2/14/2011
A very controversial statement
I am writing this in response to Solo Bear’s latest article on the govt’s policy to keep the Chinese a majority in this country. I will leave his personal attack on LKY aside as I do not know what were the reasons for his persistent attack.
Since independence, and during the colonial times, the Chinese have been a majority till now. The issue is whether this a bad thing? What if another racial group becomes a majority, would it be better for everyone? For discussion’s sake, let’s say the Malays become a majority in the country, what kind of changes can we expect? Becoming more Islamic like our neighbours, with more tolerance and intolerance issues being precipitated, everything becomes so sensitive and objectionable? Would we become something like Malaysia or Indonesia, and would it be a better place to live for everyone? Would everyone be free to practise and live their ways of life, culture and religion like it is now?
The experience in the region is a rude reminder that the majorities often find it so convenient and easy to conduct racial genocides against the minorities, particularly the Chinese and Indians except in this island, where the minorities can feel so safe and secure, and knowing that the law will come down hard on the Chinese majority at the slightest thought of intimidating the minorities.
On the same basis, what would it be like if the Indians become a majority here instead of the Chinese or Malays? Would the same policies of the govt continue, or would new policies be for the better or the worst?
Having live through the last 60 years and witnessing how living conditions have improved for all the races, I have no reasons to want a change in the racial composition of the population. It is easy for me to say so, I admit, as a member of the majority. I know, the minorities will have very strong views on this. I must say that under a Chinese majority rule polity, anyone who is able will be able to succeed by his sheer effort, ability and industry, not a right by virtue of his colour or creed. Some will be more successful than others for other reasons but not because they were the majority, as many Chinese too were struggling to improve their own conditions but not getting anywhere. I don’t like what I see in neighbouring countries on what the fate of the Chinese Singaporeans could be if they become a minority.
If the govt can continue with a policy of providing and assisting the minorities in every way possible to make them compete better with the majority, I think this can be a better place for everyone. The govt can do more to help the less able of the minorities to make their lives better for the good of everyone.
I think Solo Bear’s position is that a Chinese majority is not a good thing for the minorities. And I believe he thinks a change from this balance is good for everyone. Please think about the alternatives, and feel free to disagree with me and share your views generously, with a little restraint on the adjectives: )
PS. I will delete this thread if the discussion gets uncontrollable and unreasonable. It is a test of the maturity of Singaporeans to be able to discuss issues rationally with minimal emotional outbursts.
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49 comments:
Me thinks we got to be honest with ourselves. There is absolutely no such thing as no discrimination of anything. Each and everyone has our own tastes and preferences, be it food, fashion and characters of everything.
Any who professes to be colourless and without demarcation is lying with his/her eyes wide open.
What's important is one should not interferes with the freedoms of others to practice anything in their privacies within the laws of the place(s) they reside. Me sees parents enforcing a lot of unnecessary traditions, customs and other practices on their offsprings, some verging on intimidation, using unjustifiable force and brainwashing with unreasonable, illogical and imagined beliefs. However, so long it is not against the Law, they can practice however they like, though it does not mean they ARE DEFINITELY RIGHT.
Dare me says that me too does feel that there are racial discriminations in Sin too. But, compare to elsewhere, ours is about the least intrusive and disadvantage the affected people only minimally. No one should feel threatened, cause to suffer hardships due to discriminations of which racial differences are of the lowest in degree.
Should I say that extremists of all Races, Religions and Ideologies are FAR GREATER THREATS, not just to any country but to universal peace.
Removal of discrimination, prejudices and biases totally would be impossible. Extremists on the other hand either have to keep to themselves, moderate themselves or have to be removed from the rest of societies.
patriot
True. Since prehistoric times tribes have been fighting for issues other than religion or race. Trying to dominate is a human trait. Or animal instinct, since animals also fight and kill each other.
Did God create humans and animals to be like this?
While it is essential that the majority does not impose on the minority, it is equally important that the minority should integrate themselves well with the larger society and not harbour imagined acts of discrimination when policies are introduced for the larger good of the country which they may perceive otherwise. Or even when they encounter problems during their employment,education, social interaction, and so, which they may attribute to to perceived bias by others where there is none.
