http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/107311
Malaysiakini, 26 Jun 2009, Olinda Brazil
'I curse the day I was born a Singaporean'
It is very amusing to see how Malaysians (probably of the minority
races) have spasms of ecstasy when referring to Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) in
Malaysian forums. From across the border in Malaysia, Singapore seems
like Wonderland and LKY like a benevolent god.
As a Chinese Singaporean, born of Malaysian parents who took up
citizenship here in Singapore, I can understand why they feel this way.
The grouses are familiar: NEP, corruption and ineptitude in governance.
Let me provide an insight on how it is like to be a Singaporean. I must first stress that new immigrants or Permanent Residents (PRs)
from Malaysia (like my parents) will not experience any disadvantages.
It is the children of these people (like me) or new PRs' children (who
will be Singaporean) who will feel the disadvantages most sorely, and
curse the fact they were born in Singapore:
On the relative development of both countries - Singpore developed well
largely due to early good advice given to LKY, its strategic position,
the lack of natural disasters and its easily-governable size. Malaysia
lags behind in spite of its natural resources because of its larger
size, poorer planning/ execution, more difficult decision-making and
corruption.
However, Singapore has problems at present because its development
model is outdated. As LKY still insists on the methods recommended tens
of years ago, trouble is looming. There is no impetus to change because
there is no one who dares to disagree. The media prints only
propaganda, the courts will always find the government blameless as the
government runs 70% of the economy.
The opposition has been persecuted to the point where only those with
nothing to lose will dare to oppose, and the common people are scared
to death of arbitrary arrest.
Yes, corruption is more widespread in Malaysia. But in Singapore, it
also exists - though restricted to the top political elite and in a
legalised form. In Malaysia, many get a share of the cake but in
Singapore, only a select few get a share of the cake.
Many scoff at the position of the Malay rulers. But are they aware of
the many dubious acts of LKY and his cronies - his ‘cooperation’ with
the wartime Japanese, then the Communists and then the British (he
betrayed the latter two in the end)?
And the actions taken by him and his courts to destroy the opposition,
moves which are reported in a twisted manner by his press? A shining
example of good character?
Yes, up till recently, Singapore was performing
excellently. But at the same time, the ordinary people had the fruits
of their labour taken away. We seem rich but yet are in debt. The
government apartments are now exorbitantly priced. Cars are a necessity
(given the poor performance of the profit-oriented public transport
companies) but are also exorbitantly priced.
Much of our money is locked in the Provident Fund and it is becoming impossible to get it back while we are still alive.Yes, all races are treated equally - and they are sucked dry equally.This
is the pivotal point in times when things became bad. By the way, the
money in the Provident Fund (as well as in the reserves) is used for
investment - for which there is almost no transparency and
accountability.
Huge losses have been incurred in the current crisis yet the ruling
party still baulks at spending a million or two on the poor. Oh, and we
spend twice as much on defence as Malaysia despite being at least 400
times smaller.
Instead of addressing the root of the problems, LKY's son (yes, his son
- by the way did Dr Mahathir install his son as prime minister?)
decided to take action on only one aspect of the problem, in a negative
manner. Instead of lowering costs for citizens, and therefore maintaining wage levels, he decided to import foreigners to lower cost.
It is effective - foreigners earn much more per hour than they do back
home. They are stuck with the same employer for the duration of their
visa, hence they are obedient. If they are sacked, they have to go
home. And home means facing unpaid debts which they incurred in getting
to Singapore. So which foreign worker will dare to resist exploitation?
This means the ‘choosy’ Singaporeans get to twiddle thumbs at home. And
would the Singaporean ministers care? They are paid $S$2 million basic
per year, a performance bonus of up to eight months, and get a pension
when they reach retirement age. Good clean governance, huh? Oh yes, the
judges are paid the same too so not surprisingly they always find for
the government.
Malaysians are LKY's top choice. It gratifies him to poach bright
minority students which his old pal Dr Mahathir had educated. They get
good jobs (there is supposedly a quota to be filled), will not get
sacked (as it means they go back to Dr M) and are favoured by
corporations, as they do not have national service obligations.
None want to be citizens - at the end of the day,
they will retire to the Malaysia (which they hate so much) to enjoy the
Singapore dollar’s strength. God have mercy on the children they leave behind!
