It is one thing when others sneer at us^. It is quite another for a Singaporean to be an apologist for others and simper. Sudhir has defended The Economist’s sneering Singapore.
Sudhir is no stranger to siding with foreigners to sneer at us. He grew up in a GCB, but was happy to join Anthony Bourdain in running down Singaporeans who have maids. Hypocrisy has many facets.
He says that he’s friends with The Economist writer (Dom Ziegler). But he doesn’t mention that he worked for The Economist for years, and continues to freelance for them and gets paid. Convenient omissions.
He says we should not compare our 6m tiny city-state to the 66m large UK. Why not point this out when The Economist first suggested that our political stability is a problem and not a blessing? Or when unfavourable comparisons are made against us? It cuts both ways, if true.
In 1965, compared to us, the UK had all the advantages – those are facts. Pointing out that they are behind in many areas today is similarly factual. Hence, the question on why some feel comfortable to continue lecturing us from that position. But if size is an issue, then compare the UK against countries like Germany and China. Why is UK falling so far behind?
On solutions: Our model has always been to piece together the best ideas wherever we may find them. The Economist has proposed none. Sudhir nods sagely and suggests that we should take guidance from this nothing. Oh look, we failed to follow the nothing advice, we are so wrong.
The colonial hangover is real.
Sudhir wants harsher treatment of the mainstream media, but on what basis? The WP has repeatedly stated that they wish to form the Government, so the Straits Times reported this. Even if it was false, what is the Government supposed to do (since he suggested “public action”) in favour of the WP against the Straits Times? (WP did say in 2011 – Pritam Singh himself no less – and in 2015 that they want to form the Government including possibly a coalition Government. Check your news archives, Sudhir)
Everything the angmohs say is correct.
^This week, the Economist took a dig at Singapore over the news of DPM Lawrence Wong’s planned succession from PM Lee. “Lawrence Wong will be only the fourth PM in Singapore’s history” the title proclaims. As if political stability should be viewed as a problem.
Minister Shanmugam responded in a Facebook post, wryly reminding the writer that it is way past time for him to wake up from his colonial hangover. And to stop sneering at us.