17 Feb 2010 - Temasek Review
Written by Our Correspondent
A 15 year old Singaporean by the name of Kenneth Lin
started an online petition against Singapore’s
strongman Lee Kuan Yew for his disparaging remarks on
Singaporeans made during his interview with the National Geographic
Magazine. He is currently studying in a secondary school in
Singapore.
The remarks in contention from the article are:
“Over time, Singaporeans have become “less hard-driving
and hard-striving. That is why it is a good thing that the
nation has welcomed so many Chinese immigrants (25 percent of
the population is now foreign-born).
and
“But taking a typically Darwinian stance, the MM
describes the country’s new subjects as “hungry,” with
parents who “pushed the children very hard.” If
native Singaporeans are falling behind because “the spurs are
not stuck into the hide,” that is their problem.”
He added that it is especially deplorable that such insensitive
remarks can be issued forth from the very person responsible for
the social engineering of Singapore to the state of being it
is today:
“By forcing through dubious policies that have largely
tanked, such as the Stop At 2 policy, Graduate Mothers scheme, Mr
Lee
Kuan Yew’s irresponsible attempts at altering the demographics of
our society have left the present leadership no choice but to
import foreign workers in such large numbers in such a short period
of time in order to make up for the shortfall in labour
requirements. This has led to widespread disgruntlement and social
unrest in amongst the citizenry.”
Kenneth wrote that he plans to attain a suitable quorum of about
500 signatures, and then CC the results of the petition via email
to every MP, Minister by the next parliament seating. Following
that, the results of the petition will also be compiled into a
physical form to be sent via registered mail to Lee Kuan Yew’s home
address, the Istana and the PM’s office.
Though Lee is widely credited as the architect of modern
Singapore by the older generation, young Singaporeans are becoming
increasingly peeved off by his apparent arrogance and insensitivity
at times.
Currently nearing 87 years of age, he still calls the shots in
the government despite his admission that he is not doing much work
lately except “forecasting” which costs Singapore taxpayers nearly
$3 million dollars a year.
Lee still hasn’t announced if he would participate in the next
general elections. There will be many Singaporeans like Kenneth who
cannot wait to see the last of the “Old Man”.
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He did not mention about LKY did name calling to people who feed
him “Singaporeans are
champion
grumblers.”
Mod, please do not remove or delete this thread.