Currently one person in three is a
foreigner in Singapore. The press chooses to obfuscate matters by
lumping citizens and PRs together in their reporting (as 'resident
population') so the huge number of foreigners in Singapore is
understated.
To all Malaysians who love LKY, you have to be ruled by him, not as a
PR turned citizen, but as a born and bred Singaporean, to understand
that he is not what you think.You curse Dr Mahathir because you know
LKY will treat you like lords. You are correct but very shortsighted
and shallow.
Dr Mahathir may be much less than perfect, but only ignorant fools will
say LKY is better than him. Singapore residents receive two broadsheet
pages daily on how bad things are in Malaysia, but no Singaporean
commentator will blast LKY and compare him to Dr Mahathir.
Why? Because it is stupid to compare - we have not been ruled by Dr
Mahathir or Umno so how are we able to compare? Using anecdotal
evidence supplied by privileged fellow countrymen is poor practice.
Exactly. Why, is the despot so cursed with a zombie wife, a son with cancer of the anus, a mongoloid grandson, a daughter in law that killed herself.... this family is cursed for their dishonrable acts and will be cursed for generations to come.
Singaporeans are cursed for supporting him even when he turned to the evil side and more Singaporeans will will suffer the curses after the casinos open.
Originally posted by Yxxxone:http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/107311
Malaysiakini, 26 Jun 2009, Olinda Brazil
'I curse the day I was born a Singaporean'
It is very amusing to see how Malaysians (probably of the minority races) have spasms of ecstasy when referring to Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) in Malaysian forums. From across the border in Malaysia, Singapore seems like Wonderland and LKY like a benevolent god.
As a Chinese Singaporean, born of Malaysian parents who took up citizenship here in Singapore, I can understand why they feel this way. The grouses are familiar: NEP, corruption and ineptitude in governance.
Let me provide an insight on how it is like to be a Singaporean. I must first stress that new immigrants or Permanent Residents (PRs) from Malaysia (like my parents) will not experience any disadvantages. It is the children of these people (like me) or new PRs' children (who will be Singaporean) who will feel the disadvantages most sorely, and curse the fact they were born in Singapore:
On the relative development of both countries - Singpore developed well largely due to early good advice given to LKY, its strategic position, the lack of natural disasters and its easily-governable size. Malaysia lags behind in spite of its natural resources because of its larger size, poorer planning/ execution, more difficult decision-making and corruption.
However, Singapore has problems at present because its development model is outdated. As LKY still insists on the methods recommended tens of years ago, trouble is looming. There is no impetus to change because there is no one who dares to disagree. The media prints only propaganda, the courts will always find the government blameless as the government runs 70% of the economy.
The opposition has been persecuted to the point where only those with nothing to lose will dare to oppose, and the common people are scared to death of arbitrary arrest.
Yes, corruption is more widespread in Malaysia. But in Singapore, it also exists - though restricted to the top political elite and in a legalised form. In Malaysia, many get a share of the cake but in Singapore, only a select few get a share of the cake.
Many scoff at the position of the Malay rulers. But are they aware of the many dubious acts of LKY and his cronies - his ‘cooperation’ with the wartime Japanese, then the Communists and then the British (he betrayed the latter two in the end)?
And the actions taken by him and his courts to destroy the opposition, moves which are reported in a twisted manner by his press? A shining example of good character?
Yes, up till recently, Singapore was performing excellently. But at the same time, the ordinary people had the fruits of their labour taken away. We seem rich but yet are in debt. The government apartments are now exorbitantly priced. Cars are a necessity (given the poor performance of the profit-oriented public transport companies) but are also exorbitantly priced.
Much of our money is locked in the Provident Fund and it is becoming impossible to get it back while we are still alive.Yes, all races are treated equally - and they are sucked dry equally.This is the pivotal point in times when things became bad. By the way, the money in the Provident Fund (as well as in the reserves) is used for investment - for which there is almost no transparency and accountability.
Huge losses have been incurred in the current crisis yet the ruling party still baulks at spending a million or two on the poor. Oh, and we spend twice as much on defence as Malaysia despite being at least 400 times smaller.
Instead of addressing the root of the problems, LKY's son (yes, his son - by the way did Dr Mahathir install his son as prime minister?) decided to take action on only one aspect of the problem, in a negative manner. Instead of lowering costs for citizens, and therefore maintaining wage levels, he decided to import foreigners to lower cost.
It is effective - foreigners earn much more per hour than they do back home. They are stuck with the same employer for the duration of their visa, hence they are obedient. If they are sacked, they have to go home. And home means facing unpaid debts which they incurred in getting to Singapore. So which foreign worker will dare to resist exploitation?
This means the ‘choosy’ Singaporeans get to twiddle thumbs at home. And would the Singaporean ministers care? They are paid $S$2 million basic per year, a performance bonus of up to eight months, and get a pension when they reach retirement age. Good clean governance, huh? Oh yes, the judges are paid the same too so not surprisingly they always find for the government.
Malaysians are LKY's top choice. It gratifies him to poach bright minority students which his old pal Dr Mahathir had educated. They get good jobs (there is supposedly a quota to be filled), will not get sacked (as it means they go back to Dr M) and are favoured by corporations, as they do not have national service obligations.
None want to be citizens - at the end of the day, they will retire to the Malaysia (which they hate so much) to enjoy the Singapore dollar’s strength. God have mercy on the children they leave behind!
Currently one person in three is a foreigner in Singapore. The press chooses to obfuscate matters by lumping citizens and PRs together in their reporting (as 'resident population') so the huge number of foreigners in Singapore is understated.
To all Malaysians who love LKY, you have to be ruled by him, not as a PR turned citizen, but as a born and bred Singaporean, to understand that he is not what you think.You curse Dr Mahathir because you know LKY will treat you like lords. You are correct but very shortsighted and shallow.
Dr Mahathir may be much less than perfect, but only ignorant fools will say LKY is better than him. Singapore residents receive two broadsheet pages daily on how bad things are in Malaysia, but no Singaporean commentator will blast LKY and compare him to Dr Mahathir.
Why? Because it is stupid to compare - we have not been ruled by Dr Mahathir or Umno so how are we able to compare? Using anecdotal evidence supplied by privileged fellow countrymen is poor practice.
This person appears to be a pretty smart chap. Writes well. I wonder why he is so bitter. Obviously he has a good education and can articulate his thoughts. With the ability that he has, he can easily leave Singapore and strike out else where. No need to be beholden to LKY and his decendants. The world is so big. Why limit oneself to a small island? Unless Singapore is still the best place to be.
å¤¸å¼ .
we may have problems but which country is perfect?
at least we have peace, no natural disasters, roof over our head, racial harmony and many other basic necessities.
to say its a curse is an overstatement.
think of all the many countries that have much lesser.
how many actually really want to retire in malaysia?
He has a fighting spirit, not bitter, and he can go anywhere in the world but chooses to stay and curse the despots.
Singapore needs more people like him and less running dogs licking the assholes of the despots.
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
He has a fighting spirit, not bitter, and he can go anywhere in the world but chooses to stay and curse the despots.
Singapore needs more people like him and less running dogs licking the assholes of the despots.
If he wants change, then he should join opposition. Or join PAP and change from within which is almost impossible. He can have his cake and eat it too if he moves to a better place and still continuing cursing the despots. That way, he does not have to life in this miserable place. Perhaps then he can write with better perspective. Not like some frustrated spinster.
Originally posted by dragg:å¤¸å¼ .
we may have problems but which country is perfect?
at least we have peace, no natural disasters, roof over our head, racial harmony and many other basic necessities.
to say its a curse is an overstatement.
think of all the many countries that have much lesser.
how many actually really want to retire in malaysia?
Racial harmony my foot! How many people of another race do you know other than people you work with or go to school with? Have you ever invited peolple of a different race to your house or visited the house of someone of a different race? Racial harmony is just government propaganda. Everyone has been warned not to create trouble even if he is unhappy. Just grin an bear with it. It's all good if you belong to the dominant race. You just have to be upset about how ministers live a good life and you're not. You don't care how the others are suffering.
Originally posted by monday blue:This person appears to be a pretty smart chap. Writes well. I wonder why he is so bitter. Obviously he has a good education and can articulate his thoughts. With the ability that he has, he can easily leave Singapore and strike out else where. No need to be beholden to LKY and his decendants. The world is so big. Why limit oneself to a small island? Unless Singapore is still the best place to be.
