Firstly, my apologies for
dissecting your piece so as to address the many interesting points
that you have raised and should respectfully be
addressed:
Relative to most, by and large, we have that sense of brotherhood
and equality among the different races. Certain degree of caution
is sometimes necessary in dealing certain groups of people, either
by ethnic group, religion or others. This was first seen in the way
the Chinese chauvinists were handled in the 70s. Such caution does
not constitute inequality, the lack of it is likely to destroy
whatever equality we have.
Is there a deep sense of
brotherhood and equality - similar to the days when different
ethnic groups live in the kampong era - where genuine
neighborliness exist ? Poverty then was a great social
leveller.
In today's hustle and bustle, chauvinism has taken different forms
- as in the insistent projections of ethnic preferences that
governs job rulings and social appearance.
There is a false sense of calm and acceptance that is enforced,
that do not seem to have allowed social integration to go deeper
into the fabric of a common Singaporean identity.
That sense of brotherhood and equality is not reflected in the SAF,
nor in the Ministerial appointments, nor in the Government Service
- for forty seven years, appointments to some Government agencies
avoid some ethnic group - for seemingly obvious reasons.
Does the Government truly believe in putting the best person
forward for the task, or is its decision governed by ethnic
sensitivities ?
Such questions will have already touched the OB Markers, and a
convenient point of closure to any further discussion. Has the real
issue been addressed or the situation allowed to simmer
?
[quote]
47 years old is still very young as a country, whether it is run by
PAP or not. But I dont see us changing the crescent into a full
moon when we celebrate 100 years national day. 
Even in a HUNDRED YEARS, the crescent
in our State Flag will never turn into a full moon, as we live in a
sea of an ethnic group that will not accept our ethnic differences,
and using their standard of measure they will remain envious of our
seeming achievements until they are able to attain the
same.
We have had peace so far even when wars were fought nearby in Asia.
A few boiling issues are bound to be present here and there with
regional neighbors, but did we create the problem? Would we be able
to handle should the temperature rises? I think we do. I dont
think any Singaporean feel that war is imminent, even for the near
future. Anybody feel any tension among any particular communities
within Singapore? I dont.
The problem has been historical,
and we will continue to carry the historical baggage that will
always make us the underdog.
By your question "Did we create the problem ?" - is already forming
a defensive barrier before we will even consider building a bridge
to extend a hand of friendship.
During the recent 2006 Elections, "old war horse" Chiam See Tong
had questioned the logic of the Ruling Party in making Free Trade
Agreement with everyone all over the globe, but have ignored our
immediate neighbor - despite having a friendly PM Badawi at the
helm.
MM LKY shot this idea down accusing CST of losing sight of
history.
In his arrogance, did MM LKY have further second thought that
Singapore is already the largest foreign investor in Malaysia, with
many Singaporeans owning properties, and that both sides have cross
straight family ties amongst all ethnic groups ?
Perhaps you are too isolated in your 'intellectual world' to be
able to feel the tension amongst any particular communities within
Singapore.
The fact that there is suddenly an exposure of a terrrorist group
coming entirely from one ethnic Singaporean community, clearly
shows that there is deep set dissatisfaction within that
community.
What other dissents remain silently brewing amongst the different
ethnic groups ? Can we safely use the crime statistics to reveal
any pattern of social symptoms within any ethnic group
?
On all other issues, we have achieved some, we have failed badly in
others, there are still a lot more to do. We are angered by the
political character assassination, but we also see now such an
attempt backfire as we see more and more young and credible
opposition coming forward. To me this is progress already.
Each of us will see progress in
many different ways, and I can certainly accept your standard of
measure.
Unfortunately, progress could have been expedited and Singapore
could have accelerrated to a higher level of social well being if
the POWER OF ONE is willing to loosen its insistence on being the
sole arbitrator of all events and all issues in
Singapore.
But whatever it is, progress or not, democratic or not, are we
proud to be a Singaporean?? I met many Burmese, one of them are
fighting against their government in BKK, you can criticize their
government but they are proud to be Burmese, not Thai, though we
cant tell the diff. I know many Philippino, they are not proud of
their government, nor democracy, but you will not have them as
friends if you dont respect The Philippines.
So what if somebody from down under write something to laugh at
Singapore, do we agree and laugh at ourself?
The greatest challenge to the Singapore government, remains
building a Singapore identity. The greatest failure of some
Singaporean, is the lack of self identity, lack of self confidence,
not proud to be Singaporean, dont see future in Singapore, but
cannot migrate
. Cant blame all on the
government.
Having said so much about the
Burmese and the Filippinos, surely blaming all on the Government of
the POWER OF ONE does not make anyone of us a LESSER PROUD
SINGAPOREAN ?
What is the 'Singapore Identity' ?
After FORTY SEVEN Years - should we still be asking this question
?
In all my occassional travels abroad I can immediately distinguish
the characteristic Singaporean from other Asians; but could hardly
differentiate a Singaporean from a Malaysian - (much like your
problem in differentiating the Burmese from the Thai).
You have the characteristic reservedly quiet, circumspect
Singaporean Lone Traveller, and the loud
bargain-hunting, condescending Singaporean Group
Traveller.
Why are you unable to recognise your own kind ?
