Choosing to stay
Saturday, 07 February 2009
Muhd Husrin bin Tahale
Guest Writer
Sometimes when I have conversations with my friends I find that many (if not all)
share one thing in common: they have an utter lack of faith in this
country, they have absolutely no sense of patriotism, and their
desire to leave this country is immense. I find this really
sad.
It's sad when
patriotism and loyalty is replaced by greed and convenience. It's
sad when you reject the country that has raised you, nurtured you
and shaped you the way you are. I don't mean to
sound preachy. I apologise if I do.
The number one
reason for my mates wanting to fly off and not come back is the
government. The PAP has vastly succeeded in creating a highly
stressful environment. Who the hell wants to live in an environment
like this all their lives?
The government
treats us like cash cows. Part of our salary is
taken and put into our CPF, which in turn is used to invest in
risky portfolios. Remember, this is our money they're using.
The government
doesn't give a damn about our welfare. Oh sure once
in a while you read in the papers about how a government agency is
doing this and how another charity is doing that, but these are all
just token measures. These are all just to give people (mainly
foreigners) a good impression. That's it.
Now who would
want to live in such an environment where we're nothing but
expendable beings who cannot retire when we want to because we
don't have enough money in our retirement
accounts.
But like I said Singaporeans are people of little faith. Not many
know this but despite its rather authoritarian stance, Singapore
has political parties besides the PAP. Despite repeated persecution
by the government, these parties actually present a real
alternative to the PAP that has been ruling us since 1959.
What these parties represent, and what they are trying to convey to
Singaporeans is that there is hope. Change is possible. In fact
change is inevitable. But for this to happen, the people need to do
their part.
But it's hard when many just leave the island never to return. And
it's all thanks to our government. It's hard when at the first sign
of trouble, the first thing that most Singaporeans can think of is
to flee the country. It's hard, with such a mindset. It's
pathetic.
I'll tell you this right now. I love Singapore so much I could cry.
I dunno why. You can call me weird, or freaky, or whatever. If only
we had a government that really cared for us and listened to the
people, it would be perfect.
Singapore as a country has done so much for me. I have lived my
entire life here. Everything I live for is here. Whenever I go
overseas, usually short trips to Indonesia, a little hop down to
Australia, or a holiday to Scandinavia that I had with my Dad in
2000, it was always reassuring to have someplace to call home,
someplace familiar, someplace where you know you feel safe, and
that's Singapore. That's how it is.
I'm going backpacking next year, and I'll know in some way I'll
always have Singapore as my home. I'm proud of my country. I'll
share things about Singapore to my backpacker friends. But I can't
say the same about my government. I will spill my blood for
Singapore because I know I owe her that much. This soil has
protected me, raised me, taught me how to live. This country has
given me an identity and I wear it everyday like a badge of
honour.
You see people in other countries like Germany, or the United
States, or Denmark or wherever, you see how proud they are of their
country. Germans, Americans, the Danes, you can see the pride that
bubbles in them when you ask them where they're from. Could the
same thing be said about my fellow Singaporeans? I doubt it.
Really. I must be the only patriotic fellow among my group of
friends. That alone speaks volumes.
Personally, I have faith in Singapore. It's a historical fact that
authoritarianism does not last forever. It will always fail as a
system. Singapore can and will change for the better. The
opposition parties are more than ready to take the reins of power
as a true representative of the people. And when that happens,
Singapore can then be said to be comparable to other First World
nations like Germany or the US. Singapore's society will become
more vibrant.
When all this happens, Singaporeans will truly be proud of their
own country. I know they will. Because I have faith in this
country. I hope my fellow Singaporeans feel the same way.
Be proud of your identity, the language you speak, your
culture.
I love Singapore. I hope you do too.
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapor
