TR EMERITUS

Written by Our Correspondent An obviously frustrated Singaporean by the name of Tan Hong Ngan has written to the Straits Times Forum today protesting against the GRC system which has denied many Singaporeans the basic human right of choosing one's leaders. Since the GRC was introduced in 1988, the number of walkovers has increased steadily as the opposition is unable to muster enough resources and candidates to contest in all seats. In 2001, less than half the number of seats were contested thereby giving the ruling PAP a victory on nomination day. He felt that "having gone through GRC elections for the past 20-odd years, many Singaporeans have been sidelined in walkover wards." The GRC system enables new PAP candidates to enter Parliament either through the "backdoor" or riding on the coat-tails of heavy-weight ministers resulting in the lackluster performance of some MPs presently who do not deserve to be in Parliament in the first place. Though it was initially set up to ensure minority representation, the system was increasingly abused by the PAP to perpetuate its political hegemony. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong admitted himself that without the GRC system to "guarantee" new candidates of an electoral victory, the PAP may find it difficult to recruit talented people to stand for elections under its banner. Mr Tan floated an idea which has been on the minds of many Singaporeans as well: do away with the walkovers. "I suggest no more walkovers. If only one party stands in a GRC, the poll should still be carried out. The lone party must win enough votes to secure the parliamentary seat," he wrote. Mr Tan also proposed that if the sole contestant fails to secure more than 50 percent of the votes, a second round of voting must be called. PAP leaders have always claimed that the opposition dare not contest in certain GRCs because they know they will lose there due to the "strong support" the residents have shown to the PAP and by default, they have "won" the GRC. Though the date of the next election has not been announced yet, a mini election fever has gripped the nation especially in cyberspace. Many Singaporeans are yearning for the election to arrive soon to cast their votes against the PAP which has becoming increasingly unpopular in recent months due to its unfair and discriminatory policies against native Singaporeans. In the meantime, a Facebook group has been set up for all Singaporeans who want to have a chance to vote: "This group is for all Singaporeans who care about the place we call home. We are the world's only advanced economy where huge sections of the population have not had the chance to vote. And it's a shame. It is time to see real political competition in Singapore, because we want the best and only the best to represent us in Parliament. We want people who truly deserve that S$13,000 monthly allowance for MPs to speak up for us in Parliament." In the past, Singaporeans trust the PAP to select the "best" to represent them. It appears that the trust has now been destroyed by the disastrous performance of some PAP ministers and MPs who were "voted" into Parliament during the last general election.   EDITORS’ NOTE: Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so and help us exceed the number of fans on the official YPAP Facebook page.  Read More →

OPINION Running out of excuses to defend its disastrous liberal immigration and pro-foreigner policies, PAP leaders have been resorting to the inappropriate use of historical examples to showcase their own ignorance. PAP MP Dr Ong Seh Hong quoted the example of Tang China during a parliamentary speech on 13 March 2010 to lend support to the PAP's open-door policy to foreigners. He claimed that Tang China's propserity was due largely to an open-door policy and tolerance. However, he forgot to point out the fact that though there was a sizable number of foreigners living in China, they remained a minority in China and most of them were traders and not immigrant who planted their roots there. (During the reign of Tang Xuanzhong, a major rebellion broke out and it was led by two generals of Tujue ancestry - An Lushan and Shi Si Ming. The 8 years of chaos which ensued weakened the Tang dynasty irreversibly and it never recovered from it.) As history had shown, the Han Chinese were able to assimilate other ethnic groups successfully by their sheer numbers and cultural superiority. It took only less than 100 years for the 20 million or so ethnic Manchus living in northeast China to become fully assimilated into Han Chinese that they are hardly any of them left now who can speak or write the Manchu language. Singapore has let in too many foreigners within too short a period of time such that there is no time at all for them to be integrated properly into local society. Besides, Singaporeans have less a racial or cultural identity than the Chinese, Japanese and Koreans and it would not be easy to assimilate them especially when there are so many of them here causing them to congregate within their own communities. Uncontrolled immigration can easily destroy a nation as exemplified by the Korean empire of Balhae (渤海). Balhae (698 AD - 926 AD) was founded in 698 AD from the remnants of the Korean state of Gorguryeo (高句麗) after it was conquered by a joint invasion from Tang China and Silla (新羅), another Korean state which occupied the Korean peninsula. Balhae became a major empire in Northeast Asia and occupied southern parts of  Manchuria, Russia's Primorsky Krai, and the northern part of the Korean peninsula. This area was a volatile region with several ethnic tribes of which the Koreans were one of them. Due to historical animosities between Balhae and Silla, the Balhae kings banned the inflow of Korean immigrants from Silla and relied on immigrants from other ethnic groups instead. (Balhae blamed Silla for "conspiring" with Tang China to destroy its predecessor state Gorguryeo) As Balhae was a newly founded country, it adopted an open-door policy to immigrants from neighboring kingdoms and tribes including the Khitan (契丹) and Malgal (靺鞨). Large numbers of Khitans and Malgals were allowed into Balhae and the Koreans became an ethnic minority in their own country in less than a hundred years. Unlike the Koreans, the Khitans and Malgals were Tungesic nomads and it was impossible to integrate them fully into Korean society though the Balhae kings had implemented policies to assimilate them such as allowing inter-racial marriages between the two groups. While the Koreans retained control of the central government and aristocracy, the administration and military became dominated by the Khitans and Malgals which soon led to social conflicts and civil wars between them. During the last years of the Balhae kingdom, it was wrecked by endless internal turmoils, ethnic strifes and civil wars between the various races in the empire and it was eventually conquered by the Khitan kingdom of Liao in 926 AD. Like Singapore, Balhae was a country built out of nowhere. Though its southern portion was a remnant of Gorguryeo, its northern territory were entirely virgin lands not ruled by any state before. The Balhae kings realized that their fledging nation would not stand a chance against its powerful neighbor China or its more populous Korean cousin Silla if it did not open its door to immigrants to increase its population. Unfortunately, they failed to appreciate the fact that while immigrants may spur economic growth and increase a country's military strength within a short period of time, social unrest and strife will ensue if the newcomers are not wholly integrated into local society. Though Balhae was able to achieve rapid growth and prosperity a few decades after its founding due to the influx of immigrants, it sowed the seeds for its eventual demise. Balhae was the largest and perhaps one of the richest states in the history of Korea, but also its shortest-lived, existing for barely more than 200 years when compared to other more ethnically and culturally homogenous states like Gorguryeo (700 + years), Baekje (700 +), Silla (900 +), Goryeo (300 +) and Joseon (600 +). Silla (53 BC - 935 AD) was a nation of immigrants like Balhae and Singapore too, built by gradual conquest and assimilation of neighboring statelets and tribes but at a much controlled pace than Balhae which explained its political longevity of nearly a thousand years. [Three Kingdom era of Korea 53 AD - 668 AD, Source: Wikipedia] The name of Silla in Hanja - 新羅, means to "cast a net far and wide to accept talents from all over the world". From the beginning of its existence, Silla was one of the most open nations in East Asia at that time. Being the weakest and smallest state on the Korean peninsula compared to Gorguryeo in the north and Baekje (百濟) to the west, the Silla kings had long realized the importance of immigration in order to survive. Though Silla was able to grow and prosper by keeping its door open to immigrants, it practised a highly selective immigration policy unlike that of Balhae. Silla welcomed only certain ethnic races which were closer to them in terms of language, culture and bloodline and not those who were further apart. For example, when the Gaya confederacy (加倻) was conquered in 562 AD, its people who were closely linked to the Silla Koreans were completely accepted as Silla citizens and they eventually become assimilated into Silla society, one of whom became the great Korean general Kim Yu-Shin who conquered the other two kingdoms and united Korea. However, the Japanese (Wa) and those with mixed Silla/Japanese heritage were evicted from their settlements along the southeastern coast of Korea and sent back to Japan as they were deemed "culturally distant" and "unsuitable" for permanent residence in Silla. Furthermore, while Silla maintained an open-door policy to Korean immigrants from Baekje and Gorguryeo, Chinese, Khitans, Malgals and other races were deliberately kept out. They were allowed to trade with Silla, but could never become its citizens. Such a targeted immigration policy enabled Silla to increase its population via immigration and ensuring the "ethnic compatibility" of its people at the same time. Though there were many ethnic minorities in Silla, they were culturally and linguistically linked to the original Silla Koreans thereby maintaining a largely homogenous society. There were few ethnic strifes or conflicts during Silla's long history unlike Balhae whose fault-lines were exposed within a hundred years of its founding leading to political instability and its eventual downfall. Balhae was the last Korean state to hold any territory on Manchuria. There are still a sizable number of ethnic Koreans living in northeast China and Russia's Maritime province today, but few will remember the existence of Balhae. Will Singapore end up like Balhae one day? We are now fifty years old. When Balhae was fifty years old, it was a major economic powerhouse in the region (northeast Asia) like Singapore (southeast Asia) and it was also the same period of time when it became  swarmed by immigrants. If a country the size of Balhae which was about the size of France could implode and destroy itself in only 200 years, why not Singapore? Singapore should learn from the targeted immigration policy adopted by Silla and focused on getting immigrants who can integrate more easily into our society such as those from the southern provinces of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan of which a basic command of the English language is a must instead of accepting everybody indiscriminately like Balhae without studying if they are culturally, ethnically and linguistically compatible with native Singaporeans in the first place. History has given us one important lesson of how uncontrolled immigration can destroy a nation. We must take heed before it is too late.   References: 1. An English translation of the Samguk Sagi from Seoul National University 2. Wikipedia   EDITORS’ NOTE: Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so and help us exceed the number of fans on the official YPAP Facebook page.   