Monday, June 4, 2012

Singapore. Asian values and repression


Ladies and Gentlemen,

An observation of an average Singaporean will show a very different specimen from citizens of the West. Generally a quiet individual, self effacing and an introvert. Afraid to be different form others. Pack mentality and ever mindful not to step out of line from the general mindset.

An Australian on the other hand is more individualistic, self confident and not afraid to be different from everybody else. He follows his own mind.

Many reasons for Singaporeans submissive mentality. First it is Asian values. In Asian culture obeying parents or elders is mandatory, regardless of their ignorance. Speaking back is considered impolite. Better to be quiet and obey. A quiet boy is a good boy. A boy who does what he wants is a bad boy.

Asian children spend all their time reading books and passing exams because their parents demand it. But having read the books, acting on that knowledge and travelling the untrodden road is discouraged. Just pass the exams, get a good job, get more money; That’s all that matters for Asian parents with the Asian values. Not going round the world in a bicycle, not climbing the mountain and falling off or nothing unusual. Boring predictable people like their parents.  

If this is not damaging enough, you have the Singapore island strongman Lee Kuan Yew and his repression. He demands that everyone conform and sing the PAP tune under pain of arrest, defamation action or bankruptcy.

With the Asian values breathing down the necks of Singapore boys which is made worse by Lee Kuan Yew's threats of punishment if you did not listen, the end result; the Singaporean is a total bore. He is not spontaneous, he does not appear to have life, and he becomes a person who is almost incapable of anger or outrage.

He will take anything sitting down. You can deprive him of his right to free speech, expression, you can steal his money (Lee pays himself several millions in tax payers money) or you can send him to jail through corrupt judges. Yet he will not complain one bit. He will willingly accept any abuse and repression, and stay fro even more.  

This is the Singaporean. Men and women consumed by fear and thoroughly conforming through a lifetime of character training, are in the end, uninteresting people entirely. They have almost lost their life and walk around like automatons accepting everything thrown at them.

Lee does not realize that it is too late to undo the damage done to them. There are no leaders but only followers. It is impossible to accomplish greatness.

Gopalan Nair
Attorney at Law
Fremont, CA USA
Tel: 510 657 6107 or 510 491 4375

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mr Nair,

I am a Singaporean. Actually you may not know it, but the younger generation of Singaporeans are changing. They are independent thinking, less constrained by fear. They are well read and well travelled and they do compare what they see in other countries and what they see in their own country on all levels. The younger generation seek more than just a stable life. It is the older generation who are still casting the votes for the incumbent govt. So don't loose hope.

Gopalan Nair said...

To Anonymous June 05, 1255,
Refreshing to hear what you say. I hope it is true.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mr Nair,

I too, am a young Singaporean and chanced upon your blog some time back. Your blog gives a different perspective and I admire how you truly stand up for what you believe in. Have you heard about a lady who pasted stickers around Sg and might have to face charges on vandalism?

http://www.asiaone.com/static/multimedia/gallery/120605_stickerlady/

What's your opinion on this? I find it hilarious (esp the "press until shiok" sticker for pedestrian crossing button) and I really hope she won't be punished for her creativity! Like the comment above, younger generation and much bolder now (but not ALL OUT haha) and the good thing now with social media, there is a petition made for her.

Anonymous said...

http://temasektimes.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/singapores-second-longest-held-political-detainee-dr-lim-hock-siew-has-passed-away/#comments

My condolences to Dr Lim Hock Siew. He will always be remembered instead of LKY, LHL. Jesus will take care of Lim Hock Siew and karma will befall on all the PAP members who are uncaring and greedy except Dr. Toh Chin Chye and Dr Goh Keng Swee

Gopalan Nair said...

To Anonymous Jun 05, 1206,
Instead of leaving it to karma and praying, you may want to do something about it. Or are you so terrified of the Lee Ruling Family that all you can do is to wait and pray.

Anonymous said...

Continue...

Perhaps the pics in the above comment summed up nicely with one of your blog posts below, which hits the Singapore nail on it's head.

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Lee's Singapore. The sad hard truth in a capsule

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Attached below is a comment which I received in my earlier blog. It hits the Singapore nail on it's head. I don't think I could have said it better than him

Gopalan Nair
Fremont, CA, USA

===========================
Sourced from PTADER said...

In his heyday, aided by his ISD attack dogs, his 147th running dogs and prostitute press and his corrupt, judicial kangaroos, this old fool, LKY, was in his element.

He started well but within just a few years, got intoxicated and consumed by power. He started throwing his weight around. He brook no dissent from anyone.

Those who did not nor would not surrender their beliefs, principles, morals or kneel or bow before him were, along with their innocent families, systematically destroyed.

The old fool would regularly thump his chicken breast to brag about his abilities to "demolish" anyone and everyone using his impressive array of sharp "hatchets", "knuckledusters" and a host of personal weaponry.

His abilities to break heads and bones were legendary.

In reality though, all these were not too difficult for him since he did not fight his own fights. He was too much of a dirty coward to do so. Instead, he relied on a corrupt army of attack and running dogs to fight his personal battles. He never entered a fight without first having all his running and attack dogs lined up behind him. All ever ready to sell their soul and to do his bidding for the scraps that he tossed out to them. If they were not lined up behind him, this big, brave, fearless legend would swiftly flee in fear, his quivering tail firmly tucked between his hind legs, for the safety of Cameron Highlands.

This once fearsome thug is now laughably reduced to wearing pampers and is now unable to walk without an aide by his side, waiting to catch him should he fall and break his ageing, brittle bones.
===========================

Full article on the below post/link:
http://singaporedissident.blogspot.sg/2012/05/lees-singapore-sad-hard-truth-in.html

Anonymous said...

‘F**K you Sir!’ – Angry JC student scolds DPM Teo for dodging questions at Pre-U seminar

http://temasektimes.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/fk-you-sir-angry-jc-student-scolds-dpm-teo-for-dodging-questions-at-pre-u-seminar/
==================

Despite the positive spin added by the mainstream media on Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s lecture during the recently held Pre-University seminar to a group of young students from junior colleges, polytechnics and centralized institutes, many were disappointed with his speech and the way he dodged their questions.

==================
He was absolutely disgusted with the answer given by DMP Teo to ‘smoke’ them and hurled vulgarities at him:

“We seek your opinion. You gave us none. And when someone manned up and replied, “I am 17 years old, I don’t know what to do”, the crowd went berserk in applause. Fxxk you, sir.”
==================

Anonymous said...

After medical treatment in Japan, I am confident that Lee Kuan Yew will survive the 2016 election for Tg Pagar. Too bad for voters there.

If Singapore just pray and not convert Hougang Spring to Singapore Spring, nothing will happen.

Please start the Spring rolling by getting your friends to quit Peoples' Association. This organisation is an extension of PAP and do their dirty work!

Mary Asia said...

No medical treatment could survive anyone if God wants him dead.