Has the country turned directionless?
March 17th, 2023 | 
Author: 
Lee Kuan Yew famously told Singaporeans: “Follow that rainbow, go ride it.”
The words of Singapore’s late founding father meant something then but rings hollow today. Ask the young and the not-so-young now: do they see a rainbow, where oh where is that rainbow?
As a country, we seem to be drifting sideways, directionless, time and again slipping and sliding backwards.
Look at the Lee family saga. Just when we thought the country had moved on, the plot thickens, and we are backpedalled into a dark place, with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel.
Leadership succession used to be a hallmark of Singapore – the smooth, seamless transition of one leader to the next. But all we have been seeing is sideways drifting, with more uncertainty than clarity.
The Presidential election is coming up in a matter of months. The last one in 2017 left a bitter taste because the country elected a president without a vote, spurring Singaporeans’ use of the #notmypresident hashtag.
Will 2023 be a repeat of 2017? The way things are shaping up, we could indeed be going back to 2017.
The Keppel bribery scandal is yet another giant step backward, calling into question the zero tolerance against corruption, ingrained in us for decades.
Despite lingering concerns, funding of SPH Media Trust to the tune of S$900 million is rammed down the throat of taxpayers. Back to the all-too-familiar put up or shut up, public opinion be damned.
There was once talk of a First World Parliament. But have we really moved on from the time when J.B. Jeyaretnam and Chiam See Tong were targets for shooting practice? Now it’s Leong Mun Wai.
Chiam used to be met with derisive laughter when he spoke in Parliament. Recently, Leon Perera had to pause midway while defending the Workers’ Party’s housing paper because laughter rang out among those in white. Today, as in the past, the Opposition is an object of amusement.
Every country has problems. It’s whether the leaders show foresight or short-sightedness in addressing them. Unlike in the past, it is increasingly clear that there is an abundance of short-term solutions to long-term problems.
Inequality: the poor getting poorer, the richer getting richer. It is fashionable now to dole out cash handouts, vouchers, rebates and top-ups. How does it address poverty and inequality in the long term?
Need skilled workers for the better jobs? Let’s import more and more foreign talents.
Fertility rate too low? Just bring in more and more new citizens.
Public housing out of reach and unaffordable? Let’s offer more and more grants.
What is the direction we are heading? Temporary reprieve to kick permanent pain down the road for another government, another generation.
The ones who should know better, the leaders who are entrusted to take the country forward, seem to be helming a rudderless ship on a clueless, directionless course.
While for the people, that promised rainbow is turning out to be nothing more than an illusion.
Augustine Low
Posted in 
Chase that rainbow?
More like chase the limbo.
There is no hope for many ordinary sgs.
Even elderly lose hope n not a few committed suicide; its a rising trend.
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无病呻吟！
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Directionless is the way they lose money in foreign investments.
The Whites should just stick to slander and defamation cos’ that is what they are good at.
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The bigger question than whether the PAP is directionless is when will citizens decide that enough is enough? Things are definitely going downhill for PAP as evidenced by their measly 60% vote share, voters know PAP is just doing wayang and so fewer have voted for them these days. Where is the old PAP where they were assured of a MINIMUM 70% of the votes in any election? Gone, that’s where.
You can have all the new citizens you want but since nothng is being done to address the high cost of living there will come a time when these new guys either give up citizenship or vote against PAP. It’s just a matter of tme.
All PAP does is give nice sounding statements and then does nothing about it. Should this year’s presidential election be yet another walkover so much the better since these clowns like avoiding reality. The reality will come in the next general election anyway.
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·opposition dude
Without anything HUGE happening, Sinkies will continue to vote with their a$$e, and the party will continue to treat Parliament as their club house for decades to come.
However, if the 95% vaxxed start getting myocarditis, stroke due to blood clog, etc etc etc and starts dropping like flies and in enough numbers, MAYBE and only MAYBE can there be hope for a long overdue reboot.
As someone has noted in another thread, vaxed are dropping like flies, but no one is noticing because the frequency and numbers are simply too low to be noticed.
Life goes on and those afected will only blame it on weather change. Come GE, give them a few bucks and they will all forget how their loved ones died or why they are lying in bed.