This person may be a Malaysian, cannot tahan the publicity LKY stirred up in his 7days visit!
The people who stay around in Singapore, lamenting the lousy government, the poor transportation, the expensive houses, ... the hard life, but cannot leave the country for better places, because they don't have the capability, not accepted by any other country, having too much in singapore that they cannot leave behind.
it is a great political move to counter the impact of LKY visit on malaysian with such an article in a malaysian media, but how do you think his parents would think, if his parents did give birth to him in Singapore.
he can choose not to be a Singaporean, just don't do NS if he were a male, if he were a female, then ask angel if singaporean girls really so jia lat in being singaporean.
Originally posted by monday blue:
If he wants change, then he should join opposition. Or join PAP and change from within which is almost impossible. He can have his cake and eat it too if he moves to a better place and still continuing cursing the despots. That way, he does not have to life in this miserable place. Perhaps then he can write with better perspective. Not like some frustrated spinster.
aiya, you know andrewpkyap, even as a bomoh, his curse is never effective even he come face to face with his victims, if he go overseas, nobody would even know he had cast a curse, at least here, his voice is heard, thanks to freedom of press, hahaha...any happening is mere coincident.
Originally posted by sgdiehard:This person may be a Malaysian, cannot tahan the publicity LKY stirred up in his 7days visit!
The people who stay around in Singapore, lamenting the lousy government, the poor transportation, the expensive houses, ... the hard life, but cannot leave the country for better places, because they don't have the capability, not accepted by any other country, having too much in singapore that they cannot leave behind.
it is a great political move to counter the impact of LKY visit on malaysian with such an article in a malaysian media, but how do you think his parents would think, if his parents did give birth to him in Singapore.
he can choose not to be a Singaporean, just don't do NS if he were a male, if he were a female, then ask angel if singaporean girls really so jia lat in being singaporean.
Cmmon, he already said he is Singaporean. Anyway, his parents made him Singaporean so he can't avoid NS. The only way for Singapore male to avoid NS is to leave the country and never step foot in Singapore again. Never even changing passport can save him from going to jail.
Originally posted by monday blue:
Cmmon, he already said he is Singaporean. Anyway, his parents made him Singaporean so he can't avoid NS. The only way for Singapore male to avoid NS is to leave the country and never step foot in Singapore again. Never even changing passport can save him from going to jail.
can you tell the nationality of the people in this forum? I can't and don't intend to, but from their posts, you can arga arga know, that is why many new names here, many are just old guys using new names.
It does matter whether the guy say he is singaporean or malaysian, the content of his letter does say anything about his life in Singapore!
If I were a Malay Malaysian, I would be ashamed and never be able to hold my head high. Any pride that I display to others would be based on inflated ego of my true self worth, with is nothing and all hot air.
Malay Malaysians are stupid, lazy and docile. This unfortunately is the perception held by those who passes by Malaysia. Malaysia's NEP only confirms this perception. for which human group would need to supress others, deny universal sufferage and elevate an ethnic group with huge opportunities denied to others unless they are a weak group of humans?
In Singapore, we as a society had never adopted such racist policies, but had sought to provide equality and dignity for all including our Malays whom we believe are no different from any of us, and if given the chance, they would excel just like any other ethnic group.
It is with true pride as a chinese citizen I look at my malay compatriots owning their properties, made it to top Unis here and overseas, hold on to jobs, serve in our NS to protect us. They took nothing that we other ethnic group did not enjoy.
Should my reservist unit be seconded to our Malay general, his every word would be our command, for we citizens look beyond the color of his skin or his ethnic belongings, but look towards the system that promoted him and is where our loyalties lay -SAF, the institution that protects and answerable to society through our freely elected MPs and Parliament.
And it is the 'system' that keeps us all equal - rule of law. Anyone is free to seek redress from the law - our corrupt free courts - against anyone else, rich or poor. Even our PM had been hauled to a civilian court while still in office and disgustedly cross-examined there, something which no other country would allow, let alone contemplate.
Singapore governance may be far from perfect, but the model which we are comparing is not that of any mortal rule, let alone to the cruel tyrant racist mad hatter, but one that is of eternal glory envisioned by philosophers since the dawn of civilisation.