Related articles: >> Why the present wave of immigration is different from the past >> Wong Kan Seng: We should remember that immigrant children will one day be like us >> 8 reasons why foreign workers will always be preferred in Singapore >> Declining wages of Singaporeans and the continued denial by PAP leaders >> Halimah Yacob refutes UBS study findings >> Halimah Yacob: Productivity drive will be derailed if foreign worker challenge not addressed  >> Exposing the six major flaws in the PAP’s immigration policies >> Wong Kan Seng promises to tighten immigration policies >> SM Goh: Foreign workers numbers may still rise >> Malaysian car mechanic applying for Singapore citizenship >> PAP launches Singapore Citizenship Journey to help new citizens integrate >> Compulsory for new citizens to attend “sharing sessions” with grassroots leaders >> Wong Kan Seng urged Singaporeans to be more tolerant of foreign workers >> Tharman: Foreign workers increase income of low-income families >> Sylvia Lim: Pace and influx of foreigners over last few years is wrong >> Amy Khor urges Singaporeans to welcome foreigners >> PAP MP wants more money to be spent to make new citizens feel welcomed in Singapore >> Shanmugam: Foreigners generate jobs for Singaporeans >> Vivian happy there are 4,500 new citizens serving as grassroots leaders >> Cosmetic changes made to immigration policy >> SM Goh: New immigrants needed to make up population shortfall >> PAP ministers hailed contributions of foreigners >> SM Goh expressed support for Zhang Yuanyuan >> State media: citizens have more rights over PRs >> Zhang Yuanyuan got her Singapore PR in only 2 months >> Official reply from government on the Zhang Yuanyuan fiasco >> Singapore PRC PR proclaimed loyalty to China publicly >> PRC resident hung China flag to celebrate its National Day >> PRC student in Singapore wants more scholarships for foreigners >> PRC prostitutes solicit for customers on Singapore’s cyberspace >> ERA: 40 per cent of resale flats buyers are PRs  Read More →

Written by Our Correspondent Last Sunday, we published an article on Bukit Batok grassroots organizations planning to host a "Water Festival" to welcome the New Year for the Thai, Burmese, Laotian and Cambodians living in Singapore which has drawn more 100 comments so far from angry netizens. In an online poll done by Temasek Review, 95 percent of nearly 600 respondents are against grassroots organizations using taxpayers' monies to organize cultural festivals for foreigners. Many Singaporeans are appalled at the grassroots organizations using taxpayers' monies to celebrate cultural festivals for the foreigners. While they do not object foreigners celebrating their festivals here, they feel it is not the duty of grassroots organizations to do so on their behalfs: Middle_income wrote: "I lived in Australia for a couple of years. Over there, the asians migrant celebrate their own festive seasons amongst their own community. The state did not organise any events for the migrants to instill a “sense of belonging”. All these were done within the community itself. Thus, I think for the GRCs to instill a sense of belonging for the foreign talents, they should be enacting policies that looks at areas such as security, language and interactions, areas for THEM TO ADAPT to Singapore way of living rather than the other way round!!" MeninBlue added: "Shouldn’t they be integrating with us? How come now we’re integrating with them? They should live our festivals… how come we’re now going through their activities? Somemore use our taxpayer’s money… u import, they cant integrate, u use our money to cover up ur mistakes…." AL finds it unbelievable that water is being "wasted" to "please" foreigners: "Unbelievable that the thoughtless & brainless STUPID gahmen should waste water just for the sake of pleasing foreigners! While we citizens are taught to treasure our water preciously since birth. Singapore is the only country, that needs to buy water from neighbouring countries. AREN’T THE STUPID GAHMEN ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! THAT THEY ARE ACTING ENTIRELY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THEY PREACH!" A dog named boo feels that the grassroots leaders are trying to be too smart: "OMG!! I think our grass root leaders have lost their marbles. They have nothing to do? What next? Celebrate “Holy” as in India by throwing color dyes at one another? It is good to respect and celebrate others’ cultures. But not promote these foreign festivals at tax payers’ expense and organisation. Leave it to the FW’s own organisations / NGOs to arrange these. This is called “kay kiang” or “trying to be too smart”. Apparently, water and money are in cheap supply in Singapore. What has our country become?" Xen agrees: "The grassroot organization has gone too far in licking the ass of the foreigners. “Water Festival” is not Singapore festival, we won’t appreciate it when stranger splash water on us in Singapore. Also, it goes against water conservation. Mr Yacob, the minister of environment, stressed on water conservation in his public speech today. So is PAP telling Singaporean to conserve but allowing foreigner to waste it?" Speaking at a community event last Sunday, Environment and Water Resources Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said Singapore may have come a long way from the days of pollution and water shortages and warned Singaporeans not to "take the availability of clean water for granted." [Source: Channel News Asia, 21 March 2010] "Singaporeans' response to the dry spell last month was to use even more water. This is certainly not desirable should Singapore experience a prolonged dry spell. It is therefore timely to remind ourselves of the need to use water wisely," he added. Minister Yaacob appears to be kept in the dark over the "Water Festival" organized by Bukit Batok grassroots organizations. Perhaps they should extend an invitation to him to be the Guest-of-Honor for the event.   EDITORS’ NOTE: Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so and help us exceed the number of fans on the official YPAP Facebook page.    Read More →