Appreciating What We have

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”


This is another post about my sentiments regarding the coming general election. I have never been so interested in politics. I found myself almost reading every news articles relating the GE, reading blogs and viewing videos pertaining to the coming election. According to the ruling party, 'the ground is not as sweet'. There are a lot of resentment in the general population regarding the high costs of living, the high cost of public housing, the influx of foreign workers/talents, woes of public transports, traffic jams despite all the measures & expensive policies by the government. The list of complaints against the ruling goes on and on... Nothing seem right... And everyone's blaming the PAP. PM Lee also admitted that sometimes the policies didn't turn out the way they expected. But he promised that they will change.

The voices for change are loud and clear almost everywhere. And people are looking for change... People are looking for a total change. They want to vote in the opposition parties. Parties that promise to be the voice for the people in the parliament. Everywhere I looked, people are writing, complaining and advocating for change. Someone even wrote that he would even vote for a monkey as long as he's with the opposition. Is the current state really so bad that we have people saying "even my dog can do a better job'? Meanwhile, the supporters of PAP appeared to be weak and accused to be ignorant and myopic by the supporters of the opposition parties.

Be fair to the ruling party, without them, Singapore wouldn't be what it is today. Within 40 years, Singapore has developed from a 3rd world to a 1st world nation with practically nothing, leaving our neighbouring countries trying to play catch up. What it has achieved today is really nothing short of a miracle. This phenomenal success could not be possible without the governance and leadership of the current ruling party, the PAP.

Some people say the success of Singapore is due to the people's hard work. Eh... But just think about it. Farmers and lots of other people in other countries also work very hard if not harder, but are their lives any better? If not for the policies and the good governance, Singapore won't be what it is today. It doesn't happen by accident.

Many netizens are vocal in expressing their views and were seen trying to get people to vote for change, vote for opposition, vote for 1st world parliament. When others expressed their support for the ruling party and their gratitude for the ruling party, they were viewed as being myopic and ignorant by the oppositions' supporters. While I've looked at enough videos, blogs, forums, articles that focused on the faults and weaknesses of the ruling party and the strong calls to vote for change, I've decided to recognize and appreciate what we have.

A lot of Singaporeans are taking everything that we're enjoying today for granted. I'm happy with what we have now, what Singaporeans take for granted...

1) Singapore is a safe country. We can be out late at night and not worry about being robbed. Crime rates are low. In neighbouring countries, it's common to hear of people getting robbed or kidnapped, even in their own homes.

2) Singapore is consistently rated one of the least corrupted countries in the world by Transparency International. Those caught are severely dealt with. In a neighbouring country, the police seem especially efficient at 'catching' speeding cars. We were once caught for just driving 2km/h above the speed limit. And the 'fines' go straight into their pockets. But with crime rates so high, why aren't the police spending more time and effort catching the real criminals?

3) We have our basic needs met, including electricity, clean water and high-speed internet access which we take for granted. For a resource limited country, Singapore is able to sell treated clean water to its much bigger neighbour. We're now considered 'the water expert', sharing our know-how with other countries facing water problems.

4) We have one of the best education systems around the world. It's recognized and others are trying to learn from us. Our school facilities are world-class. There are many paths for everyone. What we enjoy in our schools are so readily provided that we do not realise how lucky we are. Just visit a school in a neighbouring country and you will know what I mean. That's the reason why we can attract so many foreign students. Singapore is able to provide what their country can't. Sure it's a stressful system and I do hope that they can do away with PSLE in the future and I do dream about a class size of 20. I agree that more can be done and provided for children with special needs. But I believe the ministry is already taking steps to change. The reason the opposition parties are able to field in so many credible candidates is also a testimony for the success of our education system.

5) We have a strong economy. Considered one of the 4 Asian Tigers, Singapore is the fastest growing economy with a 14.5% growth in 2010. We have good variety of jobs around. Unemployment is at 2%. This is in the midst of the financial crisis when other countries are facing high unemployment, countries that needed bail outs.  From what I know, no Singaporeans had to resort to working overseas as maids or travel to a neighbouring country to be a factory worker as there are really no jobs locally. While other bigger and 'richer' countries are facing debts, Singapore was able to overcome the economic crisis and make a speedy recovery due to the prompt and effective measures and policies by the government. While I had my questions regarding the plans for the Integrated Resorts, this proved to be a right decision  to boost the economy. What about the social ills, what about people getting addicted to gambling? Yes, always blaming the government for everything that goes wrong. I say why blame government for the bad choices that people make for themselves.

