TR EMERITUS

Dear Fellow Singaporeans, As we unite to commemorate our 58th National Day, we extend warm wishes to all. Today, we celebrate not only the progress of our nation but also the guiding values that shape our journey. Recently, a debate in Parliament centered around the necessity of an impartial and independent Speaker of Parliament. Advocating for an independent Speaker, particularly in a House dominated by People’s Action Party (PAP) MPs, is a cause we’ve championed consistently. We express gratitude to NCMPs Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa for echoing this motion. A Minister staunchly opposed the original motion, citing potential unlawfulness and limitations beyond what the Constitution prescribes. Predictably, in a Parliament dominated by the PAP, the motion was replaced with an amendment. Allow me to state plainly: having an independent Speaker of Parliament, detached from the PAP, is neither unlawful nor constraining. Of course, the Minister may reject the notion, just as Big Business might resist a ban on transporting human beings in lorries, deeming it restrictive and unfavourable. In another recent parliamentary discourse, the subject revolved around transporting foreign workers in undignified conditions within goods lorries. Fifty-three community groups in Singapore collectively demanded an immediate government ban on this practice. Red Dot United (RDU) has championed enhanced transport safety measures for migrant workers for over two years. We maintained that treating guest workers fairly and empathetically would symbolize to the world our esteem for human dignity. While Parliament conceded the unsuitability of lorries for worker transport, the Government failed to implement any new measures for their safety. The Government justified this stance, claiming “knock-on effects” on society including project delays and higher costs. In doing so, it sided with big businesses arguing that imposing a ban would hinder many companies from operating. At this significant juncture of National Day, it’s apt to ponder the leadership shaping our nation’s course. Leadership transcends solely economic achievements; it’s also about upholding core values that define us. Recent discussions on the moral landscape of our political sphere prompt reflection on the importance of ethical leadership. A nation’s progress isn’t solely dictated by economic indicators; it’s profoundly influenced by the ethical standards upheld by those in authoritative roles. RDU’s commitment lies in charting a path based on robust ethical values resonating with Singapore’s spirit. We staunchly believe in leading by example, manifesting our dedication to transparency, accountability, and respect in every endeavour. Moral and ethical leadership is the foundation of Singapore’s economic well-being. Upholding transparency, accountability, and integrity nurtures trust and credibility, fostering inclusive growth, inspiring innovation, cultivating a responsible business ecosystem and respect for all human lives. Ethical leadership, as championed by doughnut economics, encourages sustainable practices, curbs inequality, and fosters long-term prosperity for our economy and people alike. How can citizens place their trust in a political leadership teetering on the edge of moral decline, seemingly driven to preserve its power hegemony? In this moment of contemplation, let’s remember that the power to drive change rests within us. Collectively, we possess the capability to reshape norms and elevate leadership standards. Our goal isn’t to enforce rules even the rule-maker finds challenging, but to inspire transformation through our actions, reminding all that ethical leadership is more than a concept—it’s a living principle shaping our nation’s character. This National Day, let’s celebrate the potential we possess to carve a future filled with promise. United, let’s navigate toward a brighter tomorrow by embracing a resolute moral compass that steers us through challenges. As we celebrate Singapore’s progress, let’s envision leaders embodying the very values that have moulded our identity. Happy National Day, Singapore! Let’s continue our journey with unwavering commitment to ethical leadership, ensuring a future we can all proudly embrace. Warmest regards,   Ravi Philemon Secretary-General Red Dot United      Read More →

Regardless of political belief and/or divide, I want to wish all my fellow citizens a very Happy National Day. Together, we have definitely come far as a nation and as one united people. Singapore has not merely survived but prosper and is highly recognised and respected internationally. In 1965 when Singapore was kicked out of Malaysia, we were like an abandoned small child in a tough and dangerous neighborhood and nobody gave us any chance of survival, much less to prosper and if we did not make it and had to crawl back to rejoin Malaysia, it would be on their terms and it would take no genius to know and understand that their terms were unlikely to be any kids gloves in kindergarten terms. Our baby step by step survival journey were not given. It is not an exaggeration to describe it as short of a miracle story. I wish for my country to continue to be strong, to prosper, to be wealthy, to be safe, bubbling with hopes and opportunities for the young ones and fulfillments and satisfactions for the not so young ones and continues to be relevant, contributing and being useful to the international community. Singaporeans are not a heartless or an ingratitude people. We are forever grateful to our founder pap government leaders and more who were totally dedicated, committed, competent, selfless, sacrificial and single-minded in securing our survival and our well-being etc but it also saddens me much when I see many educated suckers who are mistaken and confused about the relationship between government and country. Let me explain. Our loyalty and patriotism are forever dedicated to our country, ie, The Republic of Singapore. Our loyalty, worship and patriotism shouldn't be directed at any political party. After all these years of education, IT exposure and being an independent country, Singaporeans ought to be more politically astute, mature and smarter to recognise that parties come and go and people can change over time. Governance standards and competence rise and fall too. It is the same throughout human history. Past success is no guarantee of future success. (Please read the above 2 paragraphs again). In conclusion, Happy 58th National Day once more. Think.   Simon Lim      Read More →

