Singapore China bashing or Kausikan China bashing?

For several weeks the Singapore main media have repeatedly publishing Bilahari’s view on how China manipulates and coerces Singapore to become more pro China in its policies. One comment by a Kesavapany even suggested that this is Singapore govt’s position and Singaporeans should speak out in a similar view to attack China for doing so. The impression given is that only China is the only bad guy manipulating Singapore and other big powers are not, all so innocent and angelic.
 
The recent spat with Malaysia over the HSR and water agreement is another episode of how Malaysia tried to influence and manipulate Singapore’s policies and decision to favour Malaysia. Or is this not manipulation or coercion? Every state would influence and manipulate another country to its advantage without exception. This is called cultivating good relations or diplomacy.
 
Reflect a little on Singapore’s actions and policies with other countries and ask the same questions Kausikan had asked, whether Singapore has been influenced, manipulated or coerced to act or speak in the way it did. The Philippines China island dispute case would be a good starting point. Singapore kept saying that it was not a party to the dispute and had no claim to the South China Sea islands but was the one that carried the biggest loudspeaker to lambast China, telling China to accept the decision of the funny private court in Hague and even telling China to obey the rules of law as if China was not. On the other hand, nothing was said when the Americans broke all international laws and agreements, the TPP, Paris Climate Accord, not being a member of UNCLOS.
 
So, was Singapore coerced, manipulated or influenced by the Americans to say those things, to behave in such a bizarre manner that eventually led to the souring of relations with China when it should have just shut its mouth like other countries? The big question, was it in Singapore’s interest to be the spokesman for the Americans against China? Singapore did it freely, willingly, to harm its own interest? If Singapore did not open its little big mouth then Singapore’s interest would be harmed by the coercive big power and by opening its little big mouth, Singapore’s interest was advanced, protected by the big power?
 
Another point, why would a little prick like Singapore be so willing to send its soldiers to the Middle East and Afghanistan to fight along side the Americans when all the smart countries in the world would not do so? Was Singapore being forced by the Americans, arm twisted by the Americans to do so and in so doing, stand up like a sore prick and risking itself being a target of ISIS attack? Singapore doing it willingly without being coerced to do so? The Americans did not manipulate, pressure or force Singapore to send troops to the Middle East and Afghanistan? Are Singapore leaders really so stupid to play with fire when they don't have to?
 
Between China and the USA, who has been influencing and coercing Singapore into doing things against its national interest? Who is the bigger devil and why nothing was spoken against the bigger devil?
 
You ask me? It is ok to be manipulated and do the biddings of the Americans or what the Americans did were not coercion or manipulation, no, the Americans did not influence our policies and decisions in how we conduct our international relations?
 
How did Singapore's healthy relations, crafted over decades by Lee Kuan Yew denegerated to this poor state of affairs? Who has or have been instrumental in sowing the seed of hate against China. Where did this hate China agenda originated?
 
Any Chinese Singaporean with a little ethnic pride and self respect would not take it kindly with such open warfare to bash China. It is so insensitive for Kausikan and his likes to promote such a hate China agenda in a multi racial society paying no due respect to the feelings of the Chinese community. Be he a banana, a chap cheng or a Chinese Singaporean, he has his roots in China. And no self respecting man would ignore or show distaste to his roots and ethnic identity in the face of a loose cannon attacking his roots open defiance. The reticence of the Chinese community does not mean that they are taking this kind of attack kindly or condoning it.