Exciting days ahead. Due to the events leading up to the situation today, Singaporeans have become much more interested and in tune with politics. There are so much discussions and views shared publicly. So what's my?
My story must start by going back to the time when I'm in secondary 3. Back then, I was a "green-house-flower", a naïve and protected gal, whose life was only about school and studies. I'm those who went home straight after school. My home back then was a spacious and windy HDB point-block unit on the 18th storey. After finishing my homework, one of my favourite activity was to stand by window, wind in my hair, looking out and down, at the beautiful green surrounding and the clear blue sky. Though not rich, I had never encounter any hardship. Though I had friends from very poor families, living in rented or one room flats in the same neighbourhood, I was oblivious to their struggles.
My only contact with politics was through my Sec 3 physics teacher. His name is Mr. Yao. He was, unique; caring but slightly eccentric. He gave us his home number, and told us that we may call him if we face any (teenager) problem (not related to studies).
That year in Sec 3, was the year of China Tiananmen 六四事件. End of that same year, was the fall of communism in Romania. He talked about how students fight for the ideology of democracy, and compared it to how Romania as a country suffered after the sudden downfall of communism. It was a very different view from the rest of the world. The foreign, western countries were all condemning the China government, that there was serious violation of human rights in PRC. For him, he questioned the naivety students' moment.
He also talked about Anwar. Most Singaporeans of my age knew Anwar as a political victim and sympathize him. And I think my Malaysia friends will wonder if the country will be in better shape than today, if Anwar succeeded premiership. For me, because of Mr. Yao, it was different. He questioned if Anwar was more or less race-blind compared to the then PM, and if Anwar will be beneficial or detrimental to the bilateral relationship, and to us, Singapore?
Those were heavy topics that he discussed. For some reasons, the politically-apathetic me remembered these lessons.
Those years, were a quarter century ago. After 25 years, I have grown a lot. A lot older, a lot heavier.. Jokes aside, a lot wiser and concerned. Concerned about how politics are not someone else problem. Concerned that, when someone holds a different opinion from you, it doesn't affect just them, but instead it affects everyone, and in a big way. It can't be as simple as to just "agree to disagree".
I had a discussion with my Dad last Saturday. He said that our country is at risk of becoming like Taiwan, where democracy is almost a joke. He said that the current leaders are too soft, doesn't have the iron fist ability like LKY's generation. I refuted, telling him that it is precisely because LHL is not like his father, that I think that there is hope for our country. The world will always belong to the younger generation. If preaching, and LKY styled well-meaning-threats don't work anymore, we should use other clever means to influence the younger generation. Going on and on about how fortunate they are is not effective in getting the message across. LHL needs to be different from his father to lead the younger generation.
A lot had been said and analysed. I offer my 2-cents worth to those who care to listen. Meanwhile, let me end this by sharing this "poll". My aunts and I were chatting, and we all bet that the overall votes for PAP will be increased (2011: 60.1%). Our guesses are 64%, 67%, 62%. We feel upbeat, that there is hope for this country and it's people.
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