http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/08/31/dr-ang-singaporeans-suffer-from-stockholm-syndrome/
[h=2]Dr Ang: Singaporeans suffer from Stockholm Syndrome[/h]
August 31st, 2015 |
Author: Editorial
Dr Ang Yong Guan
During the party’s candidate
introduction on Saturday (29 Aug), SingFirst Chairman Dr Ang Yong Guan – a
psychiatrist by training – commented that Singaporeans have been “brainwashed”
by the pervasive influence of state institutions, calling it the
“Singapore Stockholm Syndrome”.
Hence, SingFirst’s younger candidates, who have strong educational and work
credentials, can lead the change to shake off the political apathy of
Singaporeans.
SingFirst Secretary-General Tan Jee Say, then drew a contrast with the PAP’s
Goh Chok Tong, 74, whom he called an “overstayer” in this election.
What is Stockholm Syndome?
Stockholm
Syndrome is named after a bank robbery that took place in Stockholm, Sweden.
During the crime, several bank employees were held hostage in a bank vault from
August 23 to 28, 1973, while their captors negotiated with police. During this
standoff, the victims became emotionally attached to their captors, rejected
assistance from government officials at one point, and even defended their
captors after they were freed from their 6-day ordeal.
Stockholm Syndrome, or capture-bonding, is therefore the name given to a
psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have
positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and
identifying with them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in
light of the danger or risk endured by the victims.
Stockholm Syndrome can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not
necessarily require a hostage scenario, but which describes “strong emotional
ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses,
beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other”. A common hypothesis which
explains Stockholm Syndrome is based on Freudian theory. It suggests that the
bonding is the individual’s response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying
with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim
possesses the same values as an aggressor, the latter ceases to be seen as a
threat.
One such “abuse” which Singaporeans have been suffering is the liberal
importation of foreign workers into Singapore over the last decade. Immigration
is a hot-button issue which the various opposition parties are bound to raise at
campaign rallies in the coming fortnight.
Dr Ang outlined SingFirst’s position on the issue thus:
We believe in responsible immigration. We need to integrate the foreigner.
(But) the Singaporean must get the job first.
(There is) no point getting a misfit who cannot fit into society; fitting a
person into the environment is very important. We welcome foreigners but
everything being equal, Singaporeans should come first.
Something went wrong along the way and the PAP government has failed
Singaporeans.
It is no wonder Dr Ang’s party is called Singaporeans First.
SingFirst’s campaign slogan is “Restore our Nation”.
Chiam See Tong to advise SPP on the sidelines
Meanwhile, Singapore People’s Party (SPP) Secretary-General Chiam See Tong,
80, one of Singapore’s most prominent opposition politicians ever, will not be
contesting a general election (GE) for the first time since he entered politics
in 1976.
The veteran, who was MP for Potong Pasir for 27 years until 2011, will take a
back seat this GE, SPP said at a news conference yesterday (30 Aug).
Mr Chiam’s health has deteriorated significantly since he suffered a stroke
in 2008.
In 2011, instead of defending Potong Pasir SMC, he led a 5-man team to
contest Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC but polled just 43.07% of the valid votes.
“He (Chiam) will continue for as long as he can in an advisory capacity, but
there’re no plans for him to run,” SPP’s media manager said.
Why can’t ESM Goh be an advisor like Mr Chiam in this GE? Why must he
contest?
Does he want to follow in the footsteps of the late Lee Kuan Yew to literally
“die on the job” as MP?
What do you think?
[h=2]Dr Ang: Singaporeans suffer from Stockholm Syndrome[/h]
August 31st, 2015 |
Author: Editorial
Dr Ang Yong Guan
During the party’s candidate
introduction on Saturday (29 Aug), SingFirst Chairman Dr Ang Yong Guan – a
psychiatrist by training – commented that Singaporeans have been “brainwashed”
by the pervasive influence of state institutions, calling it the
“Singapore Stockholm Syndrome”.
Hence, SingFirst’s younger candidates, who have strong educational and work
credentials, can lead the change to shake off the political apathy of
Singaporeans.
SingFirst Secretary-General Tan Jee Say, then drew a contrast with the PAP’s
Goh Chok Tong, 74, whom he called an “overstayer” in this election.
What is Stockholm Syndome?
Stockholm
Syndrome is named after a bank robbery that took place in Stockholm, Sweden.
During the crime, several bank employees were held hostage in a bank vault from
August 23 to 28, 1973, while their captors negotiated with police. During this
standoff, the victims became emotionally attached to their captors, rejected
assistance from government officials at one point, and even defended their
captors after they were freed from their 6-day ordeal.
Stockholm Syndrome, or capture-bonding, is therefore the name given to a
psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have
positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and
identifying with them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in
light of the danger or risk endured by the victims.
Stockholm Syndrome can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not
necessarily require a hostage scenario, but which describes “strong emotional
ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses,
beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other”. A common hypothesis which
explains Stockholm Syndrome is based on Freudian theory. It suggests that the
bonding is the individual’s response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying
with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim
possesses the same values as an aggressor, the latter ceases to be seen as a
threat.
One such “abuse” which Singaporeans have been suffering is the liberal
importation of foreign workers into Singapore over the last decade. Immigration
is a hot-button issue which the various opposition parties are bound to raise at
campaign rallies in the coming fortnight.
Dr Ang outlined SingFirst’s position on the issue thus:
We believe in responsible immigration. We need to integrate the foreigner.
(But) the Singaporean must get the job first.
(There is) no point getting a misfit who cannot fit into society; fitting a
person into the environment is very important. We welcome foreigners but
everything being equal, Singaporeans should come first.
Something went wrong along the way and the PAP government has failed
Singaporeans.
SingFirst’s campaign slogan is “Restore our Nation”.
Chiam See Tong to advise SPP on the sidelines
Meanwhile, Singapore People’s Party (SPP) Secretary-General Chiam See Tong,
80, one of Singapore’s most prominent opposition politicians ever, will not be
contesting a general election (GE) for the first time since he entered politics
in 1976.
The veteran, who was MP for Potong Pasir for 27 years until 2011, will take a
back seat this GE, SPP said at a news conference yesterday (30 Aug).
Mr Chiam’s health has deteriorated significantly since he suffered a stroke
in 2008.
In 2011, instead of defending Potong Pasir SMC, he led a 5-man team to
contest Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC but polled just 43.07% of the valid votes.
“He (Chiam) will continue for as long as he can in an advisory capacity, but
there’re no plans for him to run,” SPP’s media manager said.
Why can’t ESM Goh be an advisor like Mr Chiam in this GE? Why must he
contest?
Does he want to follow in the footsteps of the late Lee Kuan Yew to literally
“die on the job” as MP?
What do you think?
