Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Need to put things right in Singapore

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Need to put things right in Singapore

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong paid a visit to his ancestral village in China. An astute observer commented that the visit was intended to show that Singapore is a nation of immigrants and that the local people should welcome the new immigrants from China, India and other countries.

My late father came to Singapore from China 70 years ago. I also visited my ancestral village 20 years ago. I understand the sentiment.

I now have many friends who are recent immigrants into Singapore. I support and welcome their decision to make their future and home in Singapore.

But, I have to say these words on behalf of the local Singaporeans who appeared to be resentful of the competition for jobs, homes and space from new immigrants.

There are many things that need to be put right in Singapore. We are seeing the consequences of many decades of the policy of the current Government. They include:

a) A declining birth rate causing by the insecurity and unsatisfactory quality of life in Singapore
b) The burden of National Service faced by male Singaporeans, including competing for jobs
c) The loss of trust in our commercial and government institutions
d) An unjust society; the small people being treated unfairly
e) The loss of pride in being Singaporeans

Some of these issues have been voiced by many people, including me, over the past years. We need to address them and put things right, so that there is greater unity and cohesion among the people of Singapore. If we are confident and strong as a people, we will be able to welcome the new immigrants and help to integrate them into our Singapore society.

Tan Kin Lian

NOTE TO COMMENTORS.
If you wish to give your honest views, please sign off your comment will your real name - so that it carries more weight.

23 comments:

Tan Kin Lian said...: Although I attribute the observation to "the astute observer", I suspect that the official source would tell the journalist privately about the real purpose of the visit.

This is how some people perceive the role of the mainstream media. It is a sad state of affairs, and I am also sad to hold this view. I hope that I am proven wrong and that our society can be more honest.; November 01, 2009 8:33 AM
Lye Khuen Way said...: Mr Tan, I share your views and would even add that the decline in trust extend to the civil service and their political masters !
We have lost our confidence as a people and direction as a nation.
Issues of the day, as published in our local papers appeared to be of no concerns to the authorities.
I suspect, it is because, there is no sense of "ownership" by any particular government ministry .; November 01, 2009 8:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Would you consider Malays to be immigrants? They come from the Malay Archipelago. Distance from Java to Singapore is much shorter than from Northern China to Southern China.

If they are NOT considered immigrants, as many Malays see themselves, then does it mean they have the right to be resentful of the new immigrants?; November 01, 2009 9:43 AM
Anonymous said...: REX comments as follows.

It is a difficult problem. I was saddened to read a few days ago, a Singapore prominent politician announced to the USA and media and the whole world that Singapore is a City. not a country. This statement was not challenged by the topmost echelon. The intellegentsia, the academics, the politicians, the journalists - Not a single person commented on this very important declaration that "singapore is not a country".

So listen up, all those who are complaining - We are living in a city only, not a country.

So how come we have to bear arms to defend a city when we are not even a country?

So how come we have to vote for people to boss over us when we are not even a country?

So how come the city controllers are not governed by a higher body like any other proper hierachy on earth?

This is the message the controllers are telling us "You have no legal right to do anything, because you do not own this city. If you don't like, you can balek kampung but the trouble is many of us have no other kampung to balek to."

What a miserable life we lead.

REX; November 01, 2009 11:24 AM
David Cherbonnier said...: To deal with the points you raised individually.

a) The declining Birth Rate is being experienced by all Developed Nations (a title Singapore strives for). I believe it's a matter of; putting survival, in a competitive environment, ahead of procreation, together with recognition children create a change in life style and obligations. I don't believe Singapore's policies have any unique impact on this phenomena.

b) National Service does have a negative impact on Singaporean males in delaying their entry into the real world. However perhaps more important is the quality of training received.

Military training can develop, teamwork, character and resolve in the individual. However more often than not, NS seems to perpetuate bad habits. Granted there are a few that benefit but it is a minority and often had preexisting, undeveloped attributes.

A major change in mindset and self worth can only occur within a controlled environment. Getting Home stay each weekend cannot produce a controlled environment. Instead it provides relief from the intended objectives.

