"What I also do know is that I am not prepared to gamble away our children's future on the basis of bravado and rhetoric, nice sounding ideas and theories."
People like to compare cities and countries in the world. There are rankings and commentaries galore. We sometimes point to them to either celebrate or to thumb ourselves down (as some are apt to do). However, there is little basis for comparison. Perhaps we can reflect and ask ourselves why.
We are just over 700+ square km in size. An entire nation is squeezed into this island, a fair bit of which is reclaimed from the sea. We need land for living space, just as we do for recreation, industrial needs, transport requirements, catchment areas for water collection and so on. How do we decide the trade-offs?
Most cities in the world have other areas beyond which other economic and industrial acitivities can take place. Retirees can move out to quieter regions even as new young entrants come in to seek their fortune. For us, everything takes place within this place we call home.
We have zero natural resources to fall back on. We say it so often that we have become numb. There are no other sources of income we can depend on. We often do say that people are our most important resource...that is true. It is probably our only resource as well! But is the quality of our people a given? Or do we need to provide for and nurture it?
We are blessed to be in a very good geographic location. But have we considered that any point along Straits of Malacca could be just as strategic since the trade flow can just as easily pass through there? What makes us strategic and relevant?
With the end of the colonial era, countries like Burma and Philippines were seen as the bright shining prospects in South East Asia. Singapore was doing well but few could imagine it without the Malayan hinterland. How did we manage to survive economically? And continue to thrive till today?
We co-exist as different races and I think we have something great going on here in Singapore. But in history and contemporary times, is this the natural state of affairs when we look at race and religious issues? Does it just happen by chance?
Strong economic growth. Peace. Stability. Harmonious multiracial relations. Security where we do not have to worry about our children when they come back late. Decent employment rates. The list goes on. Not everything is perfect but in the overall scheme of things, not too bad I think.
Are there any close parallels in this world we live in?
What we have is achieved amidst these realities. Is it so easy? I wish life was as simple as some argue it to be. I am not blessed with 6/6 hindsight wisdom. I will struggle with decisions...just as I know that difficult decisions will have to be made.
I know why I am doing this, and to what end. I know that we need to change. And we will. But I also know that there are many good things that we have done that we need to build on and maintain or to strengthen.
What I also do know is that I am not prepared to gamble away our children's future on the basis of bravado and rhetoric, nice sounding ideas and theories.
If we lived in a different world, I may perhaps be tempted.
But we live in this world.
Let's continue to defy the odds :) !!
