- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
- 0
[h=2]A concerned citizen who loves his country replying to Vivian[/h]
June 9th, 2012 |
Author: Contributions
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Dear Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
I am writing to you as a very concerned citizen who loves my country very deeply and has contributed more than my fair share to nation building. But policies enacted through your party have gravely effected my belief that our country is heading in right direction.
In your well-written article (‘Vivian: Why and how we must remain an open city‘), you mentioned four principles that you strongly believe that Singapore needs to anchor itself, and which all of us must embrace.
1. Principle of “Democratic society based on justice and equality”
Perhaps our concepts of democracy are different – mine as a politically unastute layman is based on a simple idea that democracy is for a purpose, based on a principle and built upon a construct which creates a society that can be just, fair and free.
Looking at (for me) the most hated policy of all, that of the GRC / Electoral re-zoning / appointment of Grassroots Advisor, would you honestly say that this policy adheres to the purpose, principal and construct of a true democracy?
A system which entrenches the incumbent, allowing it to retain 81 of 87 parliamentary seats, while ignoring the rights of the 39.9%, robs you of all moral authority to say that you are representative of the people. A system whereby only the chosen elites (and some riding on the coat tails of others) are sent to parliament, robs you of the right to say you are government by the people. A stated policy whereby taxpayers money are used to deny/reward constituents based on their voting slips robs you of the right to say you are governing for the people.
2. Principle that “Singapore depends on being an open society”
While I cannot deny history and I have personally benefited from this policy, the feelings on the ground per se is not that Singapore be a closed society, but rather, to have a more discourse on this very important policy which has seen our population increase from 3 million to 5.2 million (source: Singapore Department of Statistics) in a very short span of 20 years! And this in a tiny country of only 714sq km.
Has there been any referendum, debate, discussion, consultation before someone decided to open the floodgates and welcome all a sundry? How can you not expect some discontent, conflict, unhappiness when so many is added to so few in such a tight space in an even tighter timeline?
3. Principles of “Putting Singaporeans first” and “finding effective ways to integrate new immigrants”
When it is your party’s fervent believe that without unfettered immigration, our country is doomed – are you not saying that as our “elected” representatives, you have lost the belief in our country and our people? What is the “magical number” or critical mass of people your party is aiming for, which you will finally believe that our country is then past the threshold of survivalhood and finally into complete nationhood? Has there ever been a thought as to make do with what we have rather than always pushing for what we MUST have? Has there ever been a thought for policies which will build nationhood, not divide it, care the unfortunate and not the select few, encourage discourse and debate, not stifle, crush and punish?
I for one, will never, ever, vote for a government which punishes some of its citizens for their political beliefs without just cause or representation. I for one will never believe in a government which robs the minority of its voice, and create an entire class of disenfranchised through a electoral system which only serves to perpetuate its powers. I for one, will never ever fight for a government, when it has openly declared that what we have today, is NOT enough to warrant a future.
.
Foo Lai Yong
Dear Dr Vivian Balakrishnan,
I am writing to you as a very concerned citizen who loves my country very deeply and has contributed more than my fair share to nation building. But policies enacted through your party have gravely effected my belief that our country is heading in right direction.
In your well-written article (‘Vivian: Why and how we must remain an open city‘), you mentioned four principles that you strongly believe that Singapore needs to anchor itself, and which all of us must embrace.
1. Principle of “Democratic society based on justice and equality”
Perhaps our concepts of democracy are different – mine as a politically unastute layman is based on a simple idea that democracy is for a purpose, based on a principle and built upon a construct which creates a society that can be just, fair and free.
- Purpose of a democracy: the protection and promotion of the rights, interests and welfare of the People
- Principle of democracy: political freedom whereby the People are the ultimate and sole source of the authority of the government whereby the JUST powers of the government are based upon the consent of those governed
- Construct of democracy: for a democracy to work, the People must have practical means of choosing their representatives who shall exercise their political powers on their behalf. This is done through elections which are free, fair and sufficiently frequent.
Looking at (for me) the most hated policy of all, that of the GRC / Electoral re-zoning / appointment of Grassroots Advisor, would you honestly say that this policy adheres to the purpose, principal and construct of a true democracy?
A system which entrenches the incumbent, allowing it to retain 81 of 87 parliamentary seats, while ignoring the rights of the 39.9%, robs you of all moral authority to say that you are representative of the people. A system whereby only the chosen elites (and some riding on the coat tails of others) are sent to parliament, robs you of the right to say you are government by the people. A stated policy whereby taxpayers money are used to deny/reward constituents based on their voting slips robs you of the right to say you are governing for the people.
2. Principle that “Singapore depends on being an open society”
While I cannot deny history and I have personally benefited from this policy, the feelings on the ground per se is not that Singapore be a closed society, but rather, to have a more discourse on this very important policy which has seen our population increase from 3 million to 5.2 million (source: Singapore Department of Statistics) in a very short span of 20 years! And this in a tiny country of only 714sq km.
Has there been any referendum, debate, discussion, consultation before someone decided to open the floodgates and welcome all a sundry? How can you not expect some discontent, conflict, unhappiness when so many is added to so few in such a tight space in an even tighter timeline?
3. Principles of “Putting Singaporeans first” and “finding effective ways to integrate new immigrants”
When it is your party’s fervent believe that without unfettered immigration, our country is doomed – are you not saying that as our “elected” representatives, you have lost the belief in our country and our people? What is the “magical number” or critical mass of people your party is aiming for, which you will finally believe that our country is then past the threshold of survivalhood and finally into complete nationhood? Has there ever been a thought as to make do with what we have rather than always pushing for what we MUST have? Has there ever been a thought for policies which will build nationhood, not divide it, care the unfortunate and not the select few, encourage discourse and debate, not stifle, crush and punish?
I for one, will never, ever, vote for a government which punishes some of its citizens for their political beliefs without just cause or representation. I for one will never believe in a government which robs the minority of its voice, and create an entire class of disenfranchised through a electoral system which only serves to perpetuate its powers. I for one, will never ever fight for a government, when it has openly declared that what we have today, is NOT enough to warrant a future.
.
Foo Lai Yong
