The reason why I agree with JBJ why Singapore do not need a big army is becos Singapore do not need to rely on a land forward defence strategy, as seen in the large amount of tanks, armour personnel carriers, etc. that the SAF bought, at the expense of the taxpayers. Being an island, Singapore can just rely on a strong air force and navy, a strong artillery and a small army for home defence, as deterrence agst any external threat. Being an island state that can only be accessed by sea and air, Singapore can destroy any hostile air force, navy, tanks and artillery that seek to attack Singapore by using our air and naval power and artillery. Without air, naval, tanks and artillery support, which country dare to send their troops to attack Singapore? Moreover, with a strong air force and navy, Singapore can defend itself should there be a war with its 2 neighbours at the same time!

As airforce, navy and artillery are less manpower intensive, the defence spending and period of NS can also be reduce if the financial and manpower resources are re-channelled to the airforce and navy, instead of being used to buy large number of tanks and armour personnel carriers and recruit SAF regulars! With only a small army, the pay of the SAF regulars can also be reduce since less regulars are needed to fill the posts in the army!Hence, we do not need to spend $11 billion for defence budget if the PAP know how to utilise the country’s resources! Hence, JBJ is right that becos Singapore is a small island, we do not need a big army!

With a reduction of defence spending and NS, the GST can also be cut and foreign workers can also be restricted in Singapore, since more manpower can be released into the economy with a reduction of NS!

Come, Kenneth and Reform Party! Carry on JBJ’s legacy! Fight for the rights of Singaporeans! Cut defence spending and cut GST and restrict foreign workers in Singapore for the justice of Singaporeans who served NS to defend their country, only to find that the foreigners are taking away their jobs and HDB flats!

I have attended several of such political events at HL Park and even spoke on one and the crowd is mostly below a hundred people. For organisers, this could be a dampener. Those who attend are also regulars.

I agreed that more perhaps can be done to market such events better. Of course, the cameras there do not help the matter much. Singaporeans being rather kuasiu will want to avoid such events if possible. When I attended such events at HL Park, my wife even tried to talk me out of it!

TKL broke some records when his Minibind protests brought out several hundred people. However, these people came out becasue it affected their pocket and finances. I doubted that they will ever attend any of such political events if invited. They came because the issue affected their own well being.

To those who support such events at home, I hope that you will find time and sacrfice by turning up physically. When one supports such events in person, it not only sends the right signals to the organiser but also the government. We have to act out what we believe in. Voting happens only once every four years and sometimes people don’t have the chance to vote at all.

Frankly, the government now knows by now that the population cares about making a living and maybe adding a few more zeroes into their bank account. They got the general message that Singaporeans do not really want more political freedom. They just want more cash and maybe economic progress. They will give us just that without letting go any democratic rights to us.

We need to stand up for what we believed and like JB Jeyeratnam, sacrificed and be counted.

I know resource is a limiting factor; however, I always find that the notice period to most activities a little too short for me. Most of the time, I saw the announcement in the middle of the week to attend of a weekend; whereby I have routines such as house chores to do (I do them on weekends) or I already have plans for the families and kids, e.g. going to zoo, library, etc; especially during the festive seasons. Not to mention the knee jerk reaction of attending one.

In addition, my wife and I have great concerns whether if our children can compete with the whole world; and hence, spent a lot of time to prepare them for what’s to come as this is our top priority at the moment. Whether this are valid reasons or not are inconsequential as different people have different priorities.

Lastly, I agree with 2) Seventh Son totally on the following:
“Don’t worry about the poor attendance. Most people are tied to personal commitments, it’s not easy to find time to attend such events”.

“My family, friends and myself are true supporters of the alternative but we don’t comment on political blogs and websites or attend such events. Come election, we will vote for freedom and truth. I sure there are many people like us who are “behind the scene”. WE CARE! “

What was impressive about the crowd was its youth – unlike the older people who filled the Arthur Lim auditorium for the Fajar Generation book launch last month, this was mainly young people – looking for inspiration from a previous generation – to make a difference in the lives of Singaporeans

there will be many more condolence letters.

TOC published the condolence letter in October 2008.

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/10/vivian-balakrishnan-attends-jbjs-wake/

Not much time left to smell the roses, so to speak…

My respects to JBJ..