That's Such An Insolent Remark

We live, we learn.

I did not know of Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate from Nigeria, until I read an article where ST senior writer Cheong Suk-Wai interviewed him on "colonialism and human rights activists". Here are some interesting Q&A.

• Q: "On Singapore?"
  A: "I find it well laid out, very orderly with a kind of antiseptic atmosphere."

• Q: "With globalization leveling playing fields, it would appear that everyone might soon have an equal voice".
  A: "At the moment, Western powers have built up a tradition of commercial dictatorship with all nations, with the encouragement, very often, of leadership of our very own societies, who find it very easy to collaborate. They become the darlings of their trading partners but, in fact, they are degrading the collective worth of their own societies."
  
  
• Q: "But isn't being open to trade beneficial to their peoples?"
  A: "I've heard statements from so-called democratic leaders such as: 'I know what is best for my people.' That's such an insolent remark."
  
  
• Q: "Why so?"
  A: It's no different from the language of the former colonial masters. So you are quite right that we are still aspiring towards the level playing field.
  
  
• Q: So the colonialism still prevails long after the colonialists have left?
  A: It is so. The British, when they were leaving, decided which part of Nigeria was to rule over the rest.
  
  
• Q: What would you advise other countries with similar competing ethnicities and histories?
  A: The only advice that I can offer is exactly the formula which we are proposing for our nation, which is this: We know this nation was founded on a lie. But let us sit down now and decide the protocols of co-existence, because as long as we have not done that, we are fulfilling the mandate of our colonial masters. We are not yet free.
  

Singaporeans are always reminded by leaders of how lucky we are in not living in a peaceful fishing village but a vibrant city where providing gambling dens has become a pride and joy of a government devoid of other means and ideas of sustaining a country's (or is it city's?) economy. Some would prefer a laid-back fishing village than a over-crowded money-crazed $ingapore where friendliness, kindness and compassion give way to greed, power and insolence. Where everyone is just a cog in the wheel, a mere digit, to serve the gods of CBF. No, not the Face of the female sexual organ (in Hokkien) but be part of a Cheaper, Better and Faster cog in the wheel of Lim Swee Say!

Interestingly, I also read about MM Lee rubbishing opposition parties in Singapore. "Come election time, they talk a lot of things, which is rubbish," said Mr Lee. [Link] and singing praises of PAP's politicians.

"MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew yesterday hit out at critics of People's Action Party politicians, reiterating that the Singapore system works precisely because the ruling party takes great care when choosing its candidates, including some who forgo high-paying careers to become ministers.


To drive home his point, he pointed to the examples of Law Minister K. Shanmugam, an MP of Sembawang GRC, and Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Indranee Rajah.

Ms Indranee is a lawyer with one of Singapore's top legal firms, just as Mr Shanmugam was before he became an office-bearer last year.

Mr Shanmugam, Mr Lee said, could make $6 million a year while in private practice, but now makes $1.5 million a year as a minister.

'(Opposition MP) Low Thia Khiang says, 'Oh, so much money.' I tell you honestly, if I am not a minister, I myself could make two or three times what I am making now. Every time I talk to foreign companies, they offer me $100,000. What do I do with the money? I give it (away) for scholarships, donate to it schools,' he added.

Likewise, it was hard to find an MP like Ms Indranee - well-educated, earning a good living, but who yet took the time to nurture her constituency and push residents' interests and help improve their living conditions." [Link]

Shanmugam may lose some but does Indranee make more by being an MP?

Such self adulation makes the little guys in Singapore want to puke. Some swear. With money that may last till the world ends (but some Chinese say only 3 generations), what is one to do if not spread some around in some charity for good karma? With due respect to the MM, if he wants more money, he should just go do his thing, not stifle his son and give Lee Jnr the chance to prove his mettle as a Prime Minister.

Just because Indranee and Shangmugum earn less now (but still in the millions) does it mean that they are sacrificing their bloody selves? Hello, do we want to put them in the same league as Mother Theresa or Mahatma Ghandi next? Let's have a sense of proportion.

For goodness' sake, politicians chose to be in PAP for their own benefit. Whether it is altruistic (for the good of others) or for their own fame and glory, who knows? Only they themselves know. Maybe, just maybe, they want to be in the limelight so that they can get paid $100,000 as a guest speaker in a foreign company like their mentor. God knows!

"Come election time, they talk a lot of things, which is rubbish".
In the words of Mr Wole Soyinka, "That's such an insolent remark."

In the eyes of some, I'm may be equally insolent, as in disrespectful, to an old man. However, as "speak from the guts" Greatgrandma of my granddaughter teaches me, "Respect needs to be earned, not demanded."

feedmetothefish

Insolent: [Link]
adj.
1. Presumptuous and insulting in manner or speech; arrogant
2. Audaciously rude or disrespectful; impertinent.