July 2008

Exposing Cheesy Ideological One-Upmanship

Talk about the national press spinning crazy logic. Someone wrote in to The Straits Times about the JI-terrorist Mas Selamat’s escape: “Nobody should have been punished. All the officers involved did their duty honestly but the circumstances were favorable to Mas Selamat and he took the opportunity to escape.” (May 30, 08) And the ST printed it! Not only is that letter ridiculous, the logic doesn’t even hold water. If the conditions were favorable to a terrorist-detainee’s escape, then what kind of duty were the officers in the high-security prison serving? Ridiculous? Welcome to Uniquely Singapore.

On that note, you don’t want to check out the blogs of one named Singapore Dissident. The reality he describes is far more depressing than your favorites not winning American Idol! But coming back to the letters refuting Dr. Catherine Lim’s opinion (that it’s shocking to find only the little people being held accountable for the escape, see last month’s Files), the main one carried the headline “Little people don’t need the grand gesture” (of dismissing/sacking the top gun). You bet they don’t. They just need whatever gesture ST tells them (cos it will be for their own good). Anyone dares to step out of line? Just look at Chee Soon Juan and his sister!

So, our Minister Mentor finally faced off with Chee Soon Juan in court for a defamation suit. He called “Chee Soon Juan – a political juvenile and near-psychopath” (May 28). Well, I should think so! Who else but a‘kamikazi-psycho’ would dare take on the man the whole nation FEARS? I think MM was simply stating the obvious. He also argued how well-off Singapore is under his regime. “We have given Singaporeans something which they have never had before. A Singapore society which is now well-educated…. Everybody owns a home, everybody has got proper medical care, and everybody is catered for and looked after…. The final test is… the reality on the ground. Have we created a better Singapore? Is it better than 1959? It’s as simple as that.” (ST, May 28).

Let’s see. “Well-educated” is a matter of opinion, though, let’s not forget, the authorities expressing concern that we should “speak better English and speak better Mandarin” (the two main languages in Singapore), yet nobody dares think the system is shooting itself in the foot with the concern. “Everybody owns a home”? It appears that everyone has mortgaged his/her life to it – though that’s not the authorities’ concern, of course (If I say – over-priced government housing, they’ll surely say – it’s a matter of opinion). “Proper medical care” – depends on how you interpret ‘proper’. On that same May 28 day, the ST reported that “Hospital staff arm themselves with self-defence skills as abuse cases rise”. That, I think, should speak about the extent of patients’ frustration!

“A better Singapore” where its Senior Political writer asks “Why are Singaporeans so kiasu, kiasi and kiam-siap?” (See last month’s Files.) Of course, nothing speaks for itself in Singapore since the ST speaks for all. And THAT is how better-off Singapore is today without yesterday’s racial and union riots. Go figure. Oops, sorry to ask that since nobody knows what figures anymore without the ST’s rightful gestures! Simply put, I’m talking about the climate of fear. Exaggerated? We know the ST answer!

“The squandered potential of Chee Soon Juan” was the headline of an ST ‘Thinking Aloud’ editorial by political-editor Chua Lee Hoong on the kamikazi opposition leader. Chua also hints that Chee is likely to suffer from some “personality disorder”. Well, I’d reiterate that Chee must be to take on the founding father of Singapore and his son, the PM, in the local court of justice! Anyone else dares? As the Cantonese would say – you wanna die? So, is Chee’s squandering of his potential any more wasted than the way playwright Eleanor Wong’s powerful political play The Campaign To Confer The Public Service Star on JBJ was casually received in the national press?

An ST story on Jun 22 stated: “Let people form body to oversee Net content” with a panel of Netizens led by media academic Cherian George. Guys, do yourself a favor, google Mr. George’s background, before pursuing your noble cause for civic autonomy!

What’s startling, however, is finding ‘radical blogger’ Alex Au (gay too, to add rad factor) in the panel, to partake asking “whether Govt. should be involved in identifying members.” Talk about getting oneself co-opted just for a societal cause! That’s surely no squandered potential to the ST! From Talking Cock to Yawning Bread to Mr. Brown and Mr. (Russell) Heng waiting in the wings…. You’d be a sociopath NOT to partake in such civic forums to improve Singapore and get ST exposure along the way! What more could you ask for? Though I’d ask – how more regimented could autonomy get?

Answer: the key is in ridiculous! (Unlike some of us, the brainless should so get it!) -- X’ Ho