I read with great interest the transcript of the speech delivered by newly appointed NMP Viswa Sadasivan on his maiden speech in parliament and the reply by MM Lee and education minister Dr Ng (all of which can be googled online)
I enjoyed how he encapsulated his speech through the dissection of the pledge. Mr Sadasivan brought up many points which i thought echoed the sentiments of the day that surround the many opinions my peers and myself share of Singapore. One area of his speech in which particularly stood out to me was the aspect of identity as a Singaporean, and rootedness.
As a youth in Singapore, many have complained that we have been apathetic. Perhaps in a sense that is true, because everything is already there and provided for (i sometimes take what i have for granted until i dont have it). There isnt anything to fight for (perhaps only in ecconomic sense), not like in the times of the pre 65 era where indepence peace and stability came at a price of fighting off communism, racial tensions and even colonial rule.
I am heartened that both MM and Dr Ng’s replies focused on defending what we’ve built together as a nation. Personally not having gone through the Merdeka era, i have no idea the struggles our founding fathers faced, and will never know why is it they so fiercely defend the building blocks.
Perhaps the closest glimpse i have of this struggle is seeing first hand how a young nation such as Timor Leste after 7 years is still battling in fighting within the government resulting in the people whom suffer the most (i.e lack of infrastructure, basic needs)
I agree that although we go forward, we cannot neglect our foundations, although we are building upwards, we also need to remember to build downwards.
I once remember an analogy of an ice berg, where what you see above the waters is only 10% of the ice berg whereas the substance and form and what gives it is enormity is the 90% that is below the water.
tip of the iceberg?
Contrary to many people’s views that MM and Dr Ng’s replies were less than satisfactory, i think it is important to see where they are coming from. After all, a person’s views stem most of the time from their personal experiences. Something which i will not fully comprehend as i have never shared in their personal struggles.
Overall, I personally thought Mr Sadasivan addressed too many concerns in one sitting, and perhaps this diluted the gravity of each point he tried to address.
I absolutely agree that more transparency can be given and better explanation of government policies (in a way everyday men can understand and in a more peacable and humble attidue).
For whatever reasons whether for ecconomic sense or national security’s sake the government is not as transparent as we hope on some key issues, i think we cannot take for granted the honest and upright (having integrity) government which has been the pinnacle of Singapore’s success thus far. (i say even detractors would have to agree that this reputation of being honest and having integrity is important and worth defending)
Do we need a leap of faith or do we need to be brought back to earth?
I say both is important. And with our uniquely Singapore history, somehow we will need to transcend gravity and have both at the same time.
Julian is a student currently studying in the UK. At the age of 3, he came close to death due to a life threatening disease. Thankful for his second chance, Julian believes in making a positive difference with whatever he has been blessed with through various community opportunities both in Singapore and abroad. Someone who believes in the motto, "To heal sometimes, to relieve often but to comfort Always", he hope to share his musings and observations of daily life as a Singaporean student in the UK (: