Tag: Singaporeans

Lee Kuan Yew Was Honest And Authentic, Malays Should Reflect And Move Forward

The Malays should move on, appreciate history but get unstuck from the past. I don’t think this is how Sang Nila Utama, Left Adnan… and all the other historical Malay leaders they often quote would want them to behave. A BIG mindset shift is needed among the Malays. Their comments are a revelation on their way of thinking, on what is going on subconsciously. Probably the reason why the community is not progressing as much as the other ethnic groups. Something must be done to reprogram their mindset, to purify their hearts. Let’s hope there is a blessing in disguise to this. – Miss INI

It started with her private message to me on FB on Saturday (21//3/15), a few days before Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away. Miss INI (my name for her as she preferred to remain unknown):with her private message to me on FB on Saturday (21//3/15), a few days before Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away. Miss INI (my name for her as she preferred to remain unknown):

“I really like your post about LKY. It cringes and saddens me to read [some] ruthless comments. How can they even have the heart to say such a thing about another person… regardless if they like him or not.”

[The post referred to: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153715612467080&set=a.10150113790487080.295946.811982079&type=1&theater]

MY REPLY: You should feel free to add your comments for people to appreciate.

MISS INI: I should feel free. But maybe I am afraid about being confronted by other FB users who I think are not doing justice towards their own family upbringing by using harsh words on an ailing, old man. I am sure their parents have raised well.

Forget about him as LKY, a very successful leader in my opinion. It’s about basic humanity. It’s so toxic to curse others. It’s just cruel. May Allah forgive them and purify their hearts.

It’s also very revealing about the mindset of [some in] the community. Many still expect special privileges just because of their race. I appreciate the fact that Singapore offers a level playing field; it brings about our resourcefulness and resilience. If they keep on ‘expecting’ to be given and having a victim mentality, it’s going to be challenging for them to snap out of their poverty mindset.

If us Malays desire to be successful and respected, it starts from us. Add more value to the community and be exemplary in character. Don’t blame LKY and the government. Based on my experience, the older generation like my Mum, Dad, Dad’s friends and elderly taxi drivers I have spoken with are the ones who truly respect and appreciate LKY. They went through hardships and have seen how this island has transformed.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew is known as a VISIONARY leader for a good reason, a very gifted one that is. (Sat 21/3/15 at 10;53pm)

MY REPLY: Good points. May I use it for our people to reflect upon? If you still have concerns, I can exclude your name and just mention ‘FB friend’. (Sunday 22/3/15 at 10:41am)

MISS INI: Just want to share why I am so perplexed by the unhappiness of the Malays. It’s based on my own experience.

I’m as ordinary as other Malays and as ordinary as other heartlanders regardless of race and religion. If others think that the Malays are marginalized, I beg to differ.

I wasn’t born in an ‘elite’ family. Growing up, my Dad was a plumber at Sembawang Shipyard. My Mum was a housewife taking care of 7 children. Their roles were defined and we were a simple yet a very happy family.

None of my siblings were graduates and when I was young, I had this fascination towards ‘mortar boards’, which to me at that point was a symbol of academic success. So as a teenager, I set the intention to be the first graduate in my family. I am the second youngest. And I also visualized for my younger brother, nieces and nephews and the generations beyond to keep getting better and better academic and career wise.

Having said the above, I had never faulted my parents for not having a bigger dream for their children. My Dad was a very responsible provider, an alpha male like most men in his and LKY’s generation I suppose. He was also a disciplinarian. Together with my loving Mum who also honored her roles as a wife and mother, their parenting focus was simple – on values, religion and character. In this aspect, I would say that they have done a wonderful job and I thank Allah for blessing us with beautiful parents.

To fast forward, my dream about the future of my family became a reality. I had the opportunity to complete my degree. I received some support from MOE so as a bonus as I did it overseas. Application was a breeze, MOE didn’t make it difficult for me. My race and religion were irrelevant. I graduated with a BA.

My younger brother did a better job than me. Not long after, he graduated with an honours degree. He is now one of the Head at a government organisation. His race and religion didn’t stop him from being promoted.

As for my nieces and nephews, I am grateful that they are also academically driven so almost all of them are graduates if not working towards being one.

When my late brother in-law was suffering from lung cancer and finance was a little tight for my him and my sister having 6 children to care for, my undergraduate nieces received sufficient financial support and subsidies. The balance, we raised the funds collectively as a family.

Glad to say that one of them is now doing her honours year at NUS (Political Science) and the other one was offered to do her PHD (Information Systems) by NTU. Again, their gender, race, religion and them wearing the hijab didn’t hinder them from progressing and receiving support that they have worked hard for.

So yes, the future is brighter for my family. InsyaAllah. We are not millionaires yet and face life challenges like others, but we are progressing. Not sharing this out of arrogance as abundance is from Allah and Allah can take it away from us anytime so it is very important to remain grateful yet humble.

My point is to highlight that it is a level playing field in Singapore and we should appreciate that it is based on meritocracy and not special privileges. My Malay friends who were academically driven, but faced financial challenges have also received support that they deserved. No, they were not marginalized by the government.

If we truly desire to succeed, finance is genuinely tight, support is around us. To get more like attaining a scholarship, we must of course earn it. If we are not happy where we are, be proactive and do something about it.

As a former teacher, I have never met any student who is deprived of support because of their race or religion. There are all sorts of schemes offered.

Medically, having gone through the cancer healing journey with my late brother in-law and having aged parents myself, I know there are various schemes to make medical fees affordable for the community. The Malays are not ‘crossed out’.

High COE, cost of living… Live within our means. To have a more comfortable living, go work for it. No one is stopping us. Limitations joining the Navy, SAF? If it is really so, aren’t there other options?

Mr Lee Kuan Yew spoke his mind. Like it or not, he was AUTHENTIC and was honest about his views. It may be painful to hear, but it’s much better than him being a hypocrite.

Look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. In relation to your post, yes it’s all about having the attitude of gratitude.

Was aghast when I read comments on Mediacorp Suria [website]. Disturbing how they throw the blame to Mr LKY for the prettiest of shortcomings. What is happening to the Malay/Muslim community? I didn’t know that it is ‘sinful’ to be praying for the health of the ‘kafirun’? With such ‘religiously elitist’ mindset, it wasn’t wrong after all for Mr LKY to have once said that we could integrate all religions but not the Muslims.

Instead of backlashing him, why not take it as a positive challenge and prove him wrong by being progressive, respectful and gracious? Those who advise others to think positively and pray for Mr LKY’s health are verbally attacked and labelled as boot-lickers, ‘Melayu yang lupa daratan’ and worse… as sinned deviants.

Yes, feel free to share my thoughts. Appreciate the exclusion of my name as I may not know the best way to respond to strong, harsh views yet.

The Malays should move on, appreciate history but get unstuck from the past. I don’t think this is how Sang Nila Utama, Left Adnan…and all the other historical Malay leaders they often quote would want them to behave.

A BIG mindset shift is needed among the Malays. Their comments are a revelation on their way of thinking, on what is going on subconsciously. Probably the reason why the community is not progressing as much as the other ethnic groups. Something must be done to reprogram their mindset, to purify their hearts. Let’s hope there is a blessing in disguise to this.

(Thought this was sent last night, but it didn’t go through. Have a blessed Sunday with your loved ones, Mr Maidin. Thank you for hearing out my concerns.) – Sunday 22/3 at 12:17pm.

MY REPLY: This is a good addition to be included in the note I plan to quote from you. Thank u. I hope it will do some good to our people’s mindset.

(Sunday 22/3/15 at 12:22 pm)

“You begin your journey not knowing where it will take you. You have plans, you have dreams, but every now and again you have to take uncharted roads, face impassable mountains, cross treacherous rivers, be blocked by landslides and earthquakes. That’s the way my life has been.” – Lee Kuan Yew

Source: Maidin Packer

March 27, 2015
Abdul Salim Harun: Be Rational And Give Credit Where Due

I had a very good laugh this morning. Why? Received a pm from someone asking whether I had switch to the other side!

I deleted him off immediately from my friend list.

Just because I’m paying my respect to the Late Mr Lee Kuan Yew means I’m switching side? Are you an idiot to think that I’m so easily being swayed and bought? For goodness sake, go get a life!

I’m paying my respect to him because I will not deny the facts that he had build up Singapore to what it is today. And definitely, I will not deny the facts that there are also his bad policies which affected us as Singaporeans as a whole.

But now, he had passed away. Let’s give him the respect that he deserved as a statesman, for all that he has done for the good and well being of our belove Singapore! Is it so hard to even do that?

For the bad policies, isn’t it good now that he’s no longer with us and each and everyone of us can now work hard to correct all those wrongs that he had made?

You know, in this time of National Mourning, let us all be rational and not emotional. Nobody is perfect. Give the credit where it is due.

Source: Abdul Salim Harun

March 27, 2015
Take Chance On Opposition In Upcoming GE, Kick PAP Out

Our only shot to topple PAP is on 2016 elections, if we don’t vote against PAP within 10 years time the new citizens population would be more than our population, they might even vote against PAP, kicked them out, formed their own party and presumably govern us.

People can choose to either be brave and give oppositions the chance and possibly turn a lot of the bad policies around or become a minority in our country in 10 years time and maybe have to be govern by these new citizens and see our economy being handled by them.

You all so scared the oppositions will make us suffer economically because you all think what if they aren’t good enough, in the future if the new citizens govern us will they destroy our economy?

So which would you choose oppositions or PAP and its population white paper policy which will make you a minority in your own country and possibly being govern by these new citizens in the future and them controlling our economy when they have the majority numbers and enough votes to control us, since u don’t have enough trust in our oppositions?

Your choice.

Reader Contribution: Muhd Firdaus

March 27, 2015
Tan Chuan-Jin: Singapore A Nation Coming Of Age

I just returned from Parliament.

It’s 2+ am and it’s rocking…in the quiet dignified way that we do it in times like this.

Our SAF and Home Team folks are there and manning not only the set-up at Parliament, but at water points along the way and at junctions where people needed to cross roads and streets. All with a smile and professionally doing what they need to do. Salute!

Volunteers come forward to give out water, kueh, buns…some from the public, some from PA, and quite a number from our PAP branches from around the island. Thank you!

I walked from Parliament to trace the way back to the source of the queue at Hong Lim Park. Chatted with fellow Singaporeans along the way. All ages, backgrounds…and some foreign friends too. Civil, polite, some stretches of queues snaking loops with only a few strategic boxes and nary a guiding rail to be seen. Took about 2-3 hours from Hong Lim but yet people were in positive spirit. “You all giving out free murtarbak or not?!” Errr. No. Only buns leh…

And earlier at Kembangan CC, a few thousand came during the course of the day. I managed to welcome those who came in the evening. Respectful bows, tears shed, words of encouragement for us in Cabinet to stay strong and lead well, heartfelt words shared, sketches drawn. Read them… these are the words of our fellow Singaporeans.

What do you see?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t see a nation at crossroads or uncertain. I see a nation united not just by shared grief, but by a grateful heart for a leader who had served and led. And who had made a difference. I don’t see a flock of spineless deluded sheep, but people who have stepped forward to share their thoughts on how they feel. And how they feel! I don’t see change…because we have been changing since day one! In fact some think we change too much! Well, we will just keep making things better for our people as best as we can, as practically as we can, and with as much heart as we can.

I think I see a nation coming of age.
I see one strong people ready for our next lap.

Source: Tan Chuan-Jin

March 27, 2015
Halimah Yaacob: In Grief We Have Become More United As Singaporeans

Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob today (March 26) paid homage to the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew in a Special Sitting of Parliament. Here is her speech in full:

On behalf of this House, and with a heavy heart, I wish to place on record the demise of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the Honorable Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, and founding Prime Minister of Singapore, on March 23, 2015.

Mr Lee’s demise is a great loss to Parliament and the people of Singapore, and it is with great sadness that this House pays tribute to the man we know as the Founding Father of Singapore. Mr Lee was an outstanding Parliamentarian and his speeches in this House were never dull or inconsequential. It was in this House that he fought many battles and shaped numerous policies to set Singapore on the right trajectory.

