LKY had to lay flowers at the graves for 2 Indonesian soldiers who murdered Singaporeans... and other Soft Truths for my fellow younger Singaporeans...
I am in my 40s, a Singaporean, married with 3 kids. Grew up in a HDB, served NS and paying CPF...
I spoke to a few Singaporeans in their 20s and early 30s. I could sense there is much quiet discontent about the recent failings of the government.
I am happy with Singapore mostly but like many, I belong to the silent majority...
With Oxleygate, Presidency Controversy, Covid-19 Response, TCB-LHY... I sense PAP may lose many votes, especially amongst the younger Singaporeans...
Soft Truth 1: Mdm Josephine Teo needs to reflect
I mean, how can one expect to be well-liked when one would only apologise when demanded upon. Granted nobody can have hindsight to prevent the tragic situation, but many good leaders have the humility to accept the shortcomings of their work and the courage to face the music. Singaporeans are not stupid. We can discern the facts to know that some things can’t be prevented, and certain compromises are needed to achieve delicate balance in the business environment. However, many can’t accept the arrogance in not owning up and taking responsibility. Such action loses votes. I hope she can make amends asap.
Soft Truth 2: SG is more vulnerable than most Singaporeans think
I travel South East Asia for work. I know for a clear fact that most of the governments around us hate SG. Namely because we are such a smart and tough competitor that we make them look bad. They have natural resources and plenty of land. We only have people and a tiny island, yet we are beating them in many areas. Would they eat us alive any time they can. Certainly! The only reason they don’t? It is because they can’t... (for now).
If not for the SAF, do we really think Malaysia will send us water out of contractual obligations? (For those of us who don’t really know why we served or are serving NS? Think of the water you feed your family with. That’s perhaps the most real and basic reason).
Plus the billions from our annual GDP that we spend on defence? Its not just to groom paper generals (definitely some are good, some bad), it is to buy weapons that can ensure our lunch are not taken and water continues to be served. And along the way, bring kids from very normal family background to prominence, folks like George Yeo and the likes...
Soft Truth 3: Salesmanship of LKY & Philip Yeo that gave us a headstart
With a strong defence as foundation, we were then able to build up a stable economy that foreigners are willing to invest in. The salesmanship of LKY and people like Philip Yeo helped us garnered much investment into SG in the early years. It is through those foreign investment in both technology and people, that SG was able to grow the quality of our workforce. Basically, we learned how the clever people in the world does business, copy them and then try to do it better than them.
This strategy by the forefathers has given us such an important headstart, that few countries in this part of the world now can come close. Therefore, SG made good profits, re-invested those money to build further advantages to ensure we maintain or extend our lead over the competition around us.
Jobs are generally available in SG, good food on the table and one holiday a year became a norm for many families.
And this is the norm from which many younger Singaporeans grew up in.
Many of whom may not be keenly aware of the cut-throat intense competition that goes on behind the scenes. The headstart that our forefather built up, needs to be cherished and protected.
The moment investors see that SG government is no longer stable... then that is the day our lead against our neighboring countries will begin to diminish...
Soft Truth 4: Things government cant say
Here, I write about very sensitive things that I suppose the politicians can’t really explain due to “political sensitivity”
Did Temasek or GIC really want to buy American banks during the Great Financial Crisis? Or could it be because US warships are stationed in our backyard.
Did the government really want to go through the chicanery of the minority presidency deal to prevent a TCB in Istana?
They for sure are smart enough to know it is utterly embarrassing. They know Singaporeans will hate a smelly move like this. But an Istana with TCB, would probably uncover much issues, and perhaps some of these issues may diminish Singapore’s standing. I wish i am more of an idealist but i rather not have anyone airing dirty laundry. I am sure there have been screw ups along the way by the government. But along with the screw ups, we achieved a way of life, few countries can enjoy. I am pragmatic. Don’t screw up a winning strategy.
I am a TCB fan and bless his soul for being a brave fighter. I wish him good health and for him to fight hard. But I hope he wont change the government as i worry SG will be more vulnerable if we lose the stability in government.
Soft Truth 5: Democracy?
At this point, if you see SG as a business entity, everything becomes clearer. As long as it does not affect business, can talk. As long as it affect business, they shut you down fast. (Ask the pilots who fought LKY)
Business in the sense of the general well being of Singapore as a whole. If you bring benefit, you will be welcomed. If you bring harm, bad things happen to you in SG and it happens fast.
This i feel is the core strategy of the SG government. They will do whatever it takes to protect the precious headstart, the lead that SG has... no matter how embarrassing or stupid it can be some times...
I believe in Darwin’s survival of the fittest. While PAP is able and in power, they will do everything it takes to make it hard for others to beat them. Likewise, when the Opposition eventually assume power, i too would expect them to do the same. Democracy to me is a theory. What democracy can we speak of if we have no water to drink? we got no oil, no land, not that many people. We do have a decent government that is hardly corrupted and who is doing a pretty good job (overall).
I bless the brave souls in the Opposition parties. I hope they have a good showing and scare the government into doing more for the people (like they did in 2011).
I think it feels very good to want to vote for TCB (LHY). Old man, hero, fighter and so i think many will vote for him...
But because i know how vulnerable SG is against the competition out there. Sorry call me pussy, but I rather stay safe.
To be continued... (SOrry working from home... kids need me now...)
I am in my 40s, a Singaporean, married with 3 kids. Grew up in a HDB, served NS and paying CPF...
I spoke to a few Singaporeans in their 20s and early 30s. I could sense there is much quiet discontent about the recent failings of the government.
I am happy with Singapore mostly but like many, I belong to the silent majority...
With Oxleygate, Presidency Controversy, Covid-19 Response, TCB-LHY... I sense PAP may lose many votes, especially amongst the younger Singaporeans...
Soft Truth 1: Mdm Josephine Teo needs to reflect
I mean, how can one expect to be well-liked when one would only apologise when demanded upon. Granted nobody can have hindsight to prevent the tragic situation, but many good leaders have the humility to accept the shortcomings of their work and the courage to face the music. Singaporeans are not stupid. We can discern the facts to know that some things can’t be prevented, and certain compromises are needed to achieve delicate balance in the business environment. However, many can’t accept the arrogance in not owning up and taking responsibility. Such action loses votes. I hope she can make amends asap.
Soft Truth 2: SG is more vulnerable than most Singaporeans think
I travel South East Asia for work. I know for a clear fact that most of the governments around us hate SG. Namely because we are such a smart and tough competitor that we make them look bad. They have natural resources and plenty of land. We only have people and a tiny island, yet we are beating them in many areas. Would they eat us alive any time they can. Certainly! The only reason they don’t? It is because they can’t... (for now).
If not for the SAF, do we really think Malaysia will send us water out of contractual obligations? (For those of us who don’t really know why we served or are serving NS? Think of the water you feed your family with. That’s perhaps the most real and basic reason).
Plus the billions from our annual GDP that we spend on defence? Its not just to groom paper generals (definitely some are good, some bad), it is to buy weapons that can ensure our lunch are not taken and water continues to be served. And along the way, bring kids from very normal family background to prominence, folks like George Yeo and the likes...
Soft Truth 3: Salesmanship of LKY & Philip Yeo that gave us a headstart
With a strong defence as foundation, we were then able to build up a stable economy that foreigners are willing to invest in. The salesmanship of LKY and people like Philip Yeo helped us garnered much investment into SG in the early years. It is through those foreign investment in both technology and people, that SG was able to grow the quality of our workforce. Basically, we learned how the clever people in the world does business, copy them and then try to do it better than them.
This strategy by the forefathers has given us such an important headstart, that few countries in this part of the world now can come close. Therefore, SG made good profits, re-invested those money to build further advantages to ensure we maintain or extend our lead over the competition around us.
Jobs are generally available in SG, good food on the table and one holiday a year became a norm for many families.
And this is the norm from which many younger Singaporeans grew up in.
Many of whom may not be keenly aware of the cut-throat intense competition that goes on behind the scenes. The headstart that our forefather built up, needs to be cherished and protected.
The moment investors see that SG government is no longer stable... then that is the day our lead against our neighboring countries will begin to diminish...
Soft Truth 4: Things government cant say
Here, I write about very sensitive things that I suppose the politicians can’t really explain due to “political sensitivity”
Did Temasek or GIC really want to buy American banks during the Great Financial Crisis? Or could it be because US warships are stationed in our backyard.
Did the government really want to go through the chicanery of the minority presidency deal to prevent a TCB in Istana?
They for sure are smart enough to know it is utterly embarrassing. They know Singaporeans will hate a smelly move like this. But an Istana with TCB, would probably uncover much issues, and perhaps some of these issues may diminish Singapore’s standing. I wish i am more of an idealist but i rather not have anyone airing dirty laundry. I am sure there have been screw ups along the way by the government. But along with the screw ups, we achieved a way of life, few countries can enjoy. I am pragmatic. Don’t screw up a winning strategy.
I am a TCB fan and bless his soul for being a brave fighter. I wish him good health and for him to fight hard. But I hope he wont change the government as i worry SG will be more vulnerable if we lose the stability in government.
Soft Truth 5: Democracy?
At this point, if you see SG as a business entity, everything becomes clearer. As long as it does not affect business, can talk. As long as it affect business, they shut you down fast. (Ask the pilots who fought LKY)
Business in the sense of the general well being of Singapore as a whole. If you bring benefit, you will be welcomed. If you bring harm, bad things happen to you in SG and it happens fast.
This i feel is the core strategy of the SG government. They will do whatever it takes to protect the precious headstart, the lead that SG has... no matter how embarrassing or stupid it can be some times...
I believe in Darwin’s survival of the fittest. While PAP is able and in power, they will do everything it takes to make it hard for others to beat them. Likewise, when the Opposition eventually assume power, i too would expect them to do the same. Democracy to me is a theory. What democracy can we speak of if we have no water to drink? we got no oil, no land, not that many people. We do have a decent government that is hardly corrupted and who is doing a pretty good job (overall).
I bless the brave souls in the Opposition parties. I hope they have a good showing and scare the government into doing more for the people (like they did in 2011).
I think it feels very good to want to vote for TCB (LHY). Old man, hero, fighter and so i think many will vote for him...
But because i know how vulnerable SG is against the competition out there. Sorry call me pussy, but I rather stay safe.
To be continued... (SOrry working from home... kids need me now...)
