Here is a report by Channelnewsasia in July 2009 on MM Lee saying that Singapore is not yet a nation:
Despite achieving harmony amongst all races in Singapore, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said on Saturday that the country is still a work-in-progress when it comes to nationhood.
“Are we a nation yet? I will not say we are. We’re in transition,” he said at the Orange Ribbon Celebrations which centres on racial harmony.
“Please remember this is an ideal which we may not completely reach, but because we have this ideal, we’ll continue to make progress,” he said.
On 30 October 2009, Law Minister K Shanmugam said Singapore is “not a country” but a city, according to a report by The Straits Times:
‘This is where most people make a mistake…I have tried to explain that we are different. We are a city. We are not a country,’ he told 200 lawyers, many from America, at the New York State Bar Association International Section’s meeting here.
So Singapore is the Sin City. Where is our Bruce Willis to get rid of corrupted gahmen ?
Reality Bites #27 -
Depends on what you mean by “mid-sized”. Population-wise, depending on how populations in US-cities are counted, Singapore would be as high as #2. Area-wise, Singapore is slightly larger than Austin, Texas at #27.
does this mean we gonna be part of Malaysia ?
No wonder we got the flood gates for foreigners opened …….this is a hotel, stay here and split the scene one you are done ….. or have made some money selling your property…..
If its not a country, and its a city…. it must be hotel ……..
I am sure many people are not suprised by these comments from our elite ministers anymore….you seen one, you seen them all…..
Dear PM Lee HL of the Republic of Singapore
Two of your over-paid ministers MM Lee and Law Minister K Shanmugam have spoken seditiously and undermined your leadership.
We should do something about this. They are indirectly encouraging our youths not to do NS.
A reduction of 90% in salary and taking them to task would restore confidence of Singaporeans.
JW
Well, that kinda explain why our “top management” pay can be much higher than those of other heads of state — like the mafia king of a totalitarian city can rake in more money than that of the country’s leader.
By that argument, what is NS for then? A prviate army to safeguard a city? Maybe each GRC/town council should raise its own “army” then — the people only defend their immediate neighborhood and if there is a walkover, then the males of that constituency don’t have to serve NS since that is no “nation or state” for them to protect.
I bet this is the carrot given to FTs to “integrate”" them here — they are considered only city residents, so no need for them to serve NS. Alamak, NS/eservist just gets cheaper every day . . .
Singaporean get play out since the PAP get into power!
They make U read the pledge every morning in school. On National Day they make U Sing “This is my country, This are my friend! We ‘re Singapore, Singaporean. All Bull shit.
Just watched and listened on Channel U 7 PM News, PM Lee claimed that he has found the Next Generation Leaders who are prepared to dedicate, devote their live(xian sheng) for the Country. He asserted that only his Party is able to provide such dedicated(sacrificing) calibres.
Lost all my appetite and felt like throwing up everything i ate earlier after watching said news. It was appalling to hear those claims when reality shows none of them. It will be very sad if Singaporeans believe those words spoken.
patriot
Another Blooper from a million dollar minister. This is really a joke. No matter how small Singapore is, whether we are only 700 sq km, this is my home and my country. I do not need to explain to any other foreign entity whether they should classify Singapore uniquely for a better press ranking. And the need to downgrade Singapore to a City in order to be put under a different light. There are principles to follow and our dear minister K.S is truly living in a ivory tower of his own. VOTE them out!
patriot.
I was like laughing out loud when i heard the “great news” PM Lee mentioned. These days they cant be taken seriously anymore. Their words lack sincerity and moral values, except money values. The next generation leaders are definitely not my choice going by the way things never change no matter how degraded it has been. The only hope for Singapore is to vote a new group of courageous Singaporeans as the opposition camp or better still take over the running the CITY, since we are not a country yet according to our LAW Minister. For every passing moment go by, our dear current PAP leaders just pass over their chance in the next election.
singapore s already a gone case. it is just a matter of time before a revolution will start. how can a ‘country’ be run in so extreme means. it is a sinking ship, before the ship sink, those who have the means to leave better migrate first.
S’pore is neither a nation nor a country?
must be a Lee-gime lah!! :P
Not a nation, not a country…please don’t tell me Singapore is a fiction of my imagination and I am living in a matrix where humans are being kept alive to harness our energy to fuel the matrix!
Nooooooo!
Hi FeverGuy:
now, me got fever too listening to empty claims. Maybe, they do think they are great and dedicated, they have their own set of vocabulary. However, we know very well they are VERY DEDICATED to their pockets and keenly seeked vainglories.
They gave accolades and awards to foreign dignitaries that CONTRIBUTED NOTHING to our wellbeings and they(foreigners) in return, reciprocated and patted each others. So, we saw our politicians got awards and recognitions now and then. ‘Chen te sung nau zin’(Pinyin), kepala pusing(Malay), it hurts to listen to our leaders.
patriot
Time to scrap NS.
There is no country to defend.