Kudos to all Singaporeans. It was a good night of nation bonding and celebrating. A night to remember. Kudos to Royston too. His direction made lights come alive, and the hopes that shine so brightly have brought a sense of purpose and unity in our hearts, even for those watching at home or abroad. I write about many things, many ideas, but my thoughts in words and characters are only as good as the virtues it seeks, embraces and anchors on. And the message of NDP is one of that pillars of virtue upon which my thoughts and conviction are built. It’s about coming together, working together, and succeeding together. Wishful? Not really, if you cherish freedom thru industry, diligence and passion. Statesman and philosopher Edmund Burke once said: ”“The conditions of liberty had to be nurtured through prudent statesmanship, moral education, national and local loyalties, attention to circumstance and a healthy respect for the “latent wisdom” of long-established customs and beliefs.”” That is what it takes to rise about the ashes. That healthy respect for latent wisdom for long-established customs/beliefs is our lodestar last night. It’s our guiding light, when we all join hearts and voices to celebrate how far we have come in the 58 years of nation building. That one night is indeed a labour of love that took months of commitment and focus to bring the thousands of little lights to shine beyond the constellations. Maybe idealism is an overnight affair, with fireworks and screams of jubilation. But, the magic in it is how it inspires the hearts of the young and old, the rich and poor, and the able and differently-abled to bring together their unique talents, and ride the storms and typhoons ahead for a better tomorrow. It’s a forging process, a forward moving march, in the the anvil of time. It takes one people, one nation, and one Lion City they call Singapura to brighten the way, come what may. Alas, nothing less will do. If the role of our leaders is to inspire trust. Then, nothing should be taken for granted. Never let success go to their heads. Neither failures blacken their souls. Most importantly you can’t rush such thing. Don’t be fooled by slogans, false promises, and the lure of grandiosity (self-importance). Here is Edmund Burke again to ground us with this piece of wisdom as commented by a journalist, Bret Stephens. “At the core of Burke’s view of the revolution is a profound understanding of how easily things can be shattered in the name of moral betterment, national purification and radical political transformation.” “States, societies and personal consciences are not Lego-block constructions to be disassembled and reassembled with ease. They are more like tapestries, passes from one generation to the next, to be carefully mended at one edge, gracefully enlarged on the other and otherwise handled with caution lest a single pulled thread unravel the entire pattern.” That is how fragile trust is. One single thread loosen, and the damage, if it goes unnoticed, will unravel all. Trust, conscience and nation building are not Lego bricks. Most times, they don’t come pre-formed or pre-canned. You have to shape and mold them thru effort, wisdom and time, paying deference to custom, belief and tradition. It’s the nuances in the micro-changes that we often overlook or take for granted. Our nature is intricate, especially when we come together to build up, not tear down. And our society is profoundly complex, especially when we answer the call to stand together, not apart and divided. Yes, none of us are perfect. Far from it, in fact. But there is a defying magic emerging when imperfection comes together toward a perfect hope, and suddenly, just like that night of celebration, we are a force to reckon with, against the downward gravitational pull of our self-centred nature to fall apart. That magic needs to be sustained thru collective efforts, like tapestries held together, by interwoven threads, from one generation to the next, carefully mended at the edge, and gracefully enlarged on the other. That’s what the unity of one people is all about, and we should never loose sight of it. It’s always about the people; the leaders just happen to be there. An individual or nation is never lost when their eyes are fixed on a purpose that is larger than themselves. And every step they take together, regardless of how far they have strayed, will eventually bring them back home. For this is home, truly.   Michael Han * The author is a Director at Hoh Law Corporation and blogs on Facebook.        Read More →