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Tag: meritocracy

  • Commentary: Why Are Some Malays Proud Of The Outcome Of A Clearly Tainted Process? What Are We Exactly Proud Of?

    Commentary: Why Are Some Malays Proud Of The Outcome Of A Clearly Tainted Process? What Are We Exactly Proud Of?

    It troubles me that some segments in the Malay community celebrate President Halimah’s selection as a victory for the Malays.

    I am perplexed.

    What are we exactly proud of?

    Yes, Madam Halimah is a good person – I will readily admit to this. But to me, the process is of equal, if not greater importance.

    Here, a Malay president was installed only because it was a reserved election. And there was no election – because there was only one candidate who was deemed to be qualified.

    There was no level playing field.

    And so a good person, President Halimah, is tainted by a faulty process.

    The reserved presidential (non)-election has only brought about resentment and controversy (even as admitted by GCT and Tharman).

    And so, why are some Malays proud of the outcome of a clearly tainted process?

    Some Malays even suggest that those who are critical of the process leading to President Halimah’s selection as being racists, or motivated by purported political reasons.

    This is grossly misplaced. Singaporeans are entitled to feel upset. Even GCT and Tharman think so!

    In fact, a lot of Malays who are able to think critically are upset. Because now the perception that the community relies on a crutch is made stronger.

    But some Malays feel proud and stoutly defend a tainted process.

    Alas, this only serves to create discomfort on the part of other communities.

    We have become a community that not only relies on an affirmative action process, but now stoutly defend it.

    As if our existence and pride depends on it. Some even justify it on the basis that we have not had a President for 47 years.

    But if it not ours by merit, why take it?

    Kalau bukan hak kita, jangan di-ambil

    We conveniently forget our sacroscant principle of meritocracy.

    We choose to choose the easy way out and feel entitled instead.

    But where is our maruah as a community?

    It is hard to see any winners in this controversial (non)-election.

    If the concept of a presidential election has been divisive since its introduction, the eventual result of the election has only deepened those fissures.

     

    Source: Nizam Ismail

  • Damanhuri Abas: What To Tell My Children About Meritocracy, Racism Realities, Democracy, Malay Community And Singapore’s Future

    Damanhuri Abas: What To Tell My Children About Meritocracy, Racism Realities, Democracy, Malay Community And Singapore’s Future

    Since some remind us to accept and look at the wisdom of the whole episode of a race based Presidential non-election, let me share what I heard, saw, reflected, learned and gathered to tell my children.

    1. Meritocracy

    – It is a good word thrown around to legitimise why some are not up there (just not ‘good’ enough i.e. PM, top civil servant, etc., etc.)
    – It is a good word to justify high paying public salaries i.e. best in private sector will only be attracted to public service for equal salary
    – It is good word to excuse clear conflict of interest situations i.e. no other choice as he/she is the best for the position, even though related to one another i.e. so many out there (nepotism?, cronyism?)
    – It is a bad word used to apply selective affirmative action (symbolism i.e. Reserved PE, tokenism i.e. GRC – serving political interest)
    – It is an abused word – all the while the sacred meritocratic claim is a sad joke

    2. Racism Realities

    – Acknowledged – Majority privilege exposé
    – Racist – Chinese majority
    – Excused – 70% Chinese majority for racial harmony
    – Contradiction – GRC minority racial provision to assure minority representation is transferable to majority race (MYT GRC no By-election)
    – Undesirable – Madrasah, for its religious exclusivism
    – Legitimised – SAP school necessary for elitism
    – Institutionalised – HDB only race quota good
    – Ignored – i.e. Mindef unspoken security policy (Malays full loyalty doubted) poisoning wider society’s perceptions of Malays for the last 52 years of being inherently untrustworthy for no apparent reason
    – Taboo – public not allowed to talk race
    – Abused – government exploits race sentiments for political benefits

    3. Democracy

    – Institutionalised – the parliament
    – Institutionalised – judiciary and legislative
    – Process – election
    – Symbolic – the pledge
    – Reality – no press freedom (world press freedom ranking Singapore 151st position, worst than even Afghanistan at 120th)
    – Reality – controlled on public debate on policies (Think-tanks not allowed to think, IPS, LKYSPP, etc.)
    – Reality – political interest overrides democratic principles and foundations i.e. Constitutional changes with no referendum
    – Reality – constant changing the rules and gaming the system eg. constitutional boundary changes, limited campaigning period, cooling day, reserved PE, etc.

