After the 2015 elections, Singaporeans resign to a life under permanent dictatorship

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For 50 years now, the entire history of Singapore island, it has been under a dictatorship, first under the father Lee Kuan Yew and since his death only recently, his son. At least over the years those who wished a life of democracy did try, although not hard enough for change. In earlier days we had Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party bravely breaking unjust laws such as anti-public protests, and public speaking, and going to jail for it. The Internet was abuzz with anti government statements and people thought that this time, there might have been real change.

Any hope in that direction was finally and conclusively dashed by the electorate voting overwhelmingly for Lee Kuan Yew's son's dictatorship with a 70% vote. Immediately thereafter any sentiment for democracy was quashed. The Internet with desire of democracy went silent as if it was lights out.

Chee Soon Juan, of the opposition Singapore Democratic Party who lost badly has turned out to be a sore loser. He has come up with a long list of reasons why he lost, such as an uneven playing field, gerrymandering and fear mongering by the establishment. But one fundamental piece of evidence that he cleverly refuses to see is that for whatever reasons, the people voted for the establishment and not for him. It would be far better for him to admit that fact and ask why they are doing so and try to address that.

Singapore government's total triumph at the elections may turn out to be a double edge sword. It may hurt the island far more than it may benefit them.

The Singaporeans who voted this administration into power are certainly different from the minority who voted against them. They are by and large ordinary people doing ordinary jobs and unlikely to have an advanced education. They feel voting for the administration would mean keeping their jobs, keeping their apartments and living their daily boring lives as they have done yesterday. To them ideals such as freedom of speech, expression, assembly or protest are unimportant. It doesn't matter to them that Lee Kuan Yew's son is one of the most corrupt leaders in the world paying himself millions in public funds. It does not matter to them that there is no rule of law or that the entire media is state controlled, no different from North Korea. They are in other words, a thoroughly obedient timid lot.

Such a society may be good for stability and order. But it is no good for individual ideas, innovation and independent thinking. Every single one of these people have no leadership whatsoever. They are only capable of following their leader.

This lack of independent thinking would result in their failing the global race for innovation and competitiveness. Free societies such as Australia and the West would always beat societies like that of Singapore because they are not afraid to think outside the box and question authority. In Singapore on the other hand, if you question authority, you either go to jail or face a defamation of character lawsuit and bankruptcy before Kangaroo courts.

It would also result in a growing brain drain to the West. No one independent thinking person would want to live or bring up their children in such a society where people are expected to obey unconditionally. More students would study in the West and not return while their parents would join them. This would result in a shrinking of already tiny section of Singaporeans who have a mind of their own.

The almost zero birth rate would decline even further requiring the government to import even larger numbers of immigrants from China, all of them who speak no English at all. And don't expect any independent thinking from these immigrants since they have lived their entire lives obeying the Chinese Communist Party.

It is ironic that the Singapore government have now an elections victory from which they literally cannot escape. By their victory they have sown the seeds for their own destruction, mounting brain drain, a society of mindless conformist orchestrated morons, simply a North Korea style government. If there is one difference between North Korea and Singapore, it is this. You can escape from Singapore but you cannot from North Korea.

Gopalan Nair
Attorney at Law
Fremont California
Tel: 510 491 8525
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com