In terms of human qualities, Singapore is a total failure.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With the modern skyscrapers dotting the Singapore skyline, fancy cars on the streets (mind you they all belong to foreign money launderers),and a transportation system Lee Kuan Yew and his cronies stomp around the world claiming a miracle. But how do you judge a miracle. Is it these modern fixtures or is there more to it?

If a man were to consider the people as the most important possession of the country; the litmus test for a great nation, Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore fails miserably. A look at Singaporeans will tell you this. They are a people who are insecure, unduly afraid of even the slightest provocation, a people who lack any burning passion or love for anything except how to earn a buck, a generally effete and weak people, a people who cannot run jump or swim compared to anyone else in the free world and who judge their acceptance by the Lee Kuan Yew clique as their passport to success. This is not saying much, I confess, for my fellow Singaporeans. Of course I now live in California and had lived lived in Europe before then. I am therefore not, thank God, altogether a Singaporean.

Let me give you 2 examples on the complete lack of any adventure in Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore "digits"; a term by which Lee Kuan Yew has called his citizens. Even though there are nearly 4.8 million Singaporeans, one third of them foreigners, there are no real sportsmen in the country. No Singaporean ran the mile in 2 minutes and never will.

But you recall only a few months ago, Singapore's state controlled press with great fanfare and drum beat announced that 2 Singaporeans were going to sail round the world! Imagine that! A feat indeed! But when you realise what happened, it wasn't like that at all. There were hardly any Singaporeans that knew how to sail, despite being surrounded by tropical waters, let alone around the world. In fact, Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore government went around and handpicked a couple of people, all expenses paid to crew on ocean going sailboats on a round the world itinerary! The skipper was a foreigner, the navigator was a foreigner and anyone who did any real sailing were all foreigners, not Singaporeans. The 2 miserable Singaporeans had to just stay on the boat, hopefully not getting sea sick, and pose for a few photos which were promptly printed on the front pages of the State Controlled Singapore Press, with the words, "Singaporeans sail the World". A desperate attempt to show a better side.

The same with Everest conquering Singapore housewives! The same nonsense yet again. Singapore housewives conquer Everest! My God, what a feat! But truly it was nothing like that. It was a publicity stunt. Lee Kun Yew and his Public Relations crew got around and persuaded a couple of housewives to climb the mountain all expenses paid. And climbing it from the North Face is not such a big deal anyway, supported by a gang of Sherpas who do everything possible for you, making it nothing more than a breeze. It would cost at least about $60,000.00 to do it, in Nepal permit fees and the salaries of more than a dozen Sherpas. Even Japanese housewives have done it but there is a difference. Those women really wanted to do it, and did it with their money. Not the stage managed , all expenses paid, Singapore version, involving hand picked reluctant housewives!

It would be entirely true to say, the average Singaporean lives in fear. And the fear stifles their development and their achievements. And this fear makes them less competitive, innovative and ultimately less happy. And not being happy it does not further the country's progress, and with a bunch like this, Singapore is a failure, not a success.

A country needs independent thinking citizens who follow their passion, not what Lee Kuan Yew says is good for them. It is the independent thinking people with novel ideas that propels any country to greatness. Not the I follow you in line type you find in Singapore.

Take the average Singapore parent. They live in fear of the Lee Kuan Yew government. They are afraid to protest the theft of government monies by the Ministers, several millions of dollars each year, for fear of being punished. They fear to criticize the lack of human rights that is denied them. They fear to speak against the lack of a free press. They fear everything. They fear their shadows.

And they make sure, for the safety of their children, lest Lee Kuan Yew is offended, that they too live in that fear. Their children are told not to say anything against the government with the proverbial "walls have ears" warning. So the children too grow up the fearful pathetic souls like their parents.

And the teachers too are no different. They tell their students to conform to remain politically correct at all times in accordance with the Singapore strongman's doctrine. Not to protest, to oppose or do anything for themselves that is out of the ordinary.

When I was a boy in a Singapore school I was no different. I was afraid to speak. Success meant passing exams and being as obscure and hidden as possible. And when you said anything, you said what was politically correct. The only reason why I am different today is because I managed to set myself free and leave the country altogether, thank God for it.

Children went to school and became lawyers doctors and engineers not because they wanted to help mankind, or even because they loved it. They went because it meant making money. It did not matter if it was the most boring thing in life. And once they qualified in their profession, the learning stopped completely. Not a single lawyer in that island has in his head, any literature, or anything else for that matter.

Compare an Australian boy. He grows up with an imagination. His teacher in school and parents support him with it. He looks up at the sky and wants to be pilot. And he does it. He hangs around flying clubs and helps around. He saves some money. He works 2 jobs saving up for his lessons. Eventually he gets a job as a crop duster but hangs in there for a lifetime. He achieves his dream and becomes a great aviator, or a professional cyclist or a world class entertainer or whatever. Or he might end up protesting outside the governor's house for his failure to protect the Kangaroos. The Australian boy is brave, he has courage and he is happy. Very happy. Such a boy loves his country and his country becomes great because it has great people behind it.

The Singapore boy is no match to the Aussie. The Aussie has what it takes. And he has it because he is not afraid.

It is the living in fear, that makes Singapore a very weak country and incapable of success. In this regard, Lee Kuan Yew has failed Singapore miserably. Instead of applause, he should be held to account. He has destroyed the most valuable asset the country needs, it's people.

Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/

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