TR EMERITUS

OPINION Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam wrote a lengthy commentary in the PAP magazine Petir lately on the need to introduce some form of "political education" in Singapore schools to enable our students to make an "informed" choice on the type of political system which best suits Singapore. Mr Shanmugam expressed his concerns that young educated Singaporeans may be mesmerized by the dominant political philosophy today – the Western model of liberal democracy to demand for political changes in Singapore without realizing the "trade offs". "Singaporeans are entitled to decide whether they want the trade-offs. And if the majority chooses slower development and a lower quality of life, and is willing to accept more tensions within our society in return for changes in the political system, then so be it. But that choice must be an informed choice," he wrote. Actually Mr Shanmugam need not spend so much money to come up with one entire textbook to "educate" Singapore students for they are already being "educated" daily by reciting the National Pledge. From primary to secondary school, a Singapore student spends on average one minute a day reciting the National Pledge which amounts to 3650 minutes or two and a half days in one's lifetime. If the National Pledge is a "highfalutin aspiration" only as proclaimed by one geriatrician leader of the PAP, then why are Singapore students devoting so much time to recite it till it becomes etched permanently in their minds? Before the students are taught the different types of political system in the world, they must first know their rights and responsibilities as citizens of Singapore as well as Singapore's political system in the first place which are already found in our National Pledge. Unfortunately, most Singaporeans grow up reciting the National Pledge blindly without ever realizing or understanding the meaning and significance of its words. Let us dissect the hidden meaning of our National Pledge in full: "We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation." Rights as citizens of Singapore: What does it mean to be a citizen of Singapore? What is the role of a Singapore citizen in building the nation? Are we merely digits in the economy or citizens with the power to change our collective destiny as a nation? The fundamental rights and liberties enjoy by Singapore citizens are enshrined under Article IV of the Singapore Constitution which is hardly known by Singaporeans. Ironically, Article IV bears close resemblance to the United Kingdom's Bills of Rights and the United States' First Amendment, both "western" liberal democracies so scorned by Mr Shanmugam and his colleagues. Excerpts from Article IV of the Singapore Constitution: 9. —(1) No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law. 12. —(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law. (2) Except as expressly authorised by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens of Singapore on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law or in the appointment to any office or employment under a public authority or in the administration of any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment. 14. —(1) Subject to clauses (2) and (3) — (a) every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression; (b) all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; and (c) all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations. [Singapore Statutes] Let us compare the above with the First Amendment of the United States of America: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Implicit in our Constitution are rights reserved for citizens to partake in the politics of the nation - they have the freedom to express their views including dissent, to assemble peacefully and protest against the government of the day and to form political organizations to advocate their beliefs and cause without interference from the executive. The real meaning of democracy: As stipulated clearly in our National Pledge, we the citizens of Singapore pledge ourselves to build a "democratic society" regardless of race, language or religion. So what exactly is a "democratic society"? Other than conducting relatively free, but not necessarily fair elections once every five years, Singapore does not qualify to be a "democracy" or "democratic society" at all. Former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun outlined seven pillars of democracy which are widely acknowledged by political leaders over the world: "In my view, there are seven main pillars of the architecture of democracy, namely, elections, political tolerance, the rule of law, freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, decentralization and civil society." Do we have political tolerance in Singapore? Is our political system based on the rule of law? Are Singaporeans are allowed to express their unhappiness with the government freely without any fear? Is there accountability and transparency in the ruling party? Does Singapore have an active civil society? Only when Singaporeans themselves are educated on their rights as citizens as guaranteed under the Singapore Constitution will Mr Shanmugam's "political education" bear any meaning and relevance for them. One cannot teach a toddler to run when he/she can't even stand up and walk. Similarly, Singaporeans are still considered as infants where political awareness is concerned and without first addressing their ignorance and misconception about politics, Mr Shamugam's good intentions may turn out to be another form of political indoctrination we see so often in articles published by the Singapore media today.  Read More →

Written by Our Correspondent After months of speculation, the brutal truth has finally hit home: Singapore will not be hosting the 2013 SEA Games due to repeated delays in the construction of the Singapore Sports Hub. Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan broke the much expected news yesterday that "Singapore will not host the 2013 Southeast Asian Games because of delays in the construction of a new Sports Hub." He added that Singapore would want the SEA Games to be the first international event held in the Sports Hub as it is a significant event in Singapore's sporting calendar. The proposal to replace the aging National Stadium with a world class iconic Sports Hub was first announced by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in 2005. Till today, the construction has not begun. In an undated article shelved inside the Singapore Sports Council’s (SSC) online archive, (read article here)  it was stated that construction on new Kallang Sports Hub was initially scheduled to begin by February 2008. The completion date has since been pushed back repeatedly from next year to 2011, 2012, and then 2013. It now appears that it may not be completed after 2015 after all. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan had attributed the delay solely to the global financial crisis: “The delay is unfortunate. It’s not something we wanted to happen. It was caused by, first, inflation in construction costs. Secondly, the fact there is a global financial crisis, credit became a problem. I decided and deliberately delayed it in order to get the best deal possible for Singapore.” The exact cost of building the Sports Hub is not revealed to the public which prompted some to question if the successful bidder – the Singapore Sports Hub consortium had made an “unrealistic” bid for the project in the first place. The failure of the Sports Hub to take off is a slap on the face of Dr Vivian Balakrishnan who had been actively promoting it to Singaporeans. While sports fans may be disappointed by the Sports Hub fiasco, they should understand that it is of a lower priority than making foreigners feel happy and at home in Singapore. In October last year, Dr Balakrishnan unveiled a $10 million Community Integration Fund to help foreigners "integrate" into Singapore society, courtesy of Singapore's taxpayers. By the time they are fully "integrated", the Sports Hub will be ready for their use, but by then, true blue Singaporeans may find themselves in the minority needing to "re-integrate" into a new Singapore dominated by these newcomers.   Related articles: >> The new Kallang Sports Hub: To build or not to be built >> Forum writer expresses disappointment at delay in building of Sports Hub  Read More →

Bernama, 12 January 2010 A Malaysian housewife is crying for justice in relation to the death of her son in a hit-and-run accident in Singapore last month. Tong Ah Mooi, 59, wants the Malaysian and Singaporean authorities to bring the culprit, believed to be a Romanian diplomat and linked to the accident, to face the law. In the incident at Bukit Panjang on Dec 15, last year, the diplomat was driving a car when it ploughed into the housewife's son, Tong Kok Wai, 30, his friend Bong Hwee Haw, 24, and an unidentified Singaporean. Kok Wai, who held a Singapore permanent resident status, suffered brain damage and died on Christmas Day, after his family took him off a life support system. Bong and the Singaporean who sustained head injuries and fractures are recuperating at a hospital in the republic. Ah Mooi said the diplomat should take responsibility for the death of her son. "Instead, he used his diplomatic immunity and had left Singapore, three days after the accident. "My son is already dead and the guilty person should be brought to justice. I hope the Malaysian and Singapore authorities cooperate to solve this matter," she told reporters at Wisma MCA here on Tuesday. MCA Public Service and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong said the Malaysian Government would bring justice for the victim by collaborating with the Singaporean authorities. - Bernama  Read More →