We forgot about democracy, justice and equality

The Sunday Times did a survey of 100 Singaporeans asking them to recite the National Pledge. Here were the results:

  • 35 people got it exactly right.
  • 14 people could recall only some phrases.
  • 12 completely forgot the Pledge.
  • 39 others fared pretty well but missed out on a few words, especially those in the third and fourth phrases – ‘to build a democratic society based on justice and equality’.

Gasp! So this means that many Singaporeans know the importance of racial and religious harmony, and are happily pursuing prosperity and progress, but have forgotten about democracy, justice and equality?

Truly sad. Since the PAP government is not making any effort to educate Singaporeans on these values, I hope that civil society and the Opposition would, for the sake of our nation!

Anyway, for the 65% who couldn’t remember all the words of the Pledge, here they are:

We, the citizens of Singapore pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

Happy National Day, Singapore!

Here’s wishing all my fellow Pink NRIC holders, citizen-soldiers, workers, fathers, bloggers, political activists and all other Singaporeans (and those who call Singapore home) a very Happy 44th National Day!

I thank God for blessing our country with peace and prosperity, a diversity of cultures to enjoy, and passionate and wonderful people to share this beautiful island under the sun with!

Although I don’t usually like the manufactured patriotism of our national songs, I think this innovative medley by local band Isk, Hosni & Friends (or 20 Dischanger) simply rocks! I must have listened to it almost 20 times in the past 2 days, which is very unusual for me for any song.

Building a Truly Great Nation

The Workers’ Party National Day Statement 2009

National Day in Singapore has always been an occasion when Singaporeans look back with pride at our achievements as a young nation.

Our country was founded 44 years ago on the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. It was a moment which we can justly be proud of. Yet, for some time now, it seems that we have been losing our way on some of these ideals.

Continue reading “Building a Truly Great Nation”

No barrier-free access to ION? Forget it then!

Channel NewsAsia has reported that the pedestrian crossing between the new ION Orchard and Wheelock Place will be closed from today. This means shoppers will have to use the underground link. Able-bodied shoppers that is.

People on wheelchairs or babies in prams will have to use another road crossing 150 metres away. But wait, sorry only prams can. Wheelchair users will find the ramp too steep to use. Too bad for them.

Frankly I find it very frustrating that the “premier” new shopping centre in Orchard Road also doesn’t have barrier free access for wheelchairs and prams. It says a lot about mall developers, the Building and Construction Agency’s building codes and our society’s lack of empathy for the less able-bodied among us.

Continue reading “No barrier-free access to ION? Forget it then!”

A most spectacular phenomenon

My wife shares her thoughts watching the total solar eclipse of 22 July 2009

I almost forgot about the total solar eclipse that took place this morning. It was a good thing that when I tuned in to my favourite radio station 933 at 8.15am and the DJs were commenting that the total solar eclipse was about to start and there would be a live telecast on Channel U. 

I was feeding my daughter Hannah breakfast and I told myself to quickly finish feeding her so I could watch it on TV. 

Even though I was not able to experience it in Singapore, it was very amazing to even watch it on TV especially since the program was in Chinese and I appreciate Chinese, programmes more than English ones. I could feel the emotions and excitement through the ‘live’ telecast and I couldn’t help but get excited with them too. 

It was very magnificent when the sun was completely covered by the moon within a few minutes. It reminded me of the thrill and happiness that I had when I was able to watch the sunset with my husband Gerald outside my flat in Sembawang a few weeks ago. 

Continue reading “A most spectacular phenomenon”

Singapore: Multiculturalism or the melting pot?

Last week, Straits Times reader Amy Loh wrote to the paper expressing her disquiet about how the government’s emphasis on the need to speak Mandarin could be perceived as a clear signal to encourage residents of mainland China origin to choose to continue speaking only Chinese. She cited examples of how almost all new shop signs in Geylang are in Chinese only, fast turning this into a Chinese enclave.

In response, the Straits Times in an editorial slammed Ms Loh as being “xenophobic”, pointing to economically vibrant cities like London and Sydney as evidence that “recruiting foreigners” has brought great benefits to those cities. The paper went on to explain that the Geylang shop signs were in only Chinese for “purely commercial reasons”, as if that were an excuse for their cultural insensitivity.

This exchange raises another more important issue that Singapore, with its growing diversity and immigrant population, needs to start dealing with: The issue of multiculturalism versus a melting pot social make-up of our country.

Continue reading “Singapore: Multiculturalism or the melting pot?”

Auditor-General’s report

Auditor-General Lim Soo Ping, just submitted his audit report for financial year 2008/09 to the President and Parliament on 1 July, and later released it on the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) website.

The full report can be viewed here. I read through all 62 pages of it, and had a few observations.

Continue reading “Auditor-General’s report”

Victory for SBY, Indonesia…and ASEAN too?

Photo from Reuters

I am cheered that Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, better known as SBY, has won his second term in as president of Indonesia, with a very comfortable margin which pollsters estimate at over 60%. Although the official results are not due till later this month, SBY has already declared victory and world leaders like Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have already called him offering their congratulations.

This is a victory not only for him and his running mate, Boediono, the former central bank governor, but the great nation of Indonesia as well. The peaceful and fair election — contestations by SBY’s challenger Megawati notwithstanding — seals Indonesia’s transition from a military dictatorship under Suharto just over 10 years ago, to a thriving democracy with a free press and a steadily growing economy.

Continue reading “Victory for SBY, Indonesia…and ASEAN too?”

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