It will be our civic duty as citizens to groom and be prepared for that human enfranchisement model of governance, which may take generations yet, regardless if thru the ruling party or the opposition, an ideal we must all patiently cultivate, if not for us, at least for the next generations.
Singapore is our evolving homeland, our one and only whom our forefathers had suffered and worked hard for, by ourselves or with help from motivated foreigners turned citizens who shares our vision, one of which is that no one, no matter how insignificant he is in our society, will not get left behind as we all progress together regardless of rapid or slow economic growth.
I am a egalitarian by choice and doubted Darwin's work while still as a young boy. But reading the first article in this thread , I began to believe that Darwin may be right - Natural selection is at work, and will soon see the demise of the proven weak writer. May he be an exception rather than the norm. I and many more other educated citizens lived to fight and prove Darwin's theories wrong - given the right man-made conditions and environment such as education and opportunities, anyone can excel.
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
He has a fighting spirit, not bitter, and he can go anywhere in the world but chooses to stay and curse the despots.
Singapore needs more people like him and less running dogs licking the assholes of the despots.
respect
TS. Give u a choice, stay in Singapore or move back to Malaysia? I believe that you do haf a choice,give up ur current job and go and live in Malaysia if it suits you so good.
If you really cannot stand Singapore, just move away..dun let it affect your health.Remember that health is most important. From the way you wrote, i really scare that one day you might just collaspe from a heart attack.
Originally posted by monday blue:
If he wants change, then he should join opposition. Or join PAP and change from within which is almost impossible. He can have his cake and eat it too if he moves to a better place and still continuing cursing the despots. That way, he does not have to life in this miserable place. Perhaps then he can write with better perspective. Not like some frustrated spinster.
If the country is run by honorable people like Barrack Obama, or even George Bush that welcomes opposition... but not when the country is run by a dishonorable public money grabbing despot and his running dogs and cursed for persecuting opposition and activists.
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
Singaporeans are cursed for supporting him even when he turned to the evil side and more Singaporeans will will suffer the curses after the casinos open.
Uncle, i just curse that you were born in singapore and not papua new guinea
Originally posted by citymax:
respect
respect equal how many kilos?
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
If the country is run by honorable people like Barrack Obama, or even George Bush that welcomes opposition... but not when the country is run by a dishonorable public money grabbing despot and his running dogs and cursed for persecuting opposition and activists.
and also if the country possess honorable opposition and activist, there will be no running dogs.
i will only curse
when got no more land for developers
to build high end properties
nvm got en block sales
Dont forget also that his son that has cancer of the anus said openly that he has no problem using the office of the Prime Minister of Singapore to "fix the opposition". (PM says: Fix the Opposition-youtube)
He is such a dishonorable ass his first wife rather kill herself.
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
If the country is run by honorable people like Barrack Obama, or even George Bush that welcomes opposition... but not when the country is run by a dishonorable public money grabbing despot and his running dogs and cursed for persecuting opposition and activists.
Money is a strong motivation my friend. LKY knows it and he will play it to his advantage. If you're his dogs, you'll be well rewarded. Beyond your wildest dream perhaps. If he thinks you're against him then your life will be a bitch. The rest of the nation just go on with life waiting for scraps falling off the table. Singapore is one massive social experiment. Guess who are the lab rats?
Originally posted by monday blue:
If he wants change, then he should join opposition. Or join PAP and change from within which is almost impossible. He can have his cake and eat it too if he moves to a better place and still continuing cursing the despots. That way, he does not have to life in this miserable place. Perhaps then he can write with better perspective. Not like some frustrated spinster.
Don't be shallow.
There is no need to join opposition. Just vote for them will do
Originally posted by citymax:TS. Give u a choice, stay in Singapore or move back to Malaysia? I believe that you do haf a choice,give up ur current job and go and live in Malaysia if it suits you so good.
Yah. Mobe back to Malaysia and help them to conquer Singapore.
Money is a strong motivation my friend. LKY knows it and he will play it to his advantage. If you're his dogs, you'll be well rewarded. Beyond your wildest dream perhaps. If he thinks you're against him then your life will be a bitch. The rest of the nation just go on with life waiting for scraps falling off the table. Singapore is one massive social experiment. Guess who are the lab rats?
No need to talk so much.
Just support opposition, vote opposition.
PAP sees this they will be worried.
PAP see your above post they won't worry.