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By Andrew Loh -
With the formation of the Our Singapore National Conversation (NC) committee, things are set to move forward from here. While there are skepticism from some quarters (and not unjustified skepticism, I might add), still I am hopeful that the dialogue will lead to some substantial changes. And I think that is the crux of the matter. If the NC ends up as nothing more than an exercise in public relations, we would - in the words of PAP MP Inderjit Singh - have wasted our time.
There are several questions which some have raised to cast doubts on the NC initiative:
1. How serious - really - is the Government in wanting to not only hear the views of the public but more importantly, how serious is it in wanting to change certain things?
2. How inclusive will this NC be?
3. What sort of authority and power does this NC committee have in making changes which S'poreans want to see?
4. Are there out-of-bounds issues - these may not be explicitly laid down but may nonetheless be at the back of the Government's mind?
In a national conversation such as this one, there will be many differing views on many issues and topics. And the Government is right that there must be an understanding that not everyone's views or suggestions will be taken on board and implemented. I think we can understand that. However, one does hope that we are not going by majority view, or majority vote.
What I hope is for the Government to consider what is right - rather than what is popular (or not popular).
For example: repealing 377A is the right thing to do, even as most S'poreans may be against it. Another example: people of low IQ should not be subject to life imprisonment and caning. They may be a small minority group but it is nonetheless right that they be treated with compassion, even if they do commit serious crimes. Yet another example: public assembly of one person should not be illegal. While most may frown on public protest, nonetheless this should not mean that any one person should have his right taken away just because.
The point is this: Singaporeans want the Government to take the lead, even and perhaps especially on issues which have moral connotations. We want leaders who will do what is right, and lead from the front so that our society is not stuck in stereotype, inertia and navel-gazing.
We want leaders with the gumption to say, "You know what, we have been in this situation for long enough. It is time to take that leap of faith."
So, this national conversation is not just about talking to S'poreans. It is - and must be - more than that.
It is about how the Government should have the moral courage, political will and steadfast leadership to listen, and then to act - and to do so not just with an eye on the economic but also on the spirit.
A week ago, Minister Lim Swee say urged Singaporeans to take ownership of issues. Other ministers have, throughout the years, also urged Singaporeans to take ownership of the country. This is all well and good - except that when you try and do so, you realise that there are restrictions placed in your way. Even a fictitious play allegedly met with the invisible hands of the Ministry for Home Affairs, the Internal Security Department, the National Arts Council, and the Ministry for Information, Communication and the Arts - all seemingly leaning on the organisers and programmers to have that play canned. (See story here.) And attempts to get answers from all the parties involved have been met with either non-answers or complete silence.
And this is but the latest instance. There have been many more such ridiculous gestapo-like behaviour from the authorities. (See here: A chronology of authoritarian rule in Singapore.)
So, how serious is the Government in wanting to change things?
The truth, actually, is that there isn't much to change - the authorities just need to reverse some of these archaic laws and practices, and give S'poreans back the space which have been taken away from them.
In the Sunday Times (9 September), its front page carried this picture and report:
Image may be NSFW.
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Students as young as 15 were at the forefront of protesting the authorities' plans to implement a "national education" programme in the schools. The authorities eventually relented and decided against the plans after protest (on the streets) by Hong Kongers.
If we can empower our own 15-year olds (and all Singaporeans) with such rights to truly take ownership and express them, and enshrine these rights in unequivocal language in our Constitution, we would indeed have seen a new dawn.
But one fear that such things are not even within the scope of the radar that is the NC.
The question thus remains: is the NC willing and able to look at these "unpopular" issues and be bold in leading the call for changes with regards to these?
At the moment, there are no signs that it is.
And that perhaps is the greatest doubt about the NC - that it will continue to protect these "sacred cows" and fence them up behind electrical wires.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
But if the NC is courageous enough to recommend such changes, and these are accepted by the Government, then we would have empowered Singaporeans - and we would no longer need a national conversation in future, for Singaporeans would be able to truly express themselves whenever they feel the Government has done something wrong.
Not needing a national conversation in future would depend on the results of this NC. And it would, in fact, be the greatest achievement of this NC initiative if empowering Singaporeans were its legacy.
Will the National Conversation turn out to be nothing more than an inconsequential footnote in history? Or a momentous undertaking which - finally - stirred the hearts and spirits of Singaporeans through genuine empowerment?