    4. Malays : Compliant Leadership and Voiceless Community

    – Painted as desiring the Presidency even though never consulted and neither asked for it
    – Supportive or silent Malay leadership in Government and community legitimising the reserved PE, not in sync with real community’s ground sentiment
    – Leadership not willing to criticise Government policy as will impact on funding for their community based institutions – beholden to the Government
    – Self-serving impression, prioritising community’s interest above that of the country’s interest to put the best independent individual to be President
    – Leaders colluded in elaborate scheme to deny Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s genuine chance to be President that the people really wanted
    – Sellout community i.e. easily bought and sold for cheaps

    5. Future of Singapore Takeaways

    – Political Maturity – undermined (vote denied), hindered (voiced-out), regressed (forced-acceptance)
    – Democratic Principles – downplayed (not-ready excuse), worsened (power-dominance strengthened), brutalised (people’s rights-trampled)
    – Multi-Racial Society – cosmetic (tokenism over real change), conflicting (racism politicised), compromised (racist policies unchallenged)
    – Overall Feeling – shortchanged (Singaporeans choice denied), cheapened (Malay community’s integrity), sold-out (leadership of yes-man)

    May we draw some wisdom for the sake of our country’s future.

     

    Source: Damanhuri Bin Abas

  • The Ironies Surrounding Singapore’s 2017 Presidential Election

    The Ironies Surrounding Singapore’s 2017 Presidential Election

    To ensure fair play, they changed the rules unfairly.

    To ensure meritocracy, they allowed affirmative action.

    To ensure multiracialism, they stopped other races from running.

    To ensure independence from the PAP, they picked one from the PAP.

    To ensure experience in handling millions of dollars, they chose one who’s never handled millions of dollars.

    To ensure the democratic process, they made sure no one got to vote.

     

    Source: F.C.

  • Osman Sulaiman And The State Of Affairs In Singapore

    Osman Sulaiman And The State Of Affairs In Singapore

    1. We were promised Swiss standard of living. Instead we got the most expensive city to live in.

    2. We were promised equality, instead we thrive in elitism.

    3. We were told that our nation is built on meritocracy, instead we are ranked 5th in Crony Capitalism Index.

    4. We pledged to build a democratic society but instead we got an autocratic government.

    5. We spent billions of taxpayers money to increase productivity, but instead these measures are counter productive when we flood our workforce with cheap foreign labour.

    6. We planned for a long term sustainable economic growth, but instead history has shown that our economic growth model is nothing meaningful except to increase our population digits by granting new citizens.

    7. It is our objective to reach the world cup by 2010, but instead we are 7 years late and our football association is in the doldrums.

    8. Our gov pledged no one will be left behind but today, many are slipping through the cracks with reportedly high numbers of citizens seeking assistance.

    9. We were told that our CPF can be withdrawn at age 55 with a minimum sum of $30,000. Throughout the years, the goal post has been shifted many times and today, the minimum sum stands at $161,000 at age 65.

    10. We pledged to transform our country for the better, but today, we keep electing the same leaders expecting a different result.

    Be the change you wish to see.

     

    Source: Osman Sulaiman

  • Malay Family Used To Prove A Point On Meritocracy, But Singaporean Malays Generally Still Sidelined

    Malay Family Used To Prove A Point On Meritocracy, But Singaporean Malays Generally Still Sidelined

    Talking about meritocracy when the Malay community are still being marginalised? 

    If you are really serious about meritocracy, these are some of the things you can do for the Malay community since a “Malay family” has been specifically chosen for the National Day Rally speech.

    Abolish the SAP school system. It is racist for non Chinese students who are deprived of this opportunity, and all schools are not equal for as long as SAP schools are still around.

    Employ more Malays in the defense sectors as much so as other races are able to apply and secure a job. Equal opportunity and ability-based. Malays are not stupid or incapable.

    Don’t use always use Malay CNB officers to catch drug addicts which usually are Malays. Other races too can do a similar job as their Malay colleagues in apprehending those criminals.

    Mendaki and the government must render help to all Muslims no matter Malays or Indians or Arabs.

    Don’t have the impudence to call it a meritocracy if all these problems still persist.

     

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