Singapore. The true reason for political
apathy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Except for Dr. Chee Soon Juan and his colleagues, there is a total
nationwide apathy and indifference for politics in the entire
island of Singapore. No interest in civil liberties, no interest in
how the country is run, no interest in anything at all that happens
around them. The people appear only interested in having a job,
sufficient income, the more the better and a comfortable life. As
to how the country should be run, they leave it entirely to Lee
Kuan Yew, his son and his friends and relatives.
This strange attitude, this total indifference to government and
politics, is strange and unique; different from people's behavior
in every other country. Why are Singaporeans disinterested? Since
they are citizens of their country and since their money goes to
pay the huge salaries of the Ministers their relatives and friends
who run the country; should it not be natural for them to demand to
be heard in matters that affect them? Well apparently in Singapore,
they don't see the need to complain or make suggestions on
governance.
I now know the reason why.
The reason for Singaporeans to believe that they are helpless in
complaining to the government their grievances or making
suggestions is because the vast majority is unaware that they have
such rights. The vast majority, through ignorance, believe that
they do not have such rights.
The fault for the sad state of affairs in Singapore where Lee Kuan
Yew and his government are able to continue to rule unchallenged by
any Singaporean; the blame for this sad state of affairs lies
entirely on the lawyers, those educated in social sciences such as
philosophy, sociology and political science. It is they who are
aware, because of their training, of the principles of democracy,
of the rule of law and the way a modern civil society should be
run. But these people have shamefully let the country down because
of their fear to oppose Lee Kuan Yew and the dire consequences that
will follow. So to protect themselves, these very people who should
be leading the way in making sure that Singapore is indeed a
democracy that was intended in it's constitution; have let the
people down by not ensuring that each man and women is made aware
of his or her rights, so that this country, like other first world
countries is governed for the benefit of the people; rather than
for the benefit of Lee Kuan Yew, his relatives and friends as is
the sad situation now.
And the ignorance which the majority have about their rights is not
their fault. The idea of democracy, the need for it, and why it is
necessary, are things that have to be learned. They are not things
that people would automatically know. And the duty to make the
people realize their rights lies with the lawyers; these lawyers
who have miserably failed their fellow citizens and betrayed their
calling.
I have a friend, Thanabal. I speak to him very often over the
phone. I knew him since childhood. He lived in PUB flats in
Somerset Road. His parents knew my parents. Although a good student
when young, it was not good enough for the Singapore education
system of the time. He did not manage his O levels well. He ended
up as a store man and now is security guard.
I asked Thanabal why he is not agitating for his rights, since he
is a Singaporean. His answer was basically that the government has
some bad laws and policies which he disagrees with. But beyond
that, he had nothing more to say. He did not even believe that he
had such rights as to protest, to demonstrate or peacefully
assemble to demand his rights. It is not because he is particularly
stupid. It is simply because no one ever told him that he has such
rights. He has never read the constitution of Singapore and even if
he did, would not know the importance of its provisions.
It is not just Thanabal. It is almost the entire country that is
kept in the dark this way. For Lee Kuan Yew and his family members
who reap the rewards of the toils of Singaporeans like him; it
serves Lee very well to keep my friend Thanabal in the ignorant
state that he is in; in politics or government. The less Thanabal
is told about matters such as the Constitution, the better for the
Lee family. I could safely say that the vast majority of
Singaporeans, even those who are educated in non legal or non
philosophical subjects, graduated from the University of Singapore
are not much different from my friend Thanabal. Surprisingly, they
display the same level of ignorance in political matters. In
college, they have all been deliberately kept in the dark on
matters such as the Constitution or the people's rights.
And Lee Kuan Yew being the corrupt dictator that he is; he
deliberately ensures the people's ignorance in government, thereby
able to govern them easily.
And as equally disgraceful as Lee Kuan Yew and his family; are the
Singapore lawyers. Why, because lawyers are aware of such things as
the constitution and the rights of citizens and yet they do
nothing, because they fear; fear to encourage the people to demand
their lawful rights. And because these disgraceful Singapore
lawyers remain silent, having abandoned and abdicated their duty to
the people and the law; Lee is able to run roughshod over his
people at his pleasure.
Since I came to the United States, I have been in regular contact
with lawyers whom I knew. I want to tell you what they say and
generally it is the same disgusting line of thinking that they
conveyed. All of them, the moment they know it is me on the
telephone; almost invariably start off by saying that they are not
interested in politics. This is because they expect me to ask them
what they thought of the government's refusal to refund CPF
payments; why is the government constantly arresting Dr. Chee for
his peaceful protests; are they not aware that the constitution
allows peaceful assembly; and why are they not doing anything about
it. These are embarrassing questions for them which they prefer not
to answer. They are ashamed. They know that they should do
something. They are afraid. Afraid for themselves and afraid for
their families. They are afraid of Lee's retribution. So they
remain silent. In fact they prefer not to speak to me at
all...
http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/2007/10/singapore-true-reason-for-political.html