A Sign of South Korean Democratic Maturity that Singapore Lacks?

Source:

Koreans turn out in force for Roh (BBC - 02:11 GMT, Friday, 29 May 2009 03:11 UK).

and

S Koreans sad and angry over Roh (By John Sudworth, BBC - 13:25 GMT, Saturday, 23 May 2009 14:25 UK).

A national funeral held for former President Roh Moo-hyun, a liberal, by the current conservative administration of President Lee Myung-bak.

Former opponents honoring the passing of a "colleague". Will we ever see that happen again in Singapore? Will Singapore continue to go the way of (what I consider) political vindictiveness as part of its national political psyche? Former Presidents Ong Teng Cheong (elected, no less!) and Devan Nair were the two out of five former Singapore Presidents not honored with a national funeral and state burial. Why? Officially, it was the result of some (what I consider) arbitrary decision by the Cabinet. Unofficially, "everyone" now knows they "caused trouble" for our "ruling" (I hate that term) party.

David Marshall, our first Chief Minister, was honored at his death in 1995 (I do not know if he was given a state funeral). This was despite his being a staunch political opponent to the PAP in the early years before serving as Singapore's Ambassador to various European countries. What changed since 1995?

I hope in the future, I'd see a political landscape where leaders are honored for their service to the nation regardless of their differences with the sitting government when they die. Of course, should they turn out to be vile criminals (as Hitler was), they should be struck off the rolls (remembered, but not honored).

Sex Theme Park in China.

UPDATE March 20 2009: Heh, guess Chongqing officials felt mostly the same way Singaporean officials do. The planned park has been demolished.

Here is an updated article from the BBC: "China sex theme park demolished" (04:25 GMT, Monday, 18 May 2009 05:25 UK).

Pity ...




This from the BBC: "China builds first sex theme park" (14:36 GMT, Saturday, 16 May 2009 15:36 UK).

Image from the BBC article:

China is building what is billed as its first sex theme park, aimed at improving both the sex education and the sex life of its visitors.

In the heart of industrial town Chongqing! Yay for "Asian Values"! To be fair, I believe this is a private enterprise rather than a state venture.

My thoughts: even the Chinese government appear to believe it is better to let citizens decide for themselves the "appropriateness" of the park by its success or failure through market forces. If no one shows up because they are uncomfortable with it, it will have to close down. If only the sexually deprived show up, I doubt they'd get off on much of the stuff there and after prolonged exposure (no pun intended) to the displays, so it will also have to eventually close down.

I hope it succeeds in its goals. I hope the Chinese will pull the rug from under the Singapore government's excuses for conservatism in Singapore. I hope the obvious cherry-picking of "values" (from East and West, as and when it is convenient) will be exposed for what it is and Singaporeans will emerge from it stronger and more confident about its own identity and culture.

Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS).

A Mr. Lawrence Loh had a letter published on TODAY outlining his personal experience at MPS which mirrored my take on why a good number of our MPs are out-of-touch with reality. It is entitled "MP had no empathy" (Letter from LAWRENCE LOH KIAH MUAN - Updated 10:07 PM May 13, 2009).

I felt I just had to archive this. I have no faith in Singapore-based online news outlets keeping any article alive forever.

It started with Member of Parliament (MP) Seng Han Thong being set on fire. Then came MP Denise Phua who was threatened by a rag-and-bone man. Recently, MP Cynthia Phua was subjected to a display of violence by a constituent.

Although these incidents are disturbing and a cause for concern, I wonder whether the constituents are solely to be blamed.

Allow me to relate my personal experience.

In February 2001, my older son died in a naval accident whilst serving National Service. In that year, my younger son was due for enlistment. A friend, a very active grassroots member, suggested that I approach my MP, for help in exploring the possibility of getting an exemption for my younger son. I was reluctant but he went ahead to fix an appointment for me at the Meet-The-People Session (MPS). I subsequently relented and he accompanied me there. It was in March 2001. That was my first appearance at a MPS, and it was to be my last.

I waited until midnight before I could meet the MP. Prior to this, he was given the case paper which detailed the objective of the meeting and the circumstances of my case.

When I entered the room, his first remark was “Yes, what can I do for you?”. There was no attempt at offering a word of sympathy or condolence. I then related my situation and said that both my wife and I were very traumatised.

His next remark “What traumatic, after two months, you won’t be traumatic?”. With that, I decided to end the meeting. And with that, my respect for him hit ground zero. I was too stunned and grief-stricken to react. Someone who was less-controlled and less-measured than me could have flown into a rage and become violent.

MPs are elected or appointed to serve the constituents. People who attend the MPS are those who have real problems and need help. In a lot of instances, they are stressed, distressed and troubled. What they need is a caring soul, a helping hand, a gentle voice, and words of hope and encouragement. To dispense these, MPs need good interpersonal skills and a high EQ. Arrogance, a patronizing, chiding and belittling attitude, aloofness and lack of empathy will only trigger acts of rashness and violence. Many of our politicians have a high IQ, some are scholars. However, a high IQ is not the only attribute needed in a political career. A high EQ is equally, if not more critical, especially when it comes to dealing with the constituents.

In my case, I would have felt good if my MP could have been a warm and caring person. If he could have been empathetic, consoling and helpful. All these qualities can only come from the heart, not from the mind.

How many of our MPs can stand up and be counted for this?

If Mr. Lawrence Loh is reading this, my condolences on your loss. I am sorry your emotional hurt did not register with the MP and I am also sorry it did not initially register with myself until after I've read to the point where you expressed that hurt. All I can say is in Singapore, people tend to have this mindset where if you ask them for something exceptional, they think you are out to cheat them or cause trouble for them.

Something else caught my eye in that article ... one of the comments:

Meiyi- Updated 03:03 AM May 15, 2009

When you have heard of a story, please do not hear one side of the story and jump into conculsion that what you have heard is true. In everything we do, there is a cause and effect. There must be something that the resident said for the MP to react that way.

While the premise of what is said is true, that one should take accounts with a pinch of salt, the "conclusions" of the comment abuses that notion. What does Meiyi mean by "must"? The implication of disbelieve, that Mr. Loh has exaggerated things, is there in the sub-text. Why is Mr. Loh's account any less probable than Meiyi's supposition? In any case, I guess the ball is in the MP's court ... let us hear what he or she has to say (I would note that Mr. Loh had been kind enough not to publicly identify that MP, but I think he really should have outed the MP).

Personally, I'm inclined to believe Mr. Loh's account given my personal experiences with bureaucrats in Singapore (and many other places), especially those who think highly of the powers and authority that have been vested in them.

17 year-old arrested for public display of anger.

This incident has been reported at various news sources:


Outburst at MP's office (Straits Times Online - May 7, 2009 by By Sujin Thomas)

Low IQ teen arrested for “violence” at MPS office after meeting PAP MP Cynthia Phua (Wayang Party - May 6, 2009 by admin)


Boy arrested for slamming chair at MP Office! (Diary of A Singaporean Mind - Wednesday, May 06, 2009 by blogger)

I am very upset by this incident. I do not think this boy (still one year away from serving NS) is being treated fairly. Why was the first response from the "grassroots leaders" to call the police? Was he threatening anyone directly? His family was obviously in distress. Why was the first reaction not to try to calm him down, get him seated down and told that physical violence will not help him solve his family's problems? Are we (staff at "Meet-The-People" sessions, no less!) really so incapable of handling people as individuals?

Something else does not add up. If he were "restrained" while the police was contacted by the staff at the MP's office (as reported on the Straits Times), then what led to his eventual release and then arrest at his home? Why does the blog entry say Miss Cynthia Phua (the MP) asked "pointed" questions and the ST article had no mention of that?

The most troubling quote came from Minister Lim Hwee Hwa (source: Diary of A Singaporean Mind):

There is a clear line between being frustrated or disappointed and being violent. The thrown chair could have killed somebody.

Sure, he could have injured someone with that chair. Kill? Maybe in freak cases. Kill or injure when he did not seem to be directing the attack at any particular person but a glass door? Please ...

Why are our ministers, MPs and hell, our "grassroots leaders" so damn out-of-touch with the real world?

Enough anger ... I had asked if something could be done to help the poor boy ... free legal aid, financial help, anything ... I felt distant and helpless, unable to provide any immediate aid/relief for their suffering. Then I see that the police has declined to reveal any details about the boy to the public. So now I am just frustrated ... frustrated as hell.

EDIT: As pointed out by commenter Vox Leo, the grassroots leaders are mostly volunteers. Please read my reply in the comments section, but I do feel I ought to express some regret sounding so harsh regarding what I consider their professionalism (implied) in the matter.