We are a city with one third aliens.
Pay tribute to US or China and seek protection like Parameswara did in the 15th century–its much cheaper.
Our cabinet probably cost more than the top 10 countries combined.
Or have we already paid tribute by ‘investing’ in toxic western banks—–buy high sell low
It is not election every 5 years, it is erection every 5 years. hehehe
I like to hear from someone like Mr Tan Kin Lian, what is the reason for the 2 person to recently describing singapore these ways.
May be Mr Tan can explain better.
Mr Tan, over to you.
@56) FeverGuy on November 1st, 2009 9.40 pm
Unfortunately, he did mentioned GE in 2012, meaning they realised they need more votes — 3 more years to bring in more “new citizens” and $10 millions to make these people feel at home should tilt the balance of the ballot box by then.
As Law minister, KS sure have a problem that a Constitution is for a country, not a city. But then we found recently that our Pledge was “flawed” — I supposed it should be: “We the residents of the city of S’pore….” Oh dear, since his appointment as Law Minister, we seems to have many problems interpreting our legality as a country…err… city.
Very interesting. I am happy that I live int he States. I know that we may be experiencing some problems now, and the rest of the world may hate us. However, I love my country and I reading this article makes me appreciate who I am more then I did five minutes ago.
Thanks.
Jay
Jay’s Saving Your Money
54) patriot on November 1st, 2009 8.19 pm
The Secretary-General of PAP makes that claim at every General Election.
66) Donaldson He did not mention the following:
a. my grandson would eventually take over
b. i am sacrificing and staying on till 98 to make sure this happen
c. we can toil for singapore but we need to be paid like we were private sector ie. capitaland $$$MX20
d. of course i am not in control, we allow level playing field in politics. ha ha ha winked.
I have a horrible foreboding of dreadful things to come…..
Think of the recent trends in these ministers’ speeches. LKY saying our pledge is a ‘aspiration’ and now all this talk of sg being ‘not a nation’. What does it all lead to?
Simple: these scums may intend to SELL SINGAPORE OFF, probably to China, and then retire in their houses overseas, bought long ago. None of them like sg anyway, not even LKY, a Malaysian-born traitor who wanted initially to rule Malaysia and got sg for scraps. There will be no remorse. To them it’s like dumping some unwanted pet.
We are indeed a UNIQUE CITY
We have 1 president, 1 MM, 2SM, 2 DPM, 1 PM, 5 mayors, that is one average S$2M leader per 400,000 people, and yet we are NOT a nation but a city ?
The Minister is at best sleeping if not insane
So what’s next in line of PAP’s rubbish ? “YOUR CPF IS STATE MONEY, it is NOT YOUR MONEY” ?
In the past, I always heard commends comparing how similar Singapore is to Israel. Now that these self-serving fat cats said that Singapore is not a country or a nation, I know that the comparison is an insult to Israel.
Those countries in the middle east has refused to acknowledge that Israel is a country and wish that she can be destroyed and be wiped out. Despite political differences, the Israelis leaders and the people have not failed to stay united and fight for Israel’s sovereignty.
Over here, despite gaining independent in 1965, our self-serving fat cats is telling us we are not a country or a nation. We are a MNC indeed!
It seems the self interested overpaid greedy gluttony pigs in animal farm are making more changes to the existing stifling rules to suit the farm to their expensive tastes and to further consolidate their control over the masses.
For those who vote for the greedy pigs in past and coming GE, they are already in the pigs pockets.
For the rest of us, just vote right.
If no further constructive changes we can made postively on our end for singapore and future generations of singapore. I guess with the greateat regret it is time to leave for another country that will appreciate you as a true citizen then singapore ever will. A so called country or city or whatever the pap gov’t wants to say today or tomorrow or whenever it suits them that treats its citizens like 3rd or worst 4th class citizens.
Without us and past citizens will singapore get where it is…it seems living too high up the ivory towers with too much deluded air, too much free time and expensive good food has made some people think they are more then human beings.
hubris is not far away.
wah lao eh, so after all is said and done,
HAS THE AUTHORITIES INFORMED ALL OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
THAT singapore as they know it
IS NOT A COUNTRY AND NOT A NATION?
yes / no?
Little wonder why in the on line ST forum today did a guy (assume he is FT) say why Singaporeans make a hue and cry abt NS and ask for more preveilages. Defending a city is kacang putih isn’t it? Our ministers have proven once again that Singaporeans do matter- to do cheap labour and get exploited by elites. The rest is not important.
We must inform the world and encyclopedia that Singapore is not a country but a city. The Wikipedia and website should reflect likewise so that the world is not hookwink anymore. It is dishonest to deceive people into thinking Singapore is a country where government say it is just a city.
We are world’s most expensive city in the world. Even the majors and clowns running the city can be paid millions !!!!!
When you go NS, you are not defending the country, you are defending the city.
