I Don’t Care For National Day.
National Day came and went with barely a blip on my radar.
I don’t celebrate National Day.
I don’t put up flags, I don’t watch the parade and I don’t listen to any of that manufactured bullshit songs like Count On Me Singapore, Stand Up for Singapore nonsense. The only thing I celebrate is that I don’t have to turn up for work that day. In fact, that morning when I went to the gym for my workout, I seemed to be the only one attired in full black workout gear while everybody else seemingly wore red or white. Not that I had intentionally wore black, just that when I looked around, I realized I was the only one in black in a sea of red and white. Freudian slip perhaps.
Honestly I see no reason to celebrate.
Celebrate what?
Celebrate that one political party has hijacked my country, its institutions and everything it stands for? Celebrate that Singapore the nation has become PAP the political party which in turn has become the government which in turn has become the civil service. The lines are so blurred that I don’t even know where one starts and the other ends.
Singapore, PAP, NTUC, People’s Association, HDB, SAF, SIA, ST GIC, CPF and everything in between seems to be nothing more than extensions of one monolithic entity that seeks to control every aspect of our lives and wants nothing more than to make living batteries out of us and turn this country into a mega corporation.
Celebrate that? Seriously?
Everywhere I turn my head there are posters and banners with all sort of feel good sound good exhortations to celebrate National Day. Ministers and MPs smiling down benevolently at us while pictures of citizens are conveniently Photoshopped beside them as if to say we are all one people, one nation.
National Day, PAP Day- what difference does it make? Those posters and banners put up by the town councils and grassroots organizations seems identical to those election banners and posters put up by the PAP during election. Who the fuck really knows the difference?
The only thing I know is that between the political leaders and us- its one Corporation, two people. They make millions while we try to eke out a living. We stay together while they move ahead indeed. One people one nation is for suckers who still buy that bullshit. Its very telling that among that challenges spelled out by Goh Chok Tong, narrowing the worst income gap among all developed nations is not one of them.
Count on me Singapore?
If Singapore counts on me than can I count of Singapore in return? Can I count on Singapore to bail me out when I am poor and jobless? Can I count on Singapore to treat me when I am sick and penniless? Can I count on Singapore to provide me with a social safety net? Can I count on Singapore when I am old and alone? Can I count on Singapore if I suffer permanent injury in the course of NS?
It used to be said at least you can count of your CPF when you’ve reach retirement. Now who the fuck knows. They went ahead and changed the law so that if the CPF fund becomes insolvent, they can actually not pay you your money which they took away without asking for your permission. So as a Singaporean, who can I really count on except myself.
Stand up for Singapore?
Did Singapore stand up for those who lost their life savings because banks sold unsafe financial products? Did Singapore stand up for those who got conned by paper mills selling degrees of dubious origins? Did Singapore stand up for those lost their lives performing their duty as male citizens. Amid the sound and fury of the National Day parade, was there a moment of silence for those fallen NSMen? Did Singapore stand up for those people who can’t stand up for themselves. Did Singapore stand up to the transport companies that increases their fares year after year in good or bad times?
I think at some point during the celebrations, everyone was supposed to stand up and recite the Singapore Pledge together. Do these people even know what they are reciting or are they just going through the motions? Do you even know the true meaning of the pledge?
I for one did not recite the pledge for in reciting it would be the tacit support of a gross hypocrisy. To build a democratic country? When one thinks of democracy, singapore is just about as far away from that as you can get.
The truth is there is nothing in the world I want more than to celebrate National Day, to proudly stand and declare myself Singaporean.
But I can’t. I can’t celebrate National Day while Singapore remains a nation in captivity and its people stripped of their rights and civil liberties. I can’t celebrate National Day until Singapore is returned to its rightful owners- the people of Singapore.
If some fucker came into your house and stole all your stuff, you sure as hell don’t celebrate that.
25 Comments so far
u’re 1 smart singaporean. 99.99% are either blind or plain stupid. How to be proud of being a Singaporean? I would hate to tell others I’m one. Take my citizenship away!
There is a difference between a political party and Singapore.
If you would look up the meaning of our national anthem, it calls for unity among Singaporeans to work towards Singapore’s success. Supporting our country’s future is different from supporting a political party.
I celebrated because we have come this far based on the efforts of all Singaporeans, not any one party, even though they may take full credit for it.
“I make no apologies that the PAP is the Government and the Government is the PAP.”
- Lee Kuan Yew, Petir, 1982
Yes, I agree that there is a difference between a political party and Singapore, but at this point the differences has been intentionally blurred to the point that civil servants and even the police themselves has equated the the ruling party as Singapore itself.
There is clearly little separation between nation and party. Even the legislative and executive branches of the government has been blurred.
Until the day I see Singapore as free, I find that there is little to celebrate.
[...] We, the citizens of Singapore… – The Lycan Times: 44 Years of Nationhood – Insane Polygons: I Don’t Care For National Day. – Today In Singapore: A Broken Pledge – Who Moved My Singapore Cheese: National Day Message [...]
I used to be a young Singaporean like you….gripe, gripe and gripe. Now I’m older and more practical. Make no mistake, I carry no PAP balls. But I can see the good the bad and the ugly and make a balanced stand.
You want all those safeguards that you cry foul when things go wrong…investments, etc. Then you get loaded with rules and regulations and you cry foul.
I suggest you come and live in the Philippines for a year. (I’m here for 2 years now. The ordinary Philippines people will gladly transplant the whole PAP team here to govern the country if they could.
Stop griping. If you really have your beliefs, and you sound damn educated and articulate. Do something about it.
I feel for you man. Why don’t you just migrate if you are so so unhappy ! There isn’t any country in the world which is perfect.
“Until the day I see Singapore as free, I find that there is little to celebrate.”
That day will never come if we wait for Singapore to be “free”. How can we if we are resigned to our fate so easily? We need to be proactive citizens that will hold on to ownership of our country, whoever governs it. If we feel we own it, we will want it to prosper and be proud of what we have achieved.
Pat,
you have a choice. No one ask one to stay in Philipines. You choose to stay in Philipines even though you are not a citizen there. So why you complain about Philipines ? Why not stay in other first world country and make your judgment then ?
If you going to challenge InsanePoly, why even pick Philipines ? You have no common sense, if you have, you could have mention country far worse than Philipines to strengthen your argument because either way, InsanePoly will treat you as no more than dumbass with brain growing in backside than on the head just like ministers.
“I feel for you man. Why don’t you just migrate if you are so so unhappy ! There isn’t any country in the world which is perfect.”
Ang Moh,
Wow… surely you have to apprecipate that same kind of argument if make by your own government. Oh… don’t complain about your government when they take away your liberty and freedom because “There isn’t any country in the world which is perfect.” Last time I see Ang Moh protesting whatever they like and they want yet they can’t reconcile that “There isn’t any country in the world which is perfect.” ? If you want to preach to others, at least convince yourself first.
Bravo!
Dear Insanepoly,
Neither do many others!
The HYPE is getting stale and the carrying of PAP flags in NDP really takes the cake! Celebrating PAP Day, indeed!
Thank you so much for telling it like it is. Since those hypocrites can’t do much in denying what you wrote is the truth, they have no choice but to retort with one of the following:
1. “If you are not happy, WTF are you doing about it?”
2. “Since you are unhappy, why don’t you get the fark outtahere?”
3. “Compared to shit elswhere, you are so farking lucky to be where you are?”
4. “Be grateful, don’t bitch.”
What you wrote here is so real and accurate that it hurts. Truth hurts!
Btw, I hope you don’t mind if I copy post in my blog. If you do, I’ll take it down.
Thank you.
feedmetothefish.
Change we can.
Each blog post that I write and each person I reach to get them to think about their own role in Singapura is one more person closer to the tipping point for change in Singapore.
Change we can.
One person, one community and one people at a time.
Majullah Singapura.
[...] We, the citizens of Singapore… – The Lycan Times: 44 Years of Nationhood – Insane Polygons: I Don’t Care For National Day. – Today In Singapore: A Broken Pledge – Who Moved My Singapore Cheese: National Day Message 2009 – [...]
Took the words right outta my mouth. I’ll like to copy your post onto my blog too, please let me know if you don’t want it and I’ll take it down.
cheers
[...] is a repost from Insane Polygon’s original post. Literally took the words right out of my mouth, I like how he wrote it. Leave a comment on his [...]
Feel free to repost it on your blogs. Sometimes it is good for other people to know they are not alone in how they feel.
[...] Original Blog Written by Insanepoly HERE [...]
Well done, well written. You have just exposed the truth but unfortunately, many of our country men and women are blinded by sweet talks and small gifts.
Honestly, I shared 100 pct of your well written truth.
I wish one day I can recite the pledge sincerely with all my heart !
I am glad that there is someone who see exactly what I see in Singapore.
Let’s pray for the day to come.
To all young men!
I had lived in many countries, be it third world or first world countries. I think you guys really take things for granted, only when all of you have gone through all the hardships, will you be able to realise how fortunate singaporeans are.
What you have written actually reflects most of my feelings.Personally I think we should celebrate National Day.It is just that we needn’t do it with those MIWs and the President who was a colraborator of the Kempetai during WII.On the night of August 9,I was strolling at a nearby park with my mum and I saw a family having a BBQ party.Perhaps an alternative way of celebrating National Day?
This country is definitely not in desperate need to retain you and you are sure to be able to find a greener pastures out there in another ideal country.
But one should not forget that Singapore did give its citizen a a fair share to be educated and employed. Where on earth can you find and expect total fairness in life!
Good luck to you.
As for this Come Together thing,I believe the government had already known how much Singapore society is polarised and thus invented this theme.Come together yes,but only on August 9th.Otherwise its you go your way,I go my way.You die yours.I die mine.
And I believe we shouldn’t be comparing Singapore with neighbouring third-world SEA countries.We should try comparing Singapore with countries like Denmark,Norway and Canada instead.
Overall, we might not be perfect, but at least our Govt are not corrupted like elsewhere, talking about comparing with Denmark, Norway and Canada, do you think you can walk all alone in the middle of the night at the said countries, not worrying being robbed? Even my foreigner friends commented how safe our SG is, we can even leave our bags at the chairs of the food centre/ food court or fast food outlet & proceed to order our food w/o much consideration. Do you dare to try that at other countries? So stop bitching, recently, I came across an article abt killing of dolphins to show manhood in Denmark, that’s the worst article I read. Its shows how barbaric these pple are, fancy them killing lives like that, so is Japan, they are no better! At least in SG we have a small population of animals abuse, but not in huge population like them, and most impt, the Govt did implement jail term on those cowards! I’m NOT carry balls, there are certain things I do not like abt SG but overall, the Govt did make it a safe and harmony place for us, take a look at other countries, where they have serious racist, religion probs! We should be contented.
Wendy- Have you lived in Denmark, Norway or Canada? While I can’t speak for Denmark or Norway, I have lived in Canada. And I can say with all honesty that I have walked home many a times after midnight with no incident whatsoever. The idea of crime ridden western countries is an overblown exaggeration of the local media.
seems tat safety is your only prerogrative wendy. In the Needs Theory (maslow’s), safety is categorised somewhere in the bottom rung.
I’m just sad ppl are still concern over lower needs when there’s many other factors taht should be considered in evaluating our current state than arguing on safety alone things like welfare, helping the poor and destitute, quality way of life, etc
Damn awesome~ Really spelled everything out brilliantly… Life is never fair. I knew it never has, to me its just another holiday that i could rest. Long forgotten the meaning of national day.
Imagine the shyt i have to go through during my ns and in return i got nothing good but damages to my physical body. And not to mention cold-hearted docs u get to see in-camp. Tired of their bullshit. Sometimes i really cant believe their mental state of mind.