TR EMERITUS

From our Correspondent The Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had claimed credit for steering the nation's economy through troubled waters. "Singapore is now in a stronger economic position after a turbulent start to the year, thanks to a united response from Singaporeans and a slew of government measures that cushioned the impact of the downturn.", he said in a televised broadcast of his speech. (read full article here) These factors, along with a ’somewhat stabilised’ global situation, helped the economy bounce back strongly in the second quarter this year. He added that variety of measures included bringing forward the Budget to January and an unprecedented use of past reserves to fund job-saving schemes. One result: Singapore has one of the world’s lowest jobless rates – 3.3 per cent – despite being one of the worst-hit economies. The Singapore government has always proclaimed itself to be the chief architect of the nation's economic growth, having pegged a portion of their salaries to the yearly GDP growth. However, when Singapore became the first Asian country to fall into a recession last year, it claimed that it is an "inevitable" consequence of the global financial crisis of which it has "no control" over. Lee also stressed the importance of  bridging potential divides within Singapore society, be it between Singaporeans and new arrivals, between rich and poor, or most fundamental of all, between the different races and religions.’ While the main theme of his speech is on the economy, he failed to mention the disastrous multi-billion losses suffered by Singapore's two sovereign wealth funds, Temasek Holdings helmed by his wife Ho Ching and GIC, by his father MM Lee. The Singapore media is almost never critical of the government. All the major papers in Singapore are owned by the Singapore Press Holdings which is currently chaired by an ex-PAP Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan.  Read More →

罗禅珠 我特别喜欢8月。不仅因为岛国8月的九重葛分外妖娆，更是因为8月的新加坡洋溢着喜气，8月的组屋区流淌着温馨，尤其是家家户户都悬挂了国旗 (national flag)，使绿色的岛国，色彩一下子绚丽起来、丰富起来、壮观起来！ 　　早年，许多国民争先恐后漏夜排队索取国庆入场卷，为的是到现场去亲身感受一下举国欢腾的气氛。近年来，我国的国庆典礼越办越隆重，越办越精彩，因为是在滨海城的浮动舞台，在潋滟波光之下，灯火辉煌、别具风情。朋友从海外归来，很想亲临现场观赏国庆庆典，于是，我设法打听亲朋戚友中可有多余的入场券或有谁预定了附近的酒店可以居高临下，将这一年一度的历史性时刻尽收眼底、一览无遗。周边好友有一个预订了酒店，她本是印尼籍，在我国安家落户好多年，几乎每年都有雅兴预先订房观赏国庆，几位土生土长的朋友对此表示不屑，还说，国庆表演有啥好看，我连电视都是懒得看的！ 　　天渊之别的心态，令我感慨万端……为什么土生土长的本地国民如此不屑？为什么“新移民”如此热诚？是不是一切已习以为常？当然，你可以理解为“新移民”因为“新”所以有热忱，因为有钱有闲所以有雅兴；你也可以解释为本土国民不看国庆庆典不等于没有国家意识，但是，让我深思的是，如何衡量一个人的国家意识？犹忆早年家母在世时，对于国家是忠心耿耿的，绝不会因为政策可能偏颇，比如某个地区先翻新、哪里始终没通地铁而有所抱怨。我想，或许是先辈们经历了建国时期的艰辛与苦难，对于来之不易的繁荣与稳定才非常珍惜，拳拳的爱国心才会油然而生的缘故吧！反观太平盛世出生的我们，国家的意识似乎并不那么强烈，反倒生出计较之心。 　　前些年我曾旅居海外，非常留恋异国的风花雪月四季更迭，沉醉于辽阔的蓝天与青青的碧草，我以为我可以四海为家……然而，在最终做去留的抉择时，我仍然选择了回归故土。我知道，那湛蓝的天空虽然有我自由呼吸的空间，但青青的碧草却没有我辛勤的汗水，更没有我赖以扎根的坚实的土地。 　　虽然我们经常教育孩子要有国家意识，既然生于斯、长于斯，就要爱于斯、忠于斯，对国家要效忠，要奉献……然而，前些年屡屡发生的精英毁约不归，甚至还毫不羞惭地美其名曰要为全人类服务，“小红点”不足以让他“鲲鹏展翅”，莫非我们千挑万选出的精英心中的首要位置只是个人事业的发展而不是为国效劳和国家同呼吸共命运？那么，当国家有难时，我们所灌输的爱国意识能否经得起考验？我们的国民能否万众一心，谱写出一曲新时代的《正气歌》？在繁荣盛世我们尚且对国家抱怨这个不周那个不全，要是国难当头又会如何呢？ 　　国民意识的灌输不是刻板地在教材中安插多少百分比的课文，不是举办多少寻宝游戏活动，或者带年轻人走马看花逛逛牛车水、小印度、马来文化村，也不是在CME课上完成一个电脑游戏。它应该是春风化雨般润物无声的感化，是国家民族历史文化的传承与熏陶，是建国44年来各行各业丰硕成果的总结与呈现，让年轻人在感染中受到感动，在学习中收获自豪，只有这样，他们才会与国家同甘苦、共患难、共浮沉。 　　又是8月，一个多彩的8月、亮丽的8月、骄傲自豪的8月，更是一个让人思考的8月，过去的辉煌已经走入历史，明天我们将迎来一个怎样的新加坡！ Source: Zaobao.com  Read More →