6) Public transport is convenient, from MRT trains to LRT, buses and taxis. Almost everywhere in Singapore is accessible by public transport that are readily available at regular intervals. Yes, it's crowded  during peak hours, but isn't it the same in all the busy cities? Read in the news today about the light rail system in KL that's really in a mess. Images of people sitting on top of trains and buses in India also come to mind...

7) There are a lot of public services and facilities that serve the needs of the residents. We have many good public community and regional libraries that are really easily accessible to everyone. And the best part is it's free. There are many public swimming pools, community centres/clubs and parks. Of course, there can be more and better ones.

8) Public housing is good and always improving. The new flats look better each time. Prices of housing are high. But look at the major cities, everyone has the same problem- Hong Kong, Tokyo, BeiJing, Shanghai, New York, etc. The government recognized the problem of high prices and is looking into ways to control the pricing but careful not the crash the market at the same time. More flats will be built and they will be built faster too. New flats are getting smaller.... Look at the apartments in Hong Kong and you'll be thankful with what you have.

9) We enjoy a high standard of living. Almost everyone has a flat-screen TV (including a pupil who is under financial assistance and lives in a 1-room flat). I see primary school children carrying mobile phones, friends who upgrade their mobile phones every year. Some say the national pastime is shopping and traveling. An opposition candidate said that it's better to live in Malaysia or Russia. If u think it's cheap to live in Malaysia, imagine your earnings in Ringgit, dollar for dollar. Imagine paying $5 for your chicken rice at a coffeeshop or $30 for a bottle of Nutella at the supermarket. I think that's not a fair comparison in the first place. Should compare with another developed nation. Btw, Malaysia's per Capita Income is US$14600 while Singapore's is US$56, 522.

10) Singapore have one of the best government in the world. This is widely recognized but strange that only it's citizens are quick to find fault with it. It works in its own uniquely Singapore way, dominated by 1 party. The leaders have shown leadership with great vision. While they are not perfect, there are always areas for improvement. Sometimes they are wrong, but most of the times, they are right. Some of the opposition parties raise some issues and proposals that are attractive and the ruling party should seriously consider them and make them happen.

Actually, there're many other good things and accomplishments I can see  that I can add to my list... All these are the 'little things' that many have already taken for granted. Many people have chosen to just focus on the negatives and ignore the positives. And the supporters of Peace & Prosperity are considered 'myopic'? The bottom line is...

We do have a good government, we can help make it become better by providing timely feedback and make our views known. Life's good and it'll get better. But there's no need to change a good government with good track records for opposition parties with no track records. They are good and can get better. Although I question the PAP's choice of some new candidates, most of the new candidates are really capable and credible. I prefer a first class government to a first class opposition. Can't imagine parliament with 2 parties. Think Taiwan politics...

I still choose to believe in Peace And Prosperity and I want to "風雨同舟, 共创未来!" 
I also believe after this election, the government will listen more and react more promptly to the voices of its people. There is no such thing as a perfect government because you really can't please everyone. If you know of a perfect government, let me know. 


Come May 7, after the election day, I just cannot imagine PAP losing majority of the seats since so many people out there vowed to 'vote for even monkeys'. So they think the opposition parties who are so good at 'attacking' the current government can do a better job than them? It's always easy to complain and finger point when things go wrong. And the oppositions and supporters are doing a darn good job at blaming the ruling party for everything that had gone wrong. But honestly, who's perfect? You've never made a single mistake in your life? Do you expect others to condemn you just for your mistake while ignoring all your other contributions. Come on, be fair! What about giving credit for all that they have done right? So do people honestly think the opposition parties can do a better job? Imagine the next parliament with 7 political parties... Is this really what Singaporeans want? With so many different voices, life's going to get better then? 


Having a choice is good but that doesn't mean that it's going to be a better choice. Look at the bigger picture. Be careful about what you wish for. You may just get your wish. Change will come, for better or for worse...