NS operates similarly to the Streaming system. Concentrating on the gifted while leaving the rest to their own devices in overcoming their issues.

c) The Loss of Trust in Commercial and Government Institutions is to be expected when the two are one in the same. Just as Church and State should be separate so should Commerce and Government. They have different objectives. Combining them prolongs deficiencies and stifles development. Singapore's approach is memorialized by the ratio of Government controlled companies in assessing the value of the Stock Exchange. As long as the Heads of Commerce answers to the Heads of State, there can be no independent growth. They can grow, due to finance available and recognition achieved but given autonomous authority they may do even better with the same resources.

We need a paradigm of opportunity and development through experience including mistakes. Progress cannot be achieved where new ideas are only accepted with a 'track record' and mistakes are not not recognized as opportunities for improvement.

d) As long as a Government's objective is to make money the little folks will be left behind. After all they're not contributing to the mission and instead represent a liability.

Public Transport is a class example. Bus Routes are laid out for profitability not service provided. If they were run at a loss and subsidized with COE money, an unearned asset, it would be a legitimate redistribution of resources. Take the policy bus routes shouldn't parallel MRT. Doesn't that provide service between stations?

How can the less endowed feel self worth when wealth is power and 'Normal' is considered substandard as in the school system.

e) I don't feel there's a loss of Pride so much as 'Pride with valid content'. If a country's development and prosperity is continually attributed to one person or one party it negates the influence of those who contributed with sacrifice, intellect and toil.

People need recognition for themselves and others who have aspired to a better way of life and actively participated in the Country's development. You can't have teamwork when one player hogs the limelight. As sources of information broaden; so do perspectives.

It's natural to lose respect for ego driven policies when it's scrutinized by reality. That dilemma is best chronicled by Hans Christian Anderson nearly two centuries ago in 'The Emperor's New Clothes'.

In summary, it all boils down to quality of life together with quality of prosperity.

The first mandate of a Quality System is to separate production from assurance. One implements the necessary controls while the other insures implementation through checking the output. One authority can not do both effectively especially if it allocates blame rather than take ownership of err.; November 01, 2009 11:44 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Dear David Cherbonnier,
Thank you for your insightful comments. I shall be elevating it to the main section of my blog.

I agree that all nations experienced a declining birth rate. But, Singapore faced much worse than most other nations, worse than even Japan.

There is something wrong with the Singapore system to have one of the lowest, if not the lowest birth rate.

The Government tried to address this matter for 20 years, and failed. If they do not address the underlying problems, their solution would not (and did not) work.; November 01, 2009 11:51 AM
David Cherbonnier said...: I left out the basic premise of comments on the immigration issue. It boils down to short-term motivators versus long-term objectives.

Immigration is affordable if done for the right reasons. Maintaining ratio of ethnic diversity shouldn't be on the list. Nor is promoting the economy through construction of accommodations or services required by the newcomers. Either of those motivators are encumbered with a whole new set of problems to be dealt with when the glamor is gone.

Importing skills is valid but only after we've done all we can to develop inherent talents of Singaporeans. Sure it's cheaper to hire a foreigner with a track record but will they fit into the system or suffer the fate of Chip Goodyear.

Granted we can't develop internal skills to meet today's challenge overnight but we should recognize we put ourselves in that situation with policies of the past decades.

Wouldn't the priority be, to identify and rectify those short comings? Other wise we leave no alternative to our own talents but migration.

Growth resulting from natural, sequential effort is commendable. Growth for the sake of growth at the expense of National identity and integrity, is a recipe for future disaster.

If we can't achieve an arbitrary growth level within our own resources we're not ready for it. Let's improve opportunity for our own then we can achieve National prominence for all and justifiably be proud of the achievement.; November 01, 2009 12:08 PM
Anonymous said...: REX,
Singapore is a City OF ASEAN, CENTRAL .; November 01, 2009 12:18 PM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Dear David Cherbonnier
Please send an email to kinlian@gmail.com. I wish to email you offline.; November 01, 2009 1:35 PM
isabel said...: comment:

a) declining birth rate is more a personal choice due to busy work life and quality is prefered over quantity.