That, again IMHO, is the sad reality of most people in Sinkieland.
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When the captain of the ship was navigating with a broken compass, it may be excusable but when the rest of the crew did not tell him that the compass was broken, that is unforgivable!
Now it is necessary for the passengers to tell the crew that the captain was using a broken compass. But the passengers were stopped from doing so with “POFMA”. The crew instead allowed the captain to sail with auto-pilot.
So this ship is going nowhere! Hopeful after the next GE, we can see land a-hoe, with a new captain and new set of crew (but not from the current one)!
For the 61%, you decide for yourselves and your children …!
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If appointments are made because of relationships and not on meritocracy, this will be the result after a period of time. It started with LKY wanting LHL to become PM. He then made HC, TH CEO. Now the PAP has made it a norm to have their spouses and family members working in the govt. Even the PM’S son is working in his father’s office. This is all at taxpayers’ cost. Please do not be fooled into thinking that LHL will surround himself with capable men who may be a threat to him. There are rumours that GY was not moved to another constituency to ensure his loss to the WP. This was due to his popularity globally. LHL will have only “YES” men around him. So we do not have the best people in office as these will steer clear of working under a dictator and will not need a piggy ride as they will be capable to make their own monies in the private sector. As LHL continues his reign, the Executive, Legislative and judicial branches of the State are no longer separate. His own personal lawyer having been appointed as the AG decides on who to prosecute. The judges are all appointed by the recommendation from the PMO’s office. The Election bureau is also under the PMO’s office. So is CPIB. Only men and women who lack integrity and intelligence can accept to be part of LHL’s team. Almost all PAP members have paper qualifications but that does not make them educated as they have compromised their selfhood and themselves for the $$$$$$$$$$. They are not serving the State or us the citizens but are feasting on our flesh and blood.
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Ywo $inkies are walking down the road discussing their fate.
One says “Have we reached the goal of the Regime at long last? Is this it? Is this full communism?”
The other:” Oh hell no – things are going to get a whole lot worse”
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The rainbow can be seen only by their own cronies, the generational rich and elite aristocrat and the Ivory tower.
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NotMyProblem:
……………….
So this ship is going nowhere! Hopeful after the next GE, we can see land a-hoe, with a new captain and new set of crew (but not from the current one)!
For the 61%, you decide for yourselves and your children …!
Reminds me of a South Korean ship, Sewol that went under. So many lives were lost that day because they did the very thing that they were taught to do since young. Obey the authorities, do not question or challenge the status quo.
Will this ship that we are in, one day end up hitting hidden corals or rocks and sink? What will happen then…will the captain and his crews abandon this ship, saving themselves first? Will unnecessary lives be sacrificed and destroyed because they did the very Singaporean thing….be obedient, don’t go into politics, don’t engage in any political discourse, don’t question and rock the boat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_MV_Sewol
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Why bring up this guy again? Already dead.
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It’s because of a dead man that the family is split apart, that brother and sister in law and nephew become fugitives. It’s because of a dead man that the country is sucked into their family problems. It’s because of a dead man that the country is still reeling. It’s because he said he will wake up when something is wrong with the country. So the country is waiting.
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Lhl is steadily pushing the nation into ruin.
Not so?
Depraved Singaporeans young & old job opportunities just because Lhl needs new citizens to vote for PAP.
Yes, no surprise from one who can ruthlessly goes after his own siblings just because they dare disagreed with him.
Lhl cares only about not just staying in power but having absolute authority.
Now he is to hammer a death nail on Singapore by doing what the west & liberal wanted – reduces carbon.
And following blindly, he is now importing electricity & hence digging a hole that the nation may eventually fall into.
Is Lhl dumb or stupid or both?
No, Lhl is just greedy, arrogance, & full of himself.
Meanwhile, Singaporeans suffer.
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The rainbow expounded is just a myth!
There is NO RAINBOW!
It is simply political gambit……….some say broken promise?
It is simply a statement to make YOU feel good while YOU renew my contract for another 5 years!
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Only one direction now — grow GDP at all costs coz MIW bonuses depend on GDP growth!
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What The People didn’t realise that he’s the leprechaun guarding a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Go ride it? The daft sheep were playing straight into his clutches.
