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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - S'pore built on foundation laid by Brits</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right>
Subscribe </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgF noWrap align=right width="1%">From: </TD><TD class=msgFname noWrap width="68%">kojakbt22 <NOBR>
</NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate noWrap align=right width="30%">2:50 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT noWrap align=right width="1%" height=20>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname noWrap width="68%">ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 3) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft width="1%" rowSpan=4> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>10205.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Nation built on foundation laid by British
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Mr Anthony Oei's letter last Friday, 'Don't go overboard', in which he diminished the contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles and the British to Singapore. We should judge history more objectively.
Raffles is a highly symbolic and politically neutral figure in Singapore's history - much like Christopher Columbus who is venerated in the Americas.
Singapore as a 'vibrant ancient city' had long fallen derelict by the time Raffles arrived, and its transformation thereafter into a modern thriving port was no less a marvel. By the turn of the last century, it was the 'Liverpool of the East'.
Singapore became a beacon of hope for immigrants all over the region seeking a better future. Most of us, including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, would not have been so fortunate today had our forefathers not been attracted to this shining British colony.
Could we have built a successful nation without the foundation laid by the British? From inheriting a fine judicial system, to the privilege of learning English as a first language in our schools - these are prime examples of British legacy that we can be proud of.
Although the writer claims he did not have a 'beautiful experience' living in British Singapore, he should be grateful not to have lived in French Indo-China, Dutch East Indies or Portuguese Timor. The British were highly civil in comparison, and Singapore was clearly better off in the region during that time.
Our heritage should be commemorated in its entirety: ancient, colonial and post-independence. Constructing a replica of Raffles' Indiana is thoroughly appropriate. Loke Hoe Kit
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to Mr Anthony Oei's letter last Friday, 'Don't go overboard', in which he diminished the contributions of Sir Stamford Raffles and the British to Singapore. We should judge history more objectively.
Raffles is a highly symbolic and politically neutral figure in Singapore's history - much like Christopher Columbus who is venerated in the Americas.
Singapore as a 'vibrant ancient city' had long fallen derelict by the time Raffles arrived, and its transformation thereafter into a modern thriving port was no less a marvel. By the turn of the last century, it was the 'Liverpool of the East'.
Singapore became a beacon of hope for immigrants all over the region seeking a better future. Most of us, including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, would not have been so fortunate today had our forefathers not been attracted to this shining British colony.
Could we have built a successful nation without the foundation laid by the British? From inheriting a fine judicial system, to the privilege of learning English as a first language in our schools - these are prime examples of British legacy that we can be proud of.
Although the writer claims he did not have a 'beautiful experience' living in British Singapore, he should be grateful not to have lived in French Indo-China, Dutch East Indies or Portuguese Timor. The British were highly civil in comparison, and Singapore was clearly better off in the region during that time.
Our heritage should be commemorated in its entirety: ancient, colonial and post-independence. Constructing a replica of Raffles' Indiana is thoroughly appropriate. Loke Hoe Kit
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