By Andrew LohBeing selectiveTake for example,
MM LeeÂ’s dismissal of the rankings and reports by international agencies Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International and Freedom House. Implicit in his dismissal of these reports is that freedom (of speech, press, etc) is not important. It has been the governmentÂ’s stance for as long as anyone can remember.
The contradiction here is that
while he dismisses these reports by the agencies mentioned above, he also cites other international agencies’ favourable reports on Singapore – such as Transparency International, The World Economic Forum, PERC and The World Bank – to defend his government’s actions.
He is clearly, using selective data and reports to suit his arguments.
Yearning for something moreSingaporeans, being more educated, better travelled and exposed to the world,
yearn for something more – something more than just being the best or among the best in math, science, knowledge, work ethics or having an incorruptible public service.This yearning is for something which will inspire the human spirit. And no amount of pure economic progress will address this. Economic Re-structuring Shares, Singapore Shares, HDB upgrading, Progress Package, a 1% increase in CPF interest, etc can only do so much. They are only temporary antidotes for economic malaise.
IdentityMM Lee said, “People in Singapore do not equate their political leaders with second-hand car salesmen.” That may be true but he must also realize that Singaporeans are also very cynical about their leaders – especially after the ministers’ salary hike and the recent talk of a compulsory annuity scheme.
Singaporeans may not equate their leaders with second-hand car salesmen but maybe they equate them with money-grabbers or mercenaries. Which is worse?Extracted from TOC
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/10/16/why-are-we-still-being-led-by-one-man%e2%80%99s-philosophy/#more-545
