A Singaporean by the name of Chia Hern Keng had written to the Straits Times Forum on 27 November 2009 urging the government to be more open in order to reduce policy errors.
Quoting the bilingual and “stop at two” policies as examples, Mr Chia wondered why the policy errors were not detected earlier by someone within the government.
Singapore has been ruled continuously uninterrupted by the People’s Action Party (PAP) since independence.
All state institutions including the civil service, police and media are directly under the control of the PAP.
Civil servants seldom dare to question policies which are put in place by the ministers. There is no opposition in parliament to check on the ruling party which often passes legislation and bills with little debate or consultation with the people.
Mr Chia wrote that “given today’s accelerated pace of change in a global world in which mistakes may no longer be reversible, it is crucial that government policies be open to scrutiny and responsive to public feedback as quickly as possible and this requires an even greater liberalisation of the mainstream media for public discussion on national issues.”
In other developed countries, the media is supposed to act as a watchdog to scrutinize the performance of the government.
In Singapore, the mainstream media has effectively been transformed into a mouthpiece of the ruling party which brooks no criticism and has a low tolerance for political dissent.
Mr Chia felt “it is illogical to prize skill to the extent of inviting foreign talent if Singapore is simultaneously closed to views and suggestions that do not sit well with the established policies.”
Under the patriarchal system of government founded and promulgated by MM Lee Kuan Yew, the government can do no wrong.
MM Lee once warned potential challengers of what to expect from him if they dare to take him on:
“Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no other way you can govern a Chinese society.”
The litigious nature of Singapore politics has also stopped Singaporeans from participating in the political life of their country actively let alone criticize and point out the mistakes of the government.
Mr Chia ended his letter with an admonishment to the establishment:
“It is better to learn quickly and to do that, the establishment must show the way in being willing to change course if policies are found wanting.”
With no political pressure or impetus to change, it is highly unlikely that the establishment will be opened to alternative views contrary to its well-held official stance.
Singaporeans had better prayed hard the government will not admit its mistakes in today’s policies in a few decades’ time, especially its liberal immigration policy.
By the time the mistake is finally realized, Singaporeans may end up being a minority in their own country.
-
Quoting the bilingual and “stop at two” policies as examples, Mr Chia wondered why the policy errors were not detected earlier by someone within the government.
Singapore has been ruled continuously uninterrupted by the People’s Action Party (PAP) since independence.
All state institutions including the civil service, police and media are directly under the control of the PAP.
Civil servants seldom dare to question policies which are put in place by the ministers. There is no opposition in parliament to check on the ruling party which often passes legislation and bills with little debate or consultation with the people.
Mr Chia wrote that “given today’s accelerated pace of change in a global world in which mistakes may no longer be reversible, it is crucial that government policies be open to scrutiny and responsive to public feedback as quickly as possible and this requires an even greater liberalisation of the mainstream media for public discussion on national issues.”
In other developed countries, the media is supposed to act as a watchdog to scrutinize the performance of the government.
In Singapore, the mainstream media has effectively been transformed into a mouthpiece of the ruling party which brooks no criticism and has a low tolerance for political dissent.
Mr Chia felt “it is illogical to prize skill to the extent of inviting foreign talent if Singapore is simultaneously closed to views and suggestions that do not sit well with the established policies.”
Under the patriarchal system of government founded and promulgated by MM Lee Kuan Yew, the government can do no wrong.
MM Lee once warned potential challengers of what to expect from him if they dare to take him on:
“Anybody who decides to take me on needs to put on knuckle dusters. If you think you can hurt me more than I can hurt you, try. There is no other way you can govern a Chinese society.”
The litigious nature of Singapore politics has also stopped Singaporeans from participating in the political life of their country actively let alone criticize and point out the mistakes of the government.
Mr Chia ended his letter with an admonishment to the establishment:
“It is better to learn quickly and to do that, the establishment must show the way in being willing to change course if policies are found wanting.”
With no political pressure or impetus to change, it is highly unlikely that the establishment will be opened to alternative views contrary to its well-held official stance.
Singaporeans had better prayed hard the government will not admit its mistakes in today’s policies in a few decades’ time, especially its liberal immigration policy.
By the time the mistake is finally realized, Singaporeans may end up being a minority in their own country.
-
