up our head.
vote them out or fellow singaporeans and their generation to come will suffer more pain and suffer.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!
preston loon
Reply to #105-cheaper better faster
#103-sturmtruppen
Those old guards you have mentioned in your post had made a choice to
worked along side and under the helm of then PM LEE.The knew that if their politics
went well and succeeded in making Singapore a success story,ultimately Mr.LKY
would be the Indian Giver and got all the glory as he was the PM.But do remember,
there is a saying:the Buck stops here at the PM office and he is the one who also takes
the blame if some of his cohorts had made a major boo-boo.I knew who they were
and most of them were not born in Singapore.
#103-sturmtruppen.The financial meltdown was caused be the anglo-
sphere,unfortunately Singapore caught in it and the rest of Asia too.Losing one’s pension is a ripple effect of it and is worldwide.So do not just blame the Singapore Government.Did you not hear about former workers of Nortel and the
three big Auto makers are fearing for their company pensions being loss totally
or reduced.What to do,when our government was asked to prop up US and British financial sector.In fact,we have more to lose than gain if we say no to help them.They have difficult decisions to make.
hahaha
MM Lee started as anti communist, prosecuting & prostituting them to take power.
50 yrs later, singapore looked more communist than china.
What a loser, always thinking of past glories.
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 43
[...] “The applause was the expression of resentment, of jealously, of worry against the influx of foreign immigrants; discontent hitherto misplaced and lacking ground for articulation in light of the compelling establishment rhetoric, that it is an indispensable and necessary economic evil. Only in a political vacuum could such an economically reductionist argument be made, and it was that political vacuum that compelled 500 pairs of hands to clap enthusiastically..” Khairulanwar Zaini [...]
SpongeBoob
Quote: And what are the opposition parties’ ideas should Singapore actually collectively elect them to power? Because with the quiet opposition, PAP is the lesser of two evils.
Because I’m too used to one brand of a particular product. I fear the possibility of getting undesirable results from trying another brand. So in the end, we have “customer royalty” which may or may not bring out the best in ourselves. Sometimes, it just take a big K.O. before everyone awakens. Take the case of Madoff, Allen Stanford, Sunshine Empire, etc.
To side track a bit. Some recent developments in our local scene have sent some chills through my spine. Calling for CPF top-ups, CPF Life, Temasek bond issue. Anybody who invest in public listed shares would share my concerns.
nus 2004
Anyone remember Jaime Han? That boy gave it straight to old man’s face, plain and simple. And how the old man squirmed and huffed in great discomfort. It was a great sight.
YODI
All of us think our ministers and government is corrupt free. Time will tell when the lee dynasty is no more. Look what indonesians and filipinos founf out after marcos and suharto left and were forced out of the government.
So lets not speak too soon about our corrupt free government and ministers. No one dares open the books on them , yet!
One wonders hor rich MM is or for that matter how much the lee dynasty is worth. It would be interesting to know. Guess we all have to wait for awhile. Is it coincidence that the estate duty death tax was removed or we would know how much the lee ’s estate is worth. Just thinking out loud about all of this.
Secrets Cunningly Hidden
The Estate Duties was removed because when a person dies, if he has more than 1 million dollars left in his estate, his offspring or relative has to declare the total worth of his estate, and pay the estate duties.
By removing this Estate Duties, nobody will now know how much the Old Man or his Old Woman is worth. Their wealth, and how they were invested or spent, will forever be hidden secrets to all and sundry, except his own children. Period.
That was a very clever and cunning move.
In addition, the same applies to all the Millionaire Ministers. How much they are worth, not just in terms of salaries and bonuses but also other side incomes that, will be forever hidden from public knowledge.
I see this as another form of legalised corruption – amending the laws to suit own purpose – to hide own secrets from the public and the civil servants. This is similar to amending the laws to make ministers become millionaires in double quick time by paying them indecent salaries higher than the worlds’ top leaders’.
If one day a new government is to run our country, this Estate Duties amendment must be revoked and back-dated to the day it was amended by the present incumbent.
All assets of the present ruling elites and their minions must be frozen and investigated upon, so as to ascertain how much estate duties they have ‘evaded’. But most importantly how much they were worth and how their wealth were accumulated, channeled and spent.
Let us hope that day will come. Justice shall be done for the commoners who have been cleverly disregarded through ‘legalised’ ways at whims and fancies by the ruling elites.
That day must come, the sooner the better. May God have mercy upon us. May justice be done in Singapore as it is in Heaven!
Mic O Mic
Life under Lee…
one possible reason some Singaporeans torture cats to let off steam…
george
We are in a manner of speaking, in the era of Mao in the twilight years of his decline.Most Asian societies are saddled by this ’strongman refusing to go’ syndrome.
But, to me, the biggest disappointment has got to do with Tommy Koh. He appeared to have sold his soul to the devil. Either that, or LKY has got his balls, to quote Richard Nixon, agood friend of LKY.
cowsai
Guys, great insights and certainly reflect courage and thought leadership . Very pleased our new generation are a thinking bunch .
Remember the only one thing Papa is afraid of is that 1` vote in your hands .
Did you expect anything else? This is Singapore and he is Lee Kuan Yew. The only time someone will ever challenge him seriously is when he so orders that person to do so. It’s like the last time he was on TV talking to the youth – they got slammed for showing him no respect yet the truth is he made them rehearse it three times and told them to be more critical.
The beauty of the Singapore system is that nobody censors us or asks us to show reverence to the man. We do it ourselves, because we’ve been conditioned to do so. Criticize LKY in public? You got to be joking….