Who is this solobear and what kind of system will it be good enough for him?
No matter what comes next, some groups are still going to be discriminated. Can this solobear tell us his views on what is the best or what he is looking forward to?
I feel that there are many advantages to be in the minority group and I wish to be one of them if I can.
There are many advantages which not an ordinary person can tell.
Would you want to be a minority in Indonesia and Malaysia? I don't mind being a minority here under the present system.
Don't want to say much here. But this is what your article is really about - you have been brainwashed by your previous bosses (ie your superiors in civil svc and PAP) to repeat same standard answer from all civil servants.
My full reply here - It's not just PAP, it's the whole govt itself
Hi Solo Bear,
I will agree with you that we need a change, real change as I am not comfortable with the direction we are heading. The govt have done many things right, in the past and even now, but more wrongs or things that I don't agree, are surfacing.
I am also hoping for a change. But there are some core areas that we have done well and should remain so. One thing I strongly disagree is the high cost of everything.
Yeah, once a policeman, always a policeman.
Once a civil servant always a servant civil to his or her master. Born a man always a man and so are those born as women. Solo Bear is always right and he nails it this time.
If only there is any country willingly accepting foreigners without condition. Let us know here, I will leave Sin in no time.
In my life, I've encountered a lot of weird things done by weirdos but the vehemency displayed by someone against his own race (that's what he claims to be) is glaringly psychopathic.
But this bugger's posts makes me shit better after a bout of constipation when I take my ipad to my "throne" in the toilet to read the garbage.
Mr. Bean, your post has been hijacked!
Hehe. :o)
Hijacked! by who and where now?
"Bcos PAP is so Chinese-bias, it refuses to accept that the economy has now shifted towards the Mid East", unquote.
Hee,hee... some in M.E can't even afford to pay the contractors for building the super luxurious structure boasted world-wide.
The oil s in M.E are drying soon, they may not even have fuel to cool their air conditioners in time to come. What wif the situation there in a flux now?
The prosperity of the ME is like a mirage floating on the surface of oil. Can't imagine what it will be like when oil runs out or an alternative energy is discovered?
Other than oil and sand, they need a whole range of agriculture and manufacturing industries to support their economies.
Would it be the next engine of growth for the world economy?
no believe a wee bit this guy is a Chinese. don't believe him.
The bear has just roamed out of the borneo jungle.
>>The prosperity of the ME is like a mirage floating on the surface of oil. Can't imagine what it will be like when oil runs out or an alternative energy is discovered?
>>
Me:
That's the mindset of the inertia laden civil service sector I was talking about.
NOTHING is permanent. We have to seize whatever opportunities that come.
Fact that excuses are given, shows the civil service mentality is still very much present.
Isn't your answer the typical "it cannot be done" reply you get at the counter of any civil service office, when you tell the officer you need something addressed?
Wow, LKY's book "The Hard Truth" absolutely sold out at all the popular bookstores like Kinokuniya, Borders.
Anyone know where I can grab a copy for my book collection? I have all his books save this one.
The Hard Truth.
Indeed.
There is nothing so blind as one who do not want to see. And he probably wrote this book to open their eyes.
Especially that oldie up North who is actually an Indian but believing and deluding himself to be a Bumi.
Some anthropology doctoral candidate may want to write a thesis on this phenomena.
Hi Guys,
That comment above is from me.
This stupid blogspot revamped the system and I posted under a different email address.
I guess you guys know it's me from the way I write. :o)
Hehe. :o)
The Middle-East is blessed with oil. The people there are blessed and they find that there is so much oil and so much money that they feel justified to thank the Almighty five times a day or if possible every hour of the day so that they will even be more blessed. In the mean while the West especially US capitalise on this and has been draining out the black gold from the region for over a century in exchange for US banana dollars. The US has been storing up this Middle-East oil in their salt wells as reserves for a long time. By the time the Middle-East people wake up they will be shocked to find that their oil and riches and blessing has been permanently transferred to the West. They realise too late that they should have worked five or ten hours a day instead of flittering away their blessed time. Now blame who?
Anon @ 7.02pm
My point is about the inertia in the whole of Sg's civil service.