Mr Lee founded the People’s Action Party in 1954, and took part in the landmark 1955 Singapore Legislative Assembly election. At the age of 31, Mr Lee secured the seat of Tanjong Pagar — a seat he held for 14 successive General Elections and one by-election. His parliamentary career spanned nearly 60 years, earning him the honour of being the longest-serving Member of Parliament in Singapore and, undoubtedly, the most illustrious of them all.

Mr Lee became the first Prime Minister of Singapore after the People’s Action Party secured 43 of the 51 seats in the Legislative Assembly during the General Election of 1959. He took the reins of leadership for 31 years and led the then fledgling Singapore through a most uncertain time. He gave the founding generation hope and a clear sense of direction, especially when Singapore was taking its first, tentative steps as an independent nation. This was just what our forefathers needed.

Mr Lee was a “conviction politician”. When asked in his memoirs, what it took to be a politician, he said “You must have convictions”. Mr Lee, himself, did not set out with the aspiration to be a politician. In his memoirs, he recounted that he returned to Singapore from his overseas studies to be a lawyer. But he was driven to assume public office by two convictions: One, he wanted a Singapore without a colonial master, and two, he wanted a system that focused on meritocracy.

In Parliament, Mr Lee set very high standards for himself and expected the same from all the other Members of Parliament too. In a speech to Parliament in 1999, Mr Lee said that he wanted Members of Parliament whose “instincts are immediately for Singaporeans”. He reminded us that “Parliament as an arena for the contest of wits and wills over matters of policies will always remain important because of our system of parliamentary democracy” but that we must “make no mistake…. In this Chamber, we are playing for keeps. The future of Singapore and its people…. is not a question for light-hearted banter.” Even when he was ill and quite frail,
Mr Lee would make tremendous effort to attend Parliament Sittings as he took his duties very seriously.

Mr Lee never flinched from taking hard decisions, many of which were taken in this august Chamber. In 1968, when speaking on the Employment Bill, he said: “We will be judged as a government by results. These results depend, among other things, upon the morale and enthusiasm of the people, and the pace set by their leaders in Parliament and outside.”

Mr Lee’s abiding concern was the interest and welfare of the people, even if there were painful adjustments to be made in the short term. People respected and followed him because of one very important element and that is trust. They trusted that he did not make decisions for his own self-aggrandisement or personal benefit but truly for the benefit of Singapore.

Mr Lee’s personal leadership and his style and values helped shape the tone and the kind of parliament that we have inherited today. Deeply committed to Singapore, passionate to ensure not just Singapore’s survival but also its success, he was a leader par excellence. He had devoted his entire life to make the life of all Singaporeans better. Mr Lee has left a deep impact on this House and we will feel the vacuum. The least that we as Parliamentarians can do now is to uphold the values that he held dear when he was alive.

In 1999, when we moved to this Chamber from the old Parliament House, Mr Lee said, “The importance of this Chamber did not, and does not, depend on its size and its grandeur, but upon the quality of men and women who occupy it as representatives of the people. By the standards of other public and private buildings in Singapore, it is modest by comparison. But that is a virtue. Behind the understatement lie great strengths of character, integrity and determination. That is what will see Singapore through not the grand statements and monuments in brick and mortar or steel and concrete, with which so many other new nations try to impress themselves and their followers”. Mr Lee could very well have described himself and his own life when he made that statement.

Mr Lee reminded us that, “Nobody believed that we could make it, but we have. But there is no reason to believe that we will continue to make it. We will continue to make it only if there are tough-minded people who know the difference between the froth and the substance.”

Honourable Members, it now falls upon us as Members of this House to ensure that we continue Mr Lee’s legacy of a responsible and effective Parliament, a duty we owe to the people of Singapore.

The House records with deep regret the passing of the Honourable Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC and founding Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. On behalf of all Members, I wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the late
Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

I also wish to thank the thousands that have braved the hot sun to pay their last respects to Mr Lee for your support and sympathies. In this moment of grief, we have become even more united as Singaporeans. Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s death is indeed a grievous loss to Singapore and this House.

Source: www.todayonline.com

March 27, 2015