A Wave Of Change ---- Election 2021

This is off fathering topic but it came when I was with J...

Recently, I played some old NDP songs with videos for J to watch so that he has a glimpse of how the little red dot has changed over the past 50 years.

As I listened to the old songs such as "We Are Singapore", I couldn't help but experienced a wave of sadness in my heart, even though I am not of the Pioneer or Merdeka generation. I can't speak for all, but I can speak from my perspective.

Singapore has lost her identity and the spirit that the first generation of leadership had. I wonder if things have to always go downhill by the second generation, in this case, the leadership. This is not uncommon among believers too.

In 2016, more than 40% of Singaporeans (who took the survey) said that they would want to migrate to other countries. More than 20% said that they were unsure. The remaining 30% said they would stay. I believe the number of those who want to migrate has increased by now.

There are many reasons but the main two reasons are as follows:

1) Wanting a transparent government (more than 70% said that)

2) High cost of living (more than 50% said that)

There is a difference between a generation who fought from the place of survival and a generation who has an inheritance without the need to fight for anything. The former identifies with their people aka Singaporeans; the latter identifies with growth. I'm not saying that either one is better. But I do think that there is a place to marry both (and if only one can be chosen due to a forced situation, people must always come first). That's servant leadership.

Alot of foreigners and PRs think that we as Singaporeans are being ungrateful. I think it's too quick to make that superficial or holier-than-thou judgment. Until we stand in the shoes of those who are struggling, we will never understand how much 'slavery' is masked in our nation. Crazy Rich Asians do not mean true wealth in our body and soul. We are far from that.

The fight is not against flesh and blood. It is against another kingdom at work through our gahmen. It is a yoke upon our people to prevent us from being the Antioch City. We are enslaved in such a subtle way that we do not even realise that we are running the rat race without purpose. 

The world looks at us and applauds. But we look within and realise that we are one of the most unhappy people in the world. It is noted that "a society’s unhappiness level is not related to how poor it is, but rather how big the gap is between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’."

A report in 2011 reveals that Singaporeans are the least positive people in the world among 148 countries. The constant state of anxiety has put us in that place.

Another report found that non-fatal diseases for young Singaporeans from 10 to 34 years old in 2017 were largely driven by MENTAL DISORDERS. In that report, an average Singaporean spends 12.5% or more than 10 years of his life in ill-health.

We are known to show the best for what is on the exterior and hide the mess for what is on the interior. Show-and-tell is probably one of our strongest 'gifts'. I was in the military sector for 6 years. And my family has those in civil service for more than few decades combined together. Ask us how we know. 

After an extended period of reign, people will always be a reflection of their leaders. Why are Singaporeans like that (singlish)? Just look up and you have the answer.

Disclaimer: Granted. We still have the power of choice not to succumb to the ways of majority. But it is not as easy for everyone because not everyone starts from the same-level playing field.

In the Scriptures, we are clearly commanded to submit to authorities. Some mistook submission as blind obedience. Of course, rebellion is witchcraft and that's a totally different story altogether. While it is necessary that we (as believers) honour our leaders in the nation of Singapore, it does not mean that we cannot challenge (or question) the thoughts and ways through proper means. 

Election is one proper platform that is created for such purpose. We must not think that all in the opposition parties are bad. Neither should we think that all in the ruling party are good. To perceive it in either one way or the another is being naive. There are good and bad ones in any party but that's not the point. The point is... who is FOR Singapore?

If those in either parties are FOR Singapore, then we must welcome BOTH. It is never 'either or'. It is both!

I have heard people using United States as a warning against democracy. Again, that's making an assumption without considering that Singapore is not United States and will never be the same because of cultural differences and so many other factors. Just take a look at Taiwan ---- they are different from United States. Why don't we compare with the good stuff in Taiwan and progressively move towards democracy? The point here is not about comparison. Don't point to one country that is bad but overlook the other that is good.

I'm sensing a wave of change coming... for the good of our nation. Leadership is appointed by God, but it doesn't mean that God cannot replace leadership. We have been praying one-sided prayers instead of asking God to take the reign. (Disclaimer: I'm not saying that the party is changing.)

There are a few things that PSP Mr Tan said that are obvious and we cannot deny them.

The 79-year old former PAP MP said, "I believe the processes of good governance have gone astray. I worry because I see the foundations of good governance eroding."

Some said that we need to question the motives of Mr Tan, since he was probably upset with the policy that disempowered him to go for Presidential Election. But I think that as believers, we need to let God judge the motives. We are only called to judge the fruit. In the same way, it doesn't mean that those in the ruling party always have pure motives. We don't know and we don't need to know.

We must not confuse the ruling party with Singapore. Neither should we assume that opposition parties are opposing Singapore. Singapore does not belong to any political party. Besides, I'm not for any party except for the heavenly one. Joke aside. We should be supporting anyone who is FOR Singapore, particularly for our people. Because everybody wins when the goal is all about One People, One Nation, One Singapore.

In the words of our Finance minister who said that "Singapore's tax system must remain progressive", our political system and leadership should also remain progressive. Majulah Singapura!