What are you mumbling about?
Middle East claimed to be center of attraction, that's wat's it all about. Yes, when Iraq went into Kuwait, It was center of World Focus and now it is also attracting the eyeballs with the protests and uprisings going on there. A center of World Focus indeed.
So how does that tie to the inertia of Sg civil svc to Spore?
You still are mumbling irrelevant point.
The ME and the Mediterranean were once the centre the civilisation. They have lost their glorious past and still straggling to get up on their feet. As a civilisation they have stagnated and had lost their ways.
The Chinese and Indian civilisations also got lost and are finding their ways back. The ME has a long way to go. Economic opportunities are plenty everywhere and developing countries provide opportunities of a different kind.
The business people will weigh the pros and cons and see which area will provide the best opportunities and returns for their money. ME, Africa, Latin America, Asia are all competing for the investment money.
The business people will know where to park their money. Civil servants do best administering the civil service.
All said and done, you are still not willing to accept change.
The change that the Mid East is powering the finance sector today.
Russia and China have recognised that, but the civil svc in Spore has not.
That's the inertia I am talking about.
Talking to the trees may yield better economic result !
You chaps who think the ME is a prosperity mine, are at least 2 decades behind. Fundamental flaws in their governance structure is already a major barrier to investment.
If Dubai and Sharjah can't retain their dream level of FDI, wither the rest?
Think before you seize on some sexy "paradigm shift". I will wait and see on Tunisia and Libya, but the rest require fundamental structural reform before we should even view them as viable counterweight to BRIC investment destinations.
>>You chaps who think the ME is a prosperity mine, are at least 2 decades behind. Fundamental flaws in their governance structure is already a major barrier to investment.
If Dubai and Sharjah can't retain their dream level of FDI, wither the rest?
>>
Me:
What property talking you? I said the Islamic Banking Sector.
For decades, the Arabs have propped the US economy, putting billions of billions in US Banks. No thanks to Bush who created the mass Islamophobia, the Arabs have pulled their billions out.
But that money has to go somewhere. Europe is just as Islamophobic. So that's where Russia and China have capitalized the situation.
While the billions are transacted with Russia and China, mainly on oil deals, Malaysia has moved in on the Islamic Banking sector. Sg has been trying to entice those billions here, but to no avail. Why? Because of inertia on the part of the govt.
>>Think before you seize on some sexy "paradigm shift". I will wait and see on Tunisia and Libya, but the rest require fundamental structural reform before we should even view them as viable counterweight to BRIC investment destinations.
>>
Me:
Before you make such sweeping statements, study the economic political situation.
You are linking two non-related issues.
You are saying cat didn't want to eat because your pet bird is sick.
Hi Solo Bear,
Everyone here can appreciate your passion for the Middle East but not everyone is sharing your enthusiasm. I too agree with Anon 11:50. If the risk versus return is worthwhile the businessmen will be swarming there. When they smell money, they will move in like sharks. No need to worry for them, be there civil servants or biz people.
For the time being, the ME can only offer Arabic culture, oil and perhaps sand. The rest are available elsewhere. Soon Malaysians and Indonesians will be dressing like them and behaving like them and trade in their culture for Arabic culture.
And they may not be sending any contigent to our Chingay Parade in the future. Paganism and colourful parties are not their cup of tea. The latest Indonesian contingent showed off their rich and colourful heritage of Borobudur. Would they want to give this up for something more Arabic and in vogue in the ME?
The Malaysians are slowly giving up baju kurung, sarong kebaya and their beautiful Malay scarf for the tudung and simpler black and grey robes.
Sorry to say this, the world is moving forward, which may be a bad thing to some, but I like it that way. Ferraris are better than magic carpets. And the rich Arabs think so too.
>>Everyone here can appreciate your passion for the Middle East but not everyone is sharing your enthusiasm.
>>
Me:
You are still stuck with your years of civil service mentality. Who is even talking about that? I am talking about missed opportunities - not about passion for a culture or society.
