Actually this is true. Sometimes, it amazes me how similar
Singapore is in terms of politics to China.
Like China, many in Singapore still harbours this type of mentality
that being an Asian country, we are not destined for democracy.
Their logic is like the imperial days of China, in which as long as
the emporer provides one with food, shelter, work, education, one
should show unquestionable support for the regime. One should also
not poke your head into the business of governance as one is not
considered to be "elite" enough, thus should just keep your heads
down and accept wad it is.
A typical Singaporean will say.......... Hey, I noe with got no
freedom of expression and lacks fair election........... but who
cares as long as the PAP gives us food, education, etc........
world class this and dat........
But sadly, many do not see that this would means some Singaporeans
are still not benefitting from this economical development,
especially the low-skilled, low-payed and the disable. They don't
see that some of PAP's policies are killing and driving more
Singaporeans into difficulties (eg. streaming, FT). Worst still,
elitism and transparency being diminshed, we are starting to see
the problems of the ruling class. MPs/minister roles being reduced
to a cash-cow or stepping board and many cases of misconducts, ppls
attempting to have "deep pockets", forming of elite
familee/syndicates in SG.
All the above is done "in the name of economical progess"!!!
The proble is same for China. The news papers sensor off news of
negative stuff and potray China and the CCP as if ppls are living
in Utopia. We have read of cases of rural urban migrations,
peasants clashing with police leading to deaths, coal mines
collapsing due to lack of security, greater economical disparity
between the inland and coastal regions. We also see recent cases of
corruptions being exposed. Like Shanghai mayor and his syndicates,
PLAN eastern fleet senior commander caught for emblezzling funds
and keeping 5 mistresses. But the sad thing is many PRCians are
just like SGreans. They choose not to see the truth, but to see
things thru state produced rose tinted glasses. Many choose to
believe civil rightist and lawyers fighting for the rights of the
poor are bribed by westerners to smear the reputation of the CCP,
while all negative comments made are quickly shot down as
attempting to disrupt the economical progress in China.
I have seen many discussions on China web forums. Their moderators
are known to delete post that are deem to protray a negative image
of PRC. Anybody that attempts to discuss serious problems in PRC
are inviting themselves to be bombarded with hate-mails and
vulgarities. Many even question these posters if they are spys send
by Taiwan to spread evil propaganda on the PRC forums!! Thus their
forums are some wad like our straits times, only good news or some
minor comments by Angmohs, deemed to be praising them to high
heaven. Just to show u how powerful their state media is, I will
discuss this thread I see on this PRC forum. the title is "How
China fairs in democracy". These are some of the comments.......
"Oh!! U dare say we dun have democracy? Tell you this, u can go to
sch, go to work or even take part in the anti-Japan demonstration
in May, comes to show that we are a very open country." Another
comment. " You better STFU!!! Wad u own today, your property,
money, and other stuffs comes from the party CCP. So you dun ask
qns whether we have freedom! Dun forget the country belongs to the
CCP"
By seeing their comments, it acts as a mirror to reflect upon our
attitude towards politics and nation building.