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@ I Know
What is the point of growing the GDP when the increased cost in govt. expenditures are passed on to the public? GST increase, property tax increase, where exactly is our win?
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IMHO
The late Mr Lee brought Sinkieland to what it is today, no doubts about that. Maybe if the late David Marshall had been in charge, he would be able to do the same with more compassion, but we don’t know that because he never had the chance to be in charge.
In all fairness, the late Mr Lee deserves the credit for making Sinkieland what it is today, despite some of his debatable policies. Not forgetting of course the other 1st and some 2nd gen leaders.
As for the current 4G LEEders, I have nothing to say about them.
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Pops cultivated in them overblown self-entitled Egos, and he computed the rest down to $everal places of decimal…..
https://youtu.be/tIBDL0YKWuw
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Dear Broom,
Singapore owe its success to the late LKY.
Without LKY, you may not even have access to internet.
Do you think politics is a game of card ?
挑起美俄對抗的”意外”? 賴岳謙推測美無人機墜海原因 @CtiNews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C91sES7S52A
See moment Russian fighter jet confronts US drone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryhSbc_oeCU
Singaporeans like Broom must turn up in front of Russia Embassy to protest against Russia for polluting the air with flammable fuel.
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For many who are indebted and beholden to LKY, and understandably right too,should think of him like Moses, the man of law(ministry of death), in a resource barren land but had failed to lead the people into the “rainbow land”.
As the story went the people wandered in the wilderness and eventually died tragically in the wilderness because of unbelief or they had rested their trust in self interests and “idols”.
There remain a rest, from increasingly overbearing labour(slaves under the imperialistic economy of the rich elites), if you get out of your misplaced faith and religious blindness and lay hold of the….keys(Mat 16:19)
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You scolding your Demoncratic Americunt ma$ter?
Can you educate yourselves that your great Demoncratic Americunt master also do the same. Can you condemn them too ?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism
Cronyism is the practice of partiality in awarding jobs and other advantages to friends or trusted colleagues……….
11 US presidents have appointed family members to executive branch positions.
https://ballotpedia.org/Fact_check/Have_presidents_before_Donald_Trump_appointed_family_members_to_White_House_positions
Crony Capitalism, American Style
https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/15-025_c6fbbbf7-1519-4c94-8c02-4f971cf8a054.pdf
Yes, it’s legal for Trump to hire his family as White House staff
https://qz.com/1496272/yes-its-legal-for-trump-to-hire-his-family-as-white-house-staff/
Sound minded and rational Singaporeans please print, distribute and share my post
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It is a misconception that Singapore succeeded because of LKY. Please read his first book. It is clear that all accolades belong to Dr.GKS. He charted our economic growth.He set up the armed forces.He was the Education Minister. He wore many hats.He was present when it was decided that Singapore will leave Malaysia.LKY was in Cameron Highlands with his family at this time. GKS was a shy man so he allowed LKY who had excellent oratorical skills to take the limelight. We should also remember Dr. Toh Chin Chye. It is false of LKY in later years to let people assume that Singapore succeeded because of him.The fact is, it due to LKY placing LHL that the destruction of the nation has taken place. What is Singapore today to us,the citizens? Is this our country or our land? Is this our future?
Tech: I agree with everything you have said and I did commented that it was due to the late LKY and the 1st Gen leaders, who are the real stuff. The current 4Gs are just sideshow novelties, IMHO.
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Lee Kayu was crying crocodile tears on national television and withdrew to a government bungalow in Changi to lick his wounds after the separation of Singapore and Mlaysia.But behind the scene were the stabilizing force of Dr Toh Chin Chye the founding Chairman of the PAP.The other was Dr Goh Keng Swee,he was widely hailed as the true architect of Singapore success and a true visionary. These two more than any were THE TRUE HEROS OF SINGAPORE.Lee Kayu only had the gift of the gap,an STOLE ALL THE CREDIT of the achievements of his pears.
The day after these first and second generation leaders left Lee Kayu could do FUCK ALL for the Singapore economy.Lee Kayu and could only grow the economy by importing people. He was a FAILURE AS A FATHER TOO, his own children are at each others throats. Lee Kayu ruined A LOT OF FAMILIES now his OWN FAMILY IS BROKEN. His second son is in a self impose exile somewhere in Europe afraid that he will be arrested if he returns to Singapore. His grandson also cannot return to Singapore. The FOUNDING PM’s children in exile what a FUCKING JOKE.
