Is this difficult to understand? Sometimes it does. In the USA, Trump believes he owns America and he is the emperor and his family is the royalties. Singapore belongs to Singaporeans ie Singapore citizens. Singapore does not belong to foreigners, not to PRs or anyone that happens to be here and calling himself or herself a local. Anyone thinks differently, that Singapore belongs to everyone that happens to be here, citizens, PRs, Work Permit holders, construction workers, foreign workers and foreigner students?
What does it mean when we say Singapore belongs to Singaporeans? It means Singaporeans are the real owners and must have a say in what is happening to Singapore, physically, demographically, socially, politically etc etc. One thing that is very clear, Singapore does not belong to anyone or political party that happens to be ruling Singapore. Ouch.
Whoever or which ever be the ruling authority of Singapore, they must know that it is only temporary, as a caretaker of Singapore for 5 years. After the term expires, the people decides who should be the next caretaker of Singapore. Am I right or wrong?
If Singapore belongs to Singaporeans, Singaporeans must have a say in major and critical issues, existential issues. The mandate as a caretaker of the island does not give all encompassing power to the ruling party or people to do everything they please. It is not a blank cheque.
For instance, the size of the population of Singapore, its demography and composition, the number of foreigners allowed in that would mess up the lives of Singaporeans for good or bad, the amount of land that should be deforested and mowed down, just like no one is allowed to cut down a tree without a permit, Singaporeans must have a final say. And of course how Singapore is to be cut out and shared by Singaporeans, not share with foreigners or freely converted new citizens. And this should include the wealth and assets of Singapore, how they should be used, how not to throw or give away to foreign entities under whatever guise.
So far, Singaporeans, the citizens, have been bypassed, like non existence, in many critical issues. No need to ask the Singaporeans, no need their permission, no need for referendum. What is a referendum?
Singaporeans must speak out on what are considered red lines, existential issues that must be reverted to the real owners of the island to decide. Maybe the opposition parties may want to table this for discussion in Parliament. Maybe the ruling party may want to do this as well. Identify the critical and existential issues that needs the consent of Singaporeans. No? Singapore is not a little kingdom that belongs to some royalties. It is a republic and the citizens have a share in the island, the land, the wealth and assets and the opportunities to live, with all the rights as citizens, not to be told to share their rights with foreigners, non citizens, PRs etc. Not all locals are citizens.
What do you think?