This is found in a Thai newspaper..
10 Aug 2005
The Nation newspaper, Thailand
Opinion section
40 years of Singapore's nationhood
Singapore will celebrate its 40th anniversary of nation-building
today
with a great spectacle that perfectly symbolises the story of
its
economic success and the social harmonisation among its
ethnically
diverse population. Forty years ago, Singapore separated from
Malaysia
with an uncertain future. Today, Singapore has emerged as one of
the
most developed economies of Asia an object of envy among its
neighbours.
Forty years of independence has witnessed a gradual process
of
Singapore's national identity construction. Reborn in the age of
Cold
War, Singapore imagined its sense of nationhood as a society
where
political and economic centralisation was looked to as a
prerequisite
of national progress. This aspect of Singaporean nationhood
responded
well to the Cold War norms whereby one-man rule was believed to be
able
to achieve rapid economic and social development.
In the 1990s, the promotion of economic nationalism that
became
foundational to Singapore's national identity in the early years
was
transformed into a more internationally-oriented economy with
an
attempt to enlarge its economic presence on the global stage.
Singaporean corporations have played a predominant role in
strengthening the local economy not only in laying strong
business
foundations domestically but being assertive in international
trade
through overseas investments too. Singapore's economic success also
has
very much to do with the government's support for the private
sector
and the maximum use of human resources in ultimately placing
Singapore
in the world-class league.
Throughout the four decades of nation-building, Singaporeans
have
enjoyed a high living standard and been voted the best city in
Asia,
alongside Tokyo, in terms of quality of life. It is known as one of
the
most globalised cities in the world on the basis of its
superb
infrastructure and the dependence on state-of-the-art
technology
connecting it to the global network.
Singapore has retained its status of one of the world's largest
oil
processing centres. Singapore ranks among the top three of the
world's
busiest seaports. In the aviation sector, Singapore
International
Airline has been voted the world's best carrier for 10
consecutive
years by the Travel and Leisure Magazine and offered the
fourth
position by the World Airline Award of 2005. Changi
International
Airport has also been listed as the most efficient airport in
the
world.
Singapore is eager to declare itself as the global hub of various
kinds
of business. It houses the world's best R&D operation in
biomedical and
pharmaceutical sciences. Despite its lack of water resources,
Singapore
has been chosen to lead the world research on water recycling
and
desalination of water. Singapore has truly become a preferred
international meeting point and a favorite regional and
international
headquarters for many multinational conglomerates.
Here, business achievements were made possible due to the
successful
policy of ethnic harmonisation. Singaporeans have been segregated
at
birth into ethnic groups but conditioned to think of ethnic
diversity
as one Singaporean-ness. The government has upheld a strict
ethnic
pluralistic policy with a guaranty of a freedom of expression of
ethnic
identities. Apparently, during the National Day speech, the
prime
minister is expected to give his remarks in English, Chinese and
Malay.
However, what is so extraordinary about the 40th year anniversary
of
Singapore is not about its socio-economic accomplishments.
This year's National Day slogan, "The Future is Ours to Make"
loudly
conveys a message of a higher level of political openness. Since
Prime
Minister Goh Chok Tong stepped down in August 2004, his successor,
Lee
Hsien Loong who is the son of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan
Yew,
has adopted a more liberal approach in the handling of both
domestic
and foreign affairs.
A greater political openness is closely related to improvement
in
certain aspects of social and political life of Singapore, such
as
political participation, national pride, success values and
social
mobility. In the past, Singaporean society was reluctant to talk
about
politics. Nowadays, people more openly discuss government
policies.
A emerging new political model also means that the government
has
loosened grip on some social issues. Though law and order is still
in
place, Singapore is no longer "sanitised and lifeless" society,
much
the butt of jokes in the past. Nightlife is ever more vibrant to
serve
the need of globalised consumers. And
although homosexuality remains a taboo subject within Singapore's
society, the gay community is
increasingly visible and seeking to augment its voice in
politics.
Ideologically, the new perspective of Singaporean politics
sits
comfortably with nation-building in a capitalist economy a
wonderful
reason for Singaporeans to rejoice the National Day this
year.
Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a Singapore-based Thai
academic.
