Tan Kin Lian condemns MM Lee’s remarks on Singaporeans being
less “hard-driving”
December 26, 2009
The former CEO of NTUC INCOME Mr Tan Kin Lian has
spoken out against MM Lee’s remarks on Singaporeans being less
“hard-driving”.
MM Lee had earlier made the comments during an interview with
the National Geographic magazine more than a week ago.
Speaking to journalist Mark Jacobson, MM Lee said he is aware
that “many Singaporeans are unhappy with the influx of immigrants,
especially those educated newcomers prepared to fight for higher
paying jobs.”
“Over time, Singaporeans have become less hard-driving and
hard-striving. This is why it is a good thing that the nation has
welcomed so many Chinese immigrants.” Lee was quoted
saying.
Lee describes the country’s new subjects as “hungry,” with
parents who “pushed the children very hard.”
“If native Singaporeans are falling behind because the spurs
are not stuck into the hide, that is their problem,” he
quipped.
In a blog entry written on Christmas’ Eve, Mr Tan expressed his
dismay at MM Lee’s remark:
“I find this remark to be quite unfair to Singaporeans.
Already, they have to study very hard in schools, such that many
children do not have time to play and enjoy their
childhood. The male citizens have also to serve National
Service…….In spite of these efforts, Mr. Lee said that the
Singaporeans have become “less hard-driving and
hard-striving”.
Mr Tan’s views were shared by many of his readers who left
comments on his blog condemning MM Lee for “insulting”
Singaporeans.
An anonymous poster wrote that Singapore is not necessarily
attracting the best talents from China:
“For a country as big as China, obviously there are some
places and people there where things are much worse off than
Singapore. They even find Singapore attractive despite low wages
and poor working conditions when they come here.
So Singapore is attracting a lot of such immigrants, not so
much as those from richer and more developed areas of
China.
And in doing so. we are in fact not only downgrading
ourselves in quality of living but also create difficulty in
seeking a living for a majority of our own people.
Of course the ruling and other elite classes are not
affected by all this.
GDP may grow with such a policy but there are many hidden
negative social aspects arising from this.”
Rex commented in a sarcastic tone that MM Lee
is wishing “lazy Singaporeans” a Merry Christmas:
“I am shocked to read these disparaging remarks from this
old man, not just because of its implications, but also because he
is airing bad linen in other’s courtyards.
Removing all the victorian english aside, LKY plainly told
the american media (not S’pore media), “Singaporeans are getting
LAZY that’s why we have to bring in 25% foreingners to overcome
it).
What kind of leadership is this? I never heard of it.
Analogy: If your children are lazy, is it not your fatherly duty to
train and help him with all means possible? Instead, his solution
is to kick flesh and blood out of the house and look around adopt
another child, without giving his own child a chance. I suppose
that his own children and grand children will be exempted from such
treatment. I don’t believe it. It is absolutely horrifying and
outrageous!!!
One pertinent point: we cannot compare times of old to
present times. 50 years ago, it was a level playing field. Chinese
immigrants worked hard together with locals for the same rewards.
Today, locals can work hard, but we are bogged down with artificial
barriers like high CPF (so employers favour foreigners), NS
reservist (so employers favour foreigners) high exchange rate (so
foreigners effectively gain more and have more reason to work
hard), high HDB prices (foreigners earn singapore money and convert
back to their home money and they can afford decent housing) and
many other socio economic factors.
I was luckily born in a generation when, if you work hard,
you will succeed. THERE EXISTS AN INCENTIVE FOR WORKING HARD. Today
things are so bad that there is somethings no reason to work hard,
because you can’t succeed are get rich that way. The Singapore
dream is shattered.
On the other hand, foreingers have reason to work hard,
because the SGP dollar is strong and they can convert back and
retire comfortably in their original land.
I think it is a very very very sad Christmas present LKY
give to Singaporeans. The Great Leader is abandoning us totally,
and telling the whole world about it. This is his Christmas present
to all of us.
Merry Christmas you lazy Singaporeans!”
Mr Tan shot into fame last year by holding more than 10 rallies
at Hong Lim Park to fight for the rights of the aggrieved minibond
investors who lost their entire life-savings after purchasing
credit-linked products with financial institutions in Singapore
following the collapse of Lehmann Brothers.
Mr Tan had earlier claimed he would participate in the next
presidential elections if he managed to garner 100,000 signatures
from Singaporeans on a petition drive. Nothing has been heard about
it ever since.
Initially touted as a possible candidate for the opposition, Mr
Tan has been keeping his fingers crossed so far.
Mr Tan was a PAP member for the last 20 years. He has since
terminated his membership.
Many Singaporeans do not mind the fact that he was formerly from
the establishment.
Having an alternative voice other than the PAP to speak up for
them in parliament is better than nothing at all.
Read the rest of comments on Mr Tan’s blog here
http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2009/12/here-is-interview-given-by-mr.html