Your answer is akin to the following. A citizen gives feedback the cost of living is shooting up and perhaps we can reduce GST or ERP rates. You answer that you can appreciate his situation, but not everyone is sharing that. You say, think of the investors who have to make up the shortfall for the tax revenue and because of that they may pull out because govt has to up higher corporate taxes.
It doesn't address the problem that this guy is facing high cost of living, no?
But if you think carefully, if GST, ERP and what not is reduced, the businesses will also have their costs lightened.
What you have is the civil service STUCK IN INERTIA.
So is not your answer the typical civil service answer I have been highlighting?
We are not talking culture. We are talking opportunities.
You are conflating two unlinked issues to justify your unwillingess to get out of your comfort zone - ie the very typical civil service mentality that keeps Singapore rooted to where we are, while the rest of the world (including Msia) moves along with the changing times.
Haha Solo Bear,
Just because I put in my CV that I was an ex civil servant, so I fit the mould. Too simplistic. The main part of my career is outside the civil service. I have been in the private sector for nearly 30 years.
As far as the ME is concerned, it is a dangerous shit hole. No sensible businessman would want to put their money there unless they want to take in all the risks and the medieval culture...simply put, backward. They were still in a state India and China were 30 years ago and have been stucked there for centuries.
The hard truth is that till today they are still controlled by the west and unable to break free. A small little country like Israel could hold them at ransom and can bash anyone of them to oblivion. That is how progressive the Arab states are.
You may still want to idolise them as the beacon of hope for your world view.
>>Just because I put in my CV that I was an ex civil servant, so I fit the mould. Too simplistic. The main part of my career is outside the civil service. I have been in the private sector for nearly 30 years.
>>
Me:
Many civil servants who get out to pte sector will return to the civil service organizations and make that their clientele base. You are still mixing with people and organizations who are stuck in inertia.
I have been in the pte sector all my life and I have worked WITH civil servants. These people think the same way even after they come out of govt service! Why? Bcos old habits die hard.
>>As far as the ME is concerned, it is a dangerous shit hole. No sensible businessman would want to put their money there unless they want to take in all the risks and the medieval culture...simply put, backward. They were still in a state India and China were 30 years ago and have been stucked there for centuries.
>>
Me:
Still vindicating my claim you are stuck in the civil svc mentality?
Russia and China don't think so that ME is bad. But Sg govt does. And you do.
If you have pte co mentality, won't you follow the current situation instead of being stuck in the last century?
No you are very wrong. The big players in the ME are not the Russians or the Chinese. They are the Americans and the Europeans. They controlled ME. The rule of the game is not for tiny countries without the muscles to play in.
You don't even know how many days I was in the civil service and you already made up your mind about my thought processes? Any civil servant owns a blog like mine other than ministers or those writing on behalf of the authority?
Have you heard of single factor analysis or one track mind? Yes, like civil servants : )
Take away the oil and the Arabs in the Middle East will be herding their lambs oasis to oasis.
There will be no sheiks, sultans or terrorists.
The only thing really palatable coming out of that shithole is dates. Yes, dates, one of my favourite finger food.
Investment opportunities? The region is as wobbly as a deck of cards assembled by some 3 year old kid.
Russia and China don't think the ME is bad. Hey, you seem to think that countries and politics are as straight as words flowing from the preacher's pulpit?
If the US and the coalition of the willing didn't reign in Israel, the ME would have been reduced to one big giant sand pit. Good for Sinkapoore because we need sand. Lots of it.
Hehe. :o)
>>No you are very wrong. The big players in the ME are not the Russians or the Chinese. They are the Americans and the Europeans. They controlled ME. The rule of the game is not for tiny countries without the muscles to play in.
>>
Me:
You are still stuck in last century affairs. I have shown you the tied is turning in a reply to you in my blog
>>You don't even know how many days I was in the civil service and you already made up your mind about my thought processes?
>>
Me:
You are right I do not know how long you stayed in civil service. What I (and everyone else) know is that YOU put it up in your profile.
Now if your civil svc is longer than your pte service, I am vindicated about how old habits die hard, bcos you are still stuck in last century even after we are now 11 years out of it.
However, if your pte sector is longer than your civil service, then WHY do you advertise your civil svc and hide your pte service?