PAP has always been a small-minded party, led by small-minded people. We are constantly being reminded how small we are, how vulnerable we are. Other countries with fewer population will just go ahead and do great things instead of reminding their citizens how small they are and how they have no achieve nationhood or this or that.
It is no wonder that our national psyche is also so meek.
Cast off the chains that PAP had secured on us and our minds. We are a great nation if we decide to be. If PAP has no balls to lead this great nation, then it can jolly well stand aside and let their betters do so.
Jan 2010 is my ICT and I have no idea what to do about it!
I guess I will find some excuse not to attend. I refuse to defend any other entity now that the pap declared that singapore is not a country!
Had a good laugh reading the comments…
Not a country, not a nation but a city…it is also a hotel…and some even say its a prison….HAHAHA…
I think Shanmugam is just coming up with ideas to defend PAP’s hold on to power with weird verses.
I wonder if anyone laughed during his speech. I would have, especially when a MINISTER says his country is not a country but a city, even if it meant in terms of politics. Shows how much of patriotism he has for this nation. His regard towards SINGAPORE the name, the history and its people.
In one stroke he has made us all look small.
Seems like this is the new ploy by PAP to carry on and not be ashamed by the international community.
I am now living constantly in a state of shock since the last GE in 2006. First they said GST increase was to help the poor, then they said HDB flats are subsidised even though HDB is making more than 100% per flat. When they said that our women would become maids in a foreign country, I didn’t realise that our old people here would also be serving young foreign talents in our own country. Then they abolish bye-elections, and national referendums. Then they said that the next GE is in 2012 which is six years (not five) from the last GE. Now they say our Pledge to achieve equality is only an aspiration, and Singapore is not a nation.
All wiki related public domain literature may need to be errata’d.
All text books affected may need to be reprinted.
But then
ask yourselves,
Can a CITY exist without a COUNTRY?
If not, what is the country for singapore, the city?
This wiki seems affected :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City-state
Quote: “A city-state is an independent COUNTRY whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as part of another local government.”
77) Michael on November 2nd, 2009 3.54 pm
Michael,
you should go for the ICT. At the ICT, ask your officer what is his opinion regarding :
1) LHL said that he does not want to be the PC of Singaporeans 30 years old and above.
2) Singapore is not a nation not a country, then why do you need to serve NS/reservist? (after the answer from your officer (if any), you should be able to leave the camp anytime since you are not a citizen of any country)
prettyplace on November 2nd, 2009 10.10 pm wrote:
Re: “Not a country, not a nation but a city…it is also a hotel…and some even say its a prison…”
It’s also a transit centre: for foreigners on the way to greener pastures.
67) theforgottongeneration on November 2nd, 2009 1.31 am,
I anticipated the move from policy makers like what you mentioned :-). Backdoor strategies of various forms abound, and foreigner admission is 1 of them (apart from GRC etc of course).
The reason I mentioned in 1 of my earlier posts, that if foreigners converted to citizens don’t serve NS of any kind, they should not be allowed to vote.
I did not see anything in the current process calls for these foreigners to renounce their citizenship in original countries when tey become citizens here.
If it has to be till their next generation gets to do NS, so be it, then they vote when these next generation starts stepping into field camps.
I’m so pissed off at this. The only reason I can give is that I feel very betrayed.
87) kf on November 5th, 2009 4.40 pm
“. . . .If it has to be till their next generation gets to do NS, so be it, then they vote when these next generation starts stepping into field camps. . .”
I really, really like this idea ….. don’t know why million dollar ministers can’t come up with such proposals.
They intend to suck and bankrupt Singapore before they lose power.
Grab as much now.
World=Singapore=Ending 2012=doesn’t matter country or city. Just s.h.i.t.
I agree , having lived in Singapore for a few years , it is neither a nation or a country , was designed and set up by foreigners ( not matter what LKW says ) , and with no natural resources , and is reliant on what happens in the rest of the world for its economy . The government is a laughing stock in most of the western world , a small city and the highest governmental salaries , which is OK if everyone is rich , but the big majority of Singaporeans can’t even afford to retire , and spend almost all of their time at work . ( good government policy , then no time for the population to think if they are doing a good job. and react , better than the ISA ) The country is not even capable of being a rallying point for ASEAN , they should be the leaders , but noone respects Singapore. Once the PAP loses power , we will see whether the government was as transparent , efficient and honest as they say . The truth always comes out at a change of government , look at other SE Asian countries .
As an example of Singapore’s influence , ask a lot of people in the western countries ( and Australia and NZ) , even China , where Singapore is , and do they know anything about it . The majority have heardly heard of it , so that says all.
Hi Donaldson #69:
well, he and his pack never feel the slightest shame of dishing out empty promises ad nauseam for the past decades.
However, most Singaporeans are very tired listening to them
and i am not only tired.
I am sick of them for lack of honour.
patriot
Actually we need not be a country, nation, city, island,
or whateveryoucancookup.
All we need to be is a chameleon, then we can be
anything we want to suit each and every situation.