However, we should be more careful in bumping up the numbers via immigration policies. I have great respect for and agree with the views of Ngiam Tong Dow in reference to the policy of immigration.

b) I will definitely send my son for national service as it builds character and resilient. 18 years old need toughening up and be instilled discipline. However, the national service should be active engagement. Being a guard or clerk serves not much purpose.
c) Lossing trust seems strong words. There are plenty of institutions well run. Granted not all are to the expectation, but I sincerely think we have done as well as we could. If we compare to our neighbours, we have done excellent.
d) if this refers to the recent high notes and related, may be the government can do more like Hong Kong or UK.
e) the Singapore passport allows one to travel to many countries without visa. Being a Singaporean draws recognition. We should be proud. We have achieved much in such a short time with no natural resources.

rgds; November 01, 2009 6:05 PM
Anonymous said...: From point a to e.......
these are symstoms.

What is the Grand Goal of
the city-state?

Some citizen are not sure!
They no longer share the SAME vision of the state elder!!

I hardly read main stream media because it is expensive to me as a retiree. How do I share your vision?

I don't go to CBD because it look strange to me (not my Kampong)!
Instead, I visit other country to feel good.

I have balance 85 years of house lease, where is my homeland?

I take months to Q for a specialist consultation in a restructual hospital (no more public hospital)? The consultation fee plus medicine are no cheaper than an Internation Hospital in Thailand !

I am human. I am NOT lost. I just don't share the vision.; November 01, 2009 7:12 PM
William yeo said...: I am very perturbed by the widening income gap in our beloved nation and I am very much against our govt ministers getting huge income packets when there are the destitude who are in systemic poverty and cannot help themselves! william yeo; November 01, 2009 9:41 PM
Robert Tan said...: a) I am not sure that the statement is factually correct. It may be just one viewpoint. My suspicion is that the issue is much more complex than this and the reasons are more multifaceted.

b) NS is a cost that is incurred for certain benefits that are intangible. Most things that are beneficial will cost something. The issue is whether the benefits are worth the cost or whether is there a "cheaper' way to derive the benefits that NS give.

c) everywhere you go, there will be people, government and institutions that one can trust and one can't. In addition, for each specific person, government and institution, tere may be certain areas that one can trust more in than in other areas. The only issue is the degree of trust. Root of problem is human beings and humans unfortunately are not always completely reliable;

d) the small people will generally be less influential and powerful than the rich. This is not new and we will be kidding ourselves if we think that the world is equal or fair. However, I think in Singapore, we try and have not done too badly compared to most other places in protecting the small people. Of course, as in most things, we can still continue to improve;

e) there are things which I think Singapore can do better but after seeing how things are like in other countries, I think Singapore is great and I am proud of being a Singaporean. Of course, there are areas than can be improved and there are areas than other countries may be better than Singapore. I may sometimes complain about certain things now and then, especially about some of the bad habits and certain negative behaviour of others, but overall, I am proud of Singapore.

p/s: I am not saying that there is no room for improvement. All I am saying is that we should look at things in a more or less balances perspective.; November 01, 2009 9:54 PM
Singapore Short Stories said...: Singapore is experiencing an increasing ageing population.

Lift upgrading programmes are now common to prepare us for an ageing population.; November 01, 2009 10:34 PM
Anonymous said...: I refer to Robert Tan's call for a multi-faceted approach.

The problem it seems is that there is a growing sense of:
- disconnect
- alienation
- mistrust
- skepticism
- disbelief
between the leaders and followers.

Both parties (leaders and followers) are talking. But nobody is listening.

I've checked out certain websites which are the official mouthpieces. It's so quiet you could hear a pin drop!

The converted don't bother posting since it's boring to keep agreeing amongst themselves. The unconvinced don't bother posting either because they feel that nobody will bother to listen to their viewpoints anyway.

As a taxpayer, I'm paying my GRC a lot of salary money.

And yet I am posting here in Tan Kin Lian's website. And Tan Kin Lian is not charging me anything.

Why don't I say these things to my GRC? Because I don't believe they will listen.