Showing that you are more aligned to the civil svc than pte, again reinforcing my point old habits die hard, and hence, your passion is still with the civil svc work environment?
Stop parroting what Sg govt says - that US is the economic powerhouse. Today, the 21C, it is Russia the military might and China the economic driver. And these two giants tell us the business area is the Mid East and Caspian.
America is a wounded giant, picking up the pieces of all its fraud like Enron, AIG bailouts, fraudclosures etc.
Come out of the last century.
>>Any civil servant owns a blog like mine other than ministers or those writing on behalf of the authority?
>>
Me:
Yeah? What's your point. I told you I have worked WITH govt servants. I know how they act.
I don't use your blog to judge these civil servants. But since you mentioned it, your blog is like a caricature cut out from them!
You fit into their thinking like a glove!
Mr. Bean,
Velly weird leh.
Since the day I read your blog, you don't sound like a well off ex civil servant.
You sounded more like a hard pressed SME businessman whining about the economy, high prices of everything and uncaring CIVIL SERVANTS.
Just wondering why some nut is maintaining that you still have the civil servant mindset.
The way I understand it, most civil servants around your age are pottering around their little terrace houses, planting and smelling the roses and playing with their grandchildren and most importantly making the peace with their ex employer.
Hehe. :o)
Heheh Wally,
You are absolutely on the dot in your analysis. I was a civil servant in the first few years of my working life. I have worked about 40 years and 30 years in pte sector.
So Solo Bear, you are not vindicated. You are wrong.
You are also wrong that Russia is the biggest military power. No one can match the military power of the Americans. The Evil Empire is the mightiest!
Why I left the word ex civil servant in my CV? I have changed that many times with a fuller picture but left the words ex civil servant there. It is meant to be provocative, just like my blog. I bet you can't understand the depth of its meaning.
Minorities also have strength and weaknesses. Your weakness in your thinking process is glaring.
>>You are absolutely on the dot in your analysis. I was a civil servant in the first few years of my working life. I have worked about 40 years and 30 years in pte sector.
>>
Me:
You have in fact shown that 10 years of civil svc is able to over-ride your 30 yrs pte svc!
Look at all your political views about Spore. Aren't they so last centuryish?
- race riots are a reminder of our fragility. huh? What race riot? Isn't that nearly half century ago?
- LKY should not close Nantah. Hello? Isn't Nantah as dead as Barisan? You want to cry over a dead body?
- Msian makes life difficult for us. Huh? You mean we still depend our water, sand, etc from them?
Come on! Are these not last century issues? Why are you still stuck there like the civil servant, brainwashed by MM's "Hard Lies"?.. er I mean Hard Truths.
>>You are also wrong that Russia is the biggest military power. No one can match the military power of the Americans. The Evil Empire is the mightiest!
>>
Me:
That's the Cold War Period where Ayatollah Khomeini called America is the Great Satan. Last century again!
Why are you talking about dead issues? First Nantah, now Khomeini.
>>Why I left the word ex civil servant in my CV?
>>
Me:
You left it there bcos deep donw inside you, you are more passionate about the civil svc lifestlye, the comfortble "let's not change things", than the harsh pte worklife.
Face it. All the political issues you have brought up are so last centuryish.
Isn't that the PAPpy / civil service mindset?
Mr. Bean,
I don't know about you but either you erase this post and it's imbecilic comments or I am calling the ambulance from the IMH.
Seems like you will never get the ex civil servant mentality image "erased".
Be assured however that I am convinced your views ain't synchronizing with my neightbour's, a retired senior servant whose outlook is everything this nut say he should be.
Hehehehehehe.
:o):o):o):o):o):o):o)
Heheh Wally,
Cannot delete. This thread is a golden opportunity for Solo Bear to show his talent and analytical best. He is simply brilliant in telling us how he thinks.
If our civil servants think in this manner I will be the first to move out of this place.
Thank God, this place is in good hands.
Solo Bear, the thinking of a civil servant is not necessarily the same as the thinking of the political leaders. Oops, I think I am wasting my time trying to throw some light.
Wally is still precise in his observation and comments.
Mr Bean, You are awesome.
The way this guy thinks and convinces himself that he is all logic is classic stuff. He is what he thinks and writes. No bluffing.
This Site is hotter than the Middle East now.
Very fascinating !
In a discussion, especially when it gets heated up, it quickly reveals the temperament and character of a person. It also reveals the person's motivation, agenda, biasness or objectivity, and yes, his thinking process, the maturity or ability to truly analyse facts and fictions and to form rational conclusions.
It is like a mirror of truth. By looking at how Solo Bear argues or trying to force his views on others, I am convince of who he is, not what he claims he is.
This Thread is now very loso(naggy/repetitive)!!!
So much for the exchanges between solo bear and redbean. . . . have you heard this before? A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still!
>>It is like a mirror of truth. By looking at how Solo Bear argues or trying to force his views on others, I am convince of who he is, not what he claims he is.
>>
Me:
Firstly, where have I forced anyone my views? You are free to disagree with whatever I say.
Secondly, you are also judged by what you try to forcefully convey, and not what you claim.
Your repeated swipes at the Muslim world, be it Msians or Mid Easterners, shows that you have a deep seated Islamophobic trait in you.
But then again, isn't this the PAPpy thinking, permeated down to the top in the ministries, down to the masses who work below?
Talking about being stuck in the inertia!
Solo Bear,
I will waste one more post in this thread. I can see that you are not what you claimed to be and are not mature enough to engage in a decent discussion. You can keep on attacking me personally. The readers here can see and judge what you are.
From your posts, you came through as a young man, hot temper and impetuous and only want to get your way. Another who disagree with you will be subject to your abuse and personal attack. This is in your blood.
Your interest and passion for the Middle East and their cause is reflected in every of your post. It is an indication of who you really are.
You are not a peranakan.
I will not respond to you any more unless you can compose yourself and behave like an adult and show that you are capable of a decent and polite discussion.
As Lt. Col. Wally Buffet in the marines, I once rescued a guy who called himself "Robert" when he was mauled by this fake who, as the days go by, "impresses" me as someone with a chip on his shoulders so heavy that at the very mention of Americans and Chinese, he will go insanely ballistic. Just wondering what kind of injustices he suffered at their hands to be so vehement.
Don't waste time exchanging views with this extremist.
Just leave him alone as you so eloquently puts it.
Oh by the way, he ain't a young man anymore. He is just a very unhappy oldie beating his chest in rage as the world passes him by.
He should relac more, laugh with the world and move on.
Hehe. :o(
Being a pedophile is better than being an extremist.
- yezevee
redbean:
>>I can see that you are not what you claimed to be
>>
Me:
You are pre-judging.
>>and are not mature enough to engage in a decent discussion. You can keep on attacking me personally.
>>
Me:
Where have I done that? I simply said that you have to come out of your inertia. You are still locked in last century issues and you have not updated yourself on current world issues.
>>From your posts, you came through as a young man, hot temper and impetuous and only want to get your way. Another who disagree with you will be subject to your abuse and personal attack. This is in your blood.
>>
Me:
More presumptions. Where have I attacked anyone? Compare that to the spammer on my site and yours, where he uses derogatory statements on certain groups of ethnic minorities and on persons he wishes to attack.
>>Your interest and passion for the Middle East and their cause is reflected in every of your post. It is an indication of who you really are.
>>
Me:
I have posted many issues. Human rights, democracy, feminism, homosexuality, racism, family issues, religion, politics, evolution etc. But you only see the Mid East issues.
Judging me from your own coloured perspective?
>>You are not a peranakan.
>>
Me:
That's the chauvinism part you are showing now. To you, a Chinese must behave within certain standards which YOU set. If he behaves OUTSIDE those standards which YOU SET, he ain't no Chinese to you.
>>I will not respond to you any more unless you can compose yourself and behave like an adult and show that you are capable of a decent and polite discussion.
>>
Me:
I think it is not fair to blame others for your own inability to control internal emotions.
===
Wally:
>>As Lt. Col. Wally Buffet in the marines, I once rescued a guy who called himself "Robert"
>>
Me:
Lt Col? You worked for the govt too? My god, no wonder.
Like I said, talk to one govt servant about politics, and you've talk to em all!
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