It is only after the Head and Shoulders Above Us All post that I realized that anti-LKY sentiments are stronger than anti-TDM/BN feelings and that too because Singaporeans have a greater ability to think as they have higher standards of education than Malaysia and have been able to harness their human resources to their advantage while Malaysians are generally divided thanks to certain divisive policies designed in the name of development. Also, their quality of leaders is much better because of that not forgetting a lower rate of corruption and many other factors.
Following that, I asked Mr. P from Singapore to share with me his thoughts on this and to perhaps offer some explanations as to why Singaporeans seem to be more vocal about their discontent despite being more developed in many areas than Malaysia and in spite of the 'kiasi' attitude that many seem to display.
He offered the following explanation in his response via e-mail and has allowed me to republish it in this post:
"Singaporeans" where do I start? Let's start with my generation,the current and the in-between. I dare say that my generation, "the baby boomers", were the ones that built the corner stone for modern Singapore. We did what the govt. or LKY pushed down our throats without questions accepting that being English educated was an advantage in civil service and commercial firms. The Chinese stream especially those from Nantah or Nanyang university were "marginalised" in the commercial/civil service owing to their poor command of English but excelled in the boom business of construction/infrastructure/trading.
When Nanyang or Nantah was amalgamated with Singapore Uni as NUS with English as first language and mandarin the mother tongue 2nd language for all Chinese,a new generation evolved with the better English educated no longer having the upper hand against the bilingual offshoots of the Nantah generation. NUS produced these children of successful Chinese educated businessmen in the construction/infrastructure and white collar English educated civil service/commercial/financial companies.
The Chinese educated never forgot their marginalization even though more successful than others. The English educated remember their bitter pills and this becomes the core subject of their children who are enjoying the best education system where lecturers from western countries are brought in to give them a totally different approach to education.
Being smart and analytical in their thoughts, they will question and debate/argue everything the government throws at them unlike our generation who are more submissive. These are the in-between generation that includes my daughter.
The current generation are so cosmopolitan and so IT savvy it really frightens me. These are the ones commenting in the nets with their articulate command of English and the Opposition political parties are courting them. Even with the best brains in their fold i.e.PAP/Govt. a freak election may happen. Most of the young are happy with the status quo they are protesting because they felt stifled as compared with the western culture where children are given more rein to speak and decide for themselves.
I am not saying that the PAP is indispensable nor the oppositions are lacking. Singapore just happens to be UNIQUE, with no resources, they have to live by their WITs and in this area LKY is truly Head & Shoulders above the rest and he hopes to inculcate this to the new leaders before he passes on.
The two subjects which were, are and never will be resolved regarding PAP & their governing styles are i) ISD internal security act ii) the monstrous salary of Cabinet & top civil servants. Not forgetting the 15% Malays, most are PAP supporters and they thrived in the civil service and govt.back or owned companies.
Let me tell it in my simple way which again, all HELL will break loose if posted in the net. ISD- was and is still used against oppositions or anyone using RACE,RELIGION and issues that DESTABILISES the country,the last being the most difficult to pin and the opposition or people with agendas knowing that exploit it to the fullest.
Why weren't David Marshall, founder and leader of Workers Party, Dr. Lee Siew Choh leader of the breakaway Barisan Sosialis and JB Jeyeretnam the most well known leader of the opposition until his demise ever locked up??
They may get personal in their vociferous ways but they never crossed the line and are not communists or sympathizers. As for Dr. Chee Soon Juan who is getting support from those with agendas but not daring to expose themselves for fear of ISD is using him to voice their issues and like the novice he is in politics fell for it.That's why he is repeatedly trounced in election by PAPs lightweight.
Singapore, having lost its hinterland and surviving with nothing - not even drinking water, is run like a Corporation in fact many in the west wrote that Singapore is not a country but a corporation and should be know as Singapore Inc.For years there was a standing joke that the Singapore govt. is in every business except "Funeral Palour' even that has been breach today.
LKY, being the master tactician he is knew that devoted selfless leaders are fast diminishing and the new generation of young intelligence will not be so devoted as the Old Guards,most were chasing the five Cs and will not go into politics to do a thankless job. Hence the humongous pay packet. "Pay peanuts and you will get monkeys to do the job". With the pay goes the responsibilities and sacrifices.
Are you aware that Presidents,Ministers and high profile civil servants were removed and replaced when found they are not up to expectations or involved with scandalous or corrupt issues??? I may be wrong but most talented young Singaporeans aspire to be in the Cabinet,top civil servant and CEO of govt. back or own companies. Many aspire but few will reach that goal.Some my join foreign and multi corporation and make good in their careers and there are those that are enjoying the fruits of their fathers' labour, the rest will complain when unable to make the grade along with coffee shop scribes and MBA taxi drivers,failures through their own follies??? Who knows??? Only they can tell.
As for me, I am enjoying my retirement doing what I like and I still love this little REDDOT hoping that one day we may re merged with the land of my birth.
In a nutshell, that is how I see it as an ordinary 65 year old dinosaur. I am sure my generation and most of the in between will vote PAP with a few seats going to the oppositions but the current ones may create a freak election and that is the fear that one term of the wrong people in govt. will wipe out almost two generations of hard work.
This has been a very long post. I will explore the roots and malaise of the political consciousness of Malaysians in another post. Frankly, I am very grateful to readers who have been writing to me and sharing very intellectual exchanges with me which have actually helped me to develop maturity of thought, even as an older person. I am truly humbled that some sacrificed their time to pen their thoughts to me. If there be any of you who wish to be in touch with me, kindly leave your email address in the comment form and I will respond accordingly. Your contact details will not be published as comment moderation is enabled.
We live in very challenging and exciting times and the balance of power could tip either way. Please leave a comment if you wish. I would really love to hear your views and hopefully engage you in a lively debate. Thanks and have a pleasant evening!
Anonymous Paula :
Here the answer
http://www.youtube.com/user/Kiasuwood
hahahaha... ho liao lol
see you
antimamak