Singapore Punggol By Elections. Opposition Indians and Malays are wasting their time.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Some opposition parties have indicated they may field Indian and Malay candidates in the impending by elections at Punggol Singapore.

As much as I would hope their success, I would suggest they descend into reality from the dreamy clouds they seem to be in.

Singapore is today primarily a Chinese island, many of whom do not even understand English, let alone the highfalutin type you would appear to use in their political speeches. It is not possible to give a political speech any other way. In the end none of them would understand a word and even if they did, why should they vote for someone with whom they have no affinity whatsoever.

If you did not know, Lee Kuan Yew has successfully separated the supposedly multi racial island into ethnic Chinese people and few others. If anyone is trying to suggest I am wrong by the JB Jeyaretnam example in 1981, when he, a non Chinese won, let me say the circumstances were vey different. In 1981, Lee did not have time enough to divide the island into clear segregated racial quarters as he has done by 2013.

For Malays and Indians aspiring for politics in Lee's island, let me say this, it is too late pal. For too long the Malays and Indians have stood idly by while Lee continued to entrench Chinese superiority in the island in every way possible and literally decimate the few Malays and Indians left.

The Malays and Indians in the island are going to be just a curiosity, no more than that. This is what happens when you stand by and do nothing while a tyrant runs over you.

Opposition parties should not waste their chances by fielding a non Chinese. It is already a mission impossible as it is, why make it worse?

If Malays and Indians in the island want to bring about democracy in the island, they should have the courage to do it. Form associations without any registration as the government requires, along racial lines to pressure the government for ethnic rights, through civil disobedience, protests and demonstrations. Others wanting democratic change in the island should do the same by demanding their fundamental rights which they are denied.

I am not a racist wanting to usurp my rights over others. We are all brothers in the end, but the reality on the ground, deliberately cultivated over the years has separated and distanced the races. It is not the fault of any Singaporean Chinese but that solely of the Lee Kuan Yew administration which sees profit in the division.

You want the world to know you have a grievance and the only way you do that is by protesting, sit downs, strikes, protests and demonstrations. The world is presently not aware that Singaporeans have any grievances. Why, because you don't seem to want any change.

My advice to opposition political parties contesting in the Punggol East by elections. Don't field Malay and Indian candidates if you want to win. Your chances are already bad as it is. Use your head.

Especially important, don't try your Oxbridge English at the Punggol East Noodle House among the Chinese noodle hawkers. Believe me, they don't understand a word. They may even think you are insulting them and pour boiling oil over you and set you alight!

Gopalan Nair
Attorney at Law
A Singaporean in exile
Fremont, California, USA
Tel: 510 491 4375