By Amanda Lian, Social Correspondent Long before our National Day started, we have definitely heard of democracy, equality and media bias. Our current Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew once said, “But we either believe in democracy or we not. If we do, then, we must say categorically, without qualification, that no restraint from the any democratic processes, other than by the ordinary law of the land, should be allowed… If you believe in democracy, you must believe in it unconditionally. If you believe that men should be free, then, they should have the right of free association, of free speech, of free publication. Then, no law should permit those democratic processes to be set at nought.” That was said when he was an opposition leader, back in April 27, 1955. What about now, since 9 August 1965? In an earlier article on this website, we saw that “people” have been putting up the Singapore flags in all the HDB estates, which is in fact, our friendly grassroots volunteers. However, is this really a true action of patriotism? I doubt so. In all my years in Singapore, and overseas for my tertiary studies, I can make very good comparisons of how we and other countries celebrate National Day or in other words, Independence Day. In other countries, they have a choice on whether to show so outwardly that they are loyal to their country. Moreover, even if you are very loyal it is still a choice and you might not hang your flags anyway. As most of the Singaporean citizens here would call Singapore their homeland or motherland, let me clarify a fact, no matter what you want to call it, it is still our home, be it permanently or temporary. Back in those days, when I was still a Primary School student, I was being called to stage to give a speech on what National Day means to me. If I were to choose a word, I would say, my answer was really casual. I often reminisce that moment when I said it was a day where I celebrate the birthday of my nation, but also a day where I can stay home and sleep in. And then the time came when my school got its turn to attend the National Day Parade (NDP) preview. I was in Primary 5 then and it was a must to attend. While I was there, I was overwhelmed with emotions that filled the air by the attendees of the preview. Besides singing the patriotic songs, the show of various fleets of weapons, there was also the unforgettable fireworks that covered our skies. One shout of protest from me though, why couldn’t we stick to just a few songs that all of us had learnt in schools than having to learn the one new song every year that the government had prepared for us? That aside, during that time, I asked my friends and people around me which was an impromptu action of mine, what did National Day mean to them. I got replies ranging from being able to watch the fireworks to more creative ones like feeling that everything was so secured for them economically while they see so many people saying the pledge together (maybe that is why this year the organizers decided to have a mass pledge moment at 8.22pm). But as said above, none of them covered key terms like free speech or free publication. Free speech has never been worked upon in our society and even more seldom would you hear it in our own communities. The government has erected Hong Lim Park as the designated free speech area but how often is it used and truly, say from the bottom of your hearts, the opinions aired there are not opposed by some greater authority? On the other hand, what about free publication? Singapore has only one main newspaper publishing company, Singapore Press Holdings and one smaller one called, MediaCorp. Both of them are government controlled too, so there goes the free publication talk. The only way we can express ourselves are through the internet where it is still new and widespread. Therefore, we should not sit back and simply let things flow by but to not take all these things for granted and fight for all these rights which were promised us. This land where we dearly call our own is our home, and I am sure we will use all methods to protect it with our lives if we are also given our rights. To be a Singaporean, we have to be law abiding citizens. Of course, this is not a bad thing but there are definitely more to being a Singaporean than just that. Everyone has choices. Everyone has rights. Just because you tell me to do it, does not mean I must, as it is just an advice, isn’t it? The good thing about being a Singaporean is that when I am overseas, I can say that it is a clean place with good security and criminals actually get caught. Just to share, I was robbed once before when I was overseas and the police over there was very impressed with Singapore’s low crime rate. If I were to quote him, he said “Wow! I want to work in Singapore too because criminals there actually gets caught.” That was also a time when I was happy and proud to call Singapore my home. Other times include the fast turnaround time for things to get done, for instance, bank cards and driver’s licenses. In short, to me, being a Singaporean includes being able to remember and portray the values that our forefathers have held so dear and also continuing our endearing multiracial culture. In my opinion, National Day celebrates our rich heritage, thanks to all our fellow citizens. We are also the only country in the world where four official languages reside harmoniously with our special arrangements of public holidays. Speaking of which, the fact that National Day falls on August 9 which is also close to Hari Raya, our Malay counterparts feel more festive and more attached to this parade and display of loyalty. We have strong racial bonds because of our unique housing where we have a mix of families from different dialects and races. Besides, now, the only changes that I hope to see for Singapore is that we have more true blood Singaporeans and please try to make us stay here. I know that many famous people want to make Singapore their home which includes Jet Li, Gong Li and even Richard Li wants to send his wife and son here. We are really easy to hold back and even the slightest thing would have made us contented. Things like being able to REALLY speak our minds and also do not just look at the paper chase for education. Lastly, do have more seats in parliament for the opposition. After all, our Minister Mentor also started off in an opposition party too right? With all the above mentioned met, I am sure I will gladly say Singapore is my home. For now, it is just a place I was born in and of course, I do remember my roots. Although I have spent considerable amounts of time overseas, I do still hold the red passport and pink identity cards which are uniquely us – also a sense of identity. No? I look forward to a better Singapore with the Integrated Resorts (IR) coming up, and the changes that the government is willing to make. In summary, I am proud of being a Singaporean because of the stability, security, cleanliness and racial harmony. But I look forward to a country that I love for more than just these points and hopefully it includes free publication, true free speech and also equality in parliament (for oppositions). For friends, we are happy to be here as this is also the place where our friendships are built and experiences endured together. For family, Singapore is definitely our home. If we were given a chance to state our wish for Singapore, it will definitely be just the plain old, Happy 44th Birthday and do continue to strive harder for a better future.   About the Author: Amanda Lian is in her mid 20s, and is currently working as a writer for various publications. Having spent lots of time abroad and back home, she is happy to be called a Singaporean. Passionate about the arts scene, she aims to be able to write rewarding articles about the various issues of comtemporary life. She finds it intriguing to know more about a specific issue and to pen them down on paper.  Read More →