Lee Kayu once said HE WILL GET UP FROM HIS GRAVE IF THINGS GOES WRONG FOR SINGAPORE. Not only has things gone wrong for Singapore, things also gone wrong for HIS FAMILY,YET LEE KAYU IS NOT TO BE SEEN.
If Lee Kayu was a TRUE VISIONARY HE WOULD NOT HAVE CHOOSEN HIS GOONDU SON AS THE NEXT PM.
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..”Having laid down a timeline of not staying on as prime minister beyond age 70, PM Lee – who was born in February 1952 and turns 70 in 2022 -”
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/should-pm-lee-lead-beyond-70
…”If Covid-19 crisis goes on, PM Lee may have to consider staying on to lead PAP in next GE, says S. Jayakumar”..
Pinkie turned 70 on Feb 2022.
Said will see Covid through —and situation stabilizes.
For him it looks like it is Covid Forever.
LW may stepped down like HSK if not given enough runway.
Does Pinkie want another one to run away??
….”Leadership succession used to be a hallmark of Singapore – the smooth, seamless transition of one leader to the next. But all we have been seeing is sideways drifting, with more uncertainty than clarity.”…
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@COVID Forever for LEE
LHL could be working at making his son the next PM. Is there any valid reason for the son to be working in the PM’s office?
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Nepotism is unmeritoxcratic.
I am sure LHL agrees.
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Sooner or later you’ll c this guy walk like crap.sidesway.
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Con u wake up from your grave:
March 19, 2023 at 12:40 pm (Quote)
Lee Kayu was crying crocodile tears on national television and withdrew to a government bungalow in Changi to lick his wounds after the separation of Singapore and Mlaysia.But behind the scene were the stabilizing force of Dr Toh Chin Chye the founding Chairman of the PAP.The other was Dr Goh Keng Swee,he was widely hailed as the true architect of Singapore success and a true visionary. These two more than any were THE TRUE HEROS OF SINGAPORE.Lee Kayu only had the gift of the gap,an STOLE ALL THE CREDIT of the achievements of his pears.
The day after these first and second generation leaders left Lee Kayu could do FUCK ALL for the Singapore economy.Lee Kayu and could only grow the economy by importing people. He was a FAILURE AS A FATHER TOO, his own children are at each others throats. Lee Kayu ruined A LOT OF FAMILIES now his OWN FAMILY IS BROKEN. His second son is in a self impose exile somewhere in Europe afraid that he will be arrested if he returns to Singapore. His grandson also cannot return to Singapore. The FOUNDING PM’s children in exile what a FUCKING JOKE.
Lee Kayu once said HE WILL GET UP FROM HIS GRAVE IF THINGS GOES WRONG FOR SINGAPORE. Not only has things gone wrong for Singapore, things also gone wrong for HIS FAMILY,YET LEE KAYU IS NOT TO BE SEEN.
If Lee Kayu was a TRUE VISIONARY HE WOULD NOT HAVE CHOOSEN HIS GOONDU SON AS THE NEXT PM.
Response: Great and insightful comments! THINK the moment, Lee Kayu got rid of ALL his comrades like Dr Goh Keng Swee, Dr Toh Chin Chye, etc and without THEIR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE and their occasional CHECK AND COUNTER on Lee Kayu’s RECKLESS AND AMBITIOUS PLANS TO PERPETUATE HIS FAMILEE VESTED INTERESTS, our beloved country has since then TURNED INTO A LEE KAYU’S FamiLEE Cooperation and subsequently under his Sunny Boy Mai Hum, has turned DIRECTIONLESS, PERIOD!
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its not that the country has turned directionless… it has a clear direction. To replace the electrorate with new electorate for the people at the top to stay in power.
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Everybdoy is working towards his dream goal and he achieved it. The result is nothing for the ordinary man . No one in Singapore works for himself and his life now . The cost is Slavery exploitation, oppression, all for one man. It’s not Worth living in Singapore
A
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