I still remember what my former manager once told me. "You sometimes have to let a problem explode out into the open in order to convince the top management that there really is a problem. The more you try to feedback and steady the ship with your own efforts, the more senior management will mistrust you and treat you as stupid and an alarmist.; November 02, 2009 8:38 AM
km coaching said...: To tan kin lian,
I think you are misrepresenting the facts. I hope you realize that what you say does not represent the mass opinion of singaporeans.
Yes singapore has several weakness but which countries does not have. Yes, there are some people who fully agree with your points but how many people is that?
10%, 30%, 60%, 90%??? Statistics are important... dun go around posting as if you know that the precentage of people who truly feel the same way as you do....
I feel that you this thread on this issue is quite bad and you should think through it again.
I disagree those opinions that government do not care for people who are left behind and not as smart, the NS point. NS is no choice one... you must defend your country and the improvement is to further help NS people which the government has always been trying to.; November 02, 2009 9:28 AM
Tan Kin Lian said...: To KM Coaching
I am entitled to express my view, especially in my blog.

There is no need for you to challenge me on what percentage of the people in Singapore agree with my views. Nobody knows the answer anyway. Your views are also not backed by any evidence.; November 02, 2009 10:24 AM
Anonymous said...: I refer to km.coaching.

The underlying principle of a democracy is that;

- the wisdom of the common man is as important as the elite. This is best demonstrated by English common law. Judgement by a jury of your peers (i.e. the common man)

- contrast this with Confucius' idea of the "superior man"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism

http://www.sacred-texts.com/cfu/eoc/eoc06.htm

- or Plato's idea of the elite ruling class of "philospher kings"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosopher_king

Just because Mr Tan Kin Lian holds a different opinion from Singapore's mainstream media does NOT mean that he is a disloyal citizen.

On the contrary, I see him as a loyal citizen voicing out his concerns (whether valid or not) for Singapore and the future of his children.

If you disagree with him, then you should debate Mr Tan's ideas with your own ideas. Let your own ideas prevail or fail under the weight of its own merits.

What is important is whether Mr Tan's criticism is valid and truthful. Criticism does not need to be "constructive".

Mr Tan is not paid millions in salary to offer "constructive" solutions for Singapore. He has no legal, moral or fiduciary duty to be "constructive".

If Mr Tan is full of nonsense, his blog will have zero traffic in no time.; November 02, 2009 11:07 AM
C H Yak said...: (a) the declining birth rate - a work-life balance is beneficial to quality of life.

I had written to Today before on the need for NTUC unions to fight for greater work-life balance for employees, for the Government to be more bold in implementing pro-family incentives for working mothers, and also the MOM to regulate working hours, if they are really serious about boosting the birth rate. The Govt. is only concerned about setting an example as an employer, but does not engage employers in the private sectors to implement similar policy.

(b) Burden of NS. Forget about job equality, I was amongst the first lot to go through the 13-year reservist ICT cycle. But when I first started job in the private sector, I was not even given the 2 year increment which was a standard practice in the public sector. Forget about fair competition. In reality, people looks at the disruption you will create when away for ICT, not at your performance, contribution and sacrifice for ICT and the country. When you are away who takes over? When I am back, are there any backlogs in work? I am not sure about the fortunate of present day cohorts. If I cannot follow up physically amidst my busy anti-social work-life balance, will I be "punished" with more RTs. Burden of NS; yes, pride in completing it; questionable.

(c) Loss of trust with Govt. insitutions - You can only appreciate this issue after experienceing the difficulties in engaging with the so called Authorities.

Loss of trust with commercial institutions. Commercial institutions hide under the corporate veils and take shelter under the umbrella provided by our Govt. institutions to avoid the layman. If you work for a private commercial institution, and have to engage the Authorities in your work, you will then appreciate the issue of loss in trust with Govt. institutions.

(d) An unjust society. You will only understand and appreciate how unjust our society is one day when you are directly hit by the unjust decisions and policies of our Authorities and judicial system.

(e) The loss in pride in being Singaporeans - Our system glorifies the our leaders, the political party in control and political system, it does not value more or at least just at equivalent the efforts of individuals; their hard work and sacrifices put in to build up this nation. How do we alleviate from 3rd World to the first? It is because of one capable leader and his party in control and the herd he selects! They will select the people to continue this legacy. The ordinary people enjoys the legacy but are never viewed as having built or have contributed towards this legacy. If the ordinary people and workers are viewed as disposable tissue paper, how could there be pride and bonding?

Hence, it may not be relevant at all if more FTs or new immigrants are attracted here to compete for the limited jobs with us. At the end, will they feel just as alienated and used by the political system and/or the commercial institutions?

Younger men these days asked older men for the facts without looking, knowing and accepting the true facts. They could be products from our commercial insitutions. Is it justifiable then to lose trust in our commercial institutions? If they are not a part of our commercial institutions, then are they part of our government institutions?; November 02, 2009 4:23 PM
Tan Kin Lian said...: Some people have started to attack me for expressing my views. They asked me to produce statistics to show the proportion of people that are unhappy with the current policies. They also start to label me as being disloyal.

This type of statement reminds me of powerful people who used them against the ordinary people. Their underlings start to follow the same behaviour.

There is no need for anyone to read my views in a negative way. It is better to recognise that there are things that need to be addressed (at least, this is my view and shared by some other Singaporeans) and do what is possible to put things right.; November 03, 2009 11:19 AM
Vincent Sear said...: Ken Kwek (ex-Straits Times reporter): "There're many people who feel that there's no level playing field in Singapore politics."

Lee Kuan Yew: "Many? How many? Give me their names."

---

Jamie Han: "A despot however enlightened is still a despot."

Lee Kuan Yew: "Who're your parents? What's their names."; November 03, 2009 1:11 PM
Anonymous said...: REX comments on km.Coaching's mail.

Sir or Madam,
you don't seem to understand the thrust of the articles of Mr Tan, which is quite clear to me.

You said...
Yes singapore has several weakness but which countries does not have.

I say: The point of many posts here is that in singapore our weaknesses are not allowed to be discussed and the authorities always think they are right and hardly ever wants to engage in discussion. Tell me which "democratic" country is like that? Even in communist china, you can challenge the government and win sometimes!

You said,
I disagree those opinions that government do not care for people who are left behind and not as smart,
I say: In this blog, there are many proof, Lehman bonds issue, the govt doesnt' care but support the banks instead; insurance companies conning the public, the govt doesnt care; NS reservists lose out to foreigners in jobs, the govt doesnt have a solution to name just a few. You km.coaching are welcome to put forth the opposite arguments to share with us what great things you felt the govt had done. Honestly speaking it is boring to hear always complaints about the government. I would love to hear some bouquets, some nice things too. So Mr km.coaching please be subjective give some examples for our better understanding.

You said: the NS point. NS is no choice one... you must defend your country

I say: If you read again Mr Tan and everyone here DO NOT have a problem wiht NS. Nobody ever said NS is bad. The issue at hand is how to make Reservists get level playing field. There was some discussion also about the duration of the NS. All these are healthy discsussion, you missed the boat completely.

In summary, i think we should take a step back and observe the two modes of a typical, intellectual discussion as follows:

Correct Mode: "A" makes a statement. "B" disagrees and quotes examples and a healthy discussion proceeds.
WRONG Mode: "A" makes a statement. "B" says - you are wrong I don't agree! Prove it!

REX; November 03, 2009 6:40 PM
Unknown said...: 6Nov09 - The Business Times reported SM Goh's comments and I quote "ocals and foreigners living and working here must also get along, Mr Goh said. Locals must accommodate the different habits and beliefs of foreigners, while foreigners must respect local ways and try to integrate. This way, Singapore will be 'an oasis of harmony with a rich diversity of people, culture and ideas'.

But the country must manage the inflow of talent and immigrants to ensure Singaporeans do not lose out and that they benefit from the presence of newcomers, he said.
unquote.

I live in little India. Each time I step out of my 3RM HDB flat, I am swammed with foreigners. The feeling is like I am the foreigner not them. The analogy is like a patch of land where you can only plant so much grass. And when you finally have lalangs and wild weeds also growing on the same patch, inevitable the good grass will get kill.

Tan Ah Soon
Little India.; November 06, 2009 7:38 AM

Sunday, November 01, 2009

Need to put things right in Singapore

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