Lame Duck Parliament
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stor.../240522/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Instead of harping on what the Government can do to bridge the social divide, the spotlight in Parliament on Thursday fell on Singaporeans. And there were some home truths told, too.
"A nation of complainers" and "a society increasing reliant on the Government for help" were among the sadder - and harsher - labels mentioned. Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman started the ball rolling when he called for "reflection and soul searching" among Singaporeans. Dr Maliki noted Singaporeans had become increasing reliant on an "efficient system" that handles issues on the municipal and national level. He said: "When the lift landing of our flat is not clean … we call the town council; when there are mosquitoes in the neighbourhood, we call the NEA (National Environment Agency) … if things don't improve, we go to our MPs or tell the media."
While not advocating that the Government be taken out of the "equation", Dr Maliki hopes to see that the "responsibility to make the society work rests not only on those in the chamber", but also on "the collective interlocking hands of four million Singaporeans". For example, he wanted Singaporeans to reflect on what they, and not the Government, had done to strengthen resilience within their own families.
Isn't this rich? After 40 years of micro-managing us now the government expects us to solve our own problems!
MP for Marine Parade GRC Lim Biow Chuan called on Singaporeans to be more gracious and compassionate and said Singapore is fast becoming a nation of complainers. While the Government can set the tone, he urged Singaporeans to be "encouragers" - not only in encouraging fellow citizens, but also pushing the society to be an inclusive and cohesive one.
Singaporeans not compassionate enough? Didn't we donate about $500,000 to Mr Tan's family after he committed suicide. Didn't one out of three Singaporeans donate to NKF before the scandal broke out?
Singaporeans may be gullible but we never hesitate to help anyone, fellow citizens or foreigners(example victims of2004 Boxing Day Tsunami), afflicted by tragedy.
"What makes a country great? It is not just the laws … the efficiency or the beautiful buildings but the people that make it great," Mr Lim said.
Yes the laws and efficiency were indeed not great but ugly as showed in Mr Tan case. He was disqualified from social welfare and subsequently driven to suicide. Laws and efficiency are sterile without compassion.
East Coast GRC MP Ms Jessica Tan urged Singaporeans and the Government to also provide an environment where "people can run their own race". Using the example of a weekend running club, which she is a member of, Ms Tan said the encouragement from each other helps members to complete their runs. Likewise, she hoped that such encouragement would make "the journey much better" for all Singaporeans.
Our MPs should be reminded that Singaporeans pay each of them some $10,000 per month and in most cases lifelong pension, something which the majority of us don't enjoy, to solve problems and not to play the blame game. Moreover, in this era of daunting economic challenges we can ill afford a lame duck parliament!
SINGAPORE: Instead of harping on what the Government can do to bridge the social divide, the spotlight in Parliament on Thursday fell on Singaporeans. And there were some home truths told, too.
"A nation of complainers" and "a society increasing reliant on the Government for help" were among the sadder - and harsher - labels mentioned. Member of Parliament for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman started the ball rolling when he called for "reflection and soul searching" among Singaporeans. Dr Maliki noted Singaporeans had become increasing reliant on an "efficient system" that handles issues on the municipal and national level. He said: "When the lift landing of our flat is not clean … we call the town council; when there are mosquitoes in the neighbourhood, we call the NEA (National Environment Agency) … if things don't improve, we go to our MPs or tell the media."
While not advocating that the Government be taken out of the "equation", Dr Maliki hopes to see that the "responsibility to make the society work rests not only on those in the chamber", but also on "the collective interlocking hands of four million Singaporeans". For example, he wanted Singaporeans to reflect on what they, and not the Government, had done to strengthen resilience within their own families.
Isn't this rich? After 40 years of micro-managing us now the government expects us to solve our own problems!
MP for Marine Parade GRC Lim Biow Chuan called on Singaporeans to be more gracious and compassionate and said Singapore is fast becoming a nation of complainers. While the Government can set the tone, he urged Singaporeans to be "encouragers" - not only in encouraging fellow citizens, but also pushing the society to be an inclusive and cohesive one.
Singaporeans not compassionate enough? Didn't we donate about $500,000 to Mr Tan's family after he committed suicide. Didn't one out of three Singaporeans donate to NKF before the scandal broke out?
Singaporeans may be gullible but we never hesitate to help anyone, fellow citizens or foreigners(example victims of2004 Boxing Day Tsunami), afflicted by tragedy.
"What makes a country great? It is not just the laws … the efficiency or the beautiful buildings but the people that make it great," Mr Lim said.
Yes the laws and efficiency were indeed not great but ugly as showed in Mr Tan case. He was disqualified from social welfare and subsequently driven to suicide. Laws and efficiency are sterile without compassion.
East Coast GRC MP Ms Jessica Tan urged Singaporeans and the Government to also provide an environment where "people can run their own race". Using the example of a weekend running club, which she is a member of, Ms Tan said the encouragement from each other helps members to complete their runs. Likewise, she hoped that such encouragement would make "the journey much better" for all Singaporeans.
Our MPs should be reminded that Singaporeans pay each of them some $10,000 per month and in most cases lifelong pension, something which the majority of us don't enjoy, to solve problems and not to play the blame game. Moreover, in this era of daunting economic challenges we can ill afford a lame duck parliament!
posted by locky2ky